Book Review: Tattoo by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Tattoo
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publication: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (January 9, 2007)

Description: Bailey Morgan isn't the type of girl who shows a lot of skin, but somehow, she ends up in a dressing room at the mall with her friend Delia applying a temporary tattoo to her lower back. Never one to suffer fashion doubt, trendsetter Delia knows exactly where she wants her own tattoo: on her stomach, right where her shirt ends—can you say "midriff"? Annabelle, the quiet one, chooses the back of her neck, and tomboy Zo plasters hers on the top of her foot. The tattoos will last for three days, and Delia's sure that with them, the four friends will absolutely kill at the school dance.

Unfortunately, killing is just what someone has in mind, and Bailey, Delia, Annabelle, and Zo are in for the battle of their lives. Along with her tattoo, each girl receives a gift—a supernatural power to help them in their fight. As Bailey's increasingly frightening dreams reveal the nature of their enemy, it becomes clear to the girls that it's up to them to save the world. And if they can get Delia to stop using her newfound power to turn gum wrappers into Prada pumps, they might actually stand a chance.

My Thoughts: Four high school best friends are cruising the mall one day when they find an unusual kiosk. Bailey buys a packet of temporary tattoos which she shares with her friends. The tattoos lead the way to an action-packed weekend filled with characters from mythology and a quest to save the world.

Bailey is the average, klutzy one but she has a blood tie to the Fates and her gift is fire. She also has visions and hears voices which provide hints about what their mission is. Her friend Annabelle's tattoo lets her read minds and influence others. Fashion maven Delia is given the gift of transformation with her tattoo and athletic, tomboy Zo gets the gift of prophetic visions with hers.

The girls have one weekend to find a way to stop one of the Fates from destroying the seal that keeps the world in balance. I liked the way the girls' different personalities mesh in this story. Delia's use of her power provides comic relief for the heavier elements of the story.

The story is told from Bailey's point of view. She has a great voice and is interested in all the things important to high school girls.

Favorite Quote:

Blissfully unaware (or maybe deliberately ignoring) the silent exchange between the two of us, Delia picked up another bottle of polish and became instantly and absolutely entranced by it. "Mango Mermaid," she breathed in the reverent tone most people reserved for the birth of their first child.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.