Tattoo by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Publication Date: Jan. 9, 2007

Here is another tale of four teenaged girls—-Bailey, Zo, Annabelle, and Delia—-who spend their time shopping at the mall, flirting with boys, and not much else. However, when the girls buy a set of temporary tattoos, something mysterious happens when they place them on their bodies. Bailey gets the gift of fire, Annabelle can suddenly read and control minds, Delia can change objects into anything she wants and Zo has premonition. The supernatural powers are temporary, and the girls have three days to battle Alecca, the evil fairy princess who wants to destroy humans for no reason, and completely kill everyone at the school dance on Monday. Because of her ancient bloodline of the Sidhe, Bailey discovers that she is descended from the Three Fates, and after Alecca is destroyed, Bailey retains her tattoo and absorbs Alecca’s mystical powers.

The cover will sell this book—-a lifted shirt showing the title of the book tattooed on a young lady’s lower back. But, I was unimpressed with the characterization, plot, and especially the stale dialogue of the young women. For example, "'Okay, fairy,' Zo said evenly. 'Now it’s on'" seems clichéd. The characters are difficult to know and like. There were several situations in the novel that didn’t integrate into the plot. However, if you have readers of girl-power fantasies, this will satisfy your patrons’ needs.

For VOYA, 2Q, 3P and intended for middle school, junior high, and secondary school students