Tattoo: The Awakening

by Toni Leland, Julia Angier (Illustrator)

Biracial Danielle Clark never dreamed she would spend her senior year in a hick school full of farmers. Still reeling from the shock of her parents' separation, Danielle discovers that being neither black nor white in a small rural town makes her a prime target for adolescent cruelty.

When she meets Meli, a fearless Native American girl, Danielle is mesmerized by her new friend's WTF outlook on life, and makes an impulsive decision to get a tattoo.

Through a series of frightening events, belief in the spiritual power of her tattoo instills Danielle with new insight into human nature, the courage to face the future, and the revelation that she's the only one in charge of her happiness.

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2011

About the author

Toni Leland has been writing for more than 30 years. She is the author of eight equestrian novels and mysteries, a paranormal romance, a paranormal teen novel, and two juvenile chapter books. Her short stories have appeared in Arabella Romance Magazine, True Story, Bylines Writer’s Calendar, From the Heart anthologies, and Horse Tales for the Soul.

Toni has written articles for international gardening site, Dave’s Garden (http://www.davesgarden.com); she writes feature articles for Grit magazine (grit.com), OHIO magazine/Over the Back Fence regional magazines (OHIOmagazine.com), Country Living, and Norwich magazine She also writes a monthly column on gardening for Norwich Magazine and blogs at Toni Leland's Garden Gate, http://tonilelandgardengate.blogspot.com.

Visit Toni at http://tonileland.blogspot.com
End

Reviews

[Mindy/fangedmom]

I just found out I am a Goodreads First read program winner of this book! I am so excited to read this one. I am a huge believer in my tattoos all having serious meaning to them. This is going to be a great read!!

A singed ARC is an obsession of mine...BONUS! Cant wait to get this book!!!

[Mutated Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following a teenage girl named Dani, Tattoo is a book mostly focused on high school, tattoos, and trigger warning, a sexual assault. Dani, who just moved across the country because of her parents divorce, moved with her five year old brother brucie, and she really has trouble fitting in at her new school. That is, until she meets Meli, and gets her first tattoo.

Check out my full review here! Posted 11/14/2025

https://mutatedlibrary.wordpress.com/...

[Shawanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fairly good book. I have 11tattoos so I believe that they have power and it manifests different for every person. I like the fact that Dani's character is a multiracial girl trying to find her way in a town that seems to be closed minded. That is a situation that happens everyday in America and this book portrayed just that. I enjoyed the twist of the tattoos and the bond between her and Meli but I am a little disappointed in how the book ended, there is enough left to discover so if there is another book I will definitely read it because I am left with a lot of questions like what happens between her and Kevin? Why did Kevin seem to change his attitude towards Dani? What's really up with the marsh? What's the real story behind her parents? And really just want to read more about Trace :-)

[Kristen N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toni Leland has created a truly believable story when writing Tattoo: The Awakening. This book has some of everything in it..suspense, mystery, fantasy, and just a hint of romance. Toni Leland gives the readers an up, down and sideways ride always with the promise of more to come. I am disappointed in how the book ended, since there is still much to tell and things left to discover. Tattoo: The Awakening can be read as a stand alone, but have heard a trilogy is in the works. I know I will be anxiously be awaiting.

[Audra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book.I was excited to see how her relationships grew with the different characters in the book. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because I was disappointed that it was over. I really would have liked to haven seen another book to continue to see the growth in those relationships and how she deals with her full understanding of what is now happening to her.

[ILoveBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel was fairly good. I was never a true believer in the meaning of tattoos though :p

[Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for young adults about the coming of age and things some will experience.