What do you think?
Rate this book
Tattoo
A mysterious young woman appears in a cynical age. Why is she here ... and will she survive long enough to achieve her purpose?
Judgment Day was not as advertised. Instead of fire and wrath, our histories suddenly began to appear as tattoos on our skin. No one could hide their past deeds anymore, unless they visited an illegal tattoo artist, who could replace their sins with unmarked skin.
Years later, a young woman appears, entirely unmarked. No one knows what her appearance means, but a small band of people find themselves drawn to her, ready to set off on a quest whose purpose is as unknown as the young woman's past.
Judgment Day was not as advertised. Instead of fire and wrath, our histories suddenly began to appear as tattoos on our skin. No one could hide their past deeds anymore, unless they visited an illegal tattoo artist, who could replace their sins with unmarked skin.
Years later, a young woman appears, entirely unmarked. No one knows what her appearance means, but a small band of people find themselves drawn to her, ready to set off on a quest whose purpose is as unknown as the young woman's past.
- GenresFantasy
ebook
Published March 7, 2018
About the author
Michelle Rene
11 books60 followersMichelle Rene is a creative advocate and the author of a number of published works of historical fiction and speculative fiction.
She has won multiple indie awards. Her novel, Hour Glass, won Chanticleer Review’s “Best Book of the Year” award in 2018. Her experimental novella, Tattoo, was a Foreword Review’s Indies finalist for fantasy. The Dodo Knight, a historical novella, placed as a finalist with the Next Gen Indie Book Awards. Her YA historical fantasy, Manufactured Witches, won the OZMA award for fantasy, the Discovery Award from the Writer's League of Texas, and was honored by the Indie Author Project as Texas’s best YA novel in 2019.
When not writing, she is a professional artist, museum lover, belly dancer, and autism mom. She lives as the only female with her husband, son, and ungrateful cat in Dallas, Texas.
To learn more about her, check out her website http://www.michellereneauthor.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 11, 2018
*I received a free e-copy of this review in exchange for an honest opinion.*
Actual Rating: 3.5
This was interesting! From the blurb, I was super interested in the world-building and the author did not disappoint. The setting was a scary blend of fantasy and realism, and I felt like this made it even more relatable and immersive.
Tattoo takes place in a world where everyone is marked by tattoos that tell the stories of our lives. Every sin, every moment in your past appears on the skin, for everyone else to see. The only way to hide them would be to visit illegal tattoo artists who have learned how to cover it up with clean skin. And then there are flesh dealers.
When a young woman suddenly arrives with completely unblemished skin, the world is thrown into chaos. People see her as a mystery, or as a monster - but in the midst of all this, there is a small band of people who still have goodness in their hearts, who know there is something that needs to be done.
Another unique thing about this book is the chronology - it’s written in reverse order! To be honest, it did confuse me a little bit at first but I actually really liked this formatting as it allowed the reader to be thrust into a jarring new world that they could then gradually learn more about.
Personally I’ve never been a huge fan of books written in multiple perspectives, and honestly, this was no different, as I definitely liked some point of views better than others. (The tattoo artist’s chapter was my favorite!) Nevertheless, it was interesting to see how the story seemed to weave amongst the different characters.
Overall, I thought this was a quick and intense read, perfect for readers of dystopian or fantasy!
Actual Rating: 3.5
This was interesting! From the blurb, I was super interested in the world-building and the author did not disappoint. The setting was a scary blend of fantasy and realism, and I felt like this made it even more relatable and immersive.
Tattoo takes place in a world where everyone is marked by tattoos that tell the stories of our lives. Every sin, every moment in your past appears on the skin, for everyone else to see. The only way to hide them would be to visit illegal tattoo artists who have learned how to cover it up with clean skin. And then there are flesh dealers.
When a young woman suddenly arrives with completely unblemished skin, the world is thrown into chaos. People see her as a mystery, or as a monster - but in the midst of all this, there is a small band of people who still have goodness in their hearts, who know there is something that needs to be done.
Another unique thing about this book is the chronology - it’s written in reverse order! To be honest, it did confuse me a little bit at first but I actually really liked this formatting as it allowed the reader to be thrust into a jarring new world that they could then gradually learn more about.
Personally I’ve never been a huge fan of books written in multiple perspectives, and honestly, this was no different, as I definitely liked some point of views better than others. (The tattoo artist’s chapter was my favorite!) Nevertheless, it was interesting to see how the story seemed to weave amongst the different characters.
Overall, I thought this was a quick and intense read, perfect for readers of dystopian or fantasy!
March 8, 2018
This was such a fascinating story - it definitely fit the theme of "making you think". When I finished, I gave a great sigh of satisfaction. There's a couple of different things the author does in this story. First off, each chapter is told from a different point of view. The first and last chapters are told from the point of view of several gods who are using Jane to influence the world. Each of the subsequent chapters is told from the point of view of someone who decides to protect Jane because of her goodness. Jane elicits two responses from people - fear because of her difference, or compassion to help her because of her difference. She manages to find enough good people around her to keep her safe (at least for now).
The story also started at the end. That can be a gimmick, but the author was able to use the technique to pull the reader deeper and deeper into the mystery of where Jane came from. Each chapter walks back Jane's history so you get a little more of where she came from, what happened to her, and why she is such an oddity. A world where your actions are written on your skin for others to read works very differently from ours. It's much harder to hide the shameful decisions you made, or even forget the horrible things that happened to you without an illegal tattoo artist. That tattoo artist has to be able to forge the Maker's handwriting (and what font does the Maker use on a person's skin?). It makes me wonder what would be written on my skin and how far down my body my tattoo would extend. The more you live and do interesting things, the longer your tattoo. I would hope I'd be running out of skin to tell my life's story by the time I died!
And don't worry, Rene does give the reader closure in the last chapter. You find out where Jane came from and why the gods are interested in her. And it changes the flavor of everything you've read. Almost makes me want to go back and read it again, now that I know her purpose. Overall, highly recommended.
The story also started at the end. That can be a gimmick, but the author was able to use the technique to pull the reader deeper and deeper into the mystery of where Jane came from. Each chapter walks back Jane's history so you get a little more of where she came from, what happened to her, and why she is such an oddity. A world where your actions are written on your skin for others to read works very differently from ours. It's much harder to hide the shameful decisions you made, or even forget the horrible things that happened to you without an illegal tattoo artist. That tattoo artist has to be able to forge the Maker's handwriting (and what font does the Maker use on a person's skin?). It makes me wonder what would be written on my skin and how far down my body my tattoo would extend. The more you live and do interesting things, the longer your tattoo. I would hope I'd be running out of skin to tell my life's story by the time I died!
And don't worry, Rene does give the reader closure in the last chapter. You find out where Jane came from and why the gods are interested in her. And it changes the flavor of everything you've read. Almost makes me want to go back and read it again, now that I know her purpose. Overall, highly recommended.
March 18, 2018
This book explores a very unique idea: what if every time you made a major decision in life, it was etched across your body for all to see? I enjoyed the setup and the characters, and understanding exactly how this world worked. Though for me it wasn't long enough! I would have loved to spend a little more time in this world learning about the characters and how they deal with their decisions and how a world free from secrets manages to reign in the chaos.
A big thank you to the author for providing me a digital copy of this book for free via a Twitter contest. I never win anything so this was quite a treat.
A big thank you to the author for providing me a digital copy of this book for free via a Twitter contest. I never win anything so this was quite a treat.
March 2, 2018
The way this book was structured was really well done. It showed the beginning of a great story but then also showed every side of it. Showed every characters different side of it and reasoning behind why they were helping her. I am super bummed there isn’t more of this. Hopefully, the Author will continue with this, would make a really amazing series.
It is only 124 pages long, so do bear that in mind. But boy did the Author pack a punch within a short amount of pages. I wasn’t left with a load of questions, the world built was simple but to the point. All I was left with was where was this going to end up? Where is the next book?
(Disclaimer: I received a copy from the Publisher. Does not affect my review)
It is only 124 pages long, so do bear that in mind. But boy did the Author pack a punch within a short amount of pages. I wasn’t left with a load of questions, the world built was simple but to the point. All I was left with was where was this going to end up? Where is the next book?
(Disclaimer: I received a copy from the Publisher. Does not affect my review)
May 17, 2019
This little gem was quite a surprise. I’m not usually all that thrilled with short novels, but this one packed a punch. It was getting no attention at the library, but something about the story premise intrigued me. The characters are done very well and the ending was not what I expected, in a good way. Give it a try....
April 25, 2020
What if your whole history of misdeeds and bad judgments appeared on your skin? And what if someone appeared with no markings? Giving the reader a lot to think about, Michele Rene takes us into a world where the unknown causes most people to react negatively. A multilayered read that I’d love to have discussions about. Intriguing and entertaining with a dose of spiritual fantasy.
February 13, 2018
Tattoo is a page-turner! The story follows the journey of Jane from the perspective of a handful of friends. Following “judgement day”, every person was marked with tattoos that told everything about that person. Everyone was laid bare to judgement; everyone except Jane who lacked any tattoos, and therefore any past. Ms. Rene does a great job of painting a diverse group of compatriots, and also writes the story primarily in reverse order. Also a great twist at the end. Enjoy!
July 29, 2021
American Gods meets Stranger in a Strange Land in this novella of post-Judgement Day dystopia, where the details of everyone’s life are tattooed upon the skin by the Maker. In such a world, a person without a single tattoo written across the body in the Maker’s own perfect handwriting can threaten the whole of civilization. “Failure to register” takes on a whole new meaning when Jane Sparrow appears out of nowhere with not a drop of ink on her body. She has no idea who she is or where she came from, and her body reveals nothing. She’s quickly imprisoned for her uniqueness, but her innocence and vulnerability win her stalwart friends who break her free under the approving watch of the demi-gods and mythological beings who fashioned her and impregnated her. Now what will happen?
Sadly, that’s where the story ends. It’s more of a premise than an actual story, narrated through the POV of the various characters involved in Jane’s prison escape. The base concept is that the “mono-God” has walked away from her creation after Judgment Day, and now it’s up to other immortals to fix the planet, which they do by forming Jane from clay, breathing life into her, and placing a fetus within her womb.
Tattoo is an enjoyable read up to that point where you realize it’s done and there is no clear story future, no indication of where Jane can go, what her inkless life can accomplish other than garner followers, what consequences her allies will face, or even what the immortals hope to bring to fruition. It’s thought-provoking, but don’t look for any theological depth despite the premise.
Sadly, that’s where the story ends. It’s more of a premise than an actual story, narrated through the POV of the various characters involved in Jane’s prison escape. The base concept is that the “mono-God” has walked away from her creation after Judgment Day, and now it’s up to other immortals to fix the planet, which they do by forming Jane from clay, breathing life into her, and placing a fetus within her womb.
Tattoo is an enjoyable read up to that point where you realize it’s done and there is no clear story future, no indication of where Jane can go, what her inkless life can accomplish other than garner followers, what consequences her allies will face, or even what the immortals hope to bring to fruition. It’s thought-provoking, but don’t look for any theological depth despite the premise.
March 6, 2018
Tattoo is a unique story - it is written in reverse. It's a fascinating premise, and Rene's writing is insightful and thoughtful. It moves at a good clip and never bogs down. But it's the characters, who are so colorful and multi-dimensional, that really carry the book.
The story centers around a young girl who wakes up in a hospital with no memories. How she got to the hospital is also a mystery. But the most baffling thing is that, unlike everyone else, she has no tattoos. At some point in the future, the "Makers" cause tattoos to appear on everyone. Starting at birth, basic information is recorded, and throughout life, good and bad deeds are written for all to see. Naturally, the lack of tattoos on "Jane's" skin is very troubling to the authorities.
Along the way, Jane encounters five people who feel compelled to help her. All of them are themselves lost in some way. Her fragile and innocent nature touches something in each of them. By helping her, each one begins on a path to finding their own way.
This story might be troubling to some religious people, but to me, it's a story of hope and promise and people finding the good in themselves. This story stayed with me long afterwards. I really would like to see what happens next to these characters. And I think that's the mark of a good book.
The story centers around a young girl who wakes up in a hospital with no memories. How she got to the hospital is also a mystery. But the most baffling thing is that, unlike everyone else, she has no tattoos. At some point in the future, the "Makers" cause tattoos to appear on everyone. Starting at birth, basic information is recorded, and throughout life, good and bad deeds are written for all to see. Naturally, the lack of tattoos on "Jane's" skin is very troubling to the authorities.
Along the way, Jane encounters five people who feel compelled to help her. All of them are themselves lost in some way. Her fragile and innocent nature touches something in each of them. By helping her, each one begins on a path to finding their own way.
This story might be troubling to some religious people, but to me, it's a story of hope and promise and people finding the good in themselves. This story stayed with me long afterwards. I really would like to see what happens next to these characters. And I think that's the mark of a good book.
March 15, 2018
Every time I pick up a book by Michelle Rene, I am grateful that she is such a prolific writer. I can honestly say that I was surprised by the cleverness of this book. Michelle has done it again. Bravo.
In 2030, after Judgement Day, ordinary people find themselves tattooed by the Maker - their life stories with joy and misery permanently inked on their skin. Imagine a world where your deepest secrets lay bare to those you encounter - miscarriages, affairs, bestiality, greed, murder - because your secrets live on your skin.
Enter Jane. She arrives, out of the blue, as though breathed to life from clay, and is unmarked. There is no story upon her skin and no one quite knows what to do. The book is especially clever with its structure - it is told from the reverse perspective. Every chapter is shared from a new character that has become one of Jane's supportive enclave.
Is she an angel or a demon? Who is this person with unspoiled skin? What story will be told?
In 2030, after Judgement Day, ordinary people find themselves tattooed by the Maker - their life stories with joy and misery permanently inked on their skin. Imagine a world where your deepest secrets lay bare to those you encounter - miscarriages, affairs, bestiality, greed, murder - because your secrets live on your skin.
Enter Jane. She arrives, out of the blue, as though breathed to life from clay, and is unmarked. There is no story upon her skin and no one quite knows what to do. The book is especially clever with its structure - it is told from the reverse perspective. Every chapter is shared from a new character that has become one of Jane's supportive enclave.
Is she an angel or a demon? Who is this person with unspoiled skin? What story will be told?
April 9, 2018
This book was incredible. I binge read it in one sitting because I just couldn't stop reading. That opening chapter is the perfect hook. I love how it introduces the main character. The whole book was written in a way that reminded me a lot of the movie Crash. Each person had a different point of view about how they came into contact with the main character. I thought that was an ingenious and unique way of writing it.
That end chapter really threw me and left me wanting so much more! I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves dystopian, societal struggle, futuristic, etc.
It really is a unique storyline!
That end chapter really threw me and left me wanting so much more! I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves dystopian, societal struggle, futuristic, etc.
It really is a unique storyline!
July 14, 2018
A SIMPLE MAN'S REVIEW:
Like Blindspot, but backwards. This is a fun, short read that I hope is a "proof of concept" for a larger novel. We don't learn much about Jane in the book, but I enjoyed the storytelling method of framing her within the experiences of the other main characters. Sort of like putting pieces of a puzzle together, although unfortunately, this puzzle is missing most of the pieces.
Read it and then tell the author we want more of Jane and the fascinating world she lives in!
Like Blindspot, but backwards. This is a fun, short read that I hope is a "proof of concept" for a larger novel. We don't learn much about Jane in the book, but I enjoyed the storytelling method of framing her within the experiences of the other main characters. Sort of like putting pieces of a puzzle together, although unfortunately, this puzzle is missing most of the pieces.
Read it and then tell the author we want more of Jane and the fascinating world she lives in!
August 30, 2018
Great interwoven tales
Through a series of connected stories, Rene paints a striking picture of a not-quite-dystopian world that differs from our own in only one regard: everyone's life is tattooed on their skin. The appearance of one young woman with no tattoos brings an unlikely group of ordinary people together, and we are treated to experiencing each of their struggles as they take their places in the overall story. The concept is wonderful and the writing excellent.
Through a series of connected stories, Rene paints a striking picture of a not-quite-dystopian world that differs from our own in only one regard: everyone's life is tattooed on their skin. The appearance of one young woman with no tattoos brings an unlikely group of ordinary people together, and we are treated to experiencing each of their struggles as they take their places in the overall story. The concept is wonderful and the writing excellent.
November 13, 2018
Really enjoyed this novella - a great premise of a dystopian future, good characters, and good descriptions of characters and scenes. It's fairly visual, actually, and I see it as a movie or mini series. I liked the style of each chapter in the point of view of the six main characters, too. A fun, quick read about a world that while far-fetched (some magical realism plays out here), isn't too unlike our own.
March 6, 2018
I was sucked in from the moment I picked up this book. I literally could not put it down. The author weaves an intriguing alternate world story that is a must read. I am definitely adding this one to my Tuesday night book club!
March 6, 2018
I could not put it down! This book is thought provoking and sucks you in from page one. I love this author. Everything she writes is captivating and never disappoints. This is my new favorite!
August 20, 2018
I don't usually read SF, but was intrigued by the title. The story is told by each major character with their concerns. A quick but interesting plot. You will be surprised by the conclusion.
February 6, 2022
Oooooh not for me. I did not enjoy this at all!
June 8, 2024
Tattoo. By Michelle Rene
I liked the premise but i think the author needed to expand some of the characters and explain more about the theme. It is a science fiction book and the end left me perplexed but maybe i am just not able to pick up subtleties that explain the conclusion. Any way if you like weird very short stories give it a try and let me know any thoughts you have!!
I liked the premise but i think the author needed to expand some of the characters and explain more about the theme. It is a science fiction book and the end left me perplexed but maybe i am just not able to pick up subtleties that explain the conclusion. Any way if you like weird very short stories give it a try and let me know any thoughts you have!!
Read
July 20, 2018Disclaimer: Can't rate because I edited this.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews