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| The Black Tattoo | 
 enlarge | Author: Sam Enthoven
Publisher: Razorbill
Category: Book
List Price: $9.99
Buy Used: $0.50
You Save: $9.49 (95%)
New (30) Used (17) from $0.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 91197
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 528
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.6
ISBN: 1595141332
EAN: 9781595141330
ASIN: 1595141332
Publication Date: January 10, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: pb, slight cover wear, excellent copy
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Jacks best friend, Charlie, is in serious trouble, possessed by an ancient demon called the Scourge who plans to use Charlie to bring about its evil endswhich, unfortunately, involve the destruction of the entire universe. Now Jack and the butt-kicking, sword-wielding Esme must contend with floating sharks, intelligent jelly, oversized centipedes, gladiator pits, and vomiting bats, all for the sake of saving Charlie from the Scourge. And, hopefully, saving the universe from total and utter annihilation.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
 Welcome to Apocalyptic Horror "Light" July 24, 2008
This novel is a snappily-written, funny, thought-provoking read... especially if the reader is a teenager or "young adult" - this book's intended audience. With that in mind, I highly recommend this to that category of reader.
If, however, you are a "not so young anymore" adult, you'll probably find yourself doing what I did as I read: asking Enthoven to get a little more down and dirty and to tone down the humor a bit. For instance, it's one thing have the stereotypical idiot commando leader, gonzo to the point of insanity over "the mission"... it's quite another to let said leader get so many lines in a story that really barely even needs him.
The ironic tone that Enthoven uses for his protagonist, Jack, is superb; don't get me wrong. The writing really is excellent. But I found myself wanting Jack to be - well, a little less of a sarcastic teenager and a lot more of a ... well, of what he finally becomes in the end. That's actually a good indication of the skill that Enthoven possesses: he definitely hooked me with a great character with a strong voice that I was rooting for, from beginning to end.
Lastly, regarding the existential stuff, I found myself fascinated with the depiction of hell and its denizens. It wasn't offensive to my sensibilities in the least to see God's "real job", and frankly I found myself often laughing at the ways in which the residents of hell were often laughing at "us". I think my own beliefs are solid enough to withstand a few hours of entertainment with a book as imaginative and as fun as this one!
 Imaginative effort that falls painfully short July 2, 2008
I picked this book up somewhat serendipitously, having acquired it from a friend who was discomfited by some of its views and being fascinated with all things macabre, demonic and occult in general. Now, I understand that this is intended for a much younger audience than my own twenty-three years but I have read and enjoyed Harry Potter, The Golden Compass and its sequels, and read and to some extent enjoyed even Twilight. All that to say, I am disappointed enough with it that I have no plans to finish it.
First, the good: Enthoven creates a highly imaginative world that plays with concepts of demonic possession and hell in some rather original ways. His young hero is rather likable, particularly as one views his own struggle with feeling "ordinary" and left out of things, only to be thrust into events in the effort to save his friend (this is about as far as I got).
Now, the bad: throughout the book I was almost paralyzed by the lack of empathy created with the characters. They seemed unconvincing, flat, and contrived somehow, like cartoon talking heads. The author filled their speech-bubbles with dialog but I never felt as though I really connected profoundly with any character. I grant you there are many ways to do this and some authors certainly do it much better than others, but I don't believe that Enthoven's style was merely lost on me as I've read everything from the aforementioned "young adult" works to my more usual fare of Lovecraft, Lumley and Matheson (of these days). The plot suffered as a result of the poor characterization: it seemed random and "jumpy": for those who have read the book, what led the fellow Nick (host of the demon called the Scourge) to seemingly randomly select the two boys Charlie and Jack off the street? The whole concept of a secret brotherhood intended to keep the world safe from the demon the Scourge is interesting but comes off rather glib and cliched. Nothing wrong with using a concept like that, but you have to make it your own, and I'm rather at a loss as to how Enthoven really did that.
In summation, then: two stars for imaginative effort, but pass this one over. If you're into things of this sort stick to the Golden Compass and its sequels, and Garth Nix's Sabriel and its sequels. Both series are far better written and far more compelling reads.
 wonderful book June 5, 2008
This was a wonderful book. Came to me in excellant condition. Couldnt believe it. Thank you so much.
Black Tattoo October 20, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Jack and Charlie are two ordinary kids who find themselves fighting demons in Hell. They become gladiators and they join forces with the dark side. What else could go wrong?
Charlie had to think really hard about whether he wanted to rule Hell or not? Would he rather rule Hell or go back to his home? He thought about all the bad things in his life. He thought about his father abandoning him. Then he thought about what ruling Hell would be like. He chose to help the Scourge (a demon). How could Charlie do that? What reasons in his life drove him to that decision?
Eventually, Jack and, Charlie return to earth. They all say goodbye and leave. They all felt relieved that their adventure was worth while and that they had saved the earth from evil.
Find out how Jack and Charlie battle the demons in hell and in the process find themselves and overcome all the sad things in their lives.
I think the book was very interesting. It was a little hard to follow at times. I would recommend this book to kids that like adventure and fast-paced books. I would also recommend it to kids who enjoy kung-fu and martial arts. The book was a little long, but it kept my attention.
Best book I've read so far this year! May 13, 2007
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
This book is simply excellent. I had expected this book to be a good read, but not THAT good of a read. This book is filled with fantasy, magic, a wonderful plot, twists and turns, interesting characters that come alive, magic and more. Anybody that graded this three stars or lower...well? I don't know why. Hmm?
This story starts with two normal teenage boys, Charlie and Jack. Even though they are both ENTIRELY different people they've still been best friends for as long as they can remember. They end up running into a man named Nick who is the leader for a small group of people called "The Brotherhood". The Brotherhood's job is to keep a demon called the Scourge from escaping and going back to Hell. They don't exactly KNOW his intentions but they do know that they are very bad. The Scourge has been let out and it's up to Jack, Charlie (?), and a butt-kicking woman from the Brotherhood, Esme to stop the caos and save the world from the forces of Hell. They'll be going on an adventure they'll NEVER forget.
I hope that you all at least try this book and I hope that you enjoy as much as I did.
HAPPY READING!
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