{"product_id":"the-tattooed-heart-isbn-9780062207432","title":"The Tattooed Heart","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe games continue in New York Times bestselling author Michael Grant's sequel to Messenger of Fear—a haunting tale for fans of Stephen King that combines fantasy with real-world horror stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMara has learned to punish the wicked as the Messenger's apprentice. Those who act out of selfishness and greed, and others who become violent because of prejudice and hate, pay the ultimate price. But Mara is constantly reminded that Messengers are serving their own kind of punishment—for every person who is offered justice, they wear a tattoo that symbolizes the heart of the crime. As Mara delves deeper into her harsh reality she will discover that in spite of all the terror she and Messenger inflict, caring in this world is the hardest part of all.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow can she save the world when every soul she judges leaves another scar on her own?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA Game of Life and Death:\u003c\/b\u003e Mara’s targets—from racist bullies to cruel pimps—must play for their souls. But when the Game Master arrives, losing is the least of their worries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAn Apprentice to a Powerful Being:\u003c\/b\u003e Her mysterious mentor, the Messenger, wields immense power, but he’s haunted by a lost love that could be his undoing… and Mara’s.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSupernatural Powers and Terrible Curses:\u003c\/b\u003e As her own power grows, Mara learns the true cost of her service: every wicked act she punishes is tattooed onto her own skin, a permanent chronicle of horror.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eGood vs. Evil:\u003c\/b\u003e Mara must face down not just human cruelty, but literal demons like the seductive Oriax, who offers a tempting escape from her grim duty.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e | \u003cp\u003eMara has already witnessed more evil as the Messenger's apprentice than most people do in their lifetime, but the games continue.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Messenger leads Mara to the funeral of a Muslim boy named Aimal, who died standing up for his people, and then to an abandoned store, where they discover Graciella, a girl battling addiction. The all-knowing Messenger recognizes that they are victims of heinous crimes. Mara and Messenger will find the wicked—those who act out of selfishness and greed, and others who become violent because of prejudice and hate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut Mara and Messenger pay a price too. For every person who is offered justice, they will wear a tattoo that symbolizes the heart of the crime. And as Mara delves deeper into her harsh reality, she is surprised to realize that part of her is drawn to the sometimes compassionate Messenger. In spite of all the terror she and Messenger inflict, Mara will discover that caring in this world is the hardest part of all.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe second book in \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestselling author Michael Grant's Messenger of Fear series, \u003cem\u003eThe Tattooed Heart\u003c\/em\u003e combines fantasy with real-world horror stories to create a satisfying conclusion.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003ePraise for MESSENGER OF FEAR: “The Messenger of Fear has a two-word message for readers: BE AFRAID. The nightmares start in chapter one and don’t let up. Seriously, this book gave me chill after chill. My message to you: Read it in a safe, well-lighted place. It’s fright fiction at its best!” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eR. L. Stine, author of the bestselling Goosebumps series\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The enviably cunning and ever versatile Michael Grant explodes on the scene with Messenger of Fear, a palpitating horror fantasy mash-up with a genius twist that blew my mind. I walked through O’hare with this book in my face-I couldn’t stop reading!” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLisa McMann, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Wake trilogy and The Unwanteds series\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Mesmerizing, horrifying, and deeply thought-provoking.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eCarrie Ryan, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Grant only slowly unveils the reason Mara is with the Messenger, building tension and atmosphere expertly for maximum impact. Readers will find that in the end, it all comes together extremely well. An unusual and intriguing puzzle of a book.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Written from a stream-of-consciousness point of view, this book is a welcome change from the current dystopian young adult books that are so popular.The idea that good and evil in the world are balanced on the edge of a knife is a motivating philosophy.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eVoice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Grant’s new series starts off with a bang and never lets up. Mara is a strong, relatable character who stands up for herself, while also regretful of some of the things she has done in her past. The games will delight those readers who enjoy a little gore and horror in their books. This is a promising start to a series with a truly unique concept.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Grant explores bullying, family problems, suicide, and more, and several painful passages will have readers cringing, even as they make them think about what they would do in the same situation….a solid beginning to a series that is likely to be quite popular with horror and paranormal fans.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“This will appeal to fans of the first installment as well as those who enjoy gory reads.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Readers will still be satisfied with Mara’s growing maturity and acceptance of her own fate.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePraise for THE TATTOOED HEART: “An absorbing morality tale of guilt and redemption.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44888698159333,"sku":"NP9780062207432","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062207432.jpg?v=1730229647","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-tattooed-heart-isbn-9780062207432","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}