The Bar Code Tattoo (Bar Code #1)

MY THOUGHTS
I've seen this book around, but never picked it up because of the awkward cover. I saw it at a cheap book sale, though, so I figured "why not?". I probably could've done without reading this book. It wasn't horrible. It's your typical dystopian, but it was just meh overall.

Everyone is getting the bar code tattoo. Everyone over the age of 17 gets one. The tattoo is becoming the new currency and it carries all of your information. What's the big deal? It's not a problem if you have nothing to hide? But normal people's lives are being destroyed by this tattoo, while others are getting promoted. Kayla is against the tattoo and knows that it's dangerous, but when her society is getting closer to it being mandatory, can she keep her promise to herself? And what is in those bar codes?

This book is your typical dystopian. Government tries to be utopia, everyone goes along with it, except for MC, and MC joins rebellion. This isn't bad, but I've seen it all before (though, this book was published before the dystopian craze, so I can't really blame the book). I still liked the idea behind this book. I thought the tattoos were interesting and you really see a sheep-like effect in the population with the introduction to the tattoo, then they ignore any bad rep. It was also interesting seeing how fast and far things escalated. It's sad to say that this is how people would probably react, but it's true. I would also like to mention that there was a surprising kind-of paranormal-ish element to the book. It made it a bit different.

Now, I'm sorry to say that from here on, my review is going to be a bit negative. The book wasn't bad, but I couldn't ignore the flaws. My main problem was the pacing. The pacing was extremely fast, which meant that we were told things rather than shown and some parts were completely skipped over. There is one part where it mentions that Kayla's birthday is weeks ago, then the next chapter she wakes up on her birthday! Where did the time go?

Kayla, as a main character, was okay. I liked that she was into art and how she stands up for what she believes in, but other than that, there really wasn't much to her. The characters in this book felt really flat to me, not just Kayla, everyone.

As for romance, it was there, but it was so flat! There were actually two love interests, but I felt NOTHING for either of them, because their characters were so flat. Also, the thing I like about romance in books is all the feels. The romance was just cardboard. Instead of describing the kiss, it was described as "we kissed". Then they supposedly loved each other and had dates, all of which were skipped over!

IN CONCLUSION
Overall, this book was just "meh". I liked the idea and despite it being a typical dystopian, it had some new ideas. The pacing, though, was too fast and both the characters and romance were pure cardboard. I wanted to like this book, but I couldn't ignore the flaws. As for continuing the series, maybe. If I see it at another book sale, I'll pick it up. Otherwise, I'll just pass.

Reader reviewed by Lana

The Barcode Tattoo tells the story of Kayla, who on her birthday is waiting for her barcode tattoo- the tattoo that will make her life oh-so convenient. At least that's what the government wants everyone to belive. A small group of kids at her school are openly protesting the barcode tattoo's. Making them outcasts. Kayla joins them after seeing what the barcode tattoo did to her family- and uncovers a vicious goverment plan in the process, and finding the true meaning of friendship and trust. An amazing book that makes you think and worry a little about the future of our world. Is this what we can look foreward to in the future? The ups and downs of kayla's predicament will have your eyes glued to the page and your mind spining so you have no idea what is true and what is hiden.

Reader reviewed by Linz

This is a really neat book because it talks about things that might or might not happen in the near future and it does include a lot of the things that are being talked about right now, like an ID card or tracking people.

It asks a question that a lot of us might not be able to answer: What is better: Conformity or individuality?

Reader reviewed by Kailyn Smith

I loved this book. The Barcode Tattoo was recommended to me by a friend of mine and I am grateful that I did read it. I couldn't put the book down. I might be pretty young but I know a good book when I read it and The Barcode Tattoo was an mazing book. I got in a lot of trouble in my school because I was reading when I wasn't suppose to. I also enjoyed the second book in the sires The Barcode Rebellion.

Reader reviewed by the book muncher

The year in 2025, and the government is controlled by a corporation called Global-1. Now that theyre in charge, its necessary to get a bar code tattoo on your eighteenth birthday. But Kayla is too scared to get the tattoo, because it caused the death of her mother and father. Instead, she joins with several other teens to boycott getting the tattoo. She also falls for Zeke, until she finds out that he betrayed her and the rest of the group.

Kayla also discovers that she gets visions, which arent evidence of her being crazy, but psychic powers. Soon, she travels up to Canada with a fellow resistor Mfumbe, but she has to hide from the authorities, who want to incarcerate her. She makes it to a woman named Eutonah, who is hiding from Global-1 in the mountains in Canada, but she loses Mfumbe on the way. But they are soon found out do to an accidental mistake made by Kayla.

I found this story very unique and interesting, but I felt the story was very rushed towards the end of the book. The idea behind the story is very thought-provoking. It provides one answer to the question, What would happen if everyone knew your genetic code? In this story, it leads to massive discrimination against those with unfavorable genes, and the Global-1 corporation seems willing to go to any lengths to suppress any people who resist them. I recommend this novel for fans of the Uglies/Pretties/Specials series by Scott Westerfeld.

Reader reviewed by Lola Smith

I think this book is pretty good, but it touches some opinions that I don't think the world is ready to accept. I feel like we all are on Kayla's side in this book because of the hardships she faces, but at the same time its hard to know exactly what side Kayla's on until the end. I feel like she is not really opinionated because she seems to be swayed so easily by different groups, and I think she genuinly cares about what other people think.

All of the issues that the author arises in this book seem like legitamate issues; which I'm interseted to find out if they will really happen. But the one thing that puzzles me is, is the author a christian, or athiest, or non-religious. Because there is a quote in the book from revelation 13 and the authors note is rather confusing if you're trying to figure out whether she is a christian or not. And that may not be the real issue, but as a christian, I feel this is a definite issue that needs to be addressed.

I really like how the author tied action, romance, and rebellion all together in one book. I can't wait to read the sequal!

Reader reviewed by Dominique

Imagine a future where all you needyour credit card, personal information, and your ID could all be accessed with a swipea swipe of your barcodea barcode that happened to be tattooed permanently to your skin. Convenient, huh? Or maybe scary? If you think thats convenient, there are many who are with you, as this tattoo is a reality in Kaylas world, set sometime in the not-too-distant future. But if you think this idea is scary, if not a bit suspicious also, well, Kayla and a few scattered others couldnt agree with you more!

Kayla and a few friends resist this new barcode, as they arent entirely trustful of this new bar code tattoo and all the too-cheery propaganda that is being shown about it. There have been some mysterious and questionable activity with the barcode, and Kayla believes the tattoo is the source of her parents apparent descendents to madness and eventual deaths. There is a small group, however, that believes the tattoo violates their rights, as well as thinking that there is a bigger, more dangerous deception and conspiracy behind the tattoos, and they strive to learn more about it and expose it to the world. The tattoo is spreading rapidly and some important things, such as college and scholarships, are becoming impossible with out the tattoo. Choices and resisting becomes harder and harder and hearing that the government is making the tattoo a requirement for all those over 16 does not brighten the lives of any of the tattoos opponents and resisters. Life seems more desolate than ever, but there are others that share the same mind set with Kayla, if she knows where to look.

With betrayals and run-ins with authorities and other dangerous problems, Kayla and a few friends are on the run, trying to find others who share their opposition to the tattoo as well as look for hope for some way to get rid of the tattoo for everyone, once and for all. Can she find a safe haven to start this monumental task? Or will even her closest friends turn against her?

Although an excellent view on the future and a great read, I wont deny that I was rather disappointed about the ending. I felt like the author was building up to this fantastic and huge climax, only to be let down and severely disappointed that there were only a few paragraphs to describe the apparent end with (what I felt to be) a lack of much-wanted details. Nevertheless, I enjoyed The Barcode Tattoo, which was well written with a few well-thrown twists that had me on the edge of my seat, wondering if all would be well, and if Kayla and her friends would all come out of the danger safely.
For those who enjoyed the book but felt unsatisfied by the ending, fear not!there is a sequel! The sequel is a must-read for those who wish to find out more!

The whole idea of having a barcode permanently stuck on your skin seems awfully eerie, since there are so many things that could go wrong and could happen as seen in this book. And to be branded and labeled like cattle or food you buy at the super-market just doesnt seem all that fun to me.

Reader reviewed by Jenna

This book is amazing!! It is interesting to read about how the world may turn out. Kayla is truely an inspiring character. No matter what temptations there are to get the bar code tattoo, she always restists them. Even though Kayla went through so many tough times, she always stayed strong. I would recommend people from ages 12-14 to read this book.

Reader reviewed by Chelsea

This book was so great.I loved this book.It was sad but intresting.This book was the real desl,b/c this could really happen in the future,b/c in the bible it talks about the mark of the beast.This bbok is so related to that subject.It may not happen now, but later in life.This story is kind of scary to,but i recommend everyone to read it.

Reader reviewed by Bettina

A revolutionary new idea has been introduced by a giant company, Global-1, The Bar Code tattoo. It's a permantent tattoo that is like (you guessed it) a barcode. Everyone can get a unique one that will allow them to pay for things and it's supposed to make life easier. Or does it? Some people's have started not to work so they can't acess their accounts or money. It doesn't help that you can represent your genetic sequence in a barcode. Kayla is an outcast because she refuses to get the tattoo. She joins a group that are trying to resist the spreading of the tattoo and what might happen if everybody has it. Read The Barcode Tattoo to find out what happens to Kayla and the resistors.

I thought that this was a really good book. It's a good idea and the beginning and middle are really good. The ending isn't good though. It's a lot less than that. The ending just doesn't sit right. It's lame, but the book is really really good. Only the ending is bad.