The Tattooed Rats

The Renegade Spirit #1

by Jerry B. Jenkins, John Perrodin

Christianity is outlawed. Sharing faith is considered hate speech. Worship is done in secret underground settings. Patch, a high school student, has to form his own beliefs, and try not to get killed along the way. He meets characters such as the Wharf Rats, a gang covered in tattoos, who turn out to be believers. Schoolmates betray. True friends are hard to find. Spiritual forces intervene causing havoc and deception. Through it all, can Patch's faith prevail?

Genres: Christian, Young Adult, Dystopia, Christian Fiction, Teen, Fiction, Science Fiction

233 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Jerry Bruce Jenkins is an American novelist and biographer. He is best known as the writer of the Left Behind series of books for Tim LaHaye and The Chosen novels to accompany his son Dallas's TV series. Jenkins has written more than 200 books, including mysteries, historical fiction, biblical fiction, cop thrillers, international spy thrillers, and children's adventures, as well as nonfiction. His works usually feature Christians as protagonists. In 2005, Jenkins and LaHaye ranked 9th in Amazon.com's 10th Anniversary list of Hall of Fame authors based on books sold at Amazon.com during its first 10 years. Jenkins now teaches writers to become authors here at his website. He and his wife Dianna have three sons and eight grandchildren.

Reviews

[Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've ever read and is inceriably interesting. Def a must read.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A challenging portrait of an all-too-likely future. The formatting was a bit choppy, but the story itself was good, and the writing was better than usual from this author.

[Shayne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mediocre writing. Seems like it's only purpose is similar to that of God's not Dead, pretending Christians are prosecuted in society.

[Elias · Rating 1 out of 5]

Flimsy. Terrible writing, terrible plot, terrible characters.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was very weird and short and boring...

[Ryan MacFarlane · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all I would rate this book 2 1/2 stars.
The Tattooed Rats tell the fictional story of underground christians, hiding from the one world government called the World Peace Alliance (WPA). The WPA outlaws Christianity, making it punishable by imprisonment of death. Patch is just a regular teenager. After his family is murdered by the WPA, Patric is taken to a hospital for "reprograming." Patch must always watch his back, never knowing whether his worst enemy is really an underground christian, or his best friend an undercover agent ready to report him to the WPA.
This novel dives into the Spiritual Realm displaying the fight between Good and Evil. I do not believe that Jerry Jenkins portrayed Demons properly, displaying them as visible hideous dragons and strange invisible floating orbs. While this story gives the reader the false idea that Angles and Demons are entirely different kinds of beings, in reality Demons are actually Fallen Angles, not serpents.

[Grace Luís · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theres a lot of things I don’t quite like in this book but I really enjoyed it. The story was a bit choppy but a great story nonetheless. I’m glad that patch was ok in the end and God really did come save Patch. This whole story was a reminder that even when we don’t feel God’s presence with us He is ALWAYS there for us and we should never lose our faith even when we don’t understand God’s plan.
I didn’t like how some details that were important to the plot was kinda missing but I guess it’ll be answered on the next books in the series. I also didn’t like how the angles were portrayed as emotional, impatient and sometimes immature even, I understand it’s a fiction book but some things should left as they are in the Bible, angels aren’t humans to be doubtful of God. Can’t wait to get my hand on the next books to finish this series.

[Kylie Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book years ago at a used book store and it has been sitting on a shelf unread. I recently got into reading and thought “why not?” I quickly learned this was not going to be a good book. There was a typo on the first page and the writing style was hard to follow. I’m not the kind of person to quit reading books, so I figured I could make it through 233 pages. There were some good moments but I do not recommend reading this book - especially in 2022. I recommend Jerel Law's Son of Angels Series if you would like something similar that’s better written.

[Kaitlyn Wooley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is all right. The story in and of itself is interesting, but the jumpy, sporadic, short-scene version of narrative can be confusing, and though each character is obviously its own, it's never quite clear which direction the author is trying to take any of them in. We don't get much other characterization, either. I never felt close to any of the characters while I read this, and that's what I cherish most in a good book.

Yes, Jerry B. Jenkins co-authored this book, and that's the only reason I finished it; I'm sure it's not his fault that it turned out this way. The other author had never published before, and it's my impression that Jenkins was helping him out--a LOT. *sigh* Well, I'll read the next one and see if it improves any.

[Judah Oechsle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tattooed Rats is a great, futuristic story. I really enjoyed this book because of the author's style of writing. The way it jumps from character to character in short bursts can get confusing, but it gives you the whole story from each person's point of view. It's an interesting way to show the feelings of each character. I also really enjoyed the plot. The whole "on the run" action line is exciting and makes you want to keep reading. Just when you think Patch, the main character, is safe somewhere, he finds another reason to dash. Overall, it's a very good story, and the writing style is something new to me that I really liked.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

All she had to do was blame stress, sickness, or worry. Anything but the truth. "So it's okay to question God but not your teacher."

I liked it, really interesting...honestly though, it was kind of hard to keep up. I felt like I was missing something or coming into a second book that already introduced some things...

[J.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. I found it amusing that this futuristic book takes place in 2012, and am very grateful this is NOT what 2012 was like.
There were times that was hard to catch exactly what was going on, but overall, the characters were developed well and the plot line was full of action. 4.5 stars and looking forward to the next book.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, and very exciting! The first in the series, written by the author of the Left Behind for kids series. About a group of kids in the end-times, and how their lives are affected by a government that forbids any religion.

[Scarletstories · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I think I had my hopes up too high for this book. it was surprisingly underwhelming, and I expected more. The characters shifted alliances with each page, and I was confused as to who was supposed to be likable.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very colorful writing paints a vivid picture of life in a place where Christianity is illegal. This book is filled with deception and has a quick pace with very effective use of changing point of views

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me and my friend are reading this book, and it is pretty good so far.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked how there was so many different characters points of view and it gave me a clearer picture what the end times will be like.

[Jordan]

Mzing book read it in 1 day

[Earwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERY good.
Excellent.

[Amber Cornwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a really good book!!!!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book, reminded me of the left behind series, only with some fantasy.

[Ginny · Rating 2 out of 5]

rather scarey

[Tj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. It has an interesting concept to it that makes you think.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second time reading and still enjoyed the book... A little dated but still a good read.

[Dusti Falgoust · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily my favorite Christian lit series.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plus: short fast read. Negative: confusing because of all the characters and what's going on with visions of demons, distrusting people, etc.

[Amanda H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible! it's scairy that it's set 3 years fom now tho :P