Welcome to my MTMC Tours stop for The Tenets in the Tattoos by Becky James!
This YA fantasy is bursting with imagination, plot twists, loveable characters, and the best banter! You know a book is here to give you a good time when you end up laughing out loud. It’s a very detailed fantasy with a complex magic system and a lot of good vs evil fights, with both unsuspecting allies and betrayals from friends. It really delivered all the classic fantasy adventure elements, while bring a fresh energy to the table with the use of platonic soulmates, alternate realities, and jumping between worlds.
One thing I particularly loved was the platonic soul mates. In the world of Oberott, everyone has a match, a “soul”, who just completes them and is basically half their hearts. They don’t get married! They are simply the Ultimate Besties, and if you don’t have a soul, you feel like half a person. Thorrn starts off the book as one of the few people who has reached his late teens and still hasn’t found his soul. But the King’s soul’s daughter (Evyn) might be Thorrn’s person…except Evyn is zero percent what Thorrn expected (or wanted) and their first meeting is a disaster. The souls gave me Parabati vibes from Shadowhunters, but I loved how in The Tenets in the Tattoos everyone has a soul. It just sounds nice 🥺 Plus friendship is at the forefront of this book the whole time. And it also talks about first impressions and hasty judgements of people.
“…when your soul smiles at you, your heart, it sings.”
Thorrn and Evyn are amazing. Their start is rough, and honestly Thorrn enters the book as a bit of an obtuse and arrogant ass. But his arc is [chef’s kiss] beautifully done. He is definitely a Hero Type. Total soldier, will pick a fight with a rock if he thinks it’s dishonourable, lives to serve, one braincell that he barely uses, loyal and honest and a disaster 😂 Evyn is small and bookish (and Earthian) and slow to forgive, and also so passionate and steadfast. They bicker nonstop and also end up having the most powerful ride-or-die friendship.
Thorrn visiting Earth for the first time cracked me up and those scenes are still my favourite. (I laughed okay, so much.) Overall the humour was the best.
I grinned at her. “Well, I know what to do in the event I ever displease you again. Soundly defeat seven or more men.”
Evyn’s nose crinkled. “Soundly? You’re soundly defeated. You are completely out of it.”
There’s definitely a lot of fantasy politics and complex magic systems to dive into here too, giving the world a vast feel. At midway, we get into dreamscapes and alternate realties too, so buckle up for a plot that will keep you on your toes. It also totally doesn’t hold back from beating Thorrn up. Boy needs a nap 😂💀
Definitely pick up this fantasy if you love portal fantasies, friendship-focused tales, loveable flawed and fantastic characters, with sword and sorcery vibes.
Thanks to MTMC Tours for having me on the tour! And stop by my instagram page for the $20 USD giftcard giveaway.
Title: The Tenets in the Tattoos (#1)
Author: Becky James
Publication Date: August 9th, 2021
Genres: YA Fantasy
Purchase a copy: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s
Add on Goodreads
Breaking the tenets of Special Forces means one thing. Death. Thorrn has his life mapped out – be the best swordsman in the king’s army and become Captain one day. What doesn’t fit in with his plans is some short, unimpressive waif claiming to be his soul companion.
Evyn cannot quite believe that this world of Oberrot is real, but grey grass is hard to fake. To expose her true origins risks all-out war with the magical community that covets her blood.
But when the king demands that he hand Evyn over, Thorrn is confronted with a choice: protect Evyn and keep her secret from the magical community who would drain her for the power resonating inside her, or turn her over to save his career, family name and reputation.
When a powerful mage moves against the kingdom, Thorrn and Evyn will have to summon all their courage. But they find allies from unexpected corners – including different worlds and times. For alongside the realms of Oberrot and Earth are the multiverses, and one of them should surely be able to help…
A swordsman, an apothecarist, a shy librarian (“I’m beginning to think being underestimated is kind of my superpower”), and a powerful mage. Only they can save the kingdom.
A page-turning new adventure awaits, from a fresh voice in fantasy. Contains twinned souls with a twist, enemies to inseparable friends, coming of age, learning to accept yourself and others, some epic swordfights, and a smattering of romance.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Becky James is the author of The King’s Swordsman series. Based in the UK, she has a deep love of the British countryside, canals, and all things fantasy; she devours anything that has magic, swords, good friends and good times.
Website | Instagram | Goodreads
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Today we have an interview with the main characters, Thorrn and Eyvn!!
Hi Thorrn! Can you introduce yourself?
THORRN: Well met! You have the honour and pleasure of speaking to one of the foremost swordsmen in the kingdom of Oberrot. Hm, let me amend that statement. The most foremost swordsman in all of Oberrot.
And utterly humble I see. A pleasure! So when The Tenets In The Tattoos starts, what is your life like?
THORRN: My life follows the pattern of my training, the day to day of constantly improving and bettering myself for the benefit of the king. I’m certain my efforts do not go unnoticed, and so I am trying not to get too excited about a pending promotion.
Good luck for the promotion 👀👌🏻 I’m sure your life is about to come crashing down about your ears for sure. Tell us about Aubin…who is he and what do you think of him?
THORRN: Who? Oh, you mean the king’s apothecarist. He’s always skulking around places looking sour, like he took some of his own foul medicine. I suppose he’s handy to have around when we have ill stomachs, but for any serious medical ailments it’s best to rely on the medimages and mancers. They don’t try to weave words around me so I feel stupid every time I open my mouth around them, either.
We wouldn’t want you to feel stupid, Thorrn. Now for the important question…who is Evyn and how did you meet?
THORRN: Evyn is apparently supposed to be my soul companion. I don’t see that many similarities though; she’s small and rumpled, while I’m, well, impressive, if I do say so myself. It is a wholly platonic bond, but surely I should feel some sort of connection to her, but from the moment our eyes met all I felt was disappointment.
You know what they say about opposites 😌 First impressions of Earth! And would you want to live there?
THORRN: It’s very cold, your air doesn’t seem to hold the heat in the same way ours does. It’s also filled with all sorts of marvels and machines that do the work of servants and horses. You use a great deal of metal over there, your metal mages must be overworked!
Come to Australia and you will never feel cold again 😪 Last question, what can we expect from you during The Tenets In the Tattoos?
THORRN: You can expect me being dashing and daring, followed along by my exasperated friends. Our adventures are sword and sorcery swirled with some portals to modern day Earth and other times and places. I might learn a thing or two about operating on first impressions and accepting myself and others, there’s that twinned souls element, and, my favourite, enemies to inseparable friends.
Good luck out there, Thorrn!! Keep safe and trust the right people!!
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