THE BLACK TATTOO

How typical: Jack’s having a really bad day. When a strange little man approaches Jack and his best friend Charlie to recruit them into an ancient Brotherhood of demon fighters, Charlie says yes. It’s soon clear that Charlie’s been possessed by the demonic Scourge, who drags him into Hell. Jack follows, for though he’s always been a follower, he’s determined to rescue his friend. But in Hell, he’s a prisoner in a chaotic world, fighting in a demonic gladiator pit, eating (delicious) demon-vomit to survive and unable to get close to Charlie. Slim hope appears when Jack falls in with the demon God (short for Godfrey), who created the earthly dimension out of boredom. With the dubious help of Godfrey and the fighting power of gorgeous warrior-girl Esme, Jack must save both his friend and the universe. While Jack’s story lacks coherence, the action-packed world keeps the tension high, and Jack’s development from spineless follower to everyday guy willing to save the world is satisfying. (Fantasy. 12-15)