“Tinted Scars is a bold, visceral take on the mental health struggles of young adults in modern-day Nigeria. While the university setting is not a new terrain for T.J Martins—it was explored in Resurgence, the second novel of the critically-acclaimed Repel series—the subplots are expertly weaved in such a way that it feels like a whole new experience.
The novel follows 18-year-old Erioluwa ‘Eri’ Jesukite, a reclusive poet who kicks off his tertiary education at a Oxbridge University, a highbrow private tertiary institution. By implication, Eri’s long-standing battle with undesirable, intrusive thoughts is heightened by undue parental pressure and the impossible task of keeping a low profile in an entirely new, uncertain environment—especially one where his twin brother Eniola already has a head start. Along the way, Eri meets and forms bonds with solid, well-written characters, who would make his journey and struggles bearable for the most part. Without question, his poignant relationship with Elienai Ansiji, who has struggles of her own, winds up as the most defining of the saga.
Chapter-wise, Tinted Scars is T.J Martins’ shortest novel yet. But not to worry: the novel packs the punch in a way that does not feel rushed at all. It can even be said that the experience demands nothing more. By the time the curtains fall on the novel, it ascends to the hallowed status of an endless dream as the forward-looking, cautionary tale that it is. Mental health struggles simply cannot remain downplayed in Nigeria, or anywhere else.
Through unsurprisingly excellent dialogue, seamless narration and a heart-wrenching climax, T.J's artistic genius shines in what is arguably his best work yet.”
–Author of Sing Of A Tree In The Wild, Clinton Durueke. (ClintDurueke)
“Love isn’t straightforward and T.J. Martins never forgets that. In Tinted Scars, he gives us a relationship between deeply flawed characters struggling with their mental health. And while our battles may differ from theirs, the characters are so formed, we can find parts of them to anchor ourselves. It is hard not to completely fall into a book that calls out to the parts of you no one else gets. The prose is seasoned and unhurried. Beyond mere entertainment, this emotional story lets us see what it is like to live with one of the most misunderstood mental illnesses.”
–Author of Dry Lids and the Devil’s Strings, Joseph Akinkunmi Okadabooks campus challenge runner-up.
“There has never been a doubt in my mind about the art that was brought into the world through T.J. Martins. Tinted Scars is the book of the year for me. The author visualized the ails of people who have to live with mental health disorders in a way that shows the world that they’re just normal, wonderful humans burdened by the weight of their ailments. Erioluwa brings hope into a reality of fear and judgement that we all live in. This book is more than just a book, it is a place where souls can go more than once when they need to be feel loved, laugh, and relate to the characters on so many levels. It's a gold mine.”
–Author of Memories, Lost and Insomnia, Andy Hare. (AndyHare)
“I don’t know where to start from honestly, let's just say that I went crazy with my reactions. I cried, I laughed, I cursed (God forgive me) but dear Lord, this book was everything.
As a mental health advocate, I loved the representation. A lot of people skirt over details with their mental health characters (God forgive me for doing so), but Martins made you understand the way OCD feels. I've never had such an insight into the disorder before, I loved that part.
I loved how Martins took his time to orient the readers using his characters, the characters would react to a situation in a way that the general public would, using his expert narration, he would make the characters and subsequently the readers, understand.
Another thing I loved was the whole University experience, I’m not yet in the university so it was a peek into the future and I loved it! I loved how we went from Eri hating his school and struggling to fit in, to Eri being comfortable with his surroundings. The growth and the journey would definitely help in reassuring students struggling with mental disorders that their disorders doesn't stop them from enjoying their time in university, as it did me.
This was a beautiful read. I loved it, I loved it, I loved it!”
–Author of Tales From Hell, Layyina N. Yusuf. (-ater-)
“Tinted Scars is a carefully written literary masterpiece which compounds the complexities of human relationships in its purest form. The book is not only expository about sensitive topics but also puts forward a call to action which buttresses the point that it is not just fine prose and beautiful grammar.
Reading Tinted Scars will take you through a journey of learning, un-learning and relearning what truly matters. It is hardly possible to read this book without having a rethink on the issues of life. T. J. Martins really outdid himself on this one.”
–Author of Survivor, Lilian Nwagbara.
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Tinted Scars
Teen FictionReclusive, emo poet, Erioluwa Jesukite has demons that possess full control of his mind-thus reducing him to a vessel laden with anxiety-ridden thoughts and dark compulsions. He has gotten quite acclimatized to this tortuous hell, but his ploy of su...
