The Supernaturalist - Softcover

Colfer, Eoin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1423146794 ISBN 13: 9781423146797

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion, 2012

Synopsis

Unwanted by his parents, Cosmo Hill is put to work by the state, testing highly dangerous products. Cosmo realizes he must get away, and escapes with the help of the Supernaturalists, a group of kids who have the same special abilities as Cosmo--they can see supernatural Parasites, creatures that feed on the life force of humans. The Supernaturalists patrol the city at night, hunting the Parasites in hopes of saving what is left of humanity in Satellite City. But soon they find themselves caught in a web far more complicated than they'd imagined, and they discover a horrifying secret that will force them to question everything they believe in.

About this title

Review:

Taking a break from his wildly successful Artemis Fowl series, Eoin Colfer delivers another punchy, superbly readable novel with all of the trademark qualities that have earned him so many fans. The Supernaturalist is inventive, dramatic, delicately witty and positively hip.

Satellite City, a vast twenty-five million people plus satellite-controlled metropolis in the third millennium, is home to Cosmo Hill. This 14-year-old orphan, a "no sponsor", inhabits--or rather "survives" in--an orphanage called the Clarissa Frayne Institute for Parentally Challenged Boys. There are only three ways out of such a miserable establishment: adoption, death or escape. The average life expectancy is 15 years. Cosmo has a year left. At best.

When his chance comes to escape during a transportation crash, Cosmo grabs it and flees into the unknown city. But he is tracked by a zealous guard and falls from a tall building. Accidentally, of course. As Cosmo's life force ebbs away, apparently sucked out by a strange blue parasite, he is rescued by a motley crew of kids. They're on a mission, and Cosmo is drafted in to help them. It's a whole new dangerous beginning...

Colfer has carved out a funky little genre all on his own: he writes exciting adventures that are funny and futuristic, page-turning and realistic. They're not fantasy, but his books are fantastical. They've got a bit of magic about them, without being overtly magical in the Harry Potter sense.

Artemis Fowl has been described as "Die Hard with fairies". The Supernaturalist is heralded as The Matrix meets Ghostbusters. Colfer has a golden touch at the moment and this is another priceless nugget. Suitable for ages 10 and over. --John McLay

Review:

Reads like The Matrix crossed with Oliver Twist -- The Times

This story is for anyone who enjoys the wilder side of technology and is Eoin Colfer’s best book yet -- Mail on Sunday

About this edition

• Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1423146794
• ISBN 13: 9781423146797
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 267