Product Description

In the not-too-distant future, in a place called Satellite City, thirteen-year-old Cosmo Hill is unfortunate enough to come into the world unwanted by his parents. And so, as are all orphaned boys his age, Cosmo is dipped in a vaccine vat and sent to the Clarissa Frayne Institute for Parentally Challenged Boys-freight class. At Clarissa Frayne, the orphans, called "no-sponsors," are put to work by the state, testing dangerous products that never should be allowed near human beings. By the time the no-sponsors are sent to their cardboard utility pipes, given their nightly meal pack, and finally fall asleep, they are often covered in burns, bruises, or sores from the work of the day. Cosmo Hill knows that he must escape, even though he has no idea what might be waiting for him on the outside. He plans for the moment when he can make a break. When that moment finally comes, he nearly dies while escaping. But he is rescued by a gang of "Supernaturalists," a motley crew of kids who all have a special psychic ability-one that Cosmo is about to learn he has as well. They "see" supernatural Parasites-tiny, translucent creatures who feed on the life force of humans.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13982 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01-27
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Amazon.co.uk 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

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

The Times
Reads like The Matrix crossed with Oliver Twist

Customer Reviews

Another great read from Mr Colfer
I have to admit to not being a teenager (far from it) but as my son is an avid Eoin Colfer fan every now and then I give into the cries of 'this book is brill - you must read it'. I have read all the Artemis Fowl books and they are all great reads and very enjoyable. This is a totally different book - set in a bleak future where the main character is in a children's home where all the children are used for testing (similar to animal testing now!). He manages to escape and soon joins a band of young vigilantes who are trying to save the town they are living in. Great twists throughout the book and it moves along at a cracking pace. Good ending which leaves you thinking there might just be a sequel. Definately a book for the young teenager but adults can enjoy it just as much.

Truly visionary, one of the best books i've ever read
Barcode: 9780141317410

The Supernaturalist will always have a special place in my heart. I had already read the Artemis Fowl novels and enjoyed them immensely so i was eager to try something else from the brilliant Eoin Colfer. I didn't know what to expect from this book but i am eternally grateful i read it as in my opinion it is one of the best books i've ever read.

I'll even go as far to say that this is better than the Artemis Fowl books. Even though Cosmo as a character isn't as strong a character as Artemis, that doesn't matter as the true star of this story is the setting. Colfer has always been a whizz at describing technology and here he describes a world that is at once both fantastic and terrifying. Fans of stuff like Doctor Who, the film AI and games like Final Fantasy will love the world presented here, a place of supreme technological advancement and a dream for any sci-fi or fantasy fan.

A city of towering skyscrapers controlled by a massive satellite in low orbit over a world where space ships and illegal street races represent the two sides of the coin in a world where the balance between high-society and anarchy rests on a knife edge.

The plot is thrilling, the desciption of it as the Matrix meets Ghostbusters an appropriate one as we encounter thrilling action scenes and facinating ideas and imagery. An extremely easy book to get into, i'd recommend it to anyone of any age. Simply an amazing book, an absolute must read!

Good
I liked this book. It was much tougher but more fun than the fowl series. I would say it was more original, but It felt like across between loads of things. Good, but could do with a unique twist. This book is NOT predictable and I love it, no matter what is wrong with it.