Parents' Guide to Agent of Chaos: The X-Files Origins, Book 1

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Common Sense Media Review

Michael Berry By Michael Berry , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Series pictures Mulder as teen, captures essence of TV show.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

Set in 1979, AGENT OF CHAOS follows a 17-year-old Fox Mulder as he investigates a series of child abductions and murders in his new home, Washington, D.C. Still traumatized by the bizarre disappearance of his younger sister five years ago, Mulder is determined to rescue the latest victim before she is killed. Assisted by Gimble, his best friend at his new school, and by Phoebe, his longtime crush from his old home, Mulder matches wits with a serial murderer and looks for connections to his missing sister.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

Popular TV characters don't always make a smooth transition from the small screen to the page, but this early adventure of a budding FBI agent stays true to the series while succeeding on its own. Haunted and guilt-ridden about his sister's disappearance, Mulder is an intense main character, but the new supporting characters -- Gimble and Phoebe -- add some much-needed humor and romance. Author Kami Garcia keeps the level of suspense high and knows how to choreograph a creepy encounter. Like the TV series, the book ends with plenty of dangling plot threads, but that sense of ongoing mystery is part of its appeal.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Agent of Chaos and conspiracy theories. Why are people willing to believe in them?

  • How is violence used in Agent of Chaos? How do the characters justify its use?

  • Do governments hide information from their citizens? If so, how do they justify it?

Book Details

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