Parents' Guide to

The Supernaturalist

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Matinee action/violence in a slick, fun package.

Book Eoin Colfer Science Fiction 2004
The Supernaturalist Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Jerry S.
Jerry S. Parent
May 25, 2017
age 7+

Quit okay

It only had violence. The plot was great but not too interesting,like a movie that you went to see then forgot all about the plot the next day

This title has:

Too much violence
Bookworm7842
Bookworm7842 Parent of 7-year-old
November 28, 2009
age 6+

Good for Everyone! (Almost)

I think this book has a very deep meaning and is hard to get out of.

This title has:

Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In corporation-run Satellite City, orphans are used for dangerous product testing. 14-year-old Cosmo manages to escape from the orphanage, nearly getting killed in the process, and finds that he has the ability to see invisible blue creatures that are attracted to accidents and violence, and seem to suck the life out of injured people. He teams up with Stefan, Mona, and Ditto, who have the same ability, and spend their nights seeking out and shooting the Parasites.

But nothing is as it appears. Stefan has a relationship with the corporation that runs the city and is chasing them, Ditto may not be leveling with them about his own motives, Mona is close to a local street gang, and the Parasites, and their deaths, may not be what they appear.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (5 ):

Colfer displays all his trademarks here: nonstop action, gritty violence, an edgy sensibility written in clichhd B-movie style, gadgets, plot twists, and black humor. It's a potent combination, as Ian Fleming discovered, and has made Colfer one of the most popular children's authors today, especially with tween boys and reluctant readers.

Alert young readers will see the plot twists coming a long way off, but they'll still enjoy the action and the gadgets. The ending hints so broadly at a sequel that it raises a cynical chuckle. But why not? If it's good enough for Bond ...

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the use of humor and violence in the story line. Do you like the black humor used here? Do you think the level of violence is appropriate to the story line, or is it over the top?

Book Details

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