I have a vague recollection of the plot but I can't remember the title of the book or the author.

It was about a boy who was stuck being tested on. He had new chemical products tested on him. I remember a length description of how his legs burned and he had to climb a ladder to get to his bed. Then somehow he escapes or something and can see this monsters that no one else can see. Except this group of other young people find him because they can see the monsters too. And him and the group end up fighting this invisible monster/aliens together.


The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer. The plot summary from Goodreads goes:


I've read the book several times, and I promise you it hits all the beats:

  • Protagonist exposed to product testing

    Satellite City was not part of any welfare state, so its institutions had to raise funds in any way they could. Clarrisa Frayne's [the orphanage our protagonist belongs to] speciality was product testing. Whenever a new food or untested pharmaceutical product was being developed, the orphanages volunteered it's "no-sponsor" charges as guinea pigs.

  • Burned legs

    The no-sponsors relaxed once Redwood [the Marshal] had gone, and the silence of discipline was replaced by the groans and sobs of boys in pain. Cosmo [our protagonist] touched his legs gingerly where a particularly acidic spray had actually burned the skin.

  • Climb a ladder into bed

    Three hundred orphans turned immediately to the dozen or so steel ladders, and began climbing. Nobody wanted to be stranded on the dorm floor once the ladders were retracted. If the marshals caught a no-sponsor on the ground after lights out, a ten-mile run would seem like a Sunday stroll compared to the punishment they would dish out.


    Cosmo climbed quickly, ignoring the pain in his leg muscles. His pipe was near the top. If the lights went out before he reached it, he could be stranded on the ladder.

  • The protagonist escapes. I can't find a convenient quote for this (the escape covers most of a chapter), but I assure you it happens.

  • The protagonist can see invisible monsters most people can't, and he runs into a group of kids who can all see them

    "We, Cosmo Hill, are the world's only Supernaturalists."


    "We call ourselves Supernaturalists because we hunt supernatural creatures."


    "There aren't many of us [who can see the creatures]," said Stefan, looking Cosmo straight in the eyes. Cosmo made an effort not to look away. "Not enough to be believed. It doesn't help that most Spotters are kids. Maybe our minds are more open."

  • The protagonist joins the group and fights monsters

    "You're a rarity, Cosmo. Your choice is to be a rarity with [the Supernaturalists], where it will do some good, or go back to Clarissa Frayne."

    What choice? Cosmo would take his chances with a thousand Parasites before returning to the orphanage. A person can only take so many medical experiments.

    "I'd like to stay."

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