Review of ARTEMIS FOWL

Bibliography:

Colfer, Eoin. 2001. Artemis Fowl. New York: Hyperion Paperbacks for Children.
ISBN 0786817879

Review:

Worried about his family’s fortunes, twelve-year old child prodigy and criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl, devises a plan to obtain gold in order to replenish his family’s wealth. After tricking a drunken old fairy in to letting him look at “the Book” containing the secrets of fairy magic, Artemis cracks the ancient fairy code and uses the information to kidnap Captain Holly Short, the first female member of the LEPrecon Unit, an elite fairy commando reconnaissance unit. Artemis plans to hold Holly hostage in exchange for gold. What unfolds next is an action-filled story in which Holly's boss, Commander Root; Foaly, the brilliant head of the fairy surveillance network; and members of the LEPrecon Unit try to save Holly. The main storyline of Artemis Fowl occurs over an eight hour period at the isolated Fowl Manor, located near Dublin, Ireland. Readers will be intrigued by the variety of James Bond-like, high-tech gadgets employed by both Artemis and the fairies in their attempts to outwit each other. Although the fairies try numerous strategies to defeat Artemis, including the deadly “blue rinse” bio bomb, Artemis always seems to be one step ahead of them. The fact that an adolescent boy, with the aid of his bodyguard, Butler, is able to outwit a centuries old group of fairies will thrill young readers who will marvel at this change in the usual control of power. Eoin Colfer uses a third person narrative style, switching the point of view from character to character, to allow readers to see each situation from the perspective of a variety of characters, both human and fairy. Although in many ways Artemis Fowl is not a likeable character – he is arrogant, full of himself, and used to having his way - readers are able to relate to him because of his feelings for his mother, who has suffered a nervous breakdown after her husband’s disappearance. Despite his desire for wealth and his enjoyment of the independence he is experiencing as a result of his mother’s illness, Artemis’ one desire is for his mother to return to normal. In the end, Artemis gives up part of the ransom for this wish to be filled. The pull adolescents experience as they strive for independence while still relying on their parents is accurately portrayed and serves to connect readers with the central character. The themes of greed and the conflict between good and evil permeate the story, but, in the end, readers are left wondering just who the bad guy is. Is Artemis as cold-hearted as he starts out to be? Readers will have to read Eoin Colfer’s next Artemis adventure, Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident, to see if they can discover the truth.