"Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

"Artemis Fowl" (2003)

Written by:  Eoin Colfer

Source: e-book

Website:  ArtemisFowl.com


Synopsis (from Barnes and Noble)
Artemis Fowl is one of the greatest criminal minds the world has ever seen. He is heir to the Fowl family empire—a centuries old clan of international underworld figures and con artists. He is arguably the most cunning Fowl of all. He is also twelve years old.

Artemis' interest in mythology and an obsession with the Internet leads him to discover proof of the existence of "The People"- otherwise known as fairies, sprites, leprechauns and trolls. He learns every fairy has a magical Book. If he can find the Book, it will lead him to "The People's" vast treasure of gold.

With his brutish sidekick, Butler, he sets his plans in motion. Artemis tricks a drunken old fairy woman into loaning him her Book, a tiny golden volume, for thirty minutes. He scans it with a digital camera and emails it to his Mac G6 computer. Back in his mansion in Ireland, he is the first human to decode the secrets of the fairies.

Artemis needs a leprechaun to help him with this plan. He and Butler hunt down Holly Short, a tough, female LEPrecon, part of a gung-ho Fairy commando unit, who is on a reconnaissance mission. He kidnaps her, and a major battle begins. It's satyr against gnome, man against elf, and for the first time in his life, Artemis must decide what he values most.

Favorite Quote

'A diversion then, Butler. Two minutes are all I need.'

The manservant nodded thoughtfully. 'The usual?'

'I don't see why not. Knock yourself out... Or rather, don't.'

Artemis blinked. That was his second joke in recent times. And his first aloud. Better take care. This was no time for frivolity.

Review
"Artemis Fowl" is a fun story that I couldn't stop reading. Eoin Colfer has that contemporary writing style much like J.K. Rowling's that I really enjoy. The book boasts of fast pacing, witty dialogue, modern language, and a descriptive choice of words.  He has also managed to take modern technology and fantasy elements, and had them interact in very interesting ways.  Although he obviously took the traditional fairy stories and adapted them, it was still a surprise to see that Colfer's fairies had technology that far rivaled the Mud People's own -- they're all nuclear-powered! A world superpower's dream come true.  :p 

Despite the almost flawless interaction of magic and technology, though, it was a little disappointing to see a MudTech vs FairyTech battle instead of a MudTech vs Magic one...  or maybe I just completely missed the point?  Unfortunately, I was too busy being weirded-out by the fairy wearing the high-tech helmet, power artificial wings, and black overalls, probably at the moment when someone was trying to emphasize that point.  :p

Colfer's characterizations were also pretty solid.  Butler is a delight to read, and so was Juliet, his sister.  Holly reminded me of a fairy Kim Possible, and Artemis (the Second!) himself can give Dexter and his Laboratory a run for their money (but they are neck and neck in the Arrogance department).  However, it was a little difficult to empathize with young Arty.  He's much too smart, too rich, too confident... too far away.  I don't believe he's truly evil, but my sensibilities were given quite a jolt when I found out this genius criminal mastermind was only 12 years old.  Or maybe I completely missed the point once again.  :p  However, he's a character that young readers will surely admire, but I, for one, am not gonna be sorry if he one day gets his comeuppance.

Overall, it was a great read, and I'm looking forward to reading more about his adventures.

Rating (out of 5 dreamcatchers)