Lost in a Good Book

Published: April 27 2003
Publisher: Puffin Books
Pages: 329
Format: Book
Genre: Junior Fiction/Young Adult Fantasy
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

Artemis Fowl has constructed a super-computer from stolen fairy technology. In the wrong hands it could be fatal for humans and fairies alike. But no need to worry. Artemis has brilliant plan. He’s not going to use it; he’s just going to show it to ruthless American businessman with Mafia connections. His bodyguard, Butler, will be with him.
What could possibly go wrong…?

The more I read of Mr Fowl and his antics the more I enjoy them; and by enjoy I mean adore and have messed up thinking and a headache trying to figure out what is happening or about to happen. It is glorious! We begin with Artemis trying one last hurrah before going straight and as soon as soon as he begins, chaos ensues. Taking us slightly back to book one we see more fairy technology being adapted for Artemis’ use as he tries to sell modified technology. This, of course, unintentionally attracts the attention of the LEP and as things begin to go wrong, the old gang arrives to join the adventure. Is it really an Artemis book without them really? There is clearly a developing connection between Holly and Artemis, their friendship has been growing as we saw previously, but this time we see how far it has come.

What was great about this book was that we see a couple of Artemis’ failings. I think I mentioned in the Arctic Incident review that it was good to see his unnatural calm and control shaken, but this time it was less shaken than suddenly outsmarted and seemingly beaten, though by his exterior it is hard to tell how this affects him, which is why Colfer lets actions do the talking. This act of being outsmarted naturally never lasts long for Artemis and new plans are formed, but those brief moments where he is on the back foot are always a small delight.

There is added drama and suspense in this book for more direct and personal reasons than before, but naturally nothing Artemis can’t deal with. The LEP assistance is always great with the wit and sarcasm it brings, and you often wonder what would happen if there weren’t there, but as we saw from book one, Artemis makes thing happen when he wants something and he would easily adjust.

There are so many great intricacies in this book that I would love to rave about but alas, spoilers, and anything I want to mention I fear has a chance of ruining something. I will say this: what Artemis knows, and what Artemis thinks of, I am fairly certain he has already thought about before we have even had time to register the initial cause of why he is thinking it. There are times I think he knows them before Colfer sometimes as well, but if Colfer is let in on the plans, he hides them ridiculously well, always eager to just spring something on us.

Based on the events in this book I am eager to see what the next book deals with. I think more LEP exploration based on the conclusion of this, but I am sure our dear Artemis, who is growing older and more clever and charming and adorable by each book, will not be far away for long.