Lost in a Good Book

Published: July 10 2012
Publisher: Puffin Books
Pages: 306
Format: Book
Genre: Junior Fiction/Young Adult Fantasy
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

Opal Koboi, power-crazed pixie is plotting to exterminate mankind and become fairy queen.

 If she succeeds, the spirits of long-dead fairy warriors will rise from the earth, inhabit the nearest available bodies and wreak mass destruction. But what happens if those nearest include crows, or deer, or badgers, – or two curious little boys by the names of Myles and Beckett Fowl?

 Yes, it’s true. Criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl’s four year old brothers could be involved in destroying the human race. Can Artemis and Captain Holly Short of the Lower Elements Police stop Opal and prevent the end of the world?

Finishing The Last Guardian was like finishing Looking for Alaska and The Book of Lost Things. It is just so divinely written, perfectly executed in its story, storytelling and structure, and just leaves you so emotional and filled with joy and feelings of sadness and happiness and all those half-half emotions, that you just have to stop and sit and just recover for about half an hour to a fortnight.

This final story in the Artemis series and one that exits with a lot of grace, a lot of action, a lot of laughter, as well as suspense and adventure, just like we have come to expect from Colfer and all his characters. As the blurb reveals, an old foe has returned to seek power and most likely world destruction, and once again it is Opal Koboi. There is a point where you do start to marvel at Opal, her plans are extremely clever and complicated, and they are not basic smash and grabs, there is an eerie patience in her that adds to her danger. She is willing to wait for what she wants and doesn’t really care who gets in her way.

Her intent this time around is to bring ancient fairy warriors back from their long-dead state and wreak havoc on the land to bring about the end of humanity. So a little more smash and grab than before but with a great level of complexity attached. After seemingly escaping a paradox in the previous book, Opal creates a new one, this time one that impacts not only on the Underworld, but the human world as well. With the human world in total chaos, and the Underworld trying to stay standing, there is a lot of pressure for Artemis to fix things before they get any worse.

I liked the idea behind Opals plan, it was a great, grand, last book plot, one that I think Opal was ideal at leading. There are so many small details and connections throughout that make it work. Being Opal’s plan there are many individual factors that must work, but there are limitations when stage one events do not always go to plan which creates the suspense and drama.

Colfer leads us into the story and main events with an even pace where we see the resolution of the previous book, one I was very glad about, and then we’re lulled into a nice rhythm and safety before everything erupts. Then you relish as you try and keep track of the multiple storylines that are running simultaneously, all eventuating in the inevitable collision where your anxiety and suspense really develop the further you read.

It is hard not to make this sound like a fast paced action book, and in a way it is, but it also isn’t. If you know the previous Fowl books you know the pace Colfer provides. It is one where there is a lot happening, a lot of drama and action, but while it seems you are racing through things you really aren’t. You get caught up in the emotion and the theories running through your mind about what is going to happen next and you get so involved that it doesn’t matter how Colfer paces it, it flows seamlessly and you just ride it along, opened eyed and mouth agape from what has happened and what on earth possible will next.

We are shown a lot more of the twins Myles and Beckett this time around, as well as Juliet which is nice, though not always as we’d expect. As characters the twins really do grow on you, even in this book when they are not always themselves, there is a strange charm displayed by a four year old possessed by an ancient fairy spirit. When they are not possessed the true Fowl nature and Artemis influence emerges again which either delights you, or you could just think they are already that pretentious at four, where will they go from here? It could go either way. Though Colfer’s decision about the differences between Beckett and Myles is interesting, while it appears one is much further advanced, there are moments when they are both as formidable and intellectual as each other.

What I also enjoyed what that even as the series comes to an end we are still learning about The People, their history and humanity’s role in their past, not to mention more secrets of the Fowls and their estate.  It just goes to show that even in the final book there are still things to learn.

There also seems to be a lot more humour and strange comments from characters this time around. With the stakes so high and with the excitement almost continual in some places, the comments made sound extremely confusing out of context and certainly are abnormal at the best of times. There is something about Artemis and the others that the more peril they are in and the worse things become, the more sarcasm that escapes their mouths. Always a bonus I must say, but even the less sarcastic simple statements of fact can be fairly humorous at times.

Colfer writes in much the same way he always has, it is essentially just another Artemis Fowl book, but with everything that happens in this book that really isn’t true. It is the ultimate Artemis Fowl book. The outcome of seven previous books, watching that little twelve year old grow up through the pages and marvelling at all his antics, not to mention the world of The People, all comes together in 306 pages of bliss.

Moving away from the general drama of Opal and her grand plan, there are some gorgeous moments about the characters. We really see just what the past eight books have done not only to themselves, but to their friendships and outlook on the world. Half the wonderfulness of this book is the characters and who they have become.

As usual Colfer connects to his previous works, and the events in the previous book are not forgotten, not by a long shot. What is wonderful is that even all the emotion we had for Artemis in the previous book resurfaces and we see that even though he is cured, there remains a fear of the Complex returning. It is only happens occasionally but there is a certain moment I adored, it is almost a throw away sentence that you could miss, but in that simple sentence you know that under the chaos around him and the confidence he projects, you know the lingering fear remains that he will return to what he was. In the previous book we s how he saw himself, saw how he saw the world and the people around it, and it rightly terrified him. And in that simple moment where he has to double check he hasn’t reverted you see that he is truly petrified of it returning, and Butler sees it and it is just something that makes Artemis so much more beautiful as a person.

The close friendship of all the characters really shines here, especially the relationship between Artemis and Butler, and Holly and Artemis. With both worlds on the verge of collapsing Colfer keeps the focus well on Opal and certain key characters, drifting only when necessary. You almost forget that humanity is falling apart in the distance, but the relationships really help drive this narrative as much as the events.

As a final book the sense that things are being wrapped up is there, but you do not even notice at the time. Colfer weaves it in from the beginning so we gradually see how things have changed and where characters are in their lives. Familiar faces return, new faces are introduced and you’re almost lulled into thinking it is just another Fowl novel but there is too much emotion and joy and wonderment to ignore that this is Artemis’ finest hour and Colfer is going to make it tug at your emotions through the entire thing, laughing, crying or otherwise. I am giving nothing else away but emotion and vagueness as it is customary, because as another reviewer rightly put it, “to give anything away would be far more criminal than anything Artemis has got up to in the past”.

It is a bit sad to have finished the series, but I couldn’t think of a better way to go out. This book, its beginning, the middle, the ending (oh god the ending!), the detail, the conflicts, the development, the reflection, the references you only just remember in the nick of time, it is utter perfection and an excellent way to conclude a series.

Total, utter, perfection.

Published: July 20th 2010
Publisher: Puffin Books
Pages: 322
Format: Book
Genre: Junior Fiction/Young Adult Fantasy
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

Criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl has summoned an elite group of high-tech fairies to Iceland. But when he presents his invention to save the world from global warming, he seems different. Something terrible has happened to him.

Artemis Fowl has become nice.

The fairies diagnose Atlantis Complex (aka multiple personality disorder)—dabbling in magic has damaged his mind, with symptoms including obsessive-compulsive behaviour, paranoia, and multiple personality disorder.

 Unfortunately, Atlantis Complex has struck at the worst possible time. A deadly foe from Holly’s past is intent on destroying the actual city of Atlantis. Can Artemis escape the confines of his mind in time to save the underwater metropolis and its fairy inhabitants?

The general reaction upon finishing this book went something like ‘Oh my gosh I need the next one now. Colfer you have got to stop doing this to me. I don’t even have the next book yet!!! *rushes out to find a copy somewhere, anywhere, like now!*’

This is the seventh book in the Artemis Fowl series and it has not lost its momentum, its wonderful storytelling, nor has it forgotten where it has come from.  The story continues from book six in the same way it doesn’t really. From book six we see the paradox created and Artemis and old foes facing off in a completely unpredicted twist of organised chaos, and now there is a whole other set of new things to deal with as a result.

Due to his years of dealing with and lying about The People and his actions, Artemis has developed Atlantis Complex, something similar to OCD, delusional dementia, and multiple personality disorder. In something of a definite new direction Colfer makes Artemis the problem that requires solving, something inside his own mind that can’t be controlled. There is a wonderful line from Butler about how when Artemis is under threat he just needs to know who to shoot, but when the problem is Artemis’ own mind he is at a loss. I think that is beautiful, and it certain shines a light onto just how close and protective Butler is of Artemis.

What was also wonderful was the pace we’re exposed to Artemis’ condition, nothing was rushed into and while we may not have seen the beginnings of the Complex, Butler describes its slow emergence and how he noticed small things at first until it developed into something that has taken over Artemis completely, something that becomes noticeable to Holly and Foaly. Artemis does well to cover it up, but little things like counting and his paranoia seep through the disguise, things he can’t control and it only gets worse as the story progresses and manifests in different ways. The Artemis way of trying to conceal it and use his own intellect to solve it become slowly overpowered as his reasoning and his behaviour cannot be helped, and he is fully aware of it happening which allow a great insight into Artemis’ mind and the affect the Complex is having on himself, even when he is not exactly sure what is happening.

The blurb makes light of it and almost trivialises it, and I’m not saying having this Complex doesn’t produce some very funny moments, but the way we watch Artemis and those around him deal with this Complex is on occasion so moving and saddening and while the story tries to stay light, it only adds to the magic of the whole situation and Colfer’s unveiling. This is where Colfer’s writing works and we’ve seen it in other books, he offers a seemingly light story that is full of hidden darker meaning with a few obvious serious moments thrown in, mixed through with jokes and humour to fool you into thinking things aren’t as serious as they are.

This approach isn’t relevant just to the Complex however; the other storyline is the threat to Atlantis and the scheme of Turnball Root, former commander Julius Root’s reprobate brother. This brings up its own deeper meaning and serious nature under a cloak of light heartedness. And with multiple events intertwined and connected with Artemis’ condition there are also many other aspects that come into play. As the blurb reveals, the enemy is an old foe of Holly’s, but the attention goes to more than just her, and interestingly, unlike past enemies there is a chance for a lot more sympathy to be given regarding the whole situation.

While you disagree with Turball’s actions for a lot of the book, by the end it leaves you with this pathetic feeling (see original definition of ‘exciting pity or sympathetic sadness’) and you really don’t blame him for anything, which is truly terrible feeling because a lot of bad stuff happens in this book along with the good and you come out the end of it without seeing a real winner or victory. The whole ending is strange, and certainly a little bit darker if you look behind the light heartedness that tries to take the focus. It is like there is a solution but it does not feel like a regular conclusion, things are different than before. Though having said that, the entire book feels different, one enemy is from within the hero’s mind, while the other enemy makes you pity and admire him, it’s a complicated emotion and one Colfer causes and executes wonderfully.

Restricted by avoiding spoilers here because everything is connected and everything is something, but there are a few fun things to talk about to entice and be vague about such as giant squids, interspecies love, Orion, zombies, wrestling, and giant blobs of doom, not to mention the wonderful and typical banter that goes on between all the characters. It really is a nice group effort this time around, characters from all books coming together, all having their part to play both individually and as a team.

There are a lot of things happening, and as I say it all connects, but until it does there are some wonderful moments and scenes where a few characters have a seemingly dangerous but very fun time on their own, people pair up who you do not expect and smaller players get bigger roles this time around. Even away from the sympathy of his condition, Artemis has some wonderful and hilarious moments where the Complex impacts and influences certain situations so it isn’t all serious, and even then the serious moments are filled with humour.

The fact Colfer makes you laugh through this entire book really brings the whole thing together. If not I think the risk of having it too serious and out of sync with the other books would be a failing. It could be seen a serious side step from the normal story trend but I think if you follow the series from the start you see how it is evolving and developing via the characters. Character development means new situations and focuses and really, the entire Complex focus is a key result of all past books coming to a head. Each book is connected and you really can’t have one without the other, like real life where past events influence new ones and Colfer never forgets where his characters have been and how this affects where they should go.

And having past enemies returning is something that works much better I feel than a new enemy appearing each book, people and fairies alike hold grudges and when the moment comes, who wouldn’t take it. That is the angle Colfer is taking. For the reality of the world he’s created it isn’t prone to ongoing villainy and grand master plans all the time, it is the few conniving and manipulative people who keep trying to achieve what they want and then take revenge on those who stopped them before.

I really loved Artemis in this though; I like how different he was. It is like in previous books where he reverts briefly back to the person he was in the beginning and you see this completely new side, but it’s nothing like it at the same time. I adored watching Artemis in his confused and altered state; it was something completely different and certainly unexpected. You knew from the blurb that he wasn’t going to be himself, but all you’re told is that Artemis Fowl has become nice, that does not prepare you whatsoever for what Colfer has in store, it so much more than that. It is so beautifully done, well planned out, well spaced out and so believable it is almost heartbreaking at times when you think too hard about it.

What was fantastic about this book is that you can see the fear in Artemis, not the comic fear from past books where you see him out of his comfort zone, but proper fear from himself and what is happening to him. It is some of the greatest story telling and excellent execution I’ve seen. You get a sorrow for Artemis that you didn’t have before, you fear for him, you are scared for him and you worry about him in such a serious way you didn’t know you could worry for a character before. Colfer is magnificent with this book, Artemis is like we’ve never seen him before and it just works so wonderfully. There is a new side that clashes with the old side, and while we know Artemis is exceptional, he is only human, only a teenager, and after all that he has seen and been scared of, his mind terrifies him the most and you can see it and feel it in the way Colfer tells us his story. It’s simply magnificent and by far one of my favourite Artemis stories.