Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl, Book 1)

Like many fantasy and science fiction novels, the premise of this book is cool, but the execution is clumsy. For example, the author TELLS us that the main character, Artemis Fowl is a fiendish mastermind, but you never see him do anything all that nefarious or clever. None of the characters are fleshed out and I didn't really care about any of them. In fact, the author tells us that the character Butler is devoted to Artemis, but we never see any basis for that devotion. Likewise, the story itself was sort of clunky: it had a lot of action, but several reviews have already pointed out several plot holes. Halfway through this book I found myself thinking what a great graphic novel or even cartoon it might make: the author describes imaginative things that might be cool to look at (such as an underground fairy world and a fairy-transport system involving lava) but he wasn't skilled enough to make me really SEE them in my mind. Also the shallow characterisation would have been less glaring in a different format. This book rode the coattails of Harry Potter to popularity, but don't be fooled: unlike the HP series, adults won't be charmed by Artemis Fowl. For a WELL-WRITTEN children's fantasy book, try Summerland by Michael Chabon.

I know that this book is extremely popular, and I'm definitely not one to believe that censorship is the key to healthy children, but I was amazed and troubled by this book, and by the fact that it's on many school reading lists.

Within the first couple of chapters the reader is introduced to the main character who favors a body guard that is trained to kill, tortures and drugs an alcoholic fairy (yes, I understand the humor of it, but I'm not sure it's a good message to send to kids), and is the youngest member of a family with a long criminal history. Artemis has no redeeming qualities, and he is, as one reviewer put it, "a nasty little boy." Definitely not someone I want my daughter looking up to. If this was a book for teens I wouldn't have a problem with it, but there is no way my kid is going to read it before the age of thirteen.

I had heard many good things about this novel with many recommendations that, as a Harry Potter fan, I would enjoy it. I'm happy to say that it lived up to all of the hype. This is yet another example of a fine writer producing children's literature that's not all that childish. Like a really well-done cartoon, there's plenty in its pages to entertain and amuse children and many references that will go straight over their heads but that adults will enjoy.

The language Colfer uses is really wonderful. He doesn't try to dumb it down and the vocabulary is colorful and would be a nice challenge for younger children and yet it's not so academic that it becomes daunting. Colfer uses colorful language and does an excellent job of setting the scene and creating believable and fun dialogue.

The best thing about this book, though, is Colfer's prodigious imagination. Artemis is a very fun and unexpected character and the Butlers were also a lot of fun, particularly Julia with her penchant for wrestling. Colfer's twists on traditional folklore and fairytale creatures is very innovative and his take on how the "Mud People" stereotype fairies, elves, and dwarves was a riot. Colfer is very adept at using such satire to great effect and while kids will find it funny, adults will appreciate how Colfer pokes fun at our own world.

Overall, this book is a great deal of fun and I look very forward to reading the next installment.

I quite enjoyed this one. Normally, I am not a big fan of constant point-of-view switches, but these are done smoothly and sensibly; not disjointing at all. The characters are great fun to follow along, and the story had me wanting to jump right back in to see what happened next.

James D. Maxon
Author of Traphis: A Wizard's Tale

Artemis Fowl is a great book for kids.

This book is about a 12 year old boy named Artemis who is a genius and has a head for schemes. Artemis along with his body guard Butler go on adventures in an attempt to get his families fortune back. In order to accomplish this task his current scheme is to see if he can steal fairy gold without dying.

The Fairy world is made up of a lot of different creatures who are policed by a group called the LEPrecons. Holly Short a member of the fairy LEPrecon Unit gets herself kidnapped by Artemis. The LEPrecon force works to save Holly, stop Artemis, and protect there most favorite thing...Gold.

This the first of many adventures that Artemis, Butler, and Holly have together. I would recommend this book to anyone who would be willing to go on an adventuress adventure.

Artemis Fowl is a genius. He's also a criminal master mind. He's also twelve. When faced with the loss of his family's fortune, he does what anyone would do. He kidnaps a fairy commando and holds her for ransom.

This is a great book for readers of all ages. While entertaining for most older elemtary school kids, the snappy dialog and and action packed plot twists make it a great read for adults too.

I'm confused. Artemis Fowl is actually the antagonist of this story. How can the main character of a book be the antagonist? He is very un-likeable to the point where i almost put the book down. Here we have these good likeable fairy creatures and this spoiled rotten little boy just terrorizes them. I actually wanted him to die at the end. I think maybe this author got his priorities wrong when he developed this story. If the reader doesn't like the main character, then there's a problem. I will buy next book in this series and hope that Artemis becomes a bit more likeable. If i was still 12 years old and i saw Artemis on the

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer is an enjoyable fantasy book that I would recommend to kids of all ages. The story opens in the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. Artemis Fowl and his servant, Butler, are meeting a man who has promised to introduce them to a fairy. After meeting a weak fairy who has been drained of magic by rice wine, they trick her into sharing her secret fairy book with them in exchange for saving her life. The book, which contains all the rules and secrets of the world's fairies, is photographed by Artemis and e-mailed to his server for safe keeping. Meanwhile, Captain Holly Short, a LEPrecon (Lower Elements Policeman) enters a pod in the fairy city near the center of the earth that will shoot her out of a vent to fight a troll who has escaped to the earth's surface. Little does she know that soon after that she will be kidnapped by Artemis Fowl!

Artemis Fowl is a character with a plan. He is a driven, wealthy twelve year old who wants to steal fairy gold. In the beginning of the book he is described as an extremely pale young man who seems to have no friends except his servant, Butler. He is a bright, tech genius who is not in school because his mother is loosing her mind. My favorite part of the book was reading about how he is training himself to become a criminal mastermind. Right before he meets with Commander Root to negotiate for Fowl's fairy hostage, he prepares for the interaction by concentrating on how he will act. "Artemis put on his best sinister face. Evil, he told himself, evil but highly intelligent. And determined, don't forget determined. He put a hand on the doorknob. Steady now. Deep breaths, and try not to think about the possibility that you have misjudged this situation and you are about to be shot dead." (Colfer 213)

The underground fairy world in Artemis Fowl is an incredibly imaginative creation. Although we are told a limited amount about the underground city, we are thrown into a fantastic description of Captain Holly Short's experience riding a magma wave to the earth's crust. The pod that she rides in is an extremely old model. Right before her centaur friend straps her into the seat, she notices brain fluid on the wall behind her head. Apparently during this pod's last trip the pod leaked a bit and the pilot is now recovering in the hospital. Although her friend assures her that this metal egg has been fixed since then, Holly is extremely nervous as her pod is engulfed by hot magma shooting to the earth's surface.

Artemis Fowl is a satisfying read that leaves you swimming in your imagination. Don't miss it!

I enjoyed this exciting adventure!

Artemis Fowl is a charming character who reminded me a lot of a young Sherlock Holmes. His genius makes him alluring and keeps him always one step ahead of everyone. The plot is a fun one and I loved how different yet familiar the fantasy world was. I recognized most of the fantasy creatures, though it was interesting for them to be changed a bit from their traditional roles.

Holly Short reminded me a lot of Judy Hopps from Zootopia; which was a fun comparison. Her personality, her kind heart, her courageous actions, and her determination to never give up on a job well done provided the perfect nemesis to Artemis's schemes.

I did like that Artemis is portrayed as the villain in this story and his illegal actions weren't justified just because he is twelve years old or because of the reasoning behind his actions.

The only reason that I docked a star is for the 5+ curse words that were thrown in after the 75% mark and the portrayal of a minor consuming alcohol. Since this book is a middle-grade book, the inclusion of these words was just unnecessary and one phrase was repeated several times by one character in a single scene. And Artemis pours himself and another minor a glass of champagne while acknowledging that he is a minor and making a comment that "mother wouldn't mind just this time". I really don't appreciate the casualty of underage drinking in a book meant for young readers, though Artemis is portrayed as the villain (as I mentioned earlier) so his actions are connected to being "bad". Still, I didn't care for how this particular scene was handled.

I have to admit, I was skeptical at first. It was a semi slow start, but it picked up fast and then kept me going until I was finished with the book and eager to move on to the second. I highly recommend this series.