Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl — (2001-2008) Young adult. Publisher: From a strikingly original voice in fiction comes the story of Artemis Fowl, a very unusual hero. Artemis combines the astuteness of Sherlock Holmes with the sangfroid of James Bond and the attitude of Attila the Hun. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories. These fairies are armed and they're dangerous. Artemis thinks he's got them just where he wants them, but then they stop playing by the rules... Full of unexpected twists and turns, ARTEMIS FOWL opens up a riveting world of magic, mystery, and humor.

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Artemis Fowl: Fast, Fun, Forgettable

Artemis Fowl is a fast-paced blend of 21st century technology and ancient fairy magic, written by Irishman Eoin Colfer for young enthusiasts of science-fiction and fantasy. The plot is straightforward: Artemis, a 12-year-old genius and the son of the missing overlord of a criminal dynasty, concocts a scheme to acquire the little golden book of fairy lore and, using its secrets, hold a fairy hostage for an enormous ransom. The only thing is, Colfer's fairies aren't delicate little Tinkerbell-types; rather, they boast an elite "LEP-Recon" unit of laser-toting, time-stopping commandos. Can Artemis and his highly trained bodyguard Butler hold off their assault/rescue attempt and claim a fortune in fairy gold?

Colfer's yarn moves quickly, and cleverly reimagines the 'little people' for the 21st century. It also has more than its share of humor, especially when Mulch Diggums the dwarf is involved. (Colfer provides a new spin on a dwarf's ability to tunnel through the earth. A two-word hint: pants flap.) However, while Artemis is often a fascinating character, he's seldom a likeable one, given his less than noble motives. Also, while the lengthy descriptions of the fairy underworld and their technology are "neat" at first, they become a bit tedious after a while — as does the hardboiled, militaristic dialogue of the LEP-Recon unit (which contains some very mild profanity).

In the end, while it has more than its share of machinery and magic, Artemis Fowl falls short on the scales of morality (nothing more than a few references to environmental pollution) and memorableness. As strongly as the author ties it to the early 21st century and fails to ground it with universal lessons, it's likely that this particular book will one day become obsolete (when our technology does). I recommend it as a fun summer read from the library (with parental guidance), but build a personal collection with The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, and The Prydain Chronicles (among others) before ordering this one. An amusing diversion, not a classic: three Lucky Charms stars. —Rob Rhodes

The Last Colony

The Artemis Fowl series has always been superbly written and brilliantly conceived, with an astonishing array of humor, techno-gadgets, mind-bending plots, daredevil escapes and rescues... frankly, they have a tendency to leave one dizzy — but enchanted.

And The Last Colony is better than the previous installments.

There are many reasons for this. First, there were at least three places where Colfer could have stopped writing, wrapped the book up, given it a different title, and shipped it off to his publisher and wait to collect his generous royalty checks. But he didn't. He took us from climax to climax as if we rode a roller coaster, each one at least as exciting and breathtaking as the last — if not more so. Second, Colfer introduces a magnificent new character, Minerva, a 12-year old girl who is quite similar to the 12-year old Artemis we met in the first book. Artemis has a nemesis. Third, and perhaps most importantly, Artemis himself has changed. He is fully in possession of a conscience now, is 14-years old, and finds himself quite uncomfortably pubescent.

As always, Colfer writes in a very loose third-person omniscient voice, hopping from character to character. This is dangerous, unless the author has a firm grasp on all of the elements of his story. Luckily, Colfer does. It's a rare author that can take us into the enemy camp, show us who they are, how they live, their blueprints for whatever foul act they plan to commit, and still leave the pages of the book dripping with tension.

The demands that Colfer places on Artemis are staggering, and by extension the demands he places on himself as a writer are similarly so. To not violate Artemis' core-identity, yet have him find his way with the use of a moral compass, is virtually unthinkable. But Colfer did it. Artemis grew, he changed, but yet he was still Artemis at heart. Brilliant, conniving, and, when need be, ruthless. Ruthless...and still a good guy? Yup.

I'm thankful that Colfer didn't take the easy way out, and that he pushed himself harder and further than I've seen him do yet. —Todd Burger