Artemis Fowl

Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl is a 12-year-old genius. He has decided to go into the family business - crime. But since his father disappeared the family has fallen on hard times. It is now time to refill the family bank and wallets. He devises a plan to steal fairy gold.

He knows that pots of gold can't be found at the end of the rainbow. They can, however, be used for ransom for a fairy. Artemis, with the help of the family servant Butler, arranges to kidnap a fairy. When Holly Short comes to the surface to renew her power, Artemis springs his trap. Now he has to keep her until the fairies send the demanded ransom.

Fortunately for Holly, she is a member of the LEPrecon group. They are the elite of the Lower Elements Police and always achieve their goal. Hers is to escape, Theirs is to rescue her without giving up any fairy gold. Artemis has his genius, excellent technology, and Butler to help him. The fairies have fairy technology and fairy magic. Will Artemis get his gold? Or will Holly escape so the fairies can punish him?

Artemis Fowl is a fun chase book for the 10 to 12 year old group. Artemis goes back and forth between being an evil genius bent on crime to an uncertain 12-year-old wanting his parents back. Holly is a determined fairy. She is the first girl allowed in the LEPrecon and has to prove herself. She gets kidnapped - a black mark against her. But she does have the means to escape. If she does, she'll be established in the LEPrecon.

The target age group of this novel will enjoy themselves. It's the type of book that could pull in a reluctant reader because it has fairies and magic and fights and a kid running the show. Eoin Colfer has written an appealing novel for them. Adults can also appreciate Artemis Fowl, but it can be a bit simple at times. The ending is satisfying for all - does good really conquer evil?

Notice: Non-graphic violence

Artemis Fowl
The Arctic Incident
The Eternity Code
The Opal Deception
The Lost Colony
The Time Paradox
The Atlantis Complex