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A review of Artemis Fowl

by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl, a twelve-year old billionaire genius, kidnaps an elf to hold hostage for fairy gold.

Reviewed by: Michael J. Griffin
About Michael J. Griffin

Artemis Fowl I admit to being one of the few people who have not devoured the entire Harry Potter series, even though at one point I believe there was actually a checkpoint in subway stations where people had to show they had the latest Harry Potter book in their bag.

I had read the first Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" to get a feel for why so many people enjoyed the series, and while it was a somewhat enjoyable book, it didn't give me the urge to go buy the rest of the series.

That's why I reacted with skepticism when this past summer, my thirteen-year old cousin handed me "Artemis Fowl" and said that I HAD to read it. People had told me I HAD to read Harry Potter too. He's 13. I'm 30. Why would this book appeal to me? Since he's such a sweet kid, I decided to give it a shot.

The main character in the book isn't you ordinary hero. In fact, he's not a hero at all, but rather an anti-hero. Artemis Fowl is a 12-year old billionaire who will stop at nothing to get what he perceives should be his. This time his sights are set on fairy gold, which is worth more than any currency in the world. So he kidnaps a member of the fairy world, Holly Short, and holds her prisoner for ransom.

Problem is, Holly Short is actually Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Special Forces, and by kidnapping her, he has brought the wrath of the rest of the LEPrecon Special Forces on his head. These Special Forces will do anything to bring Short back, including, as a last resort, unleashing an invincible troll and dropping a time-bomb.

While Potter only marginally held my interest, I actually found myself immersed in Fowl's world. See, Fowl isn't all that bad underneath it all. He loves his mother, who is in a state of catatonia, and his father left him many years ago. Colfer weaves some sentimentality with action and some sidesplitting humor as well. He also includes some truly memorable characters, like a thieving gnome who moves around by burrowing underground. He burrows by opening his mouth and swallowing the dirt and then *ahem* expelling it behind him. One would not want to be behind him while he is at work. Fowl also has a bodyguard who carries a weapon in every pocket of clothing.

While I rarely venture into young adult fiction, I found Colfer wrote in a way that was accessible to both children and adults, who would want to supervise what their children are reading. Fowl is no role model, but with his brains and money, he would probably give Harry Potter a good battle. I wonder if Hollywood would be interested in a good crossover movie...

Click here to buy this book, or read more about it at Amazon.com: Artemis Fowl

Copyright © by Michael J. Griffin, 2002

Reviewed by Michael J. Griffin:
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