The Bottom Line: I really expected to love Artemis Fowl. It had interesting likable characters and a good plot but somehow it never quite gelled together into a great book.
Here I am, 29 years old today, a voracious reader, having lived in many artsy fartsy big cities and I only just attended my very first book signing.
About two months ago my friend and I were in the Barnes & Noble in Framingham, a real hike from where we each respectively live. Casually browsing, we both noticed a small sign "Artemis Fowl ~ Eoin Colfer book signing."
We each bought the book ahead of time in case there was a run at the signing and made plans to come back at the listed time.
A week went by, and the big day was upon us. We shuffled in to the back of the store where about 20 rows of chairs had been set up. We were relatively on time and thus forced to sit in the back; the early birds had claimed the good seats.
A few minutes after the scheduled time a small unassuming man with short cropped white hair popped up by the front. After a short introduction Colfer started talking in a very thick Irish accent. He didn't speak much about the book, at least not at first. He told amusing story after amusing story about being Catholic in Ireland and teaching in a Catholic school. My friend and I were laughing so hard we could hardly breath. He was great!
After about 30 minutes of hilarious stories, Colfer spoke a bit about his writing and then read a short passage from Artemis Fowl. This amusing, lively, interesting man all of a sudden had a monotone voice as he read from a book that sounded interesting, but dull compared to the lively tales we had been listening to until that point. What a letdown.
Then had about 30 more minutes of question and answers. There was a large school group in the front and many of the questions came from them. Colfer was again witty and charming, handling the children well even when they repeatedly asked questions he couldn't answer, or the same child wanted to ask twenty questions, or the children didn't want to accept his answers to certain questions. The man was extremely patient.
He was asked what his favorite book is, and he answered The Princess Bride by William Goldman. When asked about his favorite TV show, he answered Star Trek. We were asked to line up to have books signed one row at a time and given the chance to write out a special message we wanted Colfer to write when he signed the books, and these questions settled it. My friend's quote: "Live Long and Prosper." Mine: "Never get involved in a land war in Asia." We figured it would be an in-joke, something we could laugh about for years to come. Colfer found it very amusing, and we had further conversation about Star Trek and The Princess Bride before leaving.
Even with the monotonic reading, I left with very high hopes for Artemis Fowl. This man was funny, very funny, and he liked good science fiction and fantasy. Maybe I left with expectations too high, for I was disappointed when I finally read the book.
It is a good book, one well worth reading. But it isn't anything terribly special. It is funny at times, but the wit we saw shining that evening did not shine in Colfer's writing.
Plot Basics
Artemis Fowl is a 12-year-old evil genius. He uses scientific means to discover the secrets of the fairy world, including the existence of an elite fighting force, LEPrecon or Lower Elements Police Recon. Artemis manages to capture Holly, the first female LEPrecon officer by sheer persistence with the help of his henchman Butler. LEPrecon launches a rescue mission and the fun really begins.
Does Holly escape? Is she rescued? Does Artemis get the gold? Does he know as much about the fairies as he thinks he does? You'll have to read the book to find out.
The Characters
I really liked Artemis Fowl. He's intelligent, determined, methodical. At times a shred, a mere whisper of caring and compassion floats through Artemis, but most of the time he is focused solely on his goals and what he needs to do to accomplish them. It's interesting that his name is Artemis, because in some strange ways he reminds me of Artemis Gordon from the television show Wild Wild West.
Holly Short is the first female LEPrecon officer, a somewhat hot-headed cop who has her preconceived notions about humans blown out of the water by Artemis and Butler. She remains trapped in the Fowl mansion for much of the book, attempting to foil the humans' plans. She does stubborn, determined-to-not-need-help female to the hilt.
Butler is the quintessential henchman, running around doing Artemis' bidding. A mountain of a man, he is almost machine like at times, but his humanity is apparent as he worries about his sister. Butler is a fun character I really enjoyed.
There were many other characters, mostly fairy, mostly enjoyable. Character development is a strength of Colfer's.
The Pieces are Great but...
The book never gels. I kept feeling like I should really be enjoying this book. I liked just about all of the characters. It had scientific and fantasy elements, both areas I tend to enjoy in books. The concept of a modernized fairy society is interesting and fairly unique. I can think of very little I didn't like about the book when I try to analyze the various elements. Yet it never takes off. It is enjoyable but not spectacular. It isn't predictable but it isn't surprising either. It flowed well, it made sense, it was well written. I can't for the life of me tell you why I didn't love this book, just that I didn't.
I would still recommend reading Artemis Fowl. However, I wouldn't run out and procure a copy as fast as you can get your hands on it and make sure you read it from cover to cover now. If you want a must-read book that will keep your brain occupied hours after you finish reading it, look to the first Lemony Snicket book (see my review at http://quasar.epinions.com/content_33182748292). If you want a fairly enjoyable read, then go ahead and read Artemis Fowl.
Artemis Fowl is a one of the greatest criminal minds the world has ever seen. He is heir to the Fowl family empire—a centuries old clan of internati...More at Barnes & Noble.com
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