Artemis Fowl can be described in a number of different ways. "Genius" is just one word that fits him to a T; when it comes to computers, for instance, the author uses one of Artemis' physical characteristics to point out his enormous and delicate skill: "Long hours indoors in front of a computer screen had bleached the glow from his skin. He was as white as a vampire and almost as testy in the light of day."
"Criminal mastermind" is another accurate descriptive for Artemis; his scruples are right up there with Professor Moriarty's from Sherlock Holmes. He also shares Moriarty's expensive tastes, arrogance and sangfroid. In terms of plotting and strategy, he would give Generals Patton and Eisenhower a run for their money. All this at 12 years old!
Yes, another word to describe Artemis would be "adolescent," but he's no Harry Potter, despite how special he is (and despite his flirtations with magic). Whereas young Harry is a "normal" boy in thoughts and feelings, thrust into an extraordinary situation, Artemis is extraordinary to begin with, and seeks out extraordinary situations as if they were normal.
Another term that can be applied to Artemis is one he wouldn't like so much, and that term is "millionaire." The thing is, it used to be "billionaire," but the Fowl family fortune hasn't been doing quite so well of late. Artemis, however, intends to rectify that situation, and his bold plot to do so is the subject of this fresh new novel by Eoin Colfer.
The idea is a fairly simple one, and one that really could only be conceived by a child (an Irish child at that), genius or not: capture a fairy and steal it's pot of gold.
Sounds like the stuff of bedtime stories, but here's where the fairy tale rockets into the 21st century. These mythical creatures of magic don't wear knickerbockers anymore; they're an elite military unit, armed and dangerous and ready to defend themselves at all costs. Artemis' only hope of defeating them lies in beating them at their own game. Where he may have made his fatal mistake, however, is in underestimating the humanity of his quarry - turns out they're just human enough to not be above breaking their own rules...
This is an extremely funny, satirical look at a familiar legend, full of twists and turns, guaranteed to keep you guessing. Filled with enough magic, mystery and humor to keep both adults and kids entertained, it's a fun international introduction to a best-selling Irish novelist. It's also only the beginning, for unless I miss my guess, we'll be hearing a lot more from Master Artemis Fowl.
June, 2001
