Rating: 
Summary: Marvelously entertaining in its own right
Review: Grady Mitchell - umbrian@yahoo.com - 4shadowMarvelously entertaining in its own right I agree with the earlier writer who said the Harry Potter comparison is misleading. The HP books are entirely different (and also wonderful -- 5-stars without hesitation). Artemis Fowl is a comic action-adventure. It's a very quick read, and totally engrossing. The story begins right in the action, with Artemis tracking down fairy-world secrets in Ho Chi Minh City, and the pace never goes slack. Colfer does a brilliant job of weaving in background and setting, so that without ever bogging the story down, he paints a whole colorful history of Fowl's family, and an intricate underground universe populated with all different sorts of fairies with their own technology, social problems, history, rituals These creatures are all living right below our noses, keeping their existence secret through a variety of clever ruses and contraptions (for example vacationing elves sometimes go to Disneyland -- the one place in the surface world where they can escape attention). It provides fairy-magic explanations for real world mysteries, creating a kind of plausibility, much like X-Files. Colfer crafts wonderful description, pretty good dialog of the rapid-fire sort, and several hilarious episodes. What do I think of a kid's book whose protagonist is a thief? A worthwhile question, and indeed my reason for reading this book was that my daughter wanted it, and I make sure to read along with her to make sure she's getting good lessons. Well, by the time the book is half over, it's clear that nobody's making a case for a life of crime. The other protagonist, the first female in the fairies' elite police unit, is brave, resourceful, and sympathetic -- it's her you're rooting for. Artemis is dazzling -- but for his intelligence, studiousness, and focus, and not for his lawbreaking (of which there is in fact very little book). His quest for gold is increasingly unimportant as the chapters go by. The book's messages are in fact mainly about the importance of compassion, courage, loyalty -- with both fairy and human saving one-another in the end, while the child-side of Artemis finally shows through, and his real goal becomes helping save his mother from her delusional melancholy. There are also frequent anti-bigotry and pro-environment statements that more jaded readers might even consider a tad-PC (I wouldn't say so at all). Miranda didn't quite have the attention span to write her own review, but I did get a quick quote from her, "for the press": "Holly [the fairy police officer] is my favorite. Commander Root gives her a hard time but he knows she's the best. Artemis is a brat. I hope his dad comes back in the next book so he will be happier. I liked the book very very much. It is only the second book where I read the whole book in one single day." There you have it. She's 10 by the way, and a big, tall, darling girl, whom I will gave a solid 5-stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Potter, but not bad.
Review: Having read this book as a continuation of my love for fantasy and having throughly enjoyed the Potter series I found Colfer's world to be one which was entertaining, well thought out, and a great deal of fun. Don't read this book if you want another Harry Potter book, read it on it's own merits! The characters are unique, and Fowl is not supposed to be another Potter. He is supposed to be an EVIL 12 year old. In the end the book focused more on Root's quest to regain Holly, one of the LEPrecon's recruits and dealt more with an introduction to Colfer's fantasy world than it did on the trials of a media-frenzied genius wizard at boarding school. Fowl isn't meant to be the role model, but another character for children to enjoy reading. The book was easy to follow and even contained a puzzle for added entertainment. Buy this book and prepare to be entranced into a world of magic, science, and the explosive confrontation when they meet in the 21st century.
Rating:
Summary: The comparison to Harry Potter is misleading
Review: This book is not another Harry Potter wanne-be. It's written in a much more aggressive, entertaining style. The emphasis is on action and suspense, and the characters are quite edgy. I especially liked Holly. She's an officer with LEPRecon, the modern version of leprecaun police (I have to say Colfer's updated mythology references are very cute). Holly's a great female protagonist, very independent but with a kind streak she can't ignore. All the other "underworld" characters are also well-developed with their own personalities. There's Foaly, a wise-cracking Centaur tech expert, Root the amusing head officer with a bad temper, Mulch a tunneling pockpocket (with interesting bodily functions), and some very scary trolls. The above-world characters are not so much fun, but set the stage for a really great story. Artemis is as believable as a criminal mastermind boy-genius type can be. I get the sense that this character will develop more in future installations. The interactions between him and the fairies is written very well. In a way, he is protagonist and antagonist at the same time, which makes for very good reading as you are rooting for all the characters to come out ahead. There is a bit of violence, but definitely no more than most toys and books aimed at pre-teens. It's was a fun read and I would pass on the recommendation to most anybody who likes the fantasy/magic fiction genre.
Rating:
Summary: Doesn't matter to me that it's not H.P.
Review: I absolutely loved Artemis Fowl. I wasn't looking for a Harry Potter book and I knew from the first chapter that I had found an incredible new author. I loved all of the modern references, and found myself laughing out loud at certain points in the book. I think some of the gross-out humor (like the farts) will appeal to kids but this book works on an adult level too (like The Simpsons). Can't wait for the movie!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Fun, but NOT for little children!
Review: A couple months ago, I got turned on to the Harry Potter series. I read all four books in less than forty-eight hours! Naturally, then, when people began proclaiming Artemis Fowl as the next Harry Potter, I had to check it out. I can't quite bring myself to say that I was disappointed. Artemis is, as mentioned in other reviews, the antithesis of Harry Potter. There is no other way to say it: he's the bad guy. But he's a very good bad guy - seemingly emotionless, but debonair with his enemies. He is pitted against a fiesty female sprite who compliments him with her passion and wit. However, I warn parents from approaching this book as bedtime fodder for little ones. Although it's not as violent as the later Harry Potter books, there is an element of combat and blood. Additionally, there's a quite base joke regarding how dwarves tunnel through rock. Furthermore, strict parents beware: there are some "damn's" and "hell's" at the end of the book. Eoin Colfer has a really nice idea for a new series of fantasy novels...I just hope that future books have a little more class than this one did. However, it's a good literary romp if you take it for what it is: NOT Harry Potter.
Rating:
Summary: Fun for parents as well!
Review: This is a great family read! No it is not Harry Potter but I really think the same crowd will enjoy this and get a bit more out of it! The humor is edgy and the text is witty. Artemis is a great villain that you love to hate! Get the kids to stretch their sensibilities here. Sometimes real bad guys are entertaining...someone you may find mixed feelings for! This is book to spark many a heated discussion...we loved it! A truly fun read with all ages!
Rating: 
Summary: Guns are bad...Guns are okay...which is it?
Review: The media mavens of Hollywood and publishing vex me. Why? Two years ago, THE INSIDER was nominated for many Academy Awards because it blasted big tobacco for being distributors of death and addiction. Then, last year, TRAFFIC got the same kudos, for saying that the drug war is bad and drugs should not be regulated. So, tobacco is bad, cocaine is good? Now we have ARTEMUS FOWL, supposedly a "children's book" filled with guns and high explosives and SWAT team action. Is this really necessary in the post-Columbine era? Or is the message "guns are bad at school, but fine in children's books?" Shame on you, TalkMiramax Books, you have befouled our culture with ARTEMUS FOWL.
Rating:
Summary: Artemis Fowl is anything BUT foul!
Review: I, not knowing about the excessive amounts of hype on this book, unknowingly bought it, thinking it looked interesting. Little did I know the world I was about to be plunged into. Though compared to Harry Potter, few similarities are found, I can see why people would consider them alike. They both deal with preteen male (bright) protagonists, who beat the odds, and take on large amounts of responsibility and power. Not to mention the magic. If it weren't for the title, this book would not really have a recognizable "good guy" or "bad guy" considering both parties were armed, dangerous and fatal. This was a better aspect of the book, because you did not find yourself saying "NO! Stop! I want YOU to win!", I realized that I was objective yet, involved. Colfer has an undeniable talent for weaving words into beautiful, yet horrifying (at times) sentences. I suggest this book to older "Potterheads" (it can be a bit scary for the younger folk), and Harry Potter rebels alike.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: Artemis Fowl is a twelve-year-old boy who just happens to be both a genius and a criminal mastermind. In a desperate attempt to restore his family's fortune, Artemis comes up with a plan to steal gold from the fairies. Along with his trusty butler sidekick "Butler", he travels to Vietnam on a quest to find a volume of fairy commandments. Once this is achieved and the book deciphered, the next logical step would be to kidnap a fairy and wait for the ransom money to arrive. However, when Artemis kidnaps Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon, it seems he's made a mistake. Because these aren't the cute little elves of bedtime stories. These fairies are armed, dangerous and ready to fight. And they will stop at nothing to get Holly back. The book has often been claimed to be the "next Harry Potter", but while it shares the same fantastically imaginative storyline and colourful descriptions, this is far darker and more humorous than JK Rowling's books. The main characters are all unique and loveable, particularly Holly, Foaly and Root. Even the anti-hero, Artemis Fowl himself is strangely appealing, despite his more dubious characteristics. As the book goes on, you begin to see that he does indeed possess a conscience, he is just careful never to let it get in the way of his evil schemes. Artemis Fowl is full of humour and action. The author has produced an imaginative, fast-paced adventure, which combines magic and technology. The style of narrative is fairly informal, making it easier and more enjoyable to read. Although the first chapter is quite slow, the action soon speeds up and never stops. The story was absorbing, exciting and I read it straight through in a couple of hours without stopping. Where the "Goblet of Fire" was quite frightening, Artemis Fowl is full of humour and the typical fairy magic is replaced with action and wit. I think that this book would be less appealing to younger children in the way that Harry Potter managed to be, but older kids, teenagers and adults alike should enjoy the mix of fantasy, humour and adventure. Overall: five stars, and I will definitely be reading it again. This is no copy of Harry Potter; Artemis Fowl is a completely original work but is still deserving of all the hype. I am sure I will be buying any future books in the series.
Rating:
Summary: A horrible disappointment
Review: Like many others, I bought this book, excited that a book comparable to Harry Potter had come out. I rushed out and got this book. It was horrible, in my opinion. The story lacked originality. It was too unlike Harry Potter. Harry Potter was a reader friendly character, that actually seemed human. But Artemis Fowl (or as I call him, Artemis Foul) is a mean spirited boy. This book almost encourages children to lie, cheat, and steal, and though I think some readers might enjoy it, die-hard Harry Potter fans will not.
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