Rating: Summary: Bloody good Review: Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident is the second instalment in the Artemis Fowl series. Now, if you have yet to read the first, don't even think about reading this one first, as you will be totally lost. Well, not totally, but you'll not be able to fully appreciate some of the character emotions and actions. Here we find Artemis Fowl Jr. on a rescue mission to save his father from the Russian Mafiya. On his way, he is abducted by LEPrecon Captain Holly Short, taken in for questioning about illegal trading with goblins. He is, duhviously, innocent, but is nevertheless enlisted to aid the People, in exchange for help with his father. Sounds simple, right? What could possibly go wrong? How about everything? A disillusioned LEP officer concocts an elaborate scheme to overtake the LEP and, eventually, the Upper World. While Captain Short, Commander Root, Artemis and Butler, Artemis'...butler, go to Russia, Haven is thrown into utter chaos, and only our heroes can save the Lower Elements. What could possibly be bad with this book? How about nothing? The action is fast-paced, with many surprises, twists and 'eh?' moments, where you marvel at the utter coolness of this book. If you do not read this book, you are missing out on a GREAT literary experience. I also refuse to believe that Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code, is the last we'll hear of Artemis' hijinks. Anyhows. Buy this book.
Rating: Summary: Review from a young reader Review: I loved this book from the first page, when I was introduced to Butler the butler, a truly ingenious name in my opinion. I can't get enough of it. 12 year old Artemis Fowl discovers the existence of huge colonies of fairies living underground, and is determined to use his knowledge to exploit them. He concocts a plan to kidnap a fairy (Captain Holly Short of the Lower Elements Police), hold her for ransom, and restore his family fortune. But these fairies aren't sweet little things who put tooth money under your pillow or live in flowers; these are fairies with attitude. One great thing about this book is that you never know which side to cheer for, for Artemis is both the hero and the villain. Colfer combines fantastical folklore with high-tech, modern, magic to create a superbly original race of fairies. The dialogue is witty, both using and making fun of clichés, and the characters are wonderfully charismatic. Artemis Fowl is a great mix of all the things I love - fantasy, action, adventure, and comedy. The ending is perfect, down to the last sentence - 'But that's another story.' I love how Colfer inserts little comments into the book that make you stop and wonder about the human race and what it's doing. One example is how Holly finds the idea of going to the bathroom in your own house repulsive, and is disgusted by the fact humans treat their waste with chemicals instead of returning it to the Earth as fertilizer. Colfer is very subtly making the reader to look at the way human life has evolved by challenging something as basic as the toilet. I love Colfer's unique and very effective writing style, and I laughed until I cried at some parts. The only solid negative aspect I can find to this book is in the difficult technological terms used - Eoin Colfer certainly did his research before he wrote this book. And of course, even I found it hard to look past the repulsive glittery cover and begin to read it, although I forgave it by the third page. It only goes to bring out the truth in that good old saying 'Never judge a book by it's cover.'
Rating: Summary: Excellent Sequel Review: Perhaps not as good as the first, but certainly an excellent sequel. Yes, Artemis becomes more compassionate and less criminal, only he would never let you know that. The book is just as easy to read as the first and only has one slow section. Excellent.
Rating: Summary: terrific sequel, more mature hero Review: The great thing about the first Artemis Fowl novel was the idea that fairies, far from being pretty little things with gauzy wings are a secret race of technologically advanced beings living deep underground. Colfer tapped deep into Irish myth and came up with the idea that fairy gold was real - and a teenage master-criminal was going to get it. Artemis is a great anti-hero, and when the new book begins he's running rings round the school shrink (whose ... psychology books he's naturally read and despised.) This is very funny, but what's better is that underneath the cockiness, Artemis is a boy with a messed-up family who really misses his Dad, who vanished in Russia. News comes that his father isn't dead but kidnapped by the Mafia, and the only way Artemis can get him out is to join forces with his arch-Nemesis, Holly SHort of the LEPRecon unit. Currently in disgrace, Holly has a few problems of her own...like putting down a goblin rebellion. All the great comic characters such as Muclh Diggums, the disgusting dwarf who chomps his way through the earth, expelling it out his rear end (now pretending to be a reclusive Hollywood star) are back. It's fast and funny, and if Colfer's The WIsh List (published in the US as The Eternity Code) is more moving and thoughtful, well, kids will love that too.
Rating: Summary: An Exciting Adventure Review: A Review by Chris Artemis Fowl is a 13 year old genius. He comes from a very wealthy family, that has a large criminal record. A while back Artemis lost his father in a boating accident. Ever since the accident he has been desperately searching for him, until one day when he received a mysterious e mail. It was a ransom note. A Russian mob had found his father and was holding him for a very high ransom. It is now up to Artemis and his Butler to rescue him. One thing I enjoyed about this book was the unique characters. There was a younge genius (Artemis), a combat specialist (Butler), and a kleptomaniac dwarf (Mulch). The large array of characters makes the story both interesting and funny. Another thing I liked about this book was the fat that it was a fast reading book and that it contained a lot of humor. I read this novel in only two days. The plot of the story really makes you want to keep on reading. Its hard to put down. The last thing that I really liked about The Arctic Incident was the fact that they were able to continue right were that last book ended. I though it was pretty neat when they brought back all of the old characters like Mulch Diggums and Foaly. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure books. It's a very fun book and it reads very fast. It has a lot of action in it so you'll never get bored.
Rating: Summary: Not quite as tight Review: Like the first in the series, it's a good, fun and quick read. I found the internal politics of the fairy world interesting and nicely complex. My only complaint is that this story didn't quite have the same tight pacing as the first.
Rating: Summary: Artemis on a Mission of Mercy Review: Artemis, the child genius criminal, is back in his second book. His mother has been restored to health (in the first book) and now he learns that his father might still be alive and a hostage of the Russian Mafiya. Artemis puts his brains to work to rescue his father but is interrupted when he himself is kidnaped by Holly Short for interfering with Fairy business. Well, Artemis is quickly cleared of the charges and a deal is struck. Artemis will help Holly track down who is really trafficking with the goblins in return for help rescuing his father. Sounds easy enough. But there are plenty of plot complications thrown into the mix before each side manages to square the deal. This is quite a different book from the first one. When we were first introduced to Artemis, he was a criminal mastermind. But now we see a different side to him as he quests for his father, helps out the underground fairy population and experiences much of life that privilege has shielded from him. He is a much more likeable character now but possibly not as interesting. Still, the plot is tight and the action fast. Four-hundred pages flew by quite quickly. Not quite the same as the first, but I still recommend it.
Rating: Summary: An Extremely Good Book Review: Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident is the second book in the Artemis Fowl series. If you didn't read the first Artemis Fowl, I highly recommend reading that one before this. Well, in this book the faries are having trouble with goblins. In the meantime, Artemis received an E-mail which suggests that his father is alive. Just as he's getting ready for the rescue attampt, Holly form the LEPrecon squad brings him in for questioning. At last it is agreed that the faries will help Artemis Fowl in his quest to rescue his father from the Russian Mafia, and in return Artemis will help them with their goblin problems. But many things go wrong... I highly suggest reading this book... It's even better than the first!
Rating: Summary: The Arctic Incident (Artemis Fowl, Book 2) Review: He has done it again! Eoin Colfer has written a entertaining, action-packed book with our favorite characters Artemis Fowl, Butler, Captain Holly Short and Julius Root! In the awesome book Artemis has to team up with his archenemy Holly Short to try and save his father from the Russian Mafiya. On the way there is a conspiracy going on in the faerie world! Of course Julius Root, Butler, Artemis Fowl and Holly Short have to been in the arctic as the faerie world is being controled by an evil ****(can't tell because it will ruin the story). They must find a way to save Artemis's father and the faerie world! Colfer has the reader hooked on this page turner for the whole book! He adds to the characters and new ones are introduced, making this book truly delightful. There is rich description, action-packed parts, genius plans (provided by Artemis Fowl)! There really is a wonder amount of everything! I would suggest this book to ages 9 and up! Although I suggest read book number one "Artemis Fowl" before you read this page turner!
Rating: Summary: A SPLENDID VOICE PERFORMANCE Review: Following on the heels of his highly successful introduction of young hero Artemis Fowl, Colfer continues with Artemis attending boarding school. It is there that our unflappable hero receives a pleading email from Russia - someone has been kidnaped by the Russian Mafiya and it is imperative that Artemis rescue him. The kidnaped person? His father. There's a hint of the British and a tinge of the Irish in the low, resonant voice of Nathaniel Parker. His reading is superb with perfect nuances and pauses,, drawing listeners into the adventure. I found myself leaning forward, not that I couldn't hear him quite distinctly but because I didn't want to miss one of his captivating inflections. Nathaniel Parker's narration, rather than "reading" merits the word "performance." It also deserves an award.
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