Artemis Fowl Series

I was so hooked in this series that I read the first seven in just a month. I got curious enough when I read the synopsis at the back of the sixth book. The idea of a genius teenage criminal mastermind going back in time to face his ten year old self was just a great formula for a story. But to get there, I had to read the previous five. I’m glad I did. It was great.

Synopsis:

Artemis Fowl II is a twelve year old genius who inherited his criminal mastermind status when his father went missing, presumed dead, on a way to a business deal in Russia. His mother has refused to accept her husband’s death and has lost her sanity. Now, Artemis has taken over determined to keep his family business alive.

One of his biggest projects: Fairies. He was young enough to believe in them and has a brilliant mind and resources to do something about it. He ventured in this all new world when he abducts Captain Holly Short, a Lower Elements Police officer for several tons of fairy gold. And the story begins.

Along the next books of the series, Artemis’s and Holly’s paths cross and joins together, most of the time trying to prevent an incident that would lead to the exposure of the fairy world to the human one. From a goblin rebellion, to arctic expeditions, to a stolen gadget that can expose fairy magic, to surviving an elaborate revenge plot, to saving an entire society, and even time travelling; Artemis’s genius and Holly’s magic had faced them all.

The series actually has a music video. How cool is that?

Review:

Artemis starts out as an anti-hero. He’s the bad guy. But he’s not evil. He’s just a genius teenage criminal mastermind. Of course, we all know that he’ll turn out to be a good guy, but just when it seems that he’ll be going straight, something happens that makes him do bad things again.

The fairy thing might be a turn off for some, but the fairies in this series are very different from the ones you're thinking about. No, the fairies here are bad-ass. Underground cities, with different species like dwarves, goblins, elves, sprites, and even demons. Their technologies are centuries more advanced than humans, and their magic (even with limits) are a big help too.

Artemis and Holly in The Time Paradox

The action scenes in this series are battled with advanced fairy weapons, from laser guns, to invisibility cloaks, to anti-gravity belts. Of course, the mind games, elaborate plans, quick thinking, and outsmarting the enemies are Artemis’s forte; and he even has Butler, virtually the best bodyguard in the world.

The great thing about the series is that each book has its own main story. No cliffhangers. There are no prophecies and destinies to be fulfilled, which is typically how a series ends. Every time you finish a book, you won’t wonder what would happen next, as if the series could just end then and there. My favorite so far is The Lost Colony, as it has events and twists unfolding one after the other and the heavy personal consequences for Artemis up to the bittersweet ending.

One of my favorite book series. A must read indeed.