The Lost Colony (2006)

Reading too many Eoin Colfer books too close together doesn't seem to help in appreciating them. There's something about the tone and such that just starts to get on my nerves after two or three of his books. Still, Artemis Fowl is still fun, and while this book didn't contain many surprises, I quite liked the new characters, and I'm interested to see what happens in future. Minerva should be interesting, and I hope Number One shows up again. And Doodah, maybe.

Other than that, though, I don't have much to say. ( )

11/3/2008:
HOLY COW!!! It ended, and I went, "WHHAAAAT????!??!?! GOOD THING THE NEXT ONE IS OUT!!!!!!!" Not that it was terribly cliffhangery or anything. It wasn't... but I'm sitting here going, "But... but.... but..... but.... *strange and desperate squeal from the back of my throat*" Minerva!! :) And Butler! And HOLLY!! It was really really really really really really good!

10/29/2008:
HOLY CRAP!! I'm almost done with this book (on CD)...!!! It's SO GOOD!! SO INTENSE!!! ( )

I originally reviewed this book on my blog - The Cosy Dragon. For more recent reviews by me, please hop over there.

Artemis Fowl is on the hunt for fairy creatures once more, but this time he's not the only one looking. On a island out of time, the demons are massing for an attack on the human world - but Number One doesn't feel like he belongs. How are the two going to intercollide? The demon's world is falling apart, and once again, Artemis is the only one who can save them.

Artemis has developed into such a likeable character. He's good friends with Holly and Mulch, sure, he doens't have much contact with Foaly, but it's all good natured bickering. Suddenly though, there is another child genius on the scene, one who isn't as sympathetic to fairies.

It's a little predictable that the other child genius is a girl named Minerva. Artemis is noticeably older and his hormones are interfering. Minerva seems to give up just a little bit too easily for my liking, and I'd love to see a bit more cracking of Artemis' shell. Maybe in the next book?

The plot of this novel is enjoyable. The introduction of a 8th fairy colony is subtle, and doesn't interfere with any of the storylines in the past. It's great how Colfer has still stuck to the idea of Artemis helping out, but making the ending different. I'm really not explaining myself well - just read it!

The ending of this novel is a real cliffhanger! Noone, even Artemis, knows where they are going to end up. Maybe this time Artemis can't get out of it. He's still sneaky though, a bit of magic never did anyone any harm right?

I'd recommend this book for teenagers and children. There are some more interesting quirks in the book, but nothing a bit of brain power can't sort out. An enjoyable read for sure, and an easy one. It's compelling - I didn't get any work done today in order to read it! Taking a break between the books in the series was the right decision. ( )

The next book in the Artemis Fowl series. Artemis Fowl is an ultra rich genius 14 year old Irish boy who has discovered the world of fairies and how to communicate with them. In his early books he is a devious self-absorbed twit who only wants the fairy gold and knowledge that they hold. In the last book he began to evolve into a much more humane character. This book he is actually self-less...I like that - but I enjoyed the twit as well! :)

I have recommended these books to different 4th graders over the years - and a few have really seemed to enjoy them. The copy of Lost Colony I read was actually from one of my former 4th graders - he bought it and knew I would enjoy it - so he loaned it to me!! Thank you Jackson!! I did enjoy it! :)

This installment introduces two new characters - demons and Minerva. Neither the demons or the girl are what we expect. The demons are much easier for Artemis to deal with than Minerva - the cute 12 year old genius who crosses his path. It turns out the the demons were expelled from the world 10,000 years ago after the battle between people and fairies. Demons are actually a type of fairy and they were sent into limbo land via a time spell. But, that spell is unraveling and both Artemis and Minerva are racing to intercept these reappearing demons for very different reasons.

In a typical Fowl display of technology and logic the demon entry is planned perfectly, but intercepted by Minerva rather than Artemis. The Fowl followers including Holly Short (Fairy recon spy) follow the captives - recapture - are double crossed - end up in limbo and help to save the land of the demons.

The story ends with a mature Artemis reflecting in a very un-selfish way! And with a huge foreshadowing for the next book!

I enjoyed this - the description of fairy technology is always intriguing and amazing. Colfer draws the new characters with as much personality as the ones we already know. Who would imagine a demon caring about others??? ( )

Artemis has discovered that there's some sort of temporal anomaly which is causing demons to appear, he has also worked out that these demons are in fact a fairy race who are caught in a time spell, and it's degrading.

A second young genius, this time a girl, has also discovered about this paradox and they have to decide whether to work together or against each other to solve the problems that are coming. Not only the fairy world but also the human world are involved and this time Artemis may just have more problems than he can solve.

I enjoyed this, Artemis is changing from a self-centered megalomaniac to someone with a conscience who is willing to sacrafice himself to save his friends. It will be interesting to watch him develop more. ( )