Artemis Fowl and the gang are in the thick of things again-- and this time they're up against a 12-year-old genius to rival Artemis, and the 8th fairy family: demons!

This beautifully far-fetched fantasy is the fifth in Eoin Coifer's series about the criminal mastermind and his exploits in the Lower Elements. Consistently hilarious and exciting, it's action from front to back. This audiobook is masterfully performed by actor Nathaniel Parker, who does a wonderful job putting distinct voices to work with the book's wide ranging cast. The story is truly an ensemble piece, centering primarily around Holly Short (now working for the secretive Section 8), Artemis, and a new character: an imp named Number 1, who just does not fit in with the gruesome machismo of Hybras, the demon's hidden island. All of the characters are round, fleshy, complex, and contextualized, and the narration shifts between them, riding the story's weaving threads. Coifer's humor and style are greatly reminiscent of Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), with a decidedly feminist flair-- you won't find any damsels in distress among the female characters (of which there are quite a few). Highly recommended for fans of science fiction and fantasy alike; middle school through high school. ( )

Reviewed by K. Osborn Sullivan for TeensReadToo.com

Artemis Fowl is back (finally)! I was terrified that my favorite Irish billionaire genius teenager was gone for good because author Eoin Colfer has been publishing a variety of books in the last couple of years that had nothing to do with good old Artemis. But, fortunately, the boy genius hasn't been forgotten. He's back and more brilliant than ever in this fifth installment of the high-tech fantasy series.

As THE LOST COLONY opens, Artemis is fourteen years old and experiencing the uncomfortable pangs of puberty. While that alone is enough to keep most teens busy for a few years, Artemis has to contend with his surging hormones while trying to save an entire fairy race as it teeters on the brink of extinction. But it's that kind of multitasking that has made Artemis Fowl an international sensation.

THE LOST COLONY has all the elements that Fowl fans have come to expect, including a dizzying array of fairy-issue gadgets, danger whizzing past our heroes from a variety of sources, ingenious plans, and a bodyguard who is as loyal as he is lethal. This book also includes a few new characters who were, for the most part, likeable and fun. The one notable exception is a twelve-year-old French girl who could give Artemis a run for his money in the genius category. She is pretty, rich, and highly annoying. I often found myself wishing that one of the other characters would "accidentally" dunk her in a sewer, or shave her head, or something equally unpleasant. Is it wrong for me to have feelings of aggression toward a fictional character? No, I don't think so. And you'll understand what I mean once you read the book.

Fans of the ARTEMIS FOWL series will not be disappointed in this newest adventure. There were a few problems with the story, including some hard-to-follow descriptions of how Artemis and company escape their latest predicament, and an irritating French girl (see above). Overall, though, I found this an enjoyable book with an ending that knocked me for a loop. And, as always, I was left wondering what mischief Artemis will dream up next. ( )

Artemis has matured and plans to intercept a fairy mission and not in a million years did he think to meet his match right there. Female counterpart. Someone as sly, as cunning, and really like him in many ways - literally. Both are geniuses leaning on the criminal side although Artemis is the good criminal this time, and both are named after goddesses. I laughed at the "We're planning a June wedding" quip, it was a really good one. The humor is still here, it's classic sarcasm. It made me nervous to think someone outsmarting Artemis as I've always believed he is formidable, if not invincible. He's as lovable as ever and Holly's friendship with him has grown stronger. It's interesting to read about demons and how ugly they were described, how they lived up to Colfer's description, that they're evil, save one. This is the most humorous book in the series, I loved it. ( )

For the 5th book of the Artemis Fowl series, Eoin Colfer has created an alternate reality in which demons live on a volcanic island, with the volcano itself being a wormhole. A rare demon warlock named No1 is unable to transform from his lesser being into a full grown demon, so he travels to the human world, where another teenage genious, Minerva finds him. Read this book to find out how Artemis and Holly can save No1 and the demon race, when the wormhole on the island begins to unravel and send demons randomly into the human world. ( )

More adventures of Artemis Fowl. In this story Artemis faces slips in the space time continuum that are throwing demons through time. The plot is fun and exciting and the characters are people and fairies you can really care about. ( )