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After Artemis uses stolen fairy technology to create a powerful microcomputer and it is snatched by a dangerous American businessman, Artemis, Juliet, Mulch, and the fairies join forces to try to retrieve it.Tags
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The last time I read The Eternity Code, I was a sophomore in high school. All I remembered about this novel was the very beginning – Artemis and Butler meeting an investor. So, of course, what happened two chapters later was a complete surprise.
The Eternity Code gets us back to the con. Artemis shines the most when he’s plotting something, and in this novel, there’s a lot at stake. In return for the LEP’s assistance in retrieving a sensitive piece of (faerie) technology, Artemis agrees to a complete mind wipe.
Yes, loves, that means this is the end of the journey for Artemis and Holly, and just when their friendship is starting to blossom.
(Or course, we know now there are five more books in this series, so something must happen show more in book four. Nonetheless, join me for this journey.)
Artemis’s growth is slow and subtle, and it’s easy to fall in love with him as he slowly grows from a cold-hearted child to a a young genius with friends and a future. Does that future include criminal enterprises? Um, of course! This is Artemis Fowl after all. Artemis and Holly are a well oiled machine in this one. When the group splits up, Artemis and Holly move together almost effortlessly. It’s fantastic.
Still, what I appreciated the most about this book wasn’t Artemis and Holly. It was Juliet. My memories of Juliet throughout the entire series is vague, so I was surprised to find in rereading it that Juliet is an interesting character trying to find the place where she fits in this world. I like her ferocity and individuality. There’s even a hint of a potential friendship between Holly and Juliet that just misses, like two ships passing on a quiet sea. Really good character, and I’ll be watching her more closely in the rest of the series.
The plot of this one is my favorite so far, and it’s the first that really stands alone as a complete story rather than a small chapter. I like a good con as well – this feels like a fantasy version of Ocean’s Eleven, complete with a grand reveal, which is super fun. The villain is a properly villainous bad guy, with too much confidence and no cares for anyone or anything around him. The perfect comic book-style villain, and fantastic for the middle grade book.
If The Eternity Code had been the end of the series, it would have been a great end. But luckily for us, there five more books. Forward, we go! show less
The Eternity Code gets us back to the con. Artemis shines the most when he’s plotting something, and in this novel, there’s a lot at stake. In return for the LEP’s assistance in retrieving a sensitive piece of (faerie) technology, Artemis agrees to a complete mind wipe.
Yes, loves, that means this is the end of the journey for Artemis and Holly, and just when their friendship is starting to blossom.
(Or course, we know now there are five more books in this series, so something must happen show more in book four. Nonetheless, join me for this journey.)
Artemis’s growth is slow and subtle, and it’s easy to fall in love with him as he slowly grows from a cold-hearted child to a a young genius with friends and a future. Does that future include criminal enterprises? Um, of course! This is Artemis Fowl after all. Artemis and Holly are a well oiled machine in this one. When the group splits up, Artemis and Holly move together almost effortlessly. It’s fantastic.
Still, what I appreciated the most about this book wasn’t Artemis and Holly. It was Juliet. My memories of Juliet throughout the entire series is vague, so I was surprised to find in rereading it that Juliet is an interesting character trying to find the place where she fits in this world. I like her ferocity and individuality. There’s even a hint of a potential friendship between Holly and Juliet that just misses, like two ships passing on a quiet sea. Really good character, and I’ll be watching her more closely in the rest of the series.
The plot of this one is my favorite so far, and it’s the first that really stands alone as a complete story rather than a small chapter. I like a good con as well – this feels like a fantasy version of Ocean’s Eleven, complete with a grand reveal, which is super fun. The villain is a properly villainous bad guy, with too much confidence and no cares for anyone or anything around him. The perfect comic book-style villain, and fantastic for the middle grade book.
If The Eternity Code had been the end of the series, it would have been a great end. But luckily for us, there five more books. Forward, we go! show less
All of that growth that Artemis went through in the Arctic Incident? His father and mother both back and home, each with a fairy-magic-inspired positive outlook on life? Doesn't mean that he's above trying to exploit fairy technology for a bit more gold...
Basically, he took the helmets and other gear he stole back in the first book and turned them into a computer. On top of that, he apparently encrypted it with something called an 'Eternity Code.' If I understand correctly, that basically means that Artemis wrote it in a completely differently language, which makes it impossible to crack. Except that only works well if it's completely unrelated to any known language, which runs counter to the first book. So it goes.
The same set of show more characters are back, along with a new big bad: the human tech entrepreneur John Spiro and his head of security Arno Blunt. They make good decent villains, the former smart enough to at least sometimes outsmart Artemis and the latter mean enough to go toe to toe with Butler. (Which also leads to one of the most emotional scenes in the series thus far when Butler ismortally wounded and Holly has to use her magic to save him .)
Among the most interesting scenes in this book is the closing scenes where the People decide that it's finally time to wipe Artemis and co's memory. It's really a battle of wits and, unlink some of them, manages to feel real. It's a cool scene and does at once close off that particular problem with the first two books while at the same time setting up the next sequel. Well done that.
Random aside, Artemis took a chance to gloat / explain his name:
It's still a bit strange, especially given that he was named well before he became who he is. But at this point, I can't really imagine him with any other name. So it goes.
Overall, it's a solid book. Pretty much the only part I didn't care for was the linguistic/cipher/computer nerd in me being so annoyed at the very idea of the Eternity Cube/Code it. Also, Artemis tends to be just a bit over the top (even by kid genius standards). Other than that, a fun sequel. Worth the read.
Amusing quote of the day:
Basically, he took the helmets and other gear he stole back in the first book and turned them into a computer. On top of that, he apparently encrypted it with something called an 'Eternity Code.' If I understand correctly, that basically means that Artemis wrote it in a completely differently language, which makes it impossible to crack. Except that only works well if it's completely unrelated to any known language, which runs counter to the first book. So it goes.
The same set of show more characters are back, along with a new big bad: the human tech entrepreneur John Spiro and his head of security Arno Blunt. They make good decent villains, the former smart enough to at least sometimes outsmart Artemis and the latter mean enough to go toe to toe with Butler. (Which also leads to one of the most emotional scenes in the series thus far when Butler is
Among the most interesting scenes in this book is the closing scenes where the People decide that it's finally time to wipe Artemis and co's memory. It's really a battle of wits and, unlink some of them, manages to feel real. It's a cool scene and does at once close off that particular problem with the first two books while at the same time setting up the next sequel. Well done that.
Random aside, Artemis took a chance to gloat / explain his name:
And one more thing. About my name — Artemis — you were right. In London, it is generally a female name, after the Greek goddess of archery. But every now and then a male comes along with such a talent for hunting that he earns the right to use the name. I am that male. Artemis the hunter. I hunted you.
It's still a bit strange, especially given that he was named well before he became who he is. But at this point, I can't really imagine him with any other name. So it goes.
Overall, it's a solid book. Pretty much the only part I didn't care for was the linguistic/cipher/computer nerd in me being so annoyed at the very idea of the Eternity Cube/Code it. Also, Artemis tends to be just a bit over the top (even by kid genius standards). Other than that, a fun sequel. Worth the read.
Amusing quote of the day:
Jon Spiro had not hired Pex and Chips for their debating sills. In the job interview, they had only been set one task. A hundred applicants were handed a walnut and asked to smash it however they could. Only two succeeded. Pex had shouted at the walnut for a few minutes, then flattened it between his giant palms. Chips had opted for a more controversial method. He placed the walnut on the table, grabbed is interviewer by the ponytail, and used the man's forehead to smash the nut. Both men were hired on the spot. They quickly established themselves as Arno Blunt's most reliable lieutenants for in-house work. They were not allowed outside Chicago, as this could involve map reading, something Pex and Chips were not very good at.show less
Summary: Artemis is pleased to have both of his parents alive and well (or at least on the mend), but he realizes that parental supervision will likely cut short his criminal extra-curricular activities. So, he plans one last big operation: He's taken some fairy technology and used it to create a computing device that is decades beyond anything humans currently have. His plan is to dangle this technology in front of Jon Spiro, the CEO of one of the world's largest computing and communication companies, and then extort Spiro for large amounts of cash in exchange for keeping the cube off the market. However, things start going wrong - deadly wrong - when Spiro manages to outsmart Artemis and steals the cube. Once again, Artemis and the show more fairy folk must work together to recover the stolen cube or risk losing everything.
Review: I've been listening to the Artemis Fowl books as a fun, light break from other reading, and thus far I've been enjoying them. However, I didn't feel like The Eternity Code lived up to the precedent set by the first two books. There was still plenty of action and adventure and cracking wise, which was good, but I didn't feel like the danger was as dangerous or the criminal mastermind plans so mastermind-y. The characters admit that it will take Spiro's people a while to crack the cube's code, so there isn't really a sense of urgency about Artemis's attempt to steal the cube back from Spiro's clutches. Similarly, there was barely a facet/twist of either Spiro's or Artemis's various schemes that I didn't see coming from a mile away. There were some nice character moments, and it's interesting to watch how Artemis has changed since a few books ago... but I want my heist stories to feel slick, and this one didn't quite make it there.
Also, a note to authors setting a book primarily in a city with which they are not personally acquainted: have a local read your story *before* it goes to press, or else face the wrath of local readers who will undoubtedly catch your errors *after* it's gone to press. Most crime lords don't have lairs on the East Side of Chicago, because the "East Side" of Chicago is Lake Michigan, and referring to "Chicago state law" is enough to make geography teachers weep. Similarly, while I generally like Nathaniel Parker's narration - he's good with the various voices and the UK accents (at least to my uncultured ear) - his attempt at a Chicago mobster accent was almost laughably bad. 3 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: The Eternity Code was still an entertaining read, despite being the weakest of the series so far... but it did at least leave me curious to see how Colfer would carry on in the next book. show less
Review: I've been listening to the Artemis Fowl books as a fun, light break from other reading, and thus far I've been enjoying them. However, I didn't feel like The Eternity Code lived up to the precedent set by the first two books. There was still plenty of action and adventure and cracking wise, which was good, but I didn't feel like the danger was as dangerous or the criminal mastermind plans so mastermind-y. The characters admit that it will take Spiro's people a while to crack the cube's code, so there isn't really a sense of urgency about Artemis's attempt to steal the cube back from Spiro's clutches. Similarly, there was barely a facet/twist of either Spiro's or Artemis's various schemes that I didn't see coming from a mile away. There were some nice character moments, and it's interesting to watch how Artemis has changed since a few books ago... but I want my heist stories to feel slick, and this one didn't quite make it there.
Also, a note to authors setting a book primarily in a city with which they are not personally acquainted: have a local read your story *before* it goes to press, or else face the wrath of local readers who will undoubtedly catch your errors *after* it's gone to press. Most crime lords don't have lairs on the East Side of Chicago, because the "East Side" of Chicago is Lake Michigan, and referring to "Chicago state law" is enough to make geography teachers weep. Similarly, while I generally like Nathaniel Parker's narration - he's good with the various voices and the UK accents (at least to my uncultured ear) - his attempt at a Chicago mobster accent was almost laughably bad. 3 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: The Eternity Code was still an entertaining read, despite being the weakest of the series so far... but it did at least leave me curious to see how Colfer would carry on in the next book. show less
While Artemis and the faeries have somewhat of an understanding with each other, one could say Artemis Fowl is too brilliant to stop scheming. Using stolen faerie technology, Artemis builds technology of his own. In his attempt to profit off it, however, Artemis's invention is stolen by Jon Spiro, a businessman who plans to take the credit--and profits--for himself. Artemis and Holly must work together once more to save both their worlds.
Is it possible to put into words how delighted I was to see Artemis's adventures continue? And to imagine the look on the faeries' faces when they figure out what Artemis did in book three? It's not polite to gloat, especially as their secrecy is on the line with Artemis's mistake in presenting the show more cube to Spiro, but I just love the child criminal mastermind. I seriously had a crush on him back in the day (and I might still have one....). He's probably my favorite antihero of all time.
Artemis Fowl is a series that readers of all ages will enjoy. I have the first books on my bookshelf, and I often return to them. I don't believe that I will ever outgrow faeries and human criminal masterminds working together. show less
Is it possible to put into words how delighted I was to see Artemis's adventures continue? And to imagine the look on the faeries' faces when they figure out what Artemis did in book three? It's not polite to gloat, especially as their secrecy is on the line with Artemis's mistake in presenting the show more cube to Spiro, but I just love the child criminal mastermind. I seriously had a crush on him back in the day (and I might still have one....). He's probably my favorite antihero of all time.
Artemis Fowl is a series that readers of all ages will enjoy. I have the first books on my bookshelf, and I often return to them. I don't believe that I will ever outgrow faeries and human criminal masterminds working together. show less
In The Eternity Code, Artemis Fowl has created the C-Cube—a piece of revolutionary technology built using stolen fairy components. When Artemis tries to negotiate with a ruthless businessman named Jon Spiro, the deal goes terribly wrong: Spiro steals the C-Cube and seriously injures Butler. With time running out and the device threatening to expose the entire fairy world, Artemis must join forces with Holly Short and the LEP to retrieve it. The mission pushes Artemis to confront the consequences of his choices and to rethink the kind of person he wants to become.
As always, I loved getting lost in the world Eoin Colfer created for this series. I still think the first book in the series is the best, but I still adored this one. It had twists and turns (Butler!!!) and kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved it so much. I would recommend this book and series. 5 out of 5 stars, easily. Can't wait to start the next one!
It has been years since I last read Artemis Fowl. And boy, it's good to be back to that world of fairies and 12 years old (well, now 14) evil masterminds.
In this 3rd instalment on the series, Artemis is trying to make one last crime before he embraces his father's wish to start a clean business. While Artemis is not exactly ready to give up the shady world where he has been making his name, he will put that aside (for the time being, of course) to enjoy finally being able to spend time with his father. He has a built a device, using fairy technology, and is ready to strike a deal with Jon Spiro, a Chicago businessman (and mobster-like entrepreneur). Of course things go wrong and Artemis has to, once again, rely on the help of his fairy show more friends.
Artemis Fowl is a young adult series, but that is very fun to read. There is a mix of fantasy and science fiction, as well as a bit of cyberpunk thrown in there. It can be very quirky and plot-y, and Artemis is a great character. Morally grey (and leaning towards evil), it is refreshing to have a hero that isn't a well of virtues. He is a genius and is arrogant about it; he uses his brains to personal gain, with no problem about being ruthless, and he is proud of it. Doesn't seem like a very likeable character, does it? But the fact is, I can't help but love him. Most of the fun of the series is about Artemis becoming a slightly better person – although still not exactly a good-doer.
The Eternity Code is a nice book, maybe not as good as the first two on the series, but still very enjoyable. All the regular characters are there, not only Artemis, but also Butler, Captain Holly Short, Foaly, Mulch Diggums and Commander Root – it's really nice to encounter them again. I'm quite partial to Buttler, Holly and Foaly, but in this book Mulch was very important and I got to appreciate his character a lot more.
Like I said, it has been years since I read Artemis Fowl and the Arctic Incident – probably close to 10 years – but it was really easy to come back to that world. If at first I couldn't recall much about some of the minor characters, three chapters into the book I had remembered it all.
Artemis Fowl and the Eternity Code is a really nice book. Eoin Colfer's writing is quirky and the story is fun – you never notice that time is passing while you read it. And you don't have to be an young adult to enjoy it!
Also at Spoilers and Nuts show less
In this 3rd instalment on the series, Artemis is trying to make one last crime before he embraces his father's wish to start a clean business. While Artemis is not exactly ready to give up the shady world where he has been making his name, he will put that aside (for the time being, of course) to enjoy finally being able to spend time with his father. He has a built a device, using fairy technology, and is ready to strike a deal with Jon Spiro, a Chicago businessman (and mobster-like entrepreneur). Of course things go wrong and Artemis has to, once again, rely on the help of his fairy show more friends.
Artemis Fowl is a young adult series, but that is very fun to read. There is a mix of fantasy and science fiction, as well as a bit of cyberpunk thrown in there. It can be very quirky and plot-y, and Artemis is a great character. Morally grey (and leaning towards evil), it is refreshing to have a hero that isn't a well of virtues. He is a genius and is arrogant about it; he uses his brains to personal gain, with no problem about being ruthless, and he is proud of it. Doesn't seem like a very likeable character, does it? But the fact is, I can't help but love him. Most of the fun of the series is about Artemis becoming a slightly better person – although still not exactly a good-doer.
The Eternity Code is a nice book, maybe not as good as the first two on the series, but still very enjoyable. All the regular characters are there, not only Artemis, but also Butler, Captain Holly Short, Foaly, Mulch Diggums and Commander Root – it's really nice to encounter them again. I'm quite partial to Buttler, Holly and Foaly, but in this book Mulch was very important and I got to appreciate his character a lot more.
Like I said, it has been years since I read Artemis Fowl and the Arctic Incident – probably close to 10 years – but it was really easy to come back to that world. If at first I couldn't recall much about some of the minor characters, three chapters into the book I had remembered it all.
Artemis Fowl and the Eternity Code is a really nice book. Eoin Colfer's writing is quirky and the story is fun – you never notice that time is passing while you read it. And you don't have to be an young adult to enjoy it!
Also at Spoilers and Nuts show less
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Author Information
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Eoin Colfer was born in Wexford, Ireland on May 14, 1965. After taking a three-year degree course in Dublin, he qualified as a primary teacher in 1986. Returning to Wexford he began teaching in a local primary school by day and wrote at night. In 1991, he left Ireland and spent the next four years working in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. show more Resettling in Wexford after his arrival back in Ireland, he recommenced his teaching career, continuing his habit of writing after school. His first book, Benny and Omar, was published in October 1998. His other works include Benny and Babe, the O'Brien Flyers series, and the Artemis Fowl series. He became a full-time author following the success of Artemis Fowl. The Wish List won a Bisto Merit Award in 2001. In 2015 he won an Irish Book Award in the children's category with his title Imaginary Fred. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Eternity Code
- Original title
- The Eternity Code
- Alternate titles*
- Artemis Fowl. Tome 3 : Code éternité
- Original publication date
- 2003-04-27
- People/Characters
- Artemis Fowl II; Domovoi Butler; Holly Short (LEP Captain); Julius Root (LEP Commander); Juliet Butler; Mulch Diggums (show all 32); Jon Spiro; Arno Blunt; Sid Commons; Grub Kelp (LEP Corporal); Trouble Kelp (LEP Captain); Cahartez (Council Chairman); Foaly; Madame Ko; Justin Barre; Dr. Constance Lane; Tracy; Dr. Hermann Gruber; Artemis Fowl I; Ahmed; Kamal; Dr. Pearson; Carla Frazetti; Loafers McGuire; Inky Burton; Bobby; Marlene; Pex; Chips; Costa; Iggy Lebowski (Sergeant); Angeline Fowl
- Important places
- Fowl Manor, Ireland; Chicago, Illinois, USA; London, England, UK; Haven City, The Lower Elements; Ireland; USA (show all 7); The Spiro Needle, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Dedication
- To the Power family In-laws and Outlaws
- First words
- EXERPT FROM ARTEMIS FOWL'S DIARY. DISK 2. ENCRYPTED. For the past two years my business enterprises have thrived without parental interference.
- Quotations
- I am that male. Artemis the hunter. I hunted you.
Never mess with a boy genius. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Together they would be unstoppable.
- Original language
- English
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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- Fiction and Literature, Fantasy, Kids, Tween, Teen
- DDC/MDS
- 823.914 — Literature & rhetoric English & Old English literatures English fiction 1900- 1901-1999 1945-1999
- LCC
- PZ7 .C67714 .A — Language and Literature Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Juvenile belles lettres
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