Artemis Fowl Movie Tie-In Edition: Artemis Fowl, Book 1

Why I Think Boys May Enjoy ThisIf ever there was a book series that could be used to introduce the concept of “anti-hero” to a middle grade audience, it is Artemis Fowl (or, you know, my novella Anchihiiroo – Origin of an Antihero, but I digress). Artemis Fowl II, in the debut book of this series, is the very definition of someone willing to do anything it takes (even a little kidnapping and ransom-demanding) for what is ultimately a good cause (trying to save his mother). One of my favorite things about this series is that Artemis, being a genius, has a very large vocabulary. The diction in this book is a lot more advanced and complex than many other middle grade books and I personally used it as a benchmark in my own writing for not talking down to a young audience (which I find many, many middle grade and even young adult books do). Colfer has found that great sweet spot to challenge young readers without dismissing their capabilities.That being said, the story is a simple one that is very easy and fun to follow. The basic frame of the story follows the “heist” format. There are twists and turns and plans on top of plans. Sometimes they work and sometimes they fail. Sometimes they seem to fail but end up working (think of a fairy tale version of Ocean’s 11). Apparently Colfer himself has referred to it as “Die Hard with fairies” with which I can’t argue. Colfer has created his own sub-society of magical fairy creatures that presents the underlying mystery and magic to the series. At the same time, Artemis is a regular (well, as regular as a multi-millionaire genius pre-teen with a bit of an evil mastermind complex can be) human kid who breaks open the mysteries of this underworld.When I first discovered this series years ago, I was excited to find a middle grade series that had a protagonist that wasn’t your bubbly “chosen one” stereotype. Artemis, due to his intelligence and resources, is way deeper and more complex than your typical middle grade hero. That alone is worth a read. Couple that with a fun and colorful underworld full of faeries, gnomes, and other supernatural beings and it’s a can’t-miss.Content/AppropriatenessThis book is more than appropriate for the youngest of readers. Any violence is cartoonish in nature, for the most part. There are no language or sexual content concerns either.As the series goes on, there are points that get a little darker, but never does Colfer waver from the PG family friendly nature of this first book.As an aside: there is also a wonderful graphic novel adaptation of this first book that can serve to help a struggling reader or a reader who might need a little more visual aides (or just someone who really likes graphic novels!).Rating5/5 Giant Cartoon Mallets from Toonopolis, The Blog's Books for Boys Review

I made it a third of the way through this drivel before calling it quits. I had no preconceptions about this beyond seeing that is had a Disney designation on the title page. (Kindle format) The main character should be Foul, not Fowl. Rotten genius of a boy, Artemis does not say he is looking for gold to cure his mother or find his father. He is looking to revive the coffers of a thieving family. I see Disneyworld thrown out there quite often, guess a plug for the outrageously overpriced theme park (Anyone pick up that Artemis is the genius (f)owl from Disney's The Sword In The Stone?) The characters are one dimentional, the story went all over the place. While I had no problems with the vocabulary, who exactly is the author targeting?I My last point, and this can be said of every aspect of Amazon reviews, from books to other products: If you like something a lot, give it a 5 star rating. Hate it? Give it one. I get not being able to change your mind and not able to fix it here, but if you just flat out rate a book wrong, you do a disservice to the author. I have this book two stars only because someone took the time to write and publish a book. The only 1's I door out to to poorly written and poorly edited books. No excuse for bad editing.

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a criminal mastermind descended from a family of wealthy criminal masterminds. After the family fortune is lost, his father mysteriously disappears, believed dead, and his mother goes mad from grief. Artemis decides to get the family fortune back in the most unusual way―by kidnapping a fairy and holding her for ransom. But as it turns out, Artemis may have underestimated the power of the fairies, and the lengths they would go to hold on to their gold. He also may not have anticipated the cunningness, and intrigue, of his captive fairy.What I liked: great story! So unusual and compelling. The characters are so well written and diverse, everything from goblins to centaurs, and they each have their own unique personalities and attributes. The plot is outlandish, but so interesting and different.What I didn’t like: the main character comes off a bit stoic, especially at first. True, he is an anti-hero, but he was almost too unrelatable at first. Still, his character improves as the book progresses, and by the end, the reader wants to know what happens to him (and the other characters) in the next book.5 out of 5 stars

I actually enjoyed this off-beat little book more than I had expected, considering it has taken me years to getting back to reading it. I originally bought it for a defunct e-reader connected to another store--and I never finished reading it. I started over at the beginning, since it had been so long since I first sat down with it. This is an interesting, quick read. The pacing is pretty good. The story is quite funny and charming at times.I do wish there had been some formatting differences for the rather frequent point-of-view shifts. Sometimes there was no indicator, such as spacing, asterisks, a divider, etc. There was a lot of "gross-out" content. I really grew a little weary of the dwarf and his flapped trousers... For parents, there is a bit of light swearing consisting of mostly "damn" and "hell" (and a few made-up and implied explicitive phrases). Some may be concerned about the death of a rabbit at the hands of the flap-trousered dwarf.Overall, this was an entertaining read. I will likely be "back" for book two, once I've cleared up some of my Kindle slush-pile. I don't regret re-purchasing this in Kindle format, at least, it filled a few sessions of light reading for a few days.

This is a very simple read. Obviously aimed at a younger reader. OK, I'm almost 60, but I have read and enjoyed a number of books aimed at Young Adults. I was aware of the character and was surprised I hadn't read this book before so when it was offered as a daily deal, I went for it. This seems aimed at an even younger audience than other Young Adult books I have read. I'd class it as a childrens book rather than aimed at young teens.I don't think I'll be reading any more in the series. It is not bad but there were too many times I was annoyed with the characters and the way they acted.

I read this book as a child and loved it so much. I bought this copy for my younger cousin who's favourite thing is reading. Also, as the main character is Irish I thought she'd get a kick out of it. It's a bit more difficult reading for an 8 year old so you might need to help with some words but it's worth it for the rich complexity of the story. Buy this book before you even attempt to let your child see the horror show that Disney turned it into on screen. They made what is a clever childrens book into a generic and watered down film that couldn't even engage someone who is tied to a chair and forced to watch it. (Obviously a touchy subject for this lover of the original book!) Great book, can't recommend it enough.

Artemis Fowl is a young genius that has acquired an ancient textbook of fairy magic and uses it to steal fairy gold. However, the fairy kingdom, full of fairies, goblins, centaurs and trolls etc. fight back against Artemis and his very strong side kick/ servant Butler. Plenty of technology speak in this fantasy story.My son loved it, with the technology, fantasy, fighting etc. and the jokey, sarcastic prose and dialogue. Personally I thought the writing was a bit repetitive, the story a bit thin, with the whole set up and background to Artemis and his situation not really well explained. Major suspension of disbelief required, and although it is good to encourage (any) reading, the writing wasn't of a good standard. However, this is a book aimed at children/early teens and so should be judged as such.

I have read a lot of middle-grade books and thought I'd give this a go. My biggest problem was I couldn't connect with the protagonist Artemis from the start. This is such a key factor to connect with the reader. I just didn't care if he succeeded or even understand why he wanted the fairy gold and what his bigger picture was. I thought his persona was cold and over-exaggerated to a point I just couldn't believe it. I am never defeated with a book but I just couldn't wait for it to end so I could the final page for good with no desire to read anymore.

I was curious about the book when I saw the advertisement for the film and more curious after watching it. I had the distinct feeling it had been dealt a similar hand as the Percy Jackson series in terms of ...film development.As expected the book was a pleasant surprise and I only wished I had read it as a child growing up (no doubt it would have encouraged an exciting villainous career) but even for an adult the book is witty with both intriguing and comical takes on creatures and tales many of us have grown with.It's a light read the kind we all need sometimes, one I'd recommend to any Percy Jackson fans and an aptitude for villainy.