Artemis Fowl

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.

This is another 'teenage' book that I have read. The characters and the storyline certainly is completely readable for adults - in fact you don't feel like you are reading a teenage book. The writing really isn't any different - it just doesn't have 'adult' content.Artemis and Holly are brilliant characters. Artemis is a genius and has a plan for everything. I found myself liking Foaly (stupid name but great character) and his little cracks against authority and the LEP. Lots of little twista and turns through the book.I saw a review somewhere that likened it to 'Die Hard with faires' - read it and you'll see that fairies aren't all we've been led to believe.

I could not stop laughing at Artemis Fowl. When I first heard about the series I somehow expected the criminal mastermind to be a ragged young boy with a pal named Butler as his sidekick.What I got though was a rich, Irish criminal Mastermind with few morals and Butler was huge. Hilarious to the extreme, I truly loved the story of Artemis trying to part the fairies with their gold and actually succeeding! Their were moments when I thought he wouldn't make it, because the banter in the book and the descriptions kept me on the edge of my seat.I think the funniest parts of the book were the banter between Foaly and Commander Root. And I'll never forget Trouble's little brother's comments. I'm still gigling thinking about it. Mummy!