Eoin Colfer - Artemis Fowl Book 1

Artemis Fowl

Artemis Fowl II is the son of a European crime lord, Artemis Senior. At the beginning of the book, his father has disappeared, along with the family's fortune, and as a result his mother has gone into a catatonic state.

Along with his friend and bodyguard Butler, Fowl discovers the existence of fairies and in order to capture one, decodes their Book. He eventually manages to capture LEPrecon officer Captain Hol y Short, whom he then proceeds to hold hostage for money.

LEPrecon Commander Julius Root soon finds out, and leads an attack against the "Mud Man" what the fairies refer to humans as in order to take Hol y back. To do this, they recruit the fabulously flatulent dwarf Mulch Diggums, to tunnel into Fowl Manor. However, Fowl remains ahead of the posse and manages to escape unharmed.

The desperate fairies attempt to stop time and "blue rinse" Fowl's house (which works like an atomic bomb) except that it only affects living beings. However, Fowl notices that his mother has, because of her condition, escaped the stop. He uses some of her sleeping pills to escape, to the surprise of the fairies. Artemis gets to keep the gold, which is actual y a ransom fund for the LEPrecon, but exchanges half of it in order to revive his mother.....

By now you have the idea and can see why this innovative piece of children's literature has been called..."Sort of like James Bond, Encyclopaedia Brown, and Grimms al rol ed up in one. Highly entertaining." and "a roller coaster of a plot introducing a host of high jinks and high-tech weaponry blending derring-do with snappy prose, memorable characters, and sly humour..... a crackling read."

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Artemis Fowl

* Pub. Date: August 2009

* Publisher: Disney Book Group

* Age Range: 9 to 12

* Series: Artemis Fowl Series , #1

* ISBN-13: 9781423132172

* ISBN: 1423132173

From a strikingly original voice in fiction comes the story of Artemis Fowl, a very unusual hero. Artemis combines the astuteness of Sherlock Holmes with the sangfroid of James Bond and the attitude of Attila the Hun. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories. These fairies are armed and they're dangerous. Artemis thinks he's got them just where he wants them, but then they stop playing by the rules... Full of unexpected twists and turns, Artemis Fowl opens up a riveting world of magic, mystery, and humor.

Eoin Colfer Artemis Fowl

How does one describe Artemis Fowl? Various psychiatrists have tried and failed.

The main problem is Artemiss own intelligence. He bamboozles every test thrown at him. He has puzzled the greatest medical minds and sent many of them gibbering to their own hospitals.

There is no doubt that Artemis is a child prodigy. But why does someone of such brilliance dedicate himself to criminal activities? This is a question that can be answered by only one person. And he delights in not talking.

Perhaps the best way to create an accurate picture of Artemis is to tell the by now famous account of his first villainous venture. I have put together this report from first-hand interviews with the victims, and as the tale unfolds you will realize that this was not easy.

The story began several years ago, at the dawn of the twenty-first century.

Artemis Fowl had devised a plan to restore his familys fortune. A plan that could topple civilizations and plunge the planet into a cross-species war.

He was twelve years old at the time ...

HO Chi Minh City in the summer. Sweltering by anyones standards. Needless to say, Artemis Fowl would not have been willing to put up with such discomfort if something extremely important had not been at stake. Important to the plan.

Sun did not suit Artemis. He did not look well in it. Long hours indoors in front of the monitor had bleached the glow from his skin. He was white as a vampire and almost as testy in the light of day.

I hope this isnt another wild-goose chase, Butler, he said, his voice soft and clipped. Especially after Cairo.

It was a gentle rebuke. They had travelled to Egypt on the word of Butlers informant.

No, sir. Im certain this time. Nguyen is a good man.

Hmm, droned Artemis, unconvinced. Passers-by would have been amazed to hear the large Eurasian refer to the boy as sir. This was, after all, the third millennium.

But this was no ordinary relationship, and these were no ordinary tourists.

They were sitting outside a kerbside cafe on Dong Khai Street, watching the local teenagers circle the square on mopeds.

Nguyen was late, and the pathetic patch of shade provided by the umbrella was doing little to improve Artemiss mood. But this was just his daily pessimism.

Beneath the sulk was a spark of hope. Could this trip actually yield results? Would they find the Book? It was too much to hope for.

A waiter scurried to their table.

More tea, sirs? he asked, head bobbing furiously.

Artemis sighed. Spare me the theatrics and sit down.

The waiter turned instinctively to Butler, who was, after all, the adult.

But, sir, I am the waiter.

Artemis tapped the table for attention.

You are wearing handmade loafers, a silk shirt and three gold signet rings. Your English has a tinge of Oxford about it and your nails have the soft sheen of the recently manicured. You are not a waiter. You are our contact, Nguyen Xuan, and you have adopted this pathetic disguise to discreetly check for weaponry.

Nguyens shoulders sagged. It is true. Amazing.

Hardly. A ragged apron does not a waiter make.

Nguyen sat, pouring some mint tea into a tiny china cup.

Let me fill you in on the weapons status, continued Artemis. I am unarmed. But Butler here, myahbutler, has a Sig Sauer in his shoulder holster, two shrike throwing knives in his boots, a derringer two-shot up his sleeve, garrotte wire in his watch and three stun grenades concealed in various pockets. Anything else, Butler?

The cosh, sir.

Oh yes. A good old ball-bearing cosh stuffed down his shirt.

Nguyen brought the cup trembling to his lips.

Dont be alarmed, Mister Xuan, smiled Artemis. The weapons will not be used on you.

Nguyen didnt seem reassured.

No, continued Artemis. Butler could kill you a hundred different ways without the use of his armoury. Though Im sure one would be quite sufficient.

Nguyen was by now thoroughly spooked. Artemis generally had that effect on people. A pale adolescent speaking with the authority and vocabulary of a powerful adult. Nguyen had heard the name Fowl before - who hadnt in the international underworld? - but hed assumed hed be dealing with Artemis Senior, not this boy.

Though the word boy hardly seemed to do this gaunt individual justice. And the giant, Butler. It was obvious that he could snap a mans backbone like a twig with those mammoth hands. Nguyen was starting to think that no amount of money was worth another minute in this strange company.

And now to business, said Artemis, placing a micro recorder on the table. You answered our web advertisement.

Nguyen nodded, suddenly praying his information was accurate.

Yes, MisterMaster Fowl. What youre looking forI know where it is.

Really? And am I supposed to take your word for this? You could be walking me straight into an ambush. My family is not without enemies.