If you like antagonists with a twist then you will love "Artemis Fowl." The stories are very technology driven, but they don't talk down to you at all which is great for technophobe's everywhere. The subtle way that Colfer draws fantasy and reality together so seamlessly is incredible. Not to mention the moral thread he has managed to tie in without beating you over the head with an Aesop's Moral of the Story sort of end. Definitely a book to take to your comfy chair, they will keep you entertained and interested the whole time.

This series is great for young readers who like Harry Potter or Eragon. It is also an easier read then the above books.

Boy Genius/Mastermind Criminal Artemis Fowl kidnaps a fairy to find mythic gold. What he doesn't know is that this isn't a regular fairy, it is Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit and they are all dangerous. Lots of fun for kids and adults.

Seriously a lot of fun, older kids (contains very minor swearing) AND adults will love this one. I honestly don't know which it was intended for, but we all enjoyed it. If you liked the Lemony Snickett type stuff, you'll really like this.

After reading so many reviews about this series I really wanted to like it and I just didn't.

My sons (12 year old twins) didn't care for the book either, they couldn't really articulate why, except to say that they didn't like it.

For me, I just didn't find any of the characters my cup of tea. I read a lot of YA/Teen books because of my kids (I like to know what they are reading, we don't censor, but we like to be able to discuss the books they are reading or address questions that may come up so we read what they do) and I enjoy many of the books in these categories; Alex Rider, Percy Jackson, the Gatekeeper series by Horowitz, among others.

This book just didn't give me characters I could relate to, like or even care about and I am disappointed since from other reviews it seemed like such a promising (and long) series to read.

--Aileene

Started out a little slow, possibly because it was not at all what I thought it would be. The magical, yet technologically advanced fairies were interesting. The lead character, a little annoying because of his "genius" status, sometimes, and the whole idea of a mobster-in-the-making being the "hero" just doesn't sit right somehow. But, it's an interesting spin of some old folklore, so it does make for a good read regardless.

Artemis is an extremely intelligent child, and also criminal. This is a hilirous romp with great adventure including fairies, dwarves, and goblins. This is the first book of a series and I plan to revisit it soon. It amazed me and it is a good work of fantasy. This is a young adult book.

I read this book because my daughters liked it so much and really enjoyed it. I found that I liked it enough to want to read the rest of the series, too.

Artemis may be only twelve and he may be a criminal mastermind, but he is a truly likeable character in this book. A very quick and interesting read for teenagers as well as adults.

Great for young readers. Even pretty good for adult readers.

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Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

I've been trying to find a new series to hold me over until the next HARRY POTTER book--and I've finally found it. Meet Artemis Fowl the Second, a twelve-year-old genius who doesn't want to go to school, is worried about his mother's fragile mental health, is preoccupied with his father coming back from the dead, and who is determined to add to his family's coffers by any means possible. In a word, Artemis is an evil genius, and you just can't help but love him. Or hate him. Or love to hate him. Or hate to love him. Or...well, you get the picture.

Artemis, along with his bodyguard/manservant/butler ironically named, of all things, Butler, Artemis sets out on his greatest, and most ambitious, scheme to date--discover the secrets of the fairy world, and relieve some of said fairies of their precious gold. After all, they have plenty to spare, and since Artemis Fowl the First lost a vast majority of their fortune, the Fowl family needs to pad the coffers.

So off Artemis sets on a world jaunt to discover the secrets of the fairies, and his ambitions and delusions finally pay off--he meets an alcoholic sprite who, in exchange for the return of her magic, lets Artemis get a good look at her Book. The Book, you see, contains all the mandates, rules, and regulations (along with a slew of secrets) of the fairy world--and now Artemis Fowl is able to hatch his nefarious scheme.

Artemis discovers that the fairies must adhere to very specific rituals to renew their powers, so along with Butler, he sets out on a stakeout to catch himself a fairy. Hoping, of course, that he can hold said fairy for ransom in exchange for some gold.

What Artemis didn't include in his calculations, however, was Captain Holly Short. A member of the LEPrecon Unit, Holly, although a small sprite, is very human looking--and can be extremely wily and dangerous. As Artemis implements his evil plan, Holly uses her military style background to hatch her own plan of escape. The results are both disastrous and hilarious.

I read ARTEMIS FOWL in one sitting. Once you get started on this story of the human world of the Mud People mixing with that of the magical beings who live below ground, you just can't stop! The magical quality of the book is that it is all too believable and so much fun! You envy Artemis his brilliance and at the same time you can't believe how undeniably evil he is. You pity him, and you despise him, yet you adore him. As for Holly Short, you love the fairy, admire her tenacity, yet hope at the same time that she spares the lives of Artemis, Butler, and Butler's sister, Juliet. I have to admit that I truly loved Foaly, the centaur in charge of computers and technical equipment. Actually, I loved all the characters of ARTEMIS FOWL, and can't wait to read the next book! Pick up a copy today!

I was immediately captivated by Artemis's imperviousness at the beginning, and his gradual changes throughout the series. His name facinates me, because there is an interesting history behind it. You will find out in Artemis Fowl #2: The Arctic Incident!

A light easy read that will probably delight the younger audience for which it was written. As an adult I found it a satisfying if not particularly memorable read.

A fun, quick read. Looking forward to reading book 2. You're not sure who to cheer for, and somehow you want everyone to win in the end.

Wonderfully fun for boys. My son and I really enjoyed the plot twists!!

Fun for older kids and adults.

My daughter loved this book as did all of her friends that read it!

This book has never been read. is in great condition!

Twelve-year old Artemis Fowl is a milionaire, a genius - and above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories - they're dangerous! Full of unexpected twists and turns, Artemis Fowl is a riveting, magical adventure.

From back cover:
Artemis Fowl is a one of the greatest criminal minds the world has ever seen. He is heir to the Fowl family empire—a centuries old clan of international underworld figures and con artists. He is arguably the most cunning Fowl of all. He is also twelve years old...

For fans of J.R.R.Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, and Philip Pullman, Artemis Fowl is a high-tech fantasy, mixing faries, leprechauns, and computers, in a brilliant, thrilling story that is destined to become a cult favorite.

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