Customer Reviews: Read 32 more reviews...
 Demon Fowl July 18, 2008
Keep it simple, keep it fast and keep it jokey: Perfect entertainment for the mid-teens (and older).
I've enjoyed all the Artemis Fowl novels to date - and this latest, Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony, is no exception.
For those not in the know, Artemis is a teenage genius with a penchant for crime, and a big - very BIG - minder called Butler. He's been annoying the hell out of the fairy kingdom for years, although, having saved each other from disaster more than once, they have the sort of a love-hate relationship neither side would admit to: Holly, ex-LEPrecon (the fairy police), is his principle contact and Foley (the centaur) the technical wizardry supplier - oh, and there is a singularly repulsive character called Mulch, the perfect manifestation of all younger teenage toilet humour jokes - what comes out of his backside on a regular basis shall not soil these pages, even though it might fertilize the ground (and pollute the air).
In this episode Artemis starts off demon hunting in Barcelona - and catches more than he bargains for.
For starters there is an initially slightly younger female genius just as arrogant, just as rich and just as infuriating as he is himself: And with the surging of adolescent juices, Artemis is getting a little emotional: Not his sort of thing at all - he even has to ask Butler for advice! She's too busy working on a paper for her first Nobel prize to take much notice.
Then there are the demons - whose own adolescent juices make the trials of the average human no more taxing than squeezing the odd blackhead. One of the demons seems to have a problem of delayed adolescence - but that turns out to be a good thing for all demon kind, although somewhat embarrassing for the poor individual concerned.
The final element is a suitably manic maniac, Kong - the human equivalent of a Polar bear amongst the seals. He had the misfortunes to have had a creative older brother whose embroidered `boggy-man' stories result in a series of very unfortunate events at the top of a very high skyscraper and an exhibition of very accurately detailed stone carving from the Celtic fringes.
Nothing to worry about though - even though Artemis lets Holly die and fails totally at one point, trapping himself forever on the other side - all ends happy `til the next episode, in the end.
Great read (parents - steal it off the kids and sneak it under the bed covers).
Very different from the other books in the series but equally fantastic March 12, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Barcode: 9780141320793
This is Artemis Fowl on an epic scale. Taking longer to get into than the other novels in the series, this is in every way a completely different aspect of the series in its content. In many ways it presents a far more mature scenario, going hand in hand with Artemis's growing maturity as he reaches puberty. The introduction of the demon world adds to this as we follow No1, a young imp shunned by his peers.
Once the book kicks into the swing of things though, it contains some of the best moments of the Artemis Fowl series so far. The break-in to Minerva's house is classic high-octane action in the way Colfer does so well. Minerva herself is a charming character and a fascinating deviation from the classically evil villains of the previous books in the series. In many ways she is basically the female Artemis Fowl and of course, the chemistry between the two is awesome.
All the usual jokes and smart humour is present here, ensuring an immesnely enjoyable read and the conclusion of the novel (last 100 pages or so) is epic in its awesomeness. From the dramatic showdown on the Tapei Tower to a certain scene in the demon world that is heartbreaking in how moving it is, you come to see Artemis in a whole new light.
As a whole, the Lost Colony represents a fascinating new chapter in the series and i can't wait to see where things go from here. Highly recommended!
The Lost Colony March 9, 2008
The Artemis Fowl Series is Way Better than harry Potter, read this book in around 3 days of getting it! Very good and only one problem: you cant put it down!
cant wait for the next installment to find out what happens with holly, artemis and the others!
 "Your first lengthy conversation with a girl your own age" October 28, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This new book in the Artemis Fowl series succeeds at moving the story forward and introducing some new and important elements. As if it was not enough with all the different magical creatures, such as fairies, elves, goblins and dwarves, now we get to meet demons and warlocks. These two species are also associated with quantum leaps in time and space, which introduces a level of complexity in the plot that is hard to grasp. Trying to understand the logic behind this process will prove to be challenging to say the least, and Colfer says it clearly in his own words: "Time quandaries such as these should be forgotten for the sake of sanity". Following this advice will allow for a more enjoyable read.
The aspect of the plot that I found to be revolutionary and enthralling in this book has to do with the introduction of the character of Minerva. She is a female version of Artemis, a couple of years younger but with a similar level of intelligence and resourcefulness for obtaining what she wants. When Minerva crosses paths with Artemis in their mutual search for a demon, hidden emotions arise and sparks fly all around. Holly and Butler will naturally take part in the events that unfold, as will Minerva's dangerous and unstable bodyguard.
This installment is not as fast-paced as some of the previous ones and the fact that Mulch only has limited participation in the story, as does Foaly, reduces the opportunities to introduce the usual humor we have come to expect from this series. The book is nevertheless interesting and fans of the series will definitely have a good time.
Artemis has come a long way... August 13, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I loved it, just as I loved the other three books in this series. It's fun for children and adults: great story, funny and with "lessons" for the kids...
Artemis had come a long way from the money-obsessed teen kid with questionable morals we met in the first book: he's getting a bit of sunshine, making friends, alsosome enemies, but hey, nobody's perfect :-)
Next to Holly and Artemis we have a new main character, Number One, who I found really great: his comments were very funny at times, the characters is well develloped and will speak to kids who don't fit in well with the "in croud" or, maybe if they are part of the in-croud, make them understand kids who aren't...
Can't wait for a the next book to come out ! With the ending this book has, the next one should be fun !!!
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