Artemis Fowl and The Atlantis Complex
Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex.
I have loved all the of the Artemis Fowl books, with the exception of The Lost Colony, which I only liked (Minerva is to blame). However, despite loving the pervious book, The Time Paradox, I admit I have been nervous about future books. We are getting to the point at which book series usually jump the shark in an attempt to create new story lines. I am happy to say that this book was a fantastic addition to a great series.
We start off with Artemis who is dealing with the Atlantis Complex ( a psychosis common among guilt-ridden criminals...symptoms include obsessive behavior, paranoia, delusions, and in extreme cases multiple personality disorder). Of course this comes at a terrible time since a dangerous criminal is plotting to escape from the Atlantis prison. So guess who has to step up and save the day? You called it our very own sexy Irish boy genius.
Now, I already enjoy the series, so I'm going to say what would rub off other types of readers. The story is very simplistic, they are children's books, but I mean that in a non-patronizing way, so if you like to have plot twists up the wazoo, this isn't for you. There are some deus ex machina moments throughout the series and the imagery isn't on the level of something like Harry Potter.
However, the characters and the fun writing style really makes the books interesting. If you like the Percy Jackson books then you would enjoy these.
What I especially enjoy about the Artemis Fowl series, is that while it is for children, there is never a moment where I felt it was being patronizing. It treats its audience as intellectuals, which makes it fun for readers of all ages. They don't take themselves too seriously and story just keeps moving. There are very few slow parts and those that are build up tension, characters and all those other important things.
In TAC, we get to see a different side of Artemis a livelier side and a humorous side. There is a fun interaction with his mother that shows he has gone a very long way from the 12-year-old from Book One. Besides that, in terms of character development there is very little. Although we find out a tidbit about Trouble and Holly. Really, this story is about Artemis and his friends (including a new one: Orion) on another adventure.
We also get to hear Artemis say, "jackass."
All-in-all its a fun, simple read with action, adventure and a little bit of romance. There is even a slightly complex villain. If you already like the series, its another fun addition. For those not really into Artemis Fowl or those type of stories, this isn't for you.
Final Grade: A+
This is a series that has never really failed me. The Lost Colony disappointed me, but didn't really fail me; I simply found the character of Minvera kind of, eh. Thankfully, these last two books have picked up the pace. All the characters shine and we even get the return of a character that was perviously put on the bus. Even un-seen characters like Myles and Beckett are entertaining. However, I do have concerns about this series, as I do with any series that goes past five books. There comes a point where a series drags on for too long and the plot gets stale. While that has been avoided thus-far hopefully Eoin will continue to do well or end the series on a high note.
Mini-Rant: The Artemis Fowl Covers.
I loved the original Artemis Fowl covers, both the US & UK editions (top two columns). They were simple, mysterious and really interesting. You weren't really sure what they were about, beyond the title and that added to the appeal of the books. I have every hardcover US copy of Artemis Fowl, so you can imagine my horror to see the new Artemis Fowl book covers.
It looks like they ripped off the Percy Jackson books and some weird cartoon. Then I looked at the spine and saw that Disney is to blame for this. What a surprise. I just really dislike these new covers because they are pointless, especially since it only effects the US (the UK keeps their own style). This seems like a growing trend: Vampire Academy, Holly Black's Books, Tamora Pierce's Books and Vampire Kisses. I like my books to match, it's shallow, but it looks good. Why change something that was working good to begin with?
I have loved all the of the Artemis Fowl books, with the exception of The Lost Colony, which I only liked (Minerva is to blame). However, despite loving the pervious book, The Time Paradox, I admit I have been nervous about future books. We are getting to the point at which book series usually jump the shark in an attempt to create new story lines. I am happy to say that this book was a fantastic addition to a great series.
We start off with Artemis who is dealing with the Atlantis Complex ( a psychosis common among guilt-ridden criminals...symptoms include obsessive behavior, paranoia, delusions, and in extreme cases multiple personality disorder). Of course this comes at a terrible time since a dangerous criminal is plotting to escape from the Atlantis prison. So guess who has to step up and save the day? You called it our very own sexy Irish boy genius.
Now, I already enjoy the series, so I'm going to say what would rub off other types of readers. The story is very simplistic, they are children's books, but I mean that in a non-patronizing way, so if you like to have plot twists up the wazoo, this isn't for you. There are some deus ex machina moments throughout the series and the imagery isn't on the level of something like Harry Potter.
However, the characters and the fun writing style really makes the books interesting. If you like the Percy Jackson books then you would enjoy these.
What I especially enjoy about the Artemis Fowl series, is that while it is for children, there is never a moment where I felt it was being patronizing. It treats its audience as intellectuals, which makes it fun for readers of all ages. They don't take themselves too seriously and story just keeps moving. There are very few slow parts and those that are build up tension, characters and all those other important things.
In TAC, we get to see a different side of Artemis a livelier side and a humorous side. There is a fun interaction with his mother that shows he has gone a very long way from the 12-year-old from Book One. Besides that, in terms of character development there is very little. Although we find out a tidbit about Trouble and Holly. Really, this story is about Artemis and his friends (including a new one: Orion) on another adventure.
We also get to hear Artemis say, "jackass."
All-in-all its a fun, simple read with action, adventure and a little bit of romance. There is even a slightly complex villain. If you already like the series, its another fun addition. For those not really into Artemis Fowl or those type of stories, this isn't for you.
Final Grade: A+
This is a series that has never really failed me. The Lost Colony disappointed me, but didn't really fail me; I simply found the character of Minvera kind of, eh. Thankfully, these last two books have picked up the pace. All the characters shine and we even get the return of a character that was perviously put on the bus. Even un-seen characters like Myles and Beckett are entertaining. However, I do have concerns about this series, as I do with any series that goes past five books. There comes a point where a series drags on for too long and the plot gets stale. While that has been avoided thus-far hopefully Eoin will continue to do well or end the series on a high note.
Mini-Rant: The Artemis Fowl Covers.
I loved the original Artemis Fowl covers, both the US & UK editions (top two columns). They were simple, mysterious and really interesting. You weren't really sure what they were about, beyond the title and that added to the appeal of the books. I have every hardcover US copy of Artemis Fowl, so you can imagine my horror to see the new Artemis Fowl book covers.
It looks like they ripped off the Percy Jackson books and some weird cartoon. Then I looked at the spine and saw that Disney is to blame for this. What a surprise. I just really dislike these new covers because they are pointless, especially since it only effects the US (the UK keeps their own style). This seems like a growing trend: Vampire Academy, Holly Black's Books, Tamora Pierce's Books and Vampire Kisses. I like my books to match, it's shallow, but it looks good. Why change something that was working good to begin with?