Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl #1)

Reader reviewed by moonymaster

This book was a DISAPPOINTMENT. At the point where I decided to read this book I had heard of it a lot. My brother had loved the series and I was looking forward to another good book to go along with the greats. But that is not what I got. I was surprised of how bad it was. It had action, I will give it that, but that is about all it had. The character development was horrible. I understand that Artemis isn't suppose to have feelings but what about Holly? I had no sense of their emotion and could not connect to any of the characters in the least bit. And worse than that was the HORRENDOUS WRITING. Whoever wrote that review who said that Eoin Colfer was a lazy writer hit it spot on. Looking back on it, it still shocks me how bad and mediocre, and annoying his writing was. The world of the faeries is quite cool and original but its the writing that kills it. That is why it is merely crumpled paper compared to Harry Potter or His Dark Materials or any other fantasy book. There is no effort in his writing and it shows. He could of made a masterpiece but instead he made an EPIC FAILURE. 

Anyone who says that this book is as good as or better than the greats (you know what I'm talking about) needs to take another look at Eoin Colfer's writing and story telling ability and answer that question again.

Reader reviewed by FlooCrookshanks

Sorry, but I didn't like this book at all. I read it purely because it's popular and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Unfortunately with such high expectations of it being the best book ever, it's not surprising that I found myself disappointed - my own fault, really. I did, however, read the entire book, as I don't believe my opinion would've been worth a gnat's bite if I didn't. (I do hate it when people do that.)

From what I can remember, Artemis Fowl is a twelve year-old genius - and well aware of it. He wants money, and with the help of his butler/body guard he plans to capture a faerie and hold it to ransom. Unluckily for him, he ends up kidnapping Captain Holly Short of the faerie police force which has technology far in advance of any other. Holly's boss will stop at nothing to get her back, and Artemis finds his plan harder to carry out than he originally thought.

It's an interesting plot, but the main reason I didn't like it is because I didn't warm to any of the characters at all. I found that I didn't care who won or lost, and thus completely lost interest in the story. Artemis is too egotistical to feel sorry for or root for, and Holly is your typical sharp-spoken heroine - so sure of herself that I admit I didn't want her to have the satisfaction of outsmarting Artemis either.

In all honesty I found myself wanting the butler to blow them all up and run off to a desert island with all their money, I really did.

Reader reviewed by Veronika

Well, everybody says that this book is fantastic and everybody already sum up the story. So I won't do it, but I'll only say what I think about this FIRST book from the serie.

To be frank, I hated. I disliked all : the characters (especially Butler and Artemis), the story, the places when the action took place...all.

Then I read the Eternity Code, just to see, and this time, I adored !
So I think that it is this tome that I disliked so much. Only this one.

Veronika

Reader reviewed by Janet

I'm not really into it. The writing style is not very sophistocated, and the plot is not exactly riveting, but i have no doubts that 10-12 year olds will enjoy it. The author uses big words and stuff, but killer farts?? I'm just not feeling it.

Reader reviewed by Chuck

Artemis Fowl believes in criminal activities and is fascinated by weapons. The fairies in this story are like an ultra-high-tech army. The writing is not very good.