Book Review: Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer

IMG_20140528_070811Title: Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident
Author: Eoin Colfer
Published: 2002
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Pages: 277
From:
Barnes and Noble

Eoin Colfer’s sequel to his highly-renowned book Artemis Fowl was, I imagine, most anticipated. And, Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident was almost better than the first: more technology, funny quips, action and, best of all, character development.

The Arctic Incident is a great expansion on Colfer’s first of the series, especially the character development. That was my favorite part to think about when I finished reading those last few words of the story. Artemis Fowl II, the protagonist (or, depending on your definition, antagonist) attempts to help the People, a group of magical people who live underground, in exchange for their help in saving his father from certain death. This is an unusual change from when Fowl was seen in the first novel, when his ice-covered heart nearly let him destroy the People, all for gold.

Expanding on character development, there are other characters in the story Colfer describes in more detail. For example, Briar Cudgeon, a former police officer for the People, uses another fairy for revenge for his mistakes in the first novel. And, the goblins in this book have more of a plot, which expands on how they are some of the lowest-level creatures below the surface.

I was also a fan of the plot. There were still those intellectual twists and turns, which tend to be left out in other novels, yet the story line was as fresh and new as its predecessor. To be able to imagine an entire world with fairies, new technology and boy geniuses is quite a feat, but to be able to enhance that world and weave together a new story is something else.

But, just like all children’s and young adult novels I’ve ever and will ever read, they’re just meant for kids, so the writing is not  where I’d like it to be. Colfer knows how to write for the younger generation, but stories like this would be so interesting if they were built around the adult generation. Authors could go into such intense descriptions and disturbing adult themes if these stories were written that way: for adults.

Even though I feel stories like this would be better described to those over the age of 21, I still think Colfer succeeds beyond measure to pull this story off. It’s a light, airy, delightfully twisted and interestingly mature roller coaster ride.

This was a pleasant follow-up to Colfer’s young-adult success that is Artemis Fowl, and already I know the following books will be just as successful.

For more reviews of Colfer’s fantasy novel, check out Fantasy Book Review’s opinion here. Eoin Colfer’s novels can be purchased at Barnes and Noble and other online stores.

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