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shelbymarie516's review
3.0
I wanted to love these and they were meh... I don't know if it was the narrator, the story, my frame of mind, me in general but these were not enthralling like I hoped and Carson was right. The movie and the book are like Ready Player One book vs movie. or The Shining book vs movie. They are inspired by but they are totally separate entities.
Basically Ireland is a land of magic and the Fowl family is a heist crew for magic. But Artemis and Holly are the odd couple of friends who need each other and are the last person each other need to keep life interesting and adventurous.
Basically Ireland is a land of magic and the Fowl family is a heist crew for magic. But Artemis and Holly are the odd couple of friends who need each other and are the last person each other need to keep life interesting and adventurous.
pagesofash's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
eesh25's review
4.0
It wasn't until after I'd listened to the first book that I realized this series is narrated by the guy who played Agravaine on Merlin! And I know that has nothing to with the book, but I wanted to mention it anyway because I thought it was cool.
Getting to the book itself, I enjoyed it just as much as the first. Though, unlike the last time, I wasn't surprised by my enjoyment.
In this book, Artemis is reunited with the LEP. He's just received news that his father is still alive, and the LEP is looking for a human who might be helping smuggle some goods to the fairies. And so, instead of working to thwart or kidnap one another, they're working together this time. It's a mutually beneficial agreement that works as a great partnership. I loved the interactions between the characters.
My favourite character in the series so far is, I think, Butler. And I really liked the kinship between him and Root. Holly was, once again, great. I love how competent and composed she is, and her grudging admiration for Butler and Artemis.
Speaking of... Artemis was also great in this book. I wish he had a little more to do, but I didn't mind taking a step back from him to focus on the others. Besides, he did have plenty to do. And we got to explore more of his vulnerabilities. I love that he's super smart, but that it doesn't make him omnipotent. Intelligence shouldn't automatically make you good at everything. And in this book, we saw him outside his comfort zone a lot. Also, because they're trying to save his father, there was some emotional vulnerability as well.
Other than that, the book was entertaining and fast-paced. Foley was great as well. I enjoyed both plots and how they came together. I had one tiny issue with who the villain was, but that's a spoiler so I can't talk about it. Overall, I had a great time, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
Getting to the book itself, I enjoyed it just as much as the first. Though, unlike the last time, I wasn't surprised by my enjoyment.
In this book, Artemis is reunited with the LEP. He's just received news that his father is still alive, and the LEP is looking for a human who might be helping smuggle some goods to the fairies. And so, instead of working to thwart or kidnap one another, they're working together this time. It's a mutually beneficial agreement that works as a great partnership. I loved the interactions between the characters.
My favourite character in the series so far is, I think, Butler. And I really liked the kinship between him and Root. Holly was, once again, great. I love how competent and composed she is, and her grudging admiration for Butler and Artemis.
Speaking of... Artemis was also great in this book. I wish he had a little more to do, but I didn't mind taking a step back from him to focus on the others. Besides, he did have plenty to do. And we got to explore more of his vulnerabilities. I love that he's super smart, but that it doesn't make him omnipotent. Intelligence shouldn't automatically make you good at everything. And in this book, we saw him outside his comfort zone a lot. Also, because they're trying to save his father, there was some emotional vulnerability as well.
Other than that, the book was entertaining and fast-paced. Foley was great as well. I enjoyed both plots and how they came together. I had one tiny issue with who the villain was, but that's a spoiler so I can't talk about it. Overall, I had a great time, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
kimevelyn37's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carlyxdeexx's review
4.0
Enjoyed this one a bit more than the first—I considered bumping it up to five stars for the ending alone!
I love Artemis’s development. It’s really the crowning achievement of this series, how little by little he grows as a person, gradual but motivated and understandable. Artemis was one of my first ever fictional crushes (gotta love a Smart Boy™️) and thinking back on that made me cringe at first, remembering how much of a brat he was, engaging in criminal activity, endangering others with only the slightest concern for their well-being, ordering a grown man around, considering himself superior to others, blech. But Colfer does a great job showing us Artemis is young, and that there is good in him, and that good can only grow as he grows. Holly and Butler are such powerful positive influences! They make up for Commander Root’s tired macho persona. And Foaly’s funny, genuinely still a character that makes me smile though I’m now a grown adult.
If there’s another achievement on par with Artemis’s character growth, I’d say it’s how Colfer manages to integrate fairy lore with the modern world in a way that’s kinda kooky, but also believable and exciting! Holly Black also does this, but her approach is so different—her depiction of the fae comes off more traditional, dark, and deceptive, while Colfer’s People are good-hearted pacifists, using their incredibly advanced technology and magic to hide from creatures who are slowly wasting the planet away around them. I love the contrast! Both fae worlds are so easy to invest in and enjoyable in different ways.
I think I might actually finish this series. I’ve only ever read up to THE LOST COLONY, so I’m curious as to how Artemis’s story ends, how that connects to where THE FOWL TWINS begins.
I love Artemis’s development. It’s really the crowning achievement of this series, how little by little he grows as a person, gradual but motivated and understandable. Artemis was one of my first ever fictional crushes (gotta love a Smart Boy™️) and thinking back on that made me cringe at first, remembering how much of a brat he was, engaging in criminal activity, endangering others with only the slightest concern for their well-being, ordering a grown man around, considering himself superior to others, blech. But Colfer does a great job showing us Artemis is young, and that there is good in him, and that good can only grow as he grows. Holly and Butler are such powerful positive influences! They make up for Commander Root’s tired macho persona. And Foaly’s funny, genuinely still a character that makes me smile though I’m now a grown adult.
If there’s another achievement on par with Artemis’s character growth, I’d say it’s how Colfer manages to integrate fairy lore with the modern world in a way that’s kinda kooky, but also believable and exciting! Holly Black also does this, but her approach is so different—her depiction of the fae comes off more traditional, dark, and deceptive, while Colfer’s People are good-hearted pacifists, using their incredibly advanced technology and magic to hide from creatures who are slowly wasting the planet away around them. I love the contrast! Both fae worlds are so easy to invest in and enjoyable in different ways.
I think I might actually finish this series. I’ve only ever read up to THE LOST COLONY, so I’m curious as to how Artemis’s story ends, how that connects to where THE FOWL TWINS begins.
laureenreads's review
3.0
Artemis finally has a solid lead on where his father is--in the arctic, kidnapped by the mafia! So now he's off on a quest to save his dad, but he needs help from the LEP, and Holly. This is where they start to cement that solid friendship, which is what made for such a fantastic series (instead of just one book).
sumayyaha's review
3.0
Rating - 3 Stars
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I enjoyed this one less than its predecessor which was surprising. There was a lot of time spent on how the operations worked but at the same time, they used lingo about the machinery that the reader was apparently supposed to just get. I'd settle for shorter descriptions of what they were doing in general. All the same, it was witty, funny at times, and had good character development. What more can I ask from book 2 in a series?
____________________________________
I enjoyed this one less than its predecessor which was surprising. There was a lot of time spent on how the operations worked but at the same time, they used lingo about the machinery that the reader was apparently supposed to just get. I'd settle for shorter descriptions of what they were doing in general. All the same, it was witty, funny at times, and had good character development. What more can I ask from book 2 in a series?
tabatha_shipley's review
4.0
The second installment of the Artemis Fowl series did not disappoint. It is packed with the same amazing writing that made us laugh and cringe in round one. This book follows young Artemis on a quest to rescue his lost father. Holly, Butler, Root, and the gang all return to liven up the scene. We may even see a decent side to this evil criminal mastermind. 4 stars for this exciting sequel.
sirloyne's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0