Artemis Fowl

Written by Eoin Colfer

Narrated by Adrian Dunbar

The abridged, downloadable audiobook edtion of Eoin Colfer's ARTEMIS FOWL - Die Hard... with fairies. Read by the actor Adrian Dunbar.

Twelve-year-old villain Artemis Fowl is the most ingenious criminal mastermind in history. His bold and daring plan is to hold a leprechaun to ransom. But he's taking on more than he bargained for when he kidnaps Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon(Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance Unit). For a start, leprechaun technology is more advanced than our own. Add to that the fact that Holly is a true heroine and that her senior officer Commander Root will stop at nothing to get her back and you've got the mother of all sieges brewing!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin UK Audio
• Release date: May 1, 2005
• ISBN: 9780141806464

Eoin Colfer

Eoin Colfer is the New York Times bestselling author of the Artemis Fowl series as well as two adult crime novels, Plugged, which was short-listed for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and Screwed. He lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.

Reviews for Artemis Fowl

[tiffanyak_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I actually have read this book before, of course, back when the series was new. But, it's a fantastic reread. The series is really just plain fun, with an environmentalist slant that really can't be a bad thing for young readers, and Artemis is just plain likable even when he's being devious. Yeah, it's a middle-grade book, so a bit more on the short and basic side, but it's one of the more enjoyable series (for an adult reader) for that age range for sure.

[m.akter.tonima · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This took me little while to start. But once I did the story unveiled and I loved the protagonist. The other stories when Artemis is not in the picture seemed dull comparitively. It could be that the other characters such as the underground people werent beings I could identify with. Nonetheless I found this book a good read.

[whatsmacksaid · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Artemis Fowl books are loads of fun. They're for YA readers, to be sure, but there are undercurrents of literary maturity that YA might not necessarily catch on to. I don't think I've ever enjoyed reading about a twelve-year-old protagonist quite so much!

[librarianryan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this book when it first came out and loved everything about it. This year I decided a reread of the series was in order. I have totally sucked at my #FowlADay. As I can not seem to read a chapter a day. And that is totally me, and not this book.When the series first came out it was love from page one. Each new book I devoured until the supposed last book. The Atlantis Complex came out soon after the Lightning Thief and Harry Potter finished their runs, and I supremely disliked each of those last books. I could not bear to be disappointed by another series sucky end. So I never read the last book. Then Colfer surprised everyone and wrote the Last Guardian, which I have still never read. And even though I decided it was time for a reread before the movie announcement for 2019 and the spin off series, I was more than happy and excited to delve back into this beloved world.And I have to say, this story holds up. Now, 15 years later, this book is just as much fun, worldly, timely, and crazy as it was before. Arty is an evil genius 12 year old. He wants fairy gold, and has used his superior brain to find that which most think is fantasy. Holly Short is the only female member of the LEPrecon unit, and gets tricked by Arty. Add in a fantastic cast of characters, Commander Root, Butler, Juliette, and let’s not forget Foaly, our tech crazy centaur. It’s a romp. Trolls, fairies, and other creatures exit and almost live in harmony. It’s a heist, and dangerous, but it also has heart. The heart grows with each book in the series, but it’s there, and entirely worth the read. Now if only they don't mess up the movie. Here's hoping the movie movie is more Lord of the Rings than Eragon.#MountTBR#LitsyAtoZ#FowlADay

[lydiasbooks · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Bo-ring. Only persevered because I felt like I should. Blah.

[kaitanya64 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fun family read. Magic, adventure and some discussion of morality, plus a plot that satisfies adult and older readers. We "read" this one on a family trip, but I'll get the next one for my family commute.

[ella_wold · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book was okay. I will probably not finish the series though.

[kamikaze2011-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was a little splotchy at times, running around between places and times. I wasn't sure of all the fairy technology, and it would have been nice to have a reference list to all the rules as Artemis was encountering them. Artemis is almost a little too intelligent/evil/diabolical/crazy to be a believable narrator. I really enjoyed the butlers, Butler and Juliet, and Angeline was an interesting case. The ending was spectacular and truly revealed that Artemis Fowl the Second was, at the very core, a 12-year-old boy.

[longhorndaniel · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Was pleasantly surprised by this; loved the descriptions of the characters even if some were disgusting (the dwarf tunneling); and fell in love with several characters; will actually continue to read these.

[potterhead9.75 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Splendiferous.

[clarerhoden · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a great read. I love the way Eoin (pr. 'Owen') Colfer populates this wonderful world with complex characters and complicated motivations. It's very clever but also engages the reader's emotions. A brilliant, fully-formed world which - like all the best fantasy - explains a lot about our own world. More! More! (ok, there's another seven for me to get started on - hooray!) Artemis is a genius, and the depth of his evilness is a moot. I confess, I kept seeing him looking like a junior Assange, but maybe it's the pale cover of the edition I have. Is he criminal? Is he good? It depends!

[robert.zimmermann · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I haven't read many young adult novels, especially in my adult life. I've read the first two and a half Harry Potter books. There didn't really catch my attention too much. Aside from that, there haven't been many to name. I think the only series I did read when I was in the age range of the "genre" were the Animorphs series. I read almost all of them and recently found them again in my attic. I do plan on rereading a few and obtaining the few I haven't read to finish that series.
I should get back on topic. Animorphs is the only YA series, or books in general, that I can say I've enjoyed or at least gotten so much pleasure from. That is until finishing.

I started out reading it with the impression that, like the Harry Potter series, I'd find it possibly a good read for youths only. I wasn't sure what the hype was about and all that. This is especially due to the whole "twelve year old mastermind vs. the fairy world" premise. Despite this slight attitude, the book pulled me in to the point of not wanting to put it down. It took a bit, but it happened.

I don't want to give this a thorough review simply because there's not much to say. It's a great story. I found that it's a little more adult at times than I would think for a YA book. I'm not sure if parents know of some of the minor language used, but that could also be due to Colfer not being from America. Another point I'll bring up is the unique (at least to me) pro/antagonist set up. Artemis is both the good and bad guy of the book. Captain Short is the same. Sympathies go toward both sides of the battles to the point in which I didn't know who I wanted to win in the end.

But as I said I'll cut it short because I want to get into some details I really enjoyed, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone.

I'm really looking forward to reading the second book in the series, and from there the rest.

[carebear36 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A fun, fast-paced adventure.The writing is fairly simple with an intense plot and plenty of mysteries to solve along the way. While the character of Artemis Fowl isn't necessarily likeable, his quick wit and incredible deductive skills make for an interesting story you can't put down. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the People's technology. Colfer creates a whole new take on fairies and folklore as he mixes magic and technology.A great adventure story that makes the reader really think about humanity's relationship with the natural world.

[boppisces · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Artemis Fowl II is a a twelve-year-old criminal mastermind, son of a missing Irish crime lord. After tracking down an alcoholic sprite his dastardly plans unfold. Captain Holly Short, fairy with the Lower Elements Police, after tracking a subduing a rogue troll must visit an ancient oak tree in order to replenish her magic. Little does she know of Artemus Fowl's plans to kidnap a fairy for a large ransom of gold. Fantastic read, very well done.

[janepriceestrada · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Artemis Fowl is a criminal mastermind, who’s twelve. He hatches a scheme of kidnapping a fairy and holding her for a ransom of gold. This took about a day to get through, and it was an enjoyable fast-paced adventure story. The reader bounces between Artemis and the fairy world – all of the characters being sympathetic in one manner or another. I’m not sure if I will continue on with the series, but this was a fairly enjoyable way to pass a rainy day.

[sdramsey-298717 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My daughter read and loved these books some years ago, and I have finally had a chance to dive into them. Now I see what she was raving about! Fun, fast-paced, and highly literate, I'd recommend this book to any reader, young or old, who loves urban or contemporary fantasy.

[completely_melanie · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

DNF'd this about halfway through. Neither my son nor myself could get into this at all. It just seemed boring and hadn't really caught our attention by the time we reached the halfway point, so we felt no need to continue. We have plenty more books we need to read.

[heidilove_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I fell completely in love with the characters, the world, the language, the writing. Way to go, Colfer.

[lateacher_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I think sixth grade boys and girls would like this book because it is adventurous and it is a fantasy book.

[erinegarner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love Colfer's work; the Artemis Fowl books are his best, but his other works are a lot of fun too.

[josephty1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Quite interesting plot, makes me want to read more. There's nothing much to criticize, except that its a wonderful adventure book. That might be why I didn't give it a 5 star rating. Perhaps the "past" of Artemis was too brief.

[aurora2615 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Would not recommend this to elementary kids. It's quite violent. Would be good for older kids who enjoy action/adventure/fantasy and technology.

[rosemarie.herbert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I originally reviewed this book on my blog - The Cosy Dragon. For more recent reviews by me, please hop over there.

Artemis is a criminal mastermind - and he's only 12. Set to restore the family fortune by crook, he is prepared to separate fairies from their gold to do it. Guarded only by Butler and Juliet, he needs to outwit a troll and the rest in order to get his gold. And in the end, will he be able to escape death?

Artemis is rather a flat character, in which the reader knows little about him except that after being left to his own devices after his father's disappearance he is determined to not lose the family home despite his mother's disabilities. You know that there must be something deeper going on in his mind, because he can't be a bad guy all the way through, right?

This is a plot driven novel, with little attention given to landscape details and the like. You will find yourself liking the characters though, and Colfer guides the reader through different perspectives nicely through use of a detached faux scientific journal. There is an 'introduction' which introduces you to Artemis, but it don't pay nearly enough homage to his brilliance (and Colfer's by extension).

There are constant references to things that will occur in the future, and will be detailed in other books, which I think is a good way of putting a hook in for the reader. Younger readers are sure to enjoy it, male or female. Adults are unlikely to appreciate Artemis in the same way, but oh well, it's not intended for them!

I hesitated to file this book under 'action', but it was the closest I could get under my current labeling scheme. I've also labelled it fantasy, due to the fairy aspect, but perhaps it is more like urban fantasy. I struggle with the definitions, I either like a book or I don't!

I can still remember bringing my copy of this book to high school with me in maybe grade 7 or 8, and reading it with a close friend of the time. We both had copies, but we found it sociable to read the same copy! I always remember being jealous of his copy, because it was in so much better condition than mine. My copy is pictured above - the cover is really shiny and hard to photograph! I'm pretty sure you wouldn't find the same cover anymore anyway, as the design changed after the first 3 books.

This is one of the first books I ever remember reading that I really enjoyed, and have kept reading over again and enjoying each time. Totally worth it to buy the rest of the books in the series (that I am going to read + review next), although I feel that the last couple of books don't pack the same zing.

[bookishjoxer · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Kind of Slow, It was alright. I found it dry, bland and a little boring.

[aeceyton · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found it pretty unstriking

[atreic · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fun story with strong characters. Artimus Fowl is an evil genius, heir to a fortune, lives in a mansion with his butler come bodyguard, and is only 12 years old. When he finds out that fairies are real, he decides to steal their gold… but he has reckoned without smart Holly Short, LEPrecon captain!

[edwinkort · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Artemis Fowl is een 12-jarige jongen, superrijk, een genius, en een crimineel mastermind. Hij ontdekt dat elfen, trollen, dwergen etc. echt bestaan, en zoekt een manier om hun te gebruiken. Hij ontvoert een van de leden van de elfBI en probeert op die manier aan het goud te komen dat deze organisatie als losgeld heeft klaar staan.

Dit boek is natuurlijk gericht op personen veel jonger dan ik ben, (BOL.com: 13-16 jaar, hoewel ik het persoonlijk zelfs voor nog jonger zou zetten, zo 10-13 jaar.) en daarom misschien een beetje TE tam voor de oudere lezer, maar voor de gemiddelde tiener een leuk boek voor de zomer-vakantie.

[olyra_3 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

yawn. its bad juvenile fiction. read Garth Nix instead.

[shahnareads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really liked this series. From what I remember.
I need to read it again. It's been so long and there are so many more books in the series.

[julesgdside · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It has its funny parts but other than that I am still wondering why a 12 year old would behave like a 50 year old lord, genius or not, that is something more than strange.
would love to read more about the People, though.