Cindy Lynn Speer, Editor
| The Good, The Bad
and The Fowl Book Title: Artemis Fowl Author: Eoin Colfer Publisher: Talk Miramax Books Publication Date: 2001 Price: 16.95: hardcover Pages: 279 ISBN #: 078680801-2 to order log on to: Amazon.com Comparisons are rarely fair and this one will be no exception, but I must state it plainly: I'd choose the adventurous, money-making, manipulative schemes of 12-year-old Artemis Fowl over the magical do-gooder escapades of Harry Potter any day of the week. And I am fully aware that this assertion will not be popular amongst the many Potter fans worldwide. And, having said that, I don't think that you have to choose, per se. It just depends on which side of the fence you like your fictional adventures to fall on: the side of good or the side of evil. Not just bad. E-V-I-L. While I don't think that Eoin Colfer wrote his calculating character Artemis Fowl in response to the unlikely heroism of the ubiquitous Harry Potter series, I do surmise that the latter might have (anti) inspired him. Artemis is nobody's hero but Fowl himself and the book by extension, embodies a very real and very basic drive in the human animal: unabashed greed and the relentless quest for more, more, more. Although Fowl has never uttered the phrase "show me the money" (at least not in this adventure!) one could easily ascribe the words to him. The story opens up in the most unlikely of places: Ho Chi Minh City, in the sweltering summer heat. Artemis and his ever-present, ever-loyal servant, "Butler" are there to extract information from Ngugen Xuan, an unsuspecting character who answered Fowl's Internet ad about locating a real live "sprite." With the help of Xuan, the sprite is located. The plan was to get the alcoholic sprite to hand over "The Book," which contains the history of the race of "People," as the fairies call themselves, as well as all of their commandments which contain their key to living their very, very long lives. "The Book" is written in the highly secretive "Gnommish", a fairy language, unknown to any human, ever. Artemis's interest in this treasure is not for benevolent social science purposes. Oh no. Fowl hopes to be able to crack the fairy code, undermine the fairies hitherto unknown modus operandi and come away with an obscene amount of the gold that all fairies are known (or are they?) to possess. So what motivates a 12-year-old of such underhanded villainy? His father is missing. This unfortunate circumstance propelled his mother into a downward emotional spiral and the misery of being confined to the attic room for her own safety and Fowl's peace of mind. In addition, she lives out both fantasies and memories of a past life, much to the dismay of Artemis. Perhaps as survival technique or more likely because he is simply bad to the bone, Artemis masterminds one scheme after another for the sole benefit of himself. While his mother's illness is sad (to an unlikely extent for Artemis), it is also, well, convenient. If his mother was at all cognitive of the world around her, Artemis would be just another respectable young Irish lad in prep school, perhaps in the country side, and not at home planning the complete downfall of every living thing. Now, a word about his manservant "Butler." Butler is from a family that has served the Fowls for many centuries, back as far as the Norman crusades. At the age of 10, all Butler children go through ritualistic military training in Israel, teaching them the rigors of specialized fighting and protection skills in order to fully guard the Fowl they are assigned to. One can gather here the absolute investiture that each Butler makes in the well being of another: in this case Butler for Artemis Fowl. But while loyalty is not only nearsighted, but, often blind, once in a while pinpricks of light shine through. Butler, unlike his master, indeed does have a heart, and though it is rare, he uses it to some capacity, making for some extremely interesting (from a psychological point of view) interactions between Artemis and himself. Throw in Butler's vain and vapid (and funny!) 18-year-old sister Julia, and you've got an interesting trio, to say the least. This book is fast paced and engaging from start to finish. I love the fact that it is set in Ireland and (I just can't resist) in contrast to the fantastical Harry Potter series, it is set in a time not so distant from our own, with many references to popular culture, places on the map, history and up to date as well as futuristic (but plausible!) technologies. "Techies" will love the savvy computer-speak and those who are technologically challenged will be intrigued. Much more dastardly than Harry Potter and far more sophisticated with a touch of "potty humor," makes this book better for the older adolescent and adult who will really be able to appreciate the witticisms that are loaded onto every page. The first of a planned trilogy, one can only hope that Irish writer Eoin Colfer is setting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard even as we speak. And I, for one, will be waiting with bated breath! --Michelle Reale, GWN Book Reviewer July 14, 2001 PROPHECY CHILD OF EARTH Elizabeth Haydon Tor 2000 ISBN 0812579820 Romantic epic fantasy The second in this sweeping trilogy finds the three companions separating for a time to pursue their own quests. Achmed the Snake, now a king, works on learning about his new realm and enforcing his powers, with the help of his loyal Sergeant Major, Gruenthor the giant. Meanwhile, Rhapsody goes off with they mysterious, hooded Ashe, a man who wants to learn her secrets while keeping his own. She wants to learn more about her powers and how to use them, and also how to defeat the demon from whom they fled when they came to the future. As they journey, the attraction between Rhapsody and Ashe grows, but there is ever the possibility of betrayal. Is he a demon in human form? What is the mysterious connection they shared in the past? Returning home, Rhapsody finds herself given new duties to go with her increased skills. They have also learned of a plot by the demon to control the world. As the book ends, they know they must go in search of the demon spawned children who can provide human receptacles for its power. Tragedy, love, and massive quests add further dimension to this intricate world. Complex and detailed, it is almost overwhelming. It would have been a good thing if perhaps Ms. Haydon had included, as some fantasy writers do, a "what has gone on before" section at the beginning of the book to help readers remember what was in the other book and who is who. However, despite this lack, it is an outstanding book that ranks with the likes of Stephen Donaldson or Tolkien. Three stars Amanda Killgore, GWN Book Reviewer 9/13/2001
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