Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
by Eoin Colfer

What’s with you people? When the latest Lemony Snicket book came out, I got about a SQUILLION e-mails from you, making sure that I knew about it and would have my review posted before you were done reading it! But a fourth Artemis Fowl book comes out and how do I find out? By going to Barnes and Noble and seeing it on display! How does a series this successful sneak out a new book without anyone taking notice? Is it simply that the excitement of the sixth Harry Potter book (100 days from being released, at this writing) has pushed everything else into the background?

Well, NO THANKS TO YOU (grin), I have purchased myself a hardcover (!!!) of The Opal Deception and read it as fast as possible, so you can find out what you’re missing. Then maybe you’ll snap out of your Harrypnosis, and go read something well worth a little spare hoopla. You know you want it. It has magic, high-tech action-adventure, a fiendish enemy, a boyish hero, a protective giant, a tragic death, loads of humor and suspense, and many of the creatures—like elves, centaurs, dwarves, and pixies—that cause you to live for fantasy and modern fairy tales.

In this fourth installment in the adventures of billionaire boy genius Artemis Fowl, the now-14-year-old master thief has gone back to his wicked ways after having all memory of his dealings with the Fairy Folk wiped from his mind. Unfortunately, he needs those memories badly. Because the dastardly pixie, Opal Koboi, has eluded police custody (without anyone even knowing about it!) and is gunning for all the people who foiled her previous evil plan. Now she has elf cop Holly Short, LEP commander Julius Root, centaur techno-guru Foaly, Artemis and his faithful bodyguard Butler, right where she wants them. Not only that, but she has a new face, a new crew of accomplices, and a new plan to destroy half of the fairy world and leave what is left exposed to the greed of mankind.

But enough long sentences. Holly Short shows grit. Artemis invents some mindboggling plans. A certain flatulent, kleptomaniac dwarf puts his varied talents to good use. And they do this at a time when the whole fairy world thinks they are dead—and would arrest them the instant they thought otherwise. Thrill to a death-defying dive from a hotel window. Chill to an attack by a pack of bloodthirsty trolls. Sniffle to the passing of an old friend, and cheer to the exciting, dramatic climax. But whatever you do, don’t stand behind Mulch Diggums!

To visit a site for Artemis Fowl fans, click here or go to www.fangathering.com.

Robbie Fischer
USA

Recommended Age: 8+

If you would like to contact Robbie, you may do so here.