I was recently at Manchester Museum attending a Charlie and Lola exhibition - ostensibly for my 2 year old daughter, but in reality because I think that Charlie and Lola is fantastically brilliant. Whilst there, I saw a young boy sitting on a sofa reading THE BRAND NEW ARTEMIS FOWL book. I hadn't even realised that it was out. Well, it didn't take me long to locate it (thanks for the vouchers, Sara!) and hey presto, it's finished.
My mother in law says she tried the first Artemis book but found that she couldn't care less about the central character i.e. Artemis. Well, isn't life's rich tapestry great?!!! Because I love all the Fowl books, and this one is no exception.
Artemis has had a real change of heart leading up to this book, turning away from the moody, nasty criminal we first met all those years ago. So how intriguing was it to find that he was going back in time to meet himself YOUNGER THAN WE'D EVER SEEN HIM BEFORE?!
The plot was brilliant - I kept reading late into the nights (despite knowing that Alice would be waking at 530 wanting to go downstairs and play) cos I was gripped. The contrast between the two Artemis's was extremely clever and the constant twists and turns were never laboured.
When I read a book like this I wonder how on earth Eoin Colfer plots them out. There were times when I felt as confused as Holly Short. And watch out for a return of one particularly nasty pixie. Dunno where she went to at the end - no doubt we'll be meeting her later.
These books are great for all readers, but if you've got a son / nephew / grandson who is a reluctant reader, he is sure to fall for the gripping excitement contained within the pages. Try him on the graphic novel first - it's out now I think.
