The Book Post: Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox

Aurum potestas est
So claims the Fowl motto and if we are to take the glossy gold-cover of the book (see post below) literally. However, in the course of six books, one learns that paradoxically, all that glitters is not gold - that shimmer in the air may be an invisible fairy, or more importantly, as young Artemis finds out, what's precious need not be appraised in carats.

As the possible last book in the series by Eoin Colfer, the book takes up some of the themes that have been sidelined previously in lieu of the characters having to save the world. Having now recently adverted the latest threat to fairy and humankind, the plot turns towards the long-suffering environment for the next adventure. Artemis' mother, Angeline, has fallen prey to a debilitating disease whose cure lies in the brain fluid of an extinct lemur. Hence the title - Artemis has to travel back the years to outwit his younger self, the culprit behind the extinction of the particular lemur species and rescue said lemur. No doubt, in comparison to The Arctic Incident or The Opal Deception, the scale is not as epic (no trolls, no mob attacks etc), but with this as the last book, for now, it is nice to see a return to character development. Little Arty is growing up *sniffle*, and things are changing. In some ways, this is good; the readers of the books won't stay ten forever, and the Growth of a Character is very important in children's literature. You know... so that they get life lessons out of it or something.

On the other hand, when parts of that character development, the establishing and maturing of the relationships between the main characters also consists of what I suspect to be fanservice, I can't help but feel a pang of loss. I flipped back to the very first book in the series, and I find that the first few lines still make me laugh. "The language," and here I quote my sis, "is really good here." I agree. The wit and humour sparkles and crackles with an energy not seen in the latest of the series. This is why, perhaps, I'm not sad that Colfer is stopping the series for now. The series is growing fatigued, and as one says, one should leave it while the going is still good. And it still is, even with me grumbling how the insides of the book do not shine as much as the cover.

Overall: 3.5/5