Artemis Fowl (novel)
A young criminal mastermind kidnaps a fairy for gold.
Artemis Fowl is a young adult fantasy novel by Irish writer Eoin Colfer, and it kicks off the Artemis Fowl series. The next book is *Artemis Fowl and the Arctic Incident*. Colfer described it as "Die Hard with fairies." The story centers on Holly Short, a fairy officer with the Lower Elements Police reconnaissance unit, who gets kidnapped by twelve-year-old criminal genius Artemis Fowl II. He demands a huge ransom in gold. Holly Short was inspired by both John McClane and Holly Gennero McClane from *Die Hard*, while Artemis was modeled on Hans Gruber.
The narrative shifts between human and fairy perspectives in third person, highlighting themes of greed and conflict. Critics mostly liked the book, and it won several awards. Disney released a film adaptation in the UK on 12 June 2020 and in the US on 12 June 2020.
**Synopsis**
Captain Holly Short, an elf in the LEP, is chasing a rogue troll that has surfaced from a crashed fairy shuttle. With help from the centaur tech expert Foaly and LEPrecon commander Julius Root, she subdues the troll. Root notices Holly’s magic is running low, so she heads to Tara to recharge.
Meanwhile, twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl II runs his family’s criminal empire, having spent years researching fairies. He finds an alcoholic sprite in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and travels there with his bodyguard, Butler, to steal *The Book of the People*—the fairy holy text written in Gnommish. Using translation software, Artemis learns the ritual for replenishing fairy magic: take an acorn from an ancient oak near a river bend under a full moon and replant it elsewhere. He and Butler stake out 129 possible ritual sites, find Holly performing the ritual, and Butler tranquilizes her.
Artemis lures Commander Root to his ship using Holly’s tracker, reveals his name so Root can find him, then blows up the vessel. An LEP retrieval team scouts Fowl Manor using their shielding ability, which lets them vibrate too fast for human eyes. But Artemis has installed a high-frame-rate camera that spots them. Butler subdues the intruders, and Root decides to lay siege with a time-stop and negotiate. Artemis demands one ton of 24-carat gold, claims he knows about the time-stop, and says he can escape it. LEP behavior experts conclude he believes this.
The LEP recruits kleptomaniac dwarf Mulch Diggums to break in. Fairies can’t
- Author
- Eoin Colfer
- Nationality
- Irish
- Genre
- Young adult fantasy
- Series
- Artemis Fowl series
- Followed by
- Artemis Fowl and the Arctic Incident
- Film adaptation release
- United Kingdom on 12 June 2020; United States on 12 June 2020
Lore & Background
The novel follows Captain Holly Short, an elf in the Lower Elements Police, tracking a rogue troll that has surfaced from a crashed fairy shuttle. After incapacitating the troll, she leaves to replenish her magic. Meanwhile, twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl II, a prodigy leading the Fowl criminal empire, confirms the existence of fairies and obtains The Book of the People from a sprite in Ho Chi Minh City. He decodes the book and learns the ritual fairies use to replenish magic: take an acorn from an ancient oak near a river bend under a full moon and plant it elsewhere. Artemis and his bodyguard Butler stake out possible locations, find Holly performing the ritual, and tranquillise her.
Artemis demands a ransom of one ton of 24-carat gold. The LEP lays siege to Fowl Manor using a time-stop. Attempts
Reader's Guide
Artemis Fowl received a mostly favourable critical response and several awards, including the Young Reader's Choice Award and Garden State Teen Book Award in 2004. The New York Post called it 'great ... a new thriller fairy tale that will grab your interest, no matter your age.' Time described it as 'pacy, playful, and very funny, an inventive mix of myth and modernity, magic and crime.' However, another Time review criticised the 'abysmal' writing and characterisation, calling Artemis 'repellent in almost every regard.' USA Today concluded it was 'not the new Harry Potter, nor is it a good children's book.' The novel's underlying themes include greed and the conflict between good and evil, with Artemis initially portrayed as an evil genius but later parting with gold to help his mother. A film adaptation by Walt Disney Pictures was released in 2020 and 2021.
Did You Know?
- The novel was pitched by its author as 'Die Hard with fairies'.
- Holly Short is based on John McClane and Holly Gennero McClane from Die Hard.
- Artemis Fowl II is based on Hans Gruber from Die Hard.
- The book received the Young Reader's Choice Award in 2004.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Artemis Fowl and what genre does it belong to?
Irish author Eoin Colfer wrote this young adult fantasy novel as the first book in the Artemis Fowl series. Colfer has described the concept as essentially "Die Hard with fairies."
What is the main plot of Artemis Fowl?
Twelve-year-old criminal genius Artemis Fowl II kidnaps fairy police officer Holly Short and demands a massive ransom in gold. The story alternates between the human and fairy worlds as both sides try to outmaneuver the other.
Who is the protagonist of Artemis Fowl and what is her role?
Holly Short is the central character, a fairy officer assigned to the Lower Elements Police reconnaissance unit. She was modeled on Holly Gennero McClane from the Die Hard films, while Artemis himself draws from the villain Hans Gruber.
How does Artemis Fowl end?
Artemis ultimately releases Holly Short and walks away from the gold ransom, choosing to abandon his scheme rather than see it through. This resolution sets the stage for the sequel, Artemis Fowl and the Arctic Incident.
Was Artemis Fowl made into a movie?
Yes, a film adaptation was released in both the United Kingdom and the United States on 12 June 2020. The movie adapts the story of the young criminal mastermind and his clash with the hidden fairy world.
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