The Arctic Incident (Artemis Fowl, Book 2)
by Eoin Colfer (Author)
Review
Release on May 6, 2002
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Amazon review about this book:
"Book Two-Now available in mass market paperback Artemis is at boarding school in Ireland when he suddenly receives an urgent video e-mail from Russia. In it is a plea from his father, who has been kidnapped by the Russian Mafiya. As Artemis rushes to his rescue, he is stopped by Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon fairy police. But this time, instead of battling the fairies, he is going to have to join forces with them if he wants to save one of the few people in the world he loves. "A cracking good read."-Publishers Weekly "The world that Colfer creates is as vivid and fantastical as any shire, Gotham, or galaxy far, far away. . ."-Entertainment Weekly (review: A-)"
"Eoin Colfer's bestselling antihero is back in Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident--the superb sequel to the hyper-hyped Artemis Fowl, shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Book of the Year. The Arctic Incident sees the slightly older, perhaps slightly more mellow arch-criminal Artemis recovered from his last adventure, richer now that he has his half of a hoard of fairy gold, and happier since the Clarice Starlingesque superfairy Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon returned his mother's ailing mind to full health.
But there is still much unfinished business: Artemis Fowl Sr. disappeared when a daring escapade designed to free his family from their criminal--not to mention deeply lucrative--past and move the family's assets into legitimate enterprises went horribly wrong. Held captive by the Mafiya (the Russian organized crime syndicate) for over two years, he has been declared officially dead, but Artemis Jr. knows in his heart (yes, he does have one) that his beloved father is still alive, and he is determined to find him. Meanwhile Captain Short is temporarily on assignment to Customs and Excise as punishment for letting Fowl separate her and her People from their gold and is finding her stakeout duties a little dull. It soon becomes obvious that the pair have need of each other's considerable skills, and before long they are on track for an adventure that will ultimately have far-reaching consequences for both of them.
If you enjoyed the first book, you won't be disappointed by the second. Initially the pace is a little slower, and the slightly more mellow Artemis is certainly a tad unnerving at first (particularly as one of the things that made him such an unusual character was the fact that there was something distinctly unlikable about him), but once the sparks between Holly and Artemis begin to fly, and the adventure that tests their endurance to their emotional, physical, and intellectual limits begins, the pages just keep on turning.
The high-tech hocus pocus, the complex underworld, and the James Bond-style storyline will keep even the most reluctant reader enthralled. Add to the mix a fair dollop of humor, the occasional sprinkling of right-on commentary about the state of the planet, and enough hooks in the story to ensure you will be clamoring for the next book. This chilling, thrilling adventure is a seriously cool (in more ways than one!) must-read for anyone age 9 and older. --Susan Harrison"
Review By School Library Journal
"Grade 5-8 In this entertaining sequel, Artemis Fowl tries to rescue his father from Russian Mafiya gangsters. Here, the criminal mastermind teams up with Captain Holly, the same leprechaun officer whom he battled in the first book. He needs her fairy magic and technology to help with his mission, while she and her friends enlist the boy to aid them in preventing a goblin revolt. The action is brisk, with fiendish plots, ingenious escapes, and lively battle scenes. Though still diabolically clever, Artemis loses some of his edge as the story proceeds, and even commits a few selfless acts along the way. His own bafflement at these sentimental lapses is amusing, and he develops into a more likable figure. His unbridled greed and ambition were essential to his antihero appeal in the first book, and a gentler Artemis is not quite as engaging. Still, it's fun to see him run rings around a school counselor, and his verbal jousts with his fairy allies keep some of that spark alive. Many characters from the first book return, though none develop much beyond their basic personality traits. The satisfying conclusion resolves the fate of Artemis's father and sets the scene for future sequels. -Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc."
Review By AudioFile
"[Editor's Note: This is a combined review with THE ARCTIC INCIDENT and ARTEMIS FOWL.]--Colfer's series features two complex societies: the wealthy, if felonious, above-ground world of the human Fowl family and the elaborate, technologically advanced underground world of the fairies. Artemis Fowl, the 12-year-old scion of a famous Irish crime family, sets out to restore the ancestral fortunes depleted by his father's supposed death at the hands of the Russian mafia. The young criminal mastermind's plan rests on the kidnap and ransom of a fairy. The ransom demanded will be fairy gold. Into this world of adventure, corruption, and extraordinary technology comes narrator Nathaniel Parker, who has a distinct voice for everyone--from the young Master Fowl to the kidnapped LEPrecon (Lower Elements Police) Captain Holly Short and the astonishing computer genius of the fairy world, the centaur Foaly. Parker creates a complete pantheon of accents and pacing to complement Colfer's worlds. The sequels, in which Artemis--strangely developing what appears to be a conscience--invokes the help of the fairies to save his father (THE ARCTIC INCIDENT) and to rescue both the humans and fairies from the evil Jon Spiro (THE ETERNITY CODE) maintain the impeccable voicing and pacing developed in the first book. The recurring characters are instantly recognizable from one book to the next, encouraging the listener to suspend disbelief and become completely immersed in the escapades, often laced with humor, of Artemis and his various companions. While the pronunciation the Vietnamese surname "Nguyen" may startle some listeners, and the 1940s-style Asian accent is somewhat stereotypical, this does nothing to diminish the rip-roaring adventure. Parker's splendid narration should lead to family listening that might just encourage discussion of truth, friendship, and loyalty. S.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine"
Review By Publishers Weekly
"Rocketing readers back into a world of modern fairies (they pack heat and wear motorized wings), Colfer here reunites 13-year-old antihero Artemis with his former kidnap victim, Captain Holly Short, an elf officer with the LEPrecon (Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance) squad. As the erstwhile arch enemies join forces to squelch a power-hungry pixie's coup attempt in one world and to rescue Artemis's long-missing father in another (he's being held for ransom by the Russian Mafiya), the boy proves he has a heart after all, even as he builds his reputation as a world-class criminal mastermind. Once again, the roller coaster of a plot introduces a host of high jinks and high-tech weaponry as Colfer blends derring-do with snappy prose ("The broad grin disappeared like a fox down a hole") and repartee ("Hey, Mulch, if you listen really hard you can just about make out the sound of nobody giving a hoot"). The resulting fantasy hosts memorable characters, many of whom (such as the flatulent dwarf Mulch Diggums) reprise roles that helped attract fans to the first adventure. The author ratchets up the body count in this return engagement (perhaps too steeply for some tastes), and the high-concept premise may be a tad slick for others, but Colfer's finger is firmly on the pulse of his target market, and along with extra helpings of sly humor ("The sprite's breathing calmed, and a healthy green tinge started to return to his cheeks") he delivers a cracking good read. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc."
Review By Inside Flap
"Artemis is at boarding school in Ireland when he receives an urgent e-mail from Russia. In it is a plea from a man who has been kidnapped by the Russian Mafia: his father. As Artemis rushes to his rescue, he is stopped by a familiar nemesis, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon fairy police. But this time, instead of battling the fairies, he is going to have to join forces with them if he wants to save one of the few people in the world he loves."
Review By R. Chaffey "beckahi" (Chicago)
"I read the first book in the Artemis Fowl series last summer and sometimes wonder why it took me so long to read the second installment. Through the very first pages of "The Arctic Incident" I was instantly transported into Colfer's imaginative world, and underworld, peopled with fairies, goblins, and an evil boy genius, who seems to have matured. I was pleased to discover that the second book lived up to the impression that the first one made.
"The Arctic Incident" begins with a look at the young Artemis Fowl stuck in a dreadful boarding school, "killing off" counselor after counselor that tries to asses what is wrong with him. Meanwhile, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon police force has to deal with a smuggling problem that involves humans and the intelligence-challenged goblins. Believing Artemis to be the culprit, she kidnaps him and his mountain of a bodyguard Butler, to little avail. They are not the suppliers but they make a deal with Holly. They will help her discover who the smugglers are if she will help Artemis find his father, who is being held hostage in the Arctic Circle. Holly is not looking forward to helping Artemis after their encounter in Book One, but she has no other choice. Their journey to fulfill both of their missions is filled with tension and humor and further explores the inner-workings of these two fascinating characters.
Colfer has created an imaginative world that is peopled with rich and vivid characters, and witty asides to the reader. Artemis is a boy genius trying to surpress his evil ways in order to find his father and turn over a new leaf; his struggle is that of any teenager's angst. But the best characters are those who inhabit the lower elements; Foaly the centaur, Captain Short, Commander Root, and best of all, the returning Mulch Diggums, the thief dwarf. And while the Artemis Fowl books may be labeled as children's books, you don't have to be a child to enjoy the wry humor that Colfer dishes out. "
Review By TeensReadToo.com "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier."
"I didn't discover the delight that is the Artemis Fowl series until a week ago, when I read Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl, Book 1) in one day. So, of course, I had to pick up a copy of THE ARCTIC INCIDENT right away, to see if it was as good as the first. It definitely is, and in my own humble opinion, I think I liked it even better than the first book. There are points throughout the book where Artemis, now thirteen, shows a softer, more vulnerable side that I truly enjoyed. Don't get me wrong, he's still an evil genius, but he's an evil genius with heart, and you can't help but love him.
Now that Angeline Fowl is out of her depression, thanks to some fairy magic from Captain Holly Short, she's sent Artemis back to Saint Bartelby's School for Young Gentlemen in Ireland. Artemis is having quite a large amount of fun flumoxing the school's counselor, Dr. Po, when he gets an urgent message from Butler, his bodyguard/butler/majordomo--it seems that Artemis Fowl the First is alive in Russia, being held for ransom by the Russian Mafiya.
Young Artemis, of course, immediately sets out to devise a scheme to rescue his father. It's been almost two years since Artemis Senior was last heard from, and his son is most eager to bring him home. Before he can work out a devious scheme, though, he's visited by none other than Captain Short and her superior, Commander Root, and brought down to Haven City and into Police Plaza. It seems the goblin triad, the B'Wa Kell, have a human counterpart aiding in their smuggling, and Artemis the Second is, quite justly I believe, suspected of being that human.
The fairies soon realize, however, that this time Artemis Fowl isn't the bad guy in this problem. But now they'd like Artemis and Butler's help in figuring out who is behind the allaince between the goblins and the Mud Men--and Artemis is quite willing to help them out, in exchange for the fairies help in rescuing his father.
What follows is an action-packed story of good versus evil below ground, with deceptions, backstabbing, and revenge taking center stage. As Holly, Root, Butler, and Artemis race to save Haven City from being destroyed, some of the same characters from the first book make appearances--Foaly, Mulch Diggums, Cudgeon, and Captain Trouble. There's also a new foe in THE ARCTIC INCIDENT, Opal Koboi, to be dealt with.
I highly recommend the ARTEMIS FOWL series to anyone and everyone. Highly enjoyable, thoroughly entertaining, and not soon forgotten."
Review By Dawn Kessinger (Lima, OH United States)
"This excellent sequel had my rapt attention throughout - the writing is clever (even some of the names of the chapters are well-worded and funny), the story moved along well, the characters had depth and substance and were easy to get to know and love (or hate). Why did I title my review "Front and Centaur"? Foaly, the brilliant gadget and electronic whiz, who is the centaur on center stage, plays an interesting role here. Read the book and you'll understand. Reading the first Artemis Fowl will help, because Artemis's attitude in "The Arctic Incident" cannot be fully appreciated if the reader doesn't know where Artemis has been (in the first novel) or where he has come from. This story focuses not only on Artemis's attempt to rescue his father (aided by Holly Short and Commander Root), but also on Short and Root's mission (aided by Artemis and Butler, Artemis's bodyguard) of getting to the bottom of a strange goblin uprising.
Artemis and Butler, as well as Capt. Short and Commdr Root, all showcase a wide range of interactions, feelings, thoughts, plans... they make a fantastic team and work so well together! This doesn't mean that everything comes easily to them or that one of them doesn't get smacked at some point in the game or that they all sidestep danger without losing a step... oh no, I bet you'll be sitting on the edge of your chair (or couch) and wondering how the team will make it through the next disaster... "
Review By Nancy E. "Nancy" (USA)
"In this book Artemis Fowl, a thirteen year old criminal mastermind is on year older and one year wiser. He is living in an Irish boarding school when he receives a message about the man he thought he'd never see again, his father Artemis Fowl Senior. Meanwhile Captain Holly Short and Commander Root of the LEPrecon forces face a huge problem when they discover that goblins, one of the stupidest forms or fairy, have been receiving human help and are turning into a threat in the fairy world. Artemis, Butler, and the fairies are once again thrown together, but this time under different circumstances. They make a deal, if Artemis helps them with their problem, they'll help him find his father. Easy right? Well, if you think that you could be no further from the truth. The goblin's scheme is more complicated than anyone would have guessed. Artemis and co. soon find themselves fighting for their lives.
While I loved the first book, Artemis Fowl, I was blown away by the second. Eoin Colfer proves what a talented author he really is with the wonderfully three-dimensional and original characters you find in this book. Like the first book it was suspenseful, action packed, and very comedic. Unlike the first book you get to see Artemis use his powers for good and play the hero for once, something that Artemis isn't too keen on. If you're a fan of the first book in the series I highly recommend reading the second. The Arctic Incident is a prime example of why kids fantasy is such a great genre."
Review By Edward O'Neill (Arizona)
"I teach grades 6-8 and have read and own multiple copies of both Artemis books. I read the Artic Incident in a weekend, then my students kept it checked out for over 3 months passing it around and reading it. The story is well written and keeps the younger reader involved by having both a fast moving plot and a great deal of action. I believe many students would enjoy this book and as an adult I found the book enjoyable too. It is unfortunate that the series was only two books."
Review By Scott Schiefelbein (Portland, Oregon United States)
"The Arctic Incident gives fans of Eoin Colfer's smash mega-hit "Artemis Fowl" more to savor. More witty writing, more sarcastic characters, more over-the-top action, and more of everyone's favorite 13-year old criminal mastermind.
Set essentially a year after the first novel, Artemis is chafing from getting one of his heart's desires -- the return of his beloved mother's sanity. Who wouldn't rather have their mom lucid rather than delusional? Not Artemis, even though her return to normalcy has wiped out Artemis' beloved autonomy. So young Artemis opens the novel in boarding school with a hilarious encounter with an overmatched guidance counselor. (Really -- how much guidance does a criminal mastermind need?)
A counseling session is cut short when a ransom email arrives, hinting that Artemis' departed (and presumed, by many, to be dead) father is alive in the Russian Arctic. Young Artemis instantly commences a rescue mission . . . a rescue mission with a vengeance, to be sure.
But this would not be an "Artemis Fowl" novel without the faerie world. Our heroes, Captain Holly Short and Commander Root are back, as is the centaur computer genius Foaly, uncover what appears to be a goblin plot to smuggle contraband weapons. And this plot has a more sinister intent, one hidden even from the goblins . . .
And what else would an escaped dwarf thief, Mulch, do besides hang out in Los Angeles, stealing Academy Awards?
In many ways, none of the characters have changed. Short is still a derring-do pilot and field agent. Root is still in a perpetual fury. Butler, the bodyguard, is back, with a penchant for cracking skulls. Foaly is still as caustic as he is brilliant. And so on and so forth.
Outlandish plot twists, fueled by Colfer's astounding imagination, keep the pages turning fast and furious. Will the goblins be thwarted? Will Artemis save his father? Will the ultimate villain be caught?
Count on losing several hours of sleep as you read "just one more chapter." Count on laughing out loud at brilliant dialogue and terrible puns. And count on reading "The Arctic Incident" again.
Enjoy!"
Review By P. Luce
"The Artic Incident picks up right where the first Fowl book left off and does a great job of expanding on some of the lesser characters in the first Fowl adventure. The story seems a little more mature while keeping the charm of a book you can read with your kids. It is a great sequel and I found myself reading it as fast as I read the first one and enjoying it even more. Colfer has a great skill at writing fantasy and combing it with modern crime. I highly recommend this series to any parent who is looking for something that the whole family could enjoy reading."
Review By H. Mohammed-libert "Zeeda" (Miami, Florida United States)
"Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident is the second instalment in the Artemis Fowl series. Now, if you have yet to read the first, don't even think about reading this one first, as you will be totally lost. Well, not totally, but you'll not be able to fully appreciate some of the character emotions and actions. Here we find Artemis Fowl Jr. on a rescue mission to save his father from the Russian Mafiya. On his way, he is abducted by LEPrecon Captain Holly Short, taken in for questioning about illegal trading with goblins. He is, duhviously, innocent, but is nevertheless enlisted to aid the People, in exchange for help with his father. Sounds simple, right? What could possibly go wrong? How about everything?
A disillusioned LEP officer concocts an elaborate scheme to overtake the LEP and, eventually, the Upper World. While Captain Short, Commander Root, Artemis and Butler, Artemis'...butler, go to Russia, Haven is thrown into utter chaos, and only our heroes can save the Lower Elements.
What could possibly be bad with this book?
How about nothing?
The action is fast-paced, with many surprises, twists and 'eh?' moments, where you marvel at the utter coolness of this book. If you do not read this book, you are missing out on a GREAT literary experience. I also refuse to believe that Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code, is the last we'll hear of Artemis' hijinks.
Anyhows. Buy this book."
Review By John Humphreys (Downingtown PA USA)
"The first "Fowl" was a great book, peopled with well-drawn characters and a great imaginary world. The second book is an extraordinary advance on the first, with unputdownable sequences of rescue and danger and a much more complex plot. Eoin Colfer has an amazing imagination. The audio book is dazzlingly read by Adrian Dunbar and brings the text to life wonderfully."
Review By H. Mahoney
"Artemis Fowl and the Artic Incident
Ever faced a monstrous troll and biological bomb all in a half-hour, while you where in a time field that you couldn't escape from and still survive? Teenager, Artemis Fowl, and his gang of bodyguards have come back again to face his old enemies, an advanced empire of dangerous fairies, goblins, trolls, and warlocks for a second time in the book called Artemis Fowl and the Artic Incident. This time though, a 12-year-old criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl will be teaming up with his worst enemies to protect a secret underground civilization while intern for the help to rescue his kidnapped father. As the whereabouts of Artemis' long lost father come, they find out that Mr. Fowl is somewhere in the barren desert of Siberia, awaiting ransom of $5 million in an old nuclear sub. Soon though, Artemis develops a better plan; if he rescues his dying father, Artemis will have to stop all his illegal drudgery for good. Instead of paying the ransom, Artemis decides to shoot his father instead. Could Artemis really betray someone of his own blood? Especially all that he had to endure to get where he is now? Or is it just a cover-up for something better to come? This book, Artemis Fowl and the Artic Incident is the perfect book filled with suspense, humor, and outrageous technological advancements.
By JOHN"
About the Author
"EOIN COLFER is a former elementary school teacher who became a publishing phenomenon with the New York Times bestsellers Artemis Fowl and Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident. Previously, he has written several other bestsellers in Ireland, including The Wish List."
If you would like to buy this book, you can check out its available for The Arctic Incident (Artemis Fowl, Book 2) (Hardcover) at amazon.com
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