Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident

by Eoin Colfer

Hardcover, 2002

Call number

JF COL

Publication

Miramax (2002), 277 pages

Description

Mythology. Young Adult Fiction. Artemis is at boarding school in Ireland when he suddenly receives an urgent video-email from Russia. In it is a plea from a man who has been kidnapped by the Russian Mafiya: his father. As Artemis rushes to the 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.

User reviews

LibraryThing member AnnadelCDye
Interesting piece. Once again Artemis manage to get involve with the faerie kin and help them take back their world after they thought he was the one instigating the revolt. In exchange holly has to help him get his father back from the Russian mafia. Good and entertaining read for early teens.
LibraryThing member nmhale
I finally got around to reading the next book in the Artemis Fowl series. I'm not sure why it took me so long - I really enjoyed the first one, much more than I expected. Just so many other things to read, I guess. After listening again to the first book on a road trip, though, I was inspired.

This
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second in the series retains the characteristics of the initial book: the snarky main character Artemis, the humor that is certain to appeal to most boy readers (a little potty humor, a little slapstick, but this appeals to other types too, just to clarify), the deadly yet sensitive Butler, and the elves and fairies that are more technological than magical. It is still an interesting blend of fantasy and science fiction which I appreciate. The biggest difference was that Fowl is working with the fairies this time, under duress; but he's not so unwilling, after all. He's making the gradual transition from villain to hero, which was hinted at even in the first book.

The premise of the story is that someone is working with the goblins, using fairy technology to make them faster and smarter and more dangerous. The LEP suspect Artemis, but when they kidnap him to discover information, they learn that he is not the culprit. They need help, but so does Artemis - his father is being held hostage by the Russian mafia. Now they have to work together to discover the mole in their ranks and save Fowl senior.

This a fun adventure story. The plot is fast and never lets up, and the characters are distinct, interesting, and likable. You root for the good guys, you don't like the bad guys. While those dynamics may not be complex, Artemis is, at least for a kid's book protagonist. He's used to being bad, at least breaking the law and making his own rules, but he's morally good at heart. Nonetheless, he's not so comfortable at this transition from living outside the law to working with it (even if it is fairy law). Also, this story has another twist ending, not quite as interesting as that of the first novel, but still fun. An enjoyable read that keeps me interested in continuing the series.
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LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: Captain Holly Short, the only female fairy in the Lower Elements Police, is still smarting after her defeat at the hands of the human boy genius and criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl. So when she discovers evidence that a rogue band of goblins have been trading magical artifacts with
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humans, she immediately suspects that Artemis might be involved. After determining that he's innocent (at least of that charge), Holly realizes that she's going to need his help in tracking down the real culprits. However, Artemis has other matters on his mind: he's just received word that his father - missing and presumed dead for the past two years - is still alive, and being held captive by the Russian mafia... and Artemis is determined to get him back. If either of them is to have any chance of achieving their goals, however, Holly and Artemis are going to have to let go of old grudges and learn to work together.

Review: These books manage to hit just the right balance of silliness and slickness, and just the right tone where they're appealing for the younger elements of the audience while retaining enough smart humor for the grown-ups. They don't take themselves too seriously, tell a good story with plenty of laughs and lots of action, and are in general bunches of fun.

I thought this second installment was actually a little better than the first. It felt tighter and more cohesive, possibly because the heavy-lifting worldbuilding is already out of the way. The sub-plots were more integrated into the main story, keeping everything moving along at near-breakneck speeds. While in general I appreciate how fast these books fly by, I thought this one could stand some slowing-down in the middle; things have barely begun to go wrong for the characters before we find out who the bad guy is.

The Arctic Incident was also a little more mature than Artemis Fowl - I think perhaps the plots mature as the main character does, a la Harry Potter. Not that it loses its sense of fun, or becomes serious literature or anything - there are still plenty of fart jokes to keep the young-uns entertained - but there are some issues underlying parts of the story that have some more pathos than I was expecting. Overall, though, I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and will definitely keep reading when I need a fun break. 4 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: Anyone who's looking for a bit of light, funny, fantasy action should enjoy the series, but don't start with the second book.
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LibraryThing member heidilove
This might be the best of the Fowl books. Definitely a compelling and powerful exploration into Artemis himself, and a much-needed depth -- a strong second book, which is difficult to do.
LibraryThing member aratiel
Now I've re-read Artemis Fowl, and also read the second in the series, Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident. They were both gripping, action-packed and quick reads without insulting the intelligence of the targeted audience (it's a kids' series). They're truly books that you can't put down for long.
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As with the first one, The Arctic Incident focuses not so much on Artemis as the fairies and other magical creatures that become involved (or rather, dragged into) the young criminal's exploits, although you'll see that in AI the tables are turned and Artemis is the one dragged into the underground fairy world to help overthrow the goblin revolution. The plot equally centers around the fierce police captain Holly Short, the curmudgeony Commander Root, and my favorite, the paranoid-yet-brilliant centaur Foaly.
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LibraryThing member pdxwoman
Loved the first book enough that I started on the second book right away; I was not disappointed. Again, Colfer gives us a fast moving tale in league with the Bourne Ultimatum meets Darby O'Gill and the Little People. Ransom, nuclear waste, technology wizards, eyeball-licking Goblins, and an evil
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plot to take over the Lower Elements -- who could ask for more? I'm ready for the next book!
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LibraryThing member atomichron
I, personally, think this was the best one of the series.

Then, in a close second, comes AF 1. Then, very, very, very far down, comes 3,5, and 4.
LibraryThing member melwil_2006
Artemis Fowl is now up there on my list of good children's series. Holly Smart the LEP Recon, and Artemis Fowl the teenaged criminal mastermind are back, with all their hangers on. This time they are united for two purposes - to close down the goblins threatening the lower world, and to try and
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rescue Artemis's father from the icy edges of Russia.

The book is, like the first one, laugh out loud funny. It's always good seeing enemies working together (remember Buffy and Spike at the end of season 2?), but the two of them actually begin to have some respect for each other. All in all, another great read.
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LibraryThing member bookishjoxer
I liked it well enough. I liked it better than the first one. I liked how everyone came together and how they related to each other.
LibraryThing member CheriePie69
I liked this one even better than the last. In contrast to what I said in the review of the first book, this one actually did have multiple plot lines, just two actually, but it made for a more interesting story nonetheless.

I also started to like the character of Artemis better than I did in the
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first one. And it's not just that he's growing on me, but in this book, he actually displayed compassion and feeling towards his comrades.
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LibraryThing member Tudorrl
A decent enough book. The story was okay and raised few laughs but I do think the first Artemis Fowl outing was better.
LibraryThing member lewispike
Not the best of the Artemis Fowl books, but well worth the read. It looks a lot like Eoin Colfer was hoping to move on to different things in this book, but we didn't let him!
LibraryThing member lefty33
This was probably my favorite of the Artemis books. I loved learning so much more about each of the characters. It was fun to read Artemis as the criminal hero rather than just the criminal.
LibraryThing member Jadesbooks
The second book in the Artemis Fowl adventures, and we see that he's just a little boy who's lost his father. Through this adventure Artemis shows that he cares more for his family than the money he can aquire.
LibraryThing member Othemts
Despite the title, Artemis Fowl is nowhere near the great presence in this novel as he was in the first. When he does appear, little of the conspiring genius can be seen, and instead he's mostly complacent, and well, nice. The book really revolves around and inter-Fairy rivalry which erupts into a
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rebellion. Many of the Fairy characters get a chance to develop from the bit parts they received in the first book of the series, especially Foaly, Root, and Mulch. But the big character here is Butler, needed by the fairies to help put down the rebellion, and becoming more and more a central character to these stories, and my favorite as well.
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LibraryThing member numbert
In my opinion the weekest of the series this is the second book in the Artimis Fowl series. In this book you discover that Artimis's long lost father is alive and in the hands of a human gang. Sort of slow going but still well worth the read
LibraryThing member hjjugovic
Colfer's second book in the Artemis Fowl series continues at the same high level as the first. The plot is exciting, unique, moving, and funny. It's great seeing Artemis get to grow. Colfer's fantasy world is orginal and satisfying. These books are great for adults and young adults alike.

PLOT
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SPOILERS With his mom's sanity and family fortune restored, Artemis focuses on recovering his father, whom he alone believes is still alive. While frustrating the psychologists at his private school, Artemis receives news that his father is beign held for ransom. While planning his strategy, he is hijacked by the elves, who need his help tracking down a fairy who is trading with humans. Artemis agrees, in exchange for fairy aide in recoverying his father. Artemis, along with our favorite dwarf burglar Mulch, helps the fairies foil a goblin rebellion plotted by a disaffected LEP officer and a military manufactoring mogol. In turn, the fairies help Artemis recover and heal his father. Artemis now has his family back , has come to respect his fairy friends, and has learned some morals.
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LibraryThing member buckeyeaholic
The adventure of Artemis & his fairy 'friends' continues. Will they be able to save his father from his kidnappers?
LibraryThing member bibliophile26
The first book was more interesting because Artemis Fowl and the fairies were enemies. Fairly entertaining though.
LibraryThing member LauraR8
The second book of Artemis Fowl! This book gets very intense and this book is for the people who like action and fantasy. Artemis, the boy genius is plotting again. Something bigger and better than the first scheme. Make sure you read the next book!
LibraryThing member celticstar
I think I enjoyed this one more than the first. Artemis was a much nicer mud person, initially only because he needed help but I think he learns a lot about himself and other people along the way.
LibraryThing member Livana
2nd volume in the Artemis Fowl series. I liked it more than the 1st one. The 1st book really just introduced our heroes. In this one, there's more character development.

Artemis is actually a nice (super smart) kid. He has feelings, which is not something I thought was true after reading #1.

A very
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enjoyable read and nice sequel overall.
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LibraryThing member khallbee
Artemis Fowl has grown up a bit since he last escaped with a fortune in gold from the high-tech fairies who live beneath the earth. Now at a boarding school in Ireland, Artemis' criminal genius languishes behind his schoolboy exterior. When a coded message arrives from the Russian gangsters holding
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his believed-to-be-dead Father, however, Artemis realizes he will have to enlist the help of the very elf he just screwed over in order to stage a rescue.

This second volume in the highly lucrative Artemis Fowl series ratchets up the action and violence without skimping on the character development. Holly Short, the LEPRecon agent Artemis kidnapped in book one, is back in a desperate attempt to stop a conspiracy in her world. As she and her erstwhile captor strike a Faustian bargain to achieve their own ends, they realize that they have more in common than they ever thought possible. While its nice to see Artemis play the good guy for once, its very obvious that he's in control of everyone in his life. Holly throws a wrench in the works and makes him evaluate his position--and his legacy--from a much different perspective. How this dynamic changes with the reintroduction of his father remains to be seen. As the series goes on for at least another five books, we can expect to see the relationship played out later in excruciating detail.

Colfer's humor and subversive nature show through just as strongly in the Arctic Incident as in book one. Middle School boys will love the return of Mulch, the flatulent burrowing elf, and Foaly, the grumpy centaur IT guy. With convincingly bad villains, a slightly slower pacing, and all sorts of peril, The Arctic Incident readily fulfills the promise of Artemis Fowl. Recommended for grades 6-9.
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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
For some reason, I enjoyed this sequel more than the original Artemis Fowl novel. Perhaps because Artemis finds himself in unlikely situations that test his abilities, or perhaps because he seems to act a little more like a normal thirteen-year-old boy, or perhaps because the relationship between
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Artemis and the fairies is more along the lines of a partnership than enemies. In either case, the humorous tone present in the preceding novel returns in this edition and many characters reappear. With Artemis beginning to have a more typical family and life, I look forward to seeing how the rest of this series shapes up.
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LibraryThing member maribs
Just as I thought... Artemis Fowl is not a bad guy. He has a heart and some morals. Really. There are some mentions of his exploits, his crimes to get a hold of lots of money, which I suppose could qualify him to be called a "criminal mastermind" but it is all done for a good reason. He is
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desperately trying to find his father who has been missing for two years.

Holly Short is back with the LEPrecon Unit and this time they work together with Artemis and Butler.
Mulch Diggums makes an appearance again as well and once again helps in a way no one else can.
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Pages

277

ISBN

0786808551 / 9780786808557
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