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katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Artemis Jr... and doubled. A new series with a new spin.
I've loved Artemis Fowl (and author Eoin Colfer) since reading the first Fowl book back at university, two decades ago (come on, film version!!!). I've read all 8 of his adventures and enjoyed the progression of the characters. Seeing that his baby brothers were now featuring in their own 'spin off', I was of course intrigued - how would the franchise work if Artemis himself wasn't the protagonist?
Well, in some ways, this is a new Artemis story. We've got a super-smart Fowl boy (Myles), pernickity, agile-minded, highly articulate and fond of suits. But we also now have Beckett - his twin physically but diametrically opposite in personality, habits and leanings. Beckett is physical where Myles is cerebral. He'll fight with fists rather than words, Myles is organised and focused, Beckett unsystematic and carefree.
But other elements seem familiar to Artemis fans - the dastardly villains, the earnest LEP Recon representatives, the technology, the other-wordly magic.
Two villains for the price of one here, both rather amusing. A 500-year old mustachioed Duke and gun-toting nun. Lazuli Heitz is the sole representative of the fairy world for almost the entire length of the book (I missed Foley and Mulch or their equivalents), and she gets much less of a role than Holly Short ever did, interacting with the twins but not forming the relationship we knew and loved. Butler is replaced by a wryly funny NANNI, constantly-evolving Nano Artificial Neural Network Intelligence system.
So it feels familiar but yet different, a copy that doesn't bring every element that worked to the new series, though each separately sounds like it should work. Together I just felt it didn't quite hit the same high.
Colfer's narrator is great, lots of language play and moments that made me laugh.:
(Call to the Myishi 24-hour Concierge Line) "A cheerful voice said, "Hi, Lord Bleedham-Drye, this is Douglas on the Myishi Line. YOur crime is worth our time. How may I be of assistance?"
And plenty of character moments, though mostly for Myles who takes the lion's share of the attention:
"Artemis had set a twenty-two-digit security code on his door that he did not realise Myles had suggested to him subliminally by whispering into his ear every night for a week as he slept."
Artemis is mentioned quite a lot, interacts with his brothers via recordings, and I did love how Myles outwits him as well. It was nice to hear what he is up to a few years after the end of 'his' saga.
I'd like to have Beckett featured more in a future instalment, he came into his own more in the second half of the book, he wasn't as well-rounded as his twin early on.
An adventure reminiscent of their elder brother, the Fowl twins will be popular with readers who will identify with one or other of the young antiheroes. It's well set-up for future undertakings, and hopefully the fairy world will feature more prominently again.
For the same audience as Artemis, around aged 8-13.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
I've loved Artemis Fowl (and author Eoin Colfer) since reading the first Fowl book back at university, two decades ago (come on, film version!!!). I've read all 8 of his adventures and enjoyed the progression of the characters. Seeing that his baby brothers were now featuring in their own 'spin off', I was of course intrigued - how would the franchise work if Artemis himself wasn't the protagonist?
Well, in some ways, this is a new Artemis story. We've got a super-smart Fowl boy (Myles), pernickity, agile-minded, highly articulate and fond of suits. But we also now have Beckett - his twin physically but diametrically opposite in personality, habits and leanings. Beckett is physical where Myles is cerebral. He'll fight with fists rather than words, Myles is organised and focused, Beckett unsystematic and carefree.
But other elements seem familiar to Artemis fans - the dastardly villains, the earnest LEP Recon representatives, the technology, the other-wordly magic.
Two villains for the price of one here, both rather amusing. A 500-year old mustachioed Duke and gun-toting nun. Lazuli Heitz is the sole representative of the fairy world for almost the entire length of the book (I missed Foley and Mulch or their equivalents), and she gets much less of a role than Holly Short ever did, interacting with the twins but not forming the relationship we knew and loved. Butler is replaced by a wryly funny NANNI, constantly-evolving Nano Artificial Neural Network Intelligence system.
So it feels familiar but yet different, a copy that doesn't bring every element that worked to the new series, though each separately sounds like it should work. Together I just felt it didn't quite hit the same high.
Colfer's narrator is great, lots of language play and moments that made me laugh.:
(Call to the Myishi 24-hour Concierge Line) "A cheerful voice said, "Hi, Lord Bleedham-Drye, this is Douglas on the Myishi Line. YOur crime is worth our time. How may I be of assistance?"
And plenty of character moments, though mostly for Myles who takes the lion's share of the attention:
"Artemis had set a twenty-two-digit security code on his door that he did not realise Myles had suggested to him subliminally by whispering into his ear every night for a week as he slept."
Artemis is mentioned quite a lot, interacts with his brothers via recordings, and I did love how Myles outwits him as well. It was nice to hear what he is up to a few years after the end of 'his' saga.
I'd like to have Beckett featured more in a future instalment, he came into his own more in the second half of the book, he wasn't as well-rounded as his twin early on.
An adventure reminiscent of their elder brother, the Fowl twins will be popular with readers who will identify with one or other of the young antiheroes. It's well set-up for future undertakings, and hopefully the fairy world will feature more prominently again.
For the same audience as Artemis, around aged 8-13.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
epithet's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
brittster622's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the Artemis Fowl series and the world that Eoin Colfer has created in the series. When I saw that he was starting another series following Artemis’ little twin brothers I was so excited. This particular series follows the twins, of course, and new troll and fairy friend they meet along the way.
I am pleased to see the the story continues in the rich world of fairies that Colfer has created. The twins are absolutely a blast to watch as they interact with each other because they are so vastly different. It’s neat to see how the author uses their strengths and weaknesses to add to plot points and escape attempts. It seems he has also done a great job of making the story feel new, while still feeling at home with the original series.
I am pleased to see the the story continues in the rich world of fairies that Colfer has created. The twins are absolutely a blast to watch as they interact with each other because they are so vastly different. It’s neat to see how the author uses their strengths and weaknesses to add to plot points and escape attempts. It seems he has also done a great job of making the story feel new, while still feeling at home with the original series.
laura_cs's review
5.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley of this title in exchange for an honest review.
"Fowl and Fairy, friends forever..."
Get ready to get hit with nostalgia, because there's a new Fowl mud-boy making trouble for the officers of the Lower Elements Police. Worse, it's double-trouble.
Take one Artemis Fowl mini-me. Add one British nobleman who wants immortality. Throw in a dangerous nun. Then in comes a pixie-elf hybrid LEPrecon specialist.... who has no magic of her own. Put a very tiny troll into the mix. And then there's Beckett...
In the first in the sequel series to the phenomenal "Artemis Fowl" series, Myles and Beckett--the titular Fowl twins--find themselves getting involved in quite a magical fiasco, just as their older brother did at their age. Colfer's storytelling is still fantastic, and he does a marvelous job of telling Myles and Beckett's story in their voices--especially since it is very clear that the twins are complete opposites. (Though, admittedly, similar in many ways, too...)
Those who grew up reading Artemis Fowl, as I did, will love to return to see Myles and Beckett all grown-up and having their own adventures, while also enjoying the nods to the original story and characters. (Look, there's a quote about lollipops that about had me in stitches from laughing so hard.)
"Fowl and Fairy, friends forever..."
Get ready to get hit with nostalgia, because there's a new Fowl mud-boy making trouble for the officers of the Lower Elements Police. Worse, it's double-trouble.
Take one Artemis Fowl mini-me. Add one British nobleman who wants immortality. Throw in a dangerous nun. Then in comes a pixie-elf hybrid LEPrecon specialist.... who has no magic of her own. Put a very tiny troll into the mix. And then there's Beckett...
In the first in the sequel series to the phenomenal "Artemis Fowl" series, Myles and Beckett--the titular Fowl twins--find themselves getting involved in quite a magical fiasco, just as their older brother did at their age. Colfer's storytelling is still fantastic, and he does a marvelous job of telling Myles and Beckett's story in their voices--especially since it is very clear that the twins are complete opposites. (Though, admittedly, similar in many ways, too...)
Those who grew up reading Artemis Fowl, as I did, will love to return to see Myles and Beckett all grown-up and having their own adventures, while also enjoying the nods to the original story and characters. (Look, there's a quote about lollipops that about had me in stitches from laughing so hard.)
aprilparker97's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
jean23's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
melholmes's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my God, I forgot how brilliant Eoin Colfer's humor is, this was so funny and captivating! Can't wait for the next book in the series!
zpitts's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
5c_sami's review against another edition
5.0
The Fowl Twins definitely lived up to my love of all things Artemis Fowl.
Eoin Colfer nailed his usual witty humor with the younger Fowl boys' story through fantastic word play, clever acronyms (i.e. ACRONYM), and the devastatingly hilarious insults from and to a couple of geniuses.
As with the Artemis Fowl series, Colfer shows mastery of third person omniscient narration. The characters are so distinct and the narration transitions are so intentional that I never feel lost in the stories. Colfer gives you so much of who his characters are simply through his narration style without spoiling the plot. This same narration style turned Artemis, Holly, Butler, Mulch, and all the other original players into friends. I was pleased to find the same result with the Fowl twins and their companions.
I loved the most recent Fowl misadventures and I'm excited to see what's next for Myles, Beckett, Whistle Blower, and Lazuli.
Oh, I can't forget to mention my love for the references to The Supernatualist, another Colfer favorite."
Eoin Colfer nailed his usual witty humor with the younger Fowl boys' story through fantastic word play, clever acronyms (i.e. ACRONYM), and the devastatingly hilarious insults from and to a couple of geniuses.
As with the Artemis Fowl series, Colfer shows mastery of third person omniscient narration. The characters are so distinct and the narration transitions are so intentional that I never feel lost in the stories. Colfer gives you so much of who his characters are simply through his narration style without spoiling the plot. This same narration style turned Artemis, Holly, Butler, Mulch, and all the other original players into friends. I was pleased to find the same result with the Fowl twins and their companions.
I loved the most recent Fowl misadventures and I'm excited to see what's next for Myles, Beckett, Whistle Blower, and Lazuli.
Oh, I can't forget to mention my love for the references to The Supernatualist, another Colfer favorite."
emilyrandolph_epstein's review against another edition
5.0
A delightful return to a world that dominated my imagination as a child.