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nadaabouelnasr's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was, as always, a fun read! Although at times the plot got a little hazy and it was hard to keep up (I’m not very good with physics/sci fi) plus plot-wise it honestly wasn’t as good as the previous books in the series. The banter was definitely bantering though 😭😂 it’s always such a funny dialogue, it makes me turn a blind eye to the kinda bad plot that was in this book.
finneas's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
icey81's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
3.75
effaly's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
imldsquared's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable read with lots of outright laughter. I am looking forward to the next installment.
berenikeasteria's review against another edition
3.0
Two new books have come out in the Artemis Fowl series since I first read and loved the original four, and later books five and six also. I’ve recently been revisiting the series, re-reading the first six and now I’ve come to the new entries in the series, starting with this one. I have to admit The Atlantis Complex is something of a surprise. I have very mixed feelings about it. Initially, the story drew me in. Artemis is expanding his relationship with the fairies by proposing a collaboration on a long-term project, and shifting direction by turning his genius to tackling a purely altruistic project which he proposes to fund himself. In previous books we’ve seen his character slowly grow towards this path, so it felt satisfying to see him reach this point. Then, another interesting hook is introduced. Artemis is suffering from some magic-related psychological disorder which causes him to become paranoid, superstitious, and obsess over numbers; to a literally debilitating extent. My interest was hooked. This was a new twist in the series – how would Artemis focus the genius usually required of him on his adventures when he was psychologically incapacitated? Also, as per usual, the book was jam-packed with the thrills, spills, and non-stop action that we’ve come to expect.
However, other elements in the story just didn’t sit right with me at all. As his antagonist Colfer uses
Spoiler
Turnball Root, a character who’s been established before in this world in a short story addition to the series. I know some readers will be happy that he was used since some have complained that Opal Koboi is overused – this book even makes a joke of that, having Artemis want to check repeatedly that Koboi isn’t behind proceedings. However, my problem was that it kind of uses a formula that’s been used before even if the antagonist is new. That of antagonist biding their time under lock and key and then breaking out with an elaborate plan to seek revenge.Another thing that didn’t feel quite right was how Artemis’ illness was handled.
Spoiler
At first it seemed truly debilitating, and his friends Holly and Foaly seem seriously concerned. But then it becomes a joke. When Artemis’ split personality alter ego, Orion, emerges, Holly and Foaly don’t seem concerned any more, and indeed go about making jokes at his expense or otherwise expressing their annoyance. And I grant, Orion was very annoying, I didn’t like his inclusion at all – but despite how annoying this character was shouldn’t Foaly and Holly have been more concerned about the wellbeing of their friend instead of brushing him off? Again, I grant that they were under attack and needed to focus on other more immediate concerns, but… really? And it was just all too convenient that an electric shock switched Artemis between personalities. In the end it didn’t seem to be that debilitating or concerning at all, which was a disappointment.Other niggles; I really don’t like the fact that
Spoiler
Artemis’ mother now knows all about the fairies and his adventures with them. She feels like a constant interruption in this book, forcing Artemis to wear clothes he doesn’t like, telling him to never get involved with the fairies again and generally not comprehending at all the stakes that require Artemis to get involved. What a party pooper. I rather wish she’d stayed mind-wiped and Artemis’ family was kept out of knowledge of the fairies. I know, I know, in real life she’s just being a good parent, not wanting her son to get into trouble, and other YA books get a lot of flak for absentee parents; but in a fun adventure series like this, not a paranormal romance like other YA, this kind of helicopter parenting is just irritating. Also, I don’t like the fact that Colfer killed off Commander Vinyaya. She was barely used in previous books, but it seemed like she might make a great replacement for Julius Root – figuratively speaking – in the role of fairy contact in power and authority who is actually a decent sort and who Artemis, Holly, Foaly and company can trust to be smart and do the sensible thing. It seemed like she would take on a big role, like Julius Root did in The Arctic Incident where he’s one of the four main characters of the piece. Other than Holly, we’re told there aren’t that many female fairies in positions of power – there’s Lily Frond who is repeatedly mentioned in passing in the series but never appears and Holly doesn’t like her because she’s just a photogenic poster girl, and there’s the genius of Opal Koboi of course but since Koboi is also a megalomaniac antagonist she’s not exactly a figure of admiration – so I always thought Vinyaya was a pretty cool character and looked forwards to her having a greater role after Julius Root’s untimely demise. Well I guess that’s never going to happen now!Since Artemis is suffering under a psychosis for this entire book the Artemis/Holly ship really doesn’t progress or go anywhere, which was a pity because I’ve appreciated the way Colfer slowly built up and gradually grew the relationship over time, and after the last book… well after the last book and the rift between them I’ll be honest I didn’t expect them to get together here or anything, but I was anticipating a couple of heartfelt moments dropped in here and there, some regret, some forgiveness, and maybe by the end the door being left open for the final book in the series.
I’m not sure how I feel about this book in conclusion. It definitely hooked me in at the beginning, but then it didn’t turn out to be as good as I hoped it would be. It definitely wasn’t as good as its predecessor, The Time Paradox, but I’m not sure if it’s as bad as The Lost Colony, which for me has always been the low point of the series with a bit too much pointless backstory and the badly misjudged character of Minerva Paradizo.
6 out of 10
princessrobotiv's review against another edition
2.0
I was really excited to dive into The Atlantis Complex, which would finally feature the oft-mentioned but rarely-featured city of Atlantis.
This turned out to be a supremely disappointing volume, however. The main strength of this series has been its characters, particularly Artemis and Holly, and one-half of that duo was put out of commission in the laziest, most offensive way possible here.
Not only was Colfer's decision to give Artemis a debilitating mental condition poorly-rendered (considering we had just gone through a too-similar plot with Angeline Fowl just last book) and unsatisfying (Artemis doesn't act like himself at all for 90% of the novel and is "cured" off-page between books 7 and 8), it was also grossly offensive as a plot device.
Ascribing your main character real medical conditions like severe, crippling OCD, paranoia, and multiple personality disorders just for pique and to add a little drama to the plot isn't cute, it's tacky. Not only is it tacky, it isn't interesting because it was done so poorly. The entire novel felt so meaningless, like one of the worst filler episodes in an anime or old-school TV drama like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Very little character growth and almost zero central plot featured in this installment.
Pretty much the only things this book did were, 1) kill off a likable side character in an extremely disappointing fashion, 2) place Artemis and co. in the Lower Elements for the start of (much improved) book 8, and 3) establish a precedent for human-fairy relationships that, perhaps, relates to the Holly / Artemis relationship Colfer is apparently trying to establish as of book 6.
Now, people may have differing opinions on what Colfer's authorial intent is with regards to Holly and Artemis, but for me, it's reading as he sees them as endgame. The pretty blatant romantic interactions between them in book 6 are expanded here in book 7 through Artemis's "alter-ego", Orion, who professes courtly love to Holly constantly. I also don't see why the plot between Leonor, a human, and Turnball Root, a fairy, would have featured as the main plot of this book if not to also connect to the relationship he's trying to establish between Holly and Artemis. We get little snippets of information that even hints that a human simply marrying/entering into a devoted romantic relationship with one of the Folk can extend their lifespan.
I mean . . .
Now, like I said, there are pretty serious objections to this reading. I agree with those objections. I spoke in my previous reviews about the inappropriateness of any romantic feelings being established between Holly and Artemis, particularly in the direction of Holly to Artemis, and my opinion of them as eventual partners hasn't changed. The reading being gross doesn't mean it isn't true, though.
For me, this was the obvious connection to be made here. If that wasn't Colfer's intent, then the novel is even more meaningless than it already was, seeing as it really accomplished close to nothing on its own.
This turned out to be a supremely disappointing volume, however. The main strength of this series has been its characters, particularly Artemis and Holly, and one-half of that duo was put out of commission in the laziest, most offensive way possible here.
Not only was Colfer's decision to give Artemis a debilitating mental condition poorly-rendered (considering we had just gone through a too-similar plot with Angeline Fowl just last book) and unsatisfying (Artemis doesn't act like himself at all for 90% of the novel and is "cured" off-page between books 7 and 8), it was also grossly offensive as a plot device.
Ascribing your main character real medical conditions like severe, crippling OCD, paranoia, and multiple personality disorders just for pique and to add a little drama to the plot isn't cute, it's tacky. Not only is it tacky, it isn't interesting because it was done so poorly. The entire novel felt so meaningless, like one of the worst filler episodes in an anime or old-school TV drama like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Very little character growth and almost zero central plot featured in this installment.
Pretty much the only things this book did were, 1) kill off a likable side character in an extremely disappointing fashion, 2) place Artemis and co. in the Lower Elements for the start of (much improved) book 8, and 3) establish a precedent for human-fairy relationships that, perhaps, relates to the Holly / Artemis relationship Colfer is apparently trying to establish as of book 6.
Now, people may have differing opinions on what Colfer's authorial intent is with regards to Holly and Artemis, but for me, it's reading as he sees them as endgame. The pretty blatant romantic interactions between them in book 6 are expanded here in book 7 through Artemis's "alter-ego", Orion, who professes courtly love to Holly constantly. I also don't see why the plot between Leonor, a human, and Turnball Root, a fairy, would have featured as the main plot of this book if not to also connect to the relationship he's trying to establish between Holly and Artemis. We get little snippets of information that even hints that a human simply marrying/entering into a devoted romantic relationship with one of the Folk can extend their lifespan.
I mean . . .
Now, like I said, there are pretty serious objections to this reading. I agree with those objections. I spoke in my previous reviews about the inappropriateness of any romantic feelings being established between Holly and Artemis, particularly in the direction of Holly to Artemis, and my opinion of them as eventual partners hasn't changed. The reading being gross doesn't mean it isn't true, though.
For me, this was the obvious connection to be made here. If that wasn't Colfer's intent, then the novel is even more meaningless than it already was, seeing as it really accomplished close to nothing on its own.