Thursday 14 February 2013

Artemis Fowl and the Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer – Book Review




Publisher’s write-up:

‘Artemis Fowl has constructed a powerful new supercomputer using stolen fairy technology, and the last thing he needs is for it to fall into wrong hands. So, when it does fall into the wrong hands – those of ruthless tycoon Jon Spiro – Artemis knows he must recover the device or the consequences will be dire, for humans and fairies alike.

With all danger all around and his bodyguard indisposed, Artemis turns to Captain Holly Short of the Lower Elements Police for help. But can Holly trust Artemis Fowl, fairy public enemy No.1?’

Artemis Fowl and the Eternity Code is the third book in Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl octet. I read this book five years ago, and was in fact, the first full-fledged novel that I managed to read fully which implies that this is the first novel that I read in the octet. I thought this story can very much qualify as a stand-alone, for the reason that I didn’t have any problems in understanding the novel five years ago, but now, after reading it again, I wonder how I managed that. Even if you’re remotely interested in trying the Artemis Fowl series, don’t start with The Eternity Code. The reviews of books; 1 and 2 are available in this blog.

In this, Artemis Fowl has invented a device from stolen fairy technology, the technology he obtained two years ago during the siege of Fowl Manor. C Cube, the name Artemis gave his little device, was far more capable than any device available, to a human. He decides to blackmail an American entrepreneur, Jon Spiro, whose business could be destroyed if Artemis makes his invention commercial. But, Artemis walks right into Spiro’s trap and Butler is fatally injured. Julius Root, realising that fairy technology being in the hands of a person like Jon Spiro could endanger the fairy species, decides to lend Artemis a hand in retrieving the C Cube from Spiro. But, Artemis, this time, doesn’t have Butler with him.

The speciality about this book is that Artemis has an opponent who could match up to his level – which was lacking in the previous books. Indeed, there was Foaly and Opal in the previous books but when it comes to the first book, Artemis had planned the entire thing and had an advantage and in Arctic Incident, Opal could’ve been a good opponent but, she didn’t really have a direct confrontation with Artemis and was only keen on destroying Foaly’s reputation. But here, it was Artemis who was caught off guard and he doesn’t have Butler to protect him. The plot too, was structured well. It was balanced and I guess, this is the first time an Artemis Fowl novel has been split in half, the first half being the attack on Artemis and the latter being Artemis’ counter attack. The story of the previous books was good, no second thoughts about it, but they were predictable, especially The Arctic Incident. However, that element was lost, which is something good in an adventure novel. And of course, none of the good things were compromised, and Mulch’s role in this novel is much bigger than that of the earlier novels, which is good news for a Fowl fan who enjoys the series for the humour in it.

The only thing that I found strange in this book is the fact that Artemis was repeatedly referred to as ‘fairy public enemy No.1’,mainly because this is the book I read first, and it only talks about how he saved the fairies from the Goblin Rebellion and thereby, he was a good friend to the fairies.
First impression is the best impression and Artemis Fowl and the Eternity Code was able to create that first impression.  I was never an avid reader of books, I had always loved stories, but I never had the ability to complete an awfully long book. But thanks to the plot, its pace, the dialogues and the concept of this book that I managed to complete the whole book, in just two days – which gave me the confidence to complete long novels.

Regarding rating, this would comfortably qualify for a nine on ten however; I’d like to take some more things into consideration before coming to the conclusion. I don’t usually give a full ten on ten unless under the rarest of rare circumstances but this happens to be one of them – for the reason that, had it not been for this book, Astute would not be in existence today.

Rating – 10/10

Have a nice day,
Andy

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