Artemis Fowl

Artemis Fowl is a fantasy novel that introduced readers to one of fiction's most cunning protagonists - a twelve-year-old criminal mastermind. Eoin Colfer's 1999 debut follows Artemis as he devises an elaborate scheme to locate and steal gold from the fairy underworld, a hidden civilization that exists beneath the Earth's surface. The plot hinges on kidnapping a fairy officer and holding her ransom, setting off a chain of events that pits human ingenuity against magical technology.

The book combines heist narrative conventions with world-building that spans both human and fairy cultures. Artemis must outwit the Lower Elements Police (LEP), a specialized military force equipped with advanced magical weaponry, while managing relationships with his bodyguard Butler and navigating his own moral compass. Colfer balances humor, action, and genuine character development throughout, making the story accessible to both younger readers discovering the series and adults revisiting it.

This is the first in the Artemis Fowl series, which eventually grew to eight books. The novel's success established Colfer as a major voice in contemporary fantasy for young readers, blending intelligence and entertainment without talking down to its audience. Available nationwide with Cash on Delivery from OnlineBooksOutlet.

• Author: Eoin Colfer
• Published: 1999
• Genre: Fantasy
• Series: Artemis Fowl #1
• Format: Paperback