Book Synopsis- Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony

Title: Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony
Author: Eoin Colfer
Publication Date: 2006
Page Count: 385
Type: Fiction
Started On: September 5, 2007
Finished On: September 10, 2007


My Grade: A -

1. Why did I decide to read this book?

The Artemis Fowl series is simply magical. This book, although not my favorite, is another great novel by Eoin Colfer. The cover really drew me into this one, however. The silhouette of a man/creature bursting off the front cover is really an attention grabber. I got this book for Christmas and I'm just now getting to read it. My only regret is that I would've read it sooner.

2. Plot summary (avoiding major spoilers when possible!)

Artemis Fowl is a boy genius, he has written symphonies, constructed scientific theories, and is on his way to a Nobel Prize; a regular child prodigy. Oh, did I mention he has discovered a world of fairies, gnomes and dwarfs and has saved that world on two seperate occaisons? Maybe not your regular child prodigy... This time around, Artemis is needed to save a breed of fairies that were supposedly extinct... demons. Artemis must once again team up with his fairy friend, Holly Short, an ex-fairy police force operative to save the the fairy world again, only this time, he is getting into more than he bargained for. Artemis finds out he's not just trying to save a race, he's trying to stop someone from destroying that race at the same time. Someone just like him, a genius...and it's a female. Fighting peril and puberty, Artemis trys his best to save the demonkind, even at the cost of lives. The lives of thousands of demons, thousands of humans, and the lives of his dearest friends.

3. What is the setting, and why is it important to the novel?

The story takes place in various places throughout Europe, where Artemis has several houses. It the book will also take you on a journey through Taiwan, but I don't think it will be for sightseeing. Finally, the story will blow your mind with another dimension, a "Demonic" dimension. This is where Artemis will try to save the demonkind (obviously). Although it sounds like a vast array of random places, they all tie in very tightly to the main storyline.

4. Describe the main characters and what roles they play in the novel.

Artemis Fowl, a child prodigy, is the main character of the novel. He is a boy in his early teens, and just experiencing the troubles of puberty. He is small in stature with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. Other main characters include Butler (Artemis's bodyguard), Holly Short (a fairy soldier, and dear friend to Artemis), Minerva (another child genius), No.1 Imp, and Lance Abbot (leader of the demon pride). Other characters with key roles are Qwan (leader of the warlocks) and Billy Kong (a notorious thug).

5. What is/are the main conflict(s) in the novel?

There are several outstanding conflicts in this novel. The main conflict in the story would be Artemis attempting to save the demon race. Another would be Artemis's constant trouble with controlling his hormones. Another conflict is Artemis trying to handle himself while working with criminals. This proves to be an important part of the story.

6. Describe the climax of the novel.

Artemis, Holly Short, and Quan somehow have teleported themselves to the demon island. They aren't recieved quite as well as they would've like to have been. As soon as they land on the island, they are attacked by hundreds of blood thirsty demons. They know they need to get back home, but the only person who can get them there is Artemis, who is caught in a deadly battle with the demon leader, Lance Abbot. Artemis is the only chance of he and his friends making it home alive, but can he do it with 100 demons hot on his tail?

7. What is the significance in the book's title? Is the title appropriate or would I change it to something else?

The books title, Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony, obviously is following the format of the other Artemis Fowl novels. The Lost Colony is very important to the main plot of the story, as that is the "world" he is trying to save. I believe the title is completely appropriate. I wouldn't change the title.

8. What is my opinion of the book? Why?

I really liked this book, it wasn't too long, but it wasn't too short. It stacks up equally with all the other Artemis Fowl novels. Although it follows the central theme of the other stories (Artemis saving the fairy world) it still managed to have all new plot twists. It also brought in a whole new view of Artemis, his struggles growing up. All in all, the book was very good.