Artemis Fowl; The Opal Deception

Publishers Weekly

In his fourth adventure, Artemis Fowl's career is in peril because all memory of the fairy people has been erased, and Opal has framed Capt. Short for murder. Ages 12-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

VOYA

In the fourth installment of the Artemis Fowl fantasy adventure series, the evil pixie, Opal Koboi, escapes from the hospital where she has been faking a coma by cloning herself. Artemis has reverted back to his evil, greedy ways since the mind wipe erased all the good influences that his interaction with the fairy people gave him. Opal is set on getting her ultimate and nasty revenge on Artemis and LEPrechon, while also planning on destroying the whole fairy realm of Haven. Holly Short is framed for a horrible crime but escapes to the surface to try to save Artemis from Opal. As with the previous books, this one is well written with a fast-moving, gripping action adventure plot. All the likeable and lovable characters are back fighting evil and saving the fairy and human worlds. Fans of the series, who are eagerly awaiting the continued adventures of brave Holly and genius Artemis, will not be disappointed. Sadly a major character dies in this story, perhaps making it the last one in the series. It is a must-have for public and school libraries where the series is popular as well as where action adventure and fantasy books are all the rage. A most enjoyable, almost perfect novel, it includes a special message to be decoded from the fairy language that runs along the bottom pages of the novel; however, readers will have to read and use the translation key from The Artemis Fowl Files (Miramax, 2004). VOYA CODES: 4Q 5P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2005, Hyperion, 342p., Ages 11 to 15.
—Karen Sykeny

KLIATT

To quote the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, July 2005: Is the world big enough for two child geniuses? This fourth volume in the popular Artemis Fowl series pits the eponymous criminal mastermind, now 14 years old, against his rival, the evil pixie Opal Koboi. Opal has hatched a cunning plan to leave a clone of herself under guard in a coma, while disguising herself as a human child and setting out to destroy the fairy world?—?and destroy Artemis as well. She wants to get revenge on those who had previously foiled her plans to destroy the fairies, and manages to frame Artemis's old colleague, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Fairy Police, for the murder of her commander. Artemis and Holly team up to defeat Opal, but she sets a clever trap for them that almost has them torn apart by trolls. Luckily, Artemis's loyal bodyguard, Butler, and the flatulent dwarf, Mulch, come to their rescue, and the chase is on to capture Opal. The comic book-like action and humor, as well as the wacky characters and clever gadgets, will keep readers turning the pages in this entertaining fantasy adventure, and Artemis continues to show personal growth. He's even developing a conscience, he discovers to his surprise, and he learns to value friendship over gold. Another winner for Colfer, and sure to be popular among Artemis's fans; they'll also enjoy trying to crack the code at the bottom of each page. KLIATT Codes: JS*—Exceptional book, recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2005, Hyperion, Miramax, 342p., Ages 12 to 18.
—Paula Rohrlick

Children's Literature

Artimis has gone back to being a criminal but because he has no memory of the fairy people, he has no idea that his archenemy Opal Kobol is back. Of course, he would not suspect as he knows Opal is actually in jail; however, by cloning herself and leaving her clone in jail, Opal is now free to carry out her plans, which include: doing away with those who were responsible for capturing her and carrying out her ultimate vengeance by killing Artimis. The plot is excellent and moves the reader rapidly through deadly traps. It is only at the end that the reader finds out if Artimis is actually outmaneuvered. The characters are well developed and believable. The author is very adept at weaving humor throughout the story and readers will be hard pressed to put the book down once they have started to read it. I believe that individuals, who do not particularly like this genre, will be won over if they try this book. A secret code is printed at the bottom of each page and the author challenges reader to break the code. I tried, but could not do it. I highly recommend this book. I am sure if readers are already Artimis Fowl fans, they will put his book at the top of the list of favorites. It is a cliffhanger! 2005, Miramax Books, Ages 12 up.
—Kathie M. Josephs

School Library Journal

Gr 5-7-Identity fraud is at the heart of this fourth book in the series. To all appearances, Opal Koboi, pixie and archenemy of the fairies, is under close surveillance as she lies in a coma. Artemis Fowl, the brilliant 14-year-old criminal mastermind, has had his mind wiped clean of all knowledge of fairies, and, therefore, of all prior goodness he has learned. When the real Opal escapes and leaves behind a DNA-perfect clone of herself, her revenge against all those who opposed her commences with deadly fury. Among the barrage of high-tech gadgets and continuous action sequences and plot twists are moments that give even Artemis Fowl pause as he contemplates friendship, responsibility, and death. The prose is clunky and the characters speak in clich s, but those who enjoyed the earlier books won't care. The humor (heavily dosed with flatulence jokes) and creativity carry the narrative through the tight spots and impossible situations.-Farida S. Dowler, Mercer Island Library, WA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.