Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident

Image credit: Comic Cauldron

And so the exploration into children’s fantasy series continues with book two in Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl series: The Arctic Incident. Filled with classic heist and hero tropes like reluctant alliances and internal sabotage, this book is a great follow-on to the original.

The Arctic Incident sees thirteen year-old criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl on a mission to rescue his father –who has been missing for the past 2 years and presumed dead- from the hands of the Russian Mafia. Unfortunately for Artemis, this is not so easy as computer hacking and his usual trickery; the travel to Russia alone and undetected is problem enough. The answer presents itself when LEPrecon agent Captain Holly Short arrests Butler and himself on the suspicion that they are supplying illegal power sources to goblins in a second attempt of Fairy World exploitation. When Holly realises Artemis is innocent, the two reluctantly decide to work together: Artemis will find the culprit sabotaging the LEP if Holly will help him rescue his father.

This is a very solid sequel in a fun and modern fantasy saga. Where the previous book introduced us to the characters and their worlds, The Arctic Incident further develops their personalities, character arcs, and relationships, providing intrigue and a richer lure for emotional attachment.

Image credit: HaperCollins Publishers

The two stories themselves are great fun; with the sabotage plot against the LEP taking centre stage and proving to be another classic heist adventure. Between villains monologuing their master plans in a wonderfully satiric way and the social commentary on our dependence on technology practically hitting us over the head, there is plenty in there to keep readers flipping pages.

While the story of Artemis’ rescue of his father takes a bit of a back seat, it’s the cold Russian backdrop against which a lot of the character development takes place, with both Artemis and Holly going through a few changes of mind and heart.

The book is filled with even more exciting escapades than the first book and all our favourite supporting characters are back with a vengeance, and even some new ones! This is a great sequel that definitely keeps the reader invested and eager for the next instalment.

Author: Eoin Colfer, 2002

Published: The Penguin Group, 2002