SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY
Artemis Fowl believes his missing father is alive. He's planning a rescue mission when Holly interrupts, accusing him of a crime against The People. Once he is cleared of suspicion, he makes a deal to help them catch the real culprit. In exchange for his services, they have to help rescue his father in Russia.
CAST OF CHARACTERS-SPOILERS
Artemis Fowl seems to have a noble goal this time, saving his father. His character does develop. When Holly is injured, he works hard to help her, showing that he does care about others. Also, in the beginning, it is revealed to Artemis that he does not respect anyone or treat them like equals. This is resolved in the end and tied up nicely with a bow.
Holly Short reluctantly respects Artemis and grows more affectionate with him when she learns of his goal to rescue his father. This shows in a scene where she has to break bad news to him as well as in the final chapters.
Commander Julius Root is in this story as much as the last. His blunt and loud personality is a good contrast to Artemis and Butler.
Butler plays the same role as in the first movie, protecting Artemis and doing all of the physical work. But for a portion of the book, he and Artemis are separated. I feel the book focuses more on Holly and Artemis' relationship.
Mulch Diggums is called on to help sneak into Koboi laboratories. Having lived a life as a recluse, he eventually started stealing again. He lightens up the story with his comedy.
Opal Koboi is a rather cartoonish character. Whenever she had a scene, I found myself cringing. I think perhaps she was supposed to be funny. A woman who acts like a spoiled child. A genius with no morals. Perhaps she was meant to parallel Artemis. But this comparison never occurred to Artemis, nor anyone else in the story. After all, it's clear she is insane, and Artemis is not.
Cudgeon appeared in the first book, and was the one who went over Root's head. After being demoted, he now plots revenge.
Foaly is never in the same scenes as the others bu he still plays a crucial role, like he has previously. Like Mulch, he always has a joke.
SUSPENSE AND FORESHADOWING
There is a scene where we learn that anyone who questions a certain character will be shot in a future scene. And another where Artemis points out how something seems to convenient. Both set up for later scenes and revelations.
There is also a scene where it's revealed that one character plans to kill another. In that same scene, it's revealed that he is unknowingly being recorded. That made it obvious that said character was going to be exposed later on. I thought that was odd to reveal, as it would have been more shocking to keep it a secret and expose it later.
PACING
The pacing is just as good as last time. Again, we shift between Holly and Artemis, and eventually even to Foaly's perspective. And there is a lot of action. Barely do the characters sit still.
COLFER'S HUMOR
Again, I enjoyed most of the humor. The scene at the beginning at Artemis' school was hilarious.
Foaly's interactions with Root as well as Cudgeon are funny.
Mulch always makes me smile with his antics. But Opal is annoying, and not in a way that I believe was intended. Perhaps Colfer thought if we found her obnoxious, that would make her a good villain because readers would despise her. I didn't hate her for being a great villain. I hated her because she wasn't even a decent villain.
NO GOOD VILLAIN?
You might think if i don't care for the villain, does it ruin the book? No, actually. Because Opal is not in a large portion of the book and the main characters don't figure out who is behind things until much later in the story.
NOT AN ACTION HERO-SPOILERS
Like the last book, Artemis is the brains, but not the action. But there are plenty of times where he proves himself. Once regarding healing another character, and a second where Mulch requires his help, even though he has been told to stay put by Butler.
This is a surprisingly good role for a hero, as Artemis never feels overpowered, as some do. He may be a genius, but he needs assistance. Foaly is shown to be almost as smart, and just as helpful. While Holly is brave, Butler is strong, and Root is willing to risk his own life.
CLIMAX-SPOILERS
Our heroes must first defeat Opal and Cudgeon. It's kind of predictable how Foaly gets them to turn against each other but I didn't mind. It's what happens afterwords that shows how the characters' relationships have changed. Holly helps Artemis rescue his father. I found that scene far more interesting than anything having to do with Opal.
CONCLUSION
Colfer successfully helps develop Artemis and also develops a friendship, not just a begrudging respect between Holly and him. The humor is enjoyable, ignoring Opal of course. There is plenty of action and good pacing and Cudgeon is an okay villain. I give “The Arctic Incident” four stars.
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