SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY
When Artemis invites Holly and other members of the LEP to witness his latest invention, things go wrong when they are attacked. Foaly realizes these machines that attacked were built by him but they are being high-jacked. To make matters worse, Artemis seems to go insane and it's up to Holly to save them. And when it turns out that Atlantis is being targeted, she has to try and save the city as well.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Artemis is not really in the story. Returns in chapter eight, more than halfway through the story. Leaves by chapter three, but he goes nuts well before then.
Orion is Artemis' alter ego. He is oddly annoying, and so out of left field that I got sick of him after a few minutes. Although to be fair, he said a few things that were amusing. And even had one reaction that was kind of funny. But for the most part I hated every scene with him.
Holly is the main character in this story. Since Artemis is not in the story much, there relationship does not develop. Although in the beginning, she admits a motherly desire to defend him.
Foaly for the first time, is there in the flesh, and not back in Haven. But the interaction he gets with Artemis face to face adds no extra dimension to their relationship. As is Artemis is never there.
Butler notices Artemis' odd behavior but doesn't take any action. Such as informing his parents, or informing Holly, or doing anything. He just drops everything and runs to Juliet's aid when Artemis says she is in trouble.
Juliet has lost her memories about the People but eventually regains them. She isn't shocked, and doesn't seem to view Butler or Artemis any different. Nor is she mad at her brother for keeping her in the dark.
Turnbull Root is the brother of Julius Root that was never mentioned for some reason. He hates his brother, who is dead. So, yeah. Anyway he is in prison for some crimes but wants to get out to see his human wife before she passes on. Also wants revenge on those who put him in jail.
POT SHOTS AT ARTY...AGAIN
In the beginning of the story, Artemis reveals his plan to save the planet, but no one believes him. I mean, he has only saved the planet multiple times before, putting his own life on the line, so, yeah, this is a major change in him.
It's odd how with each book Colfer expects us to believe that Artemis is the same child as in the first book. I have to wonder if he despises his own protagonist.
PACING
The story goes back between Artemis and company, and then to Juliet and Butler and Turnbull Root. But I just had little interest in any of the stories.
DATING THE BOOK
I've always had this thing about stories. I don't like when authors put in elements that will date the book a decade from now. Like mentions of pop culture, whether it be movies or music. Nor political elements. By the time I read this book, the culture had moved on from “global warming” to “climate change”. And no doubt in another decade they will change the name or discover another crisis.
ARTEMIS'S MORALITY
Once again, we are led to believe that Artemis has grown morally but not through any personal interactions. He does not treat anyone any better, as far as we know, and is still quite selfish and juvenile. (It's mentioned he punished a teacher he didn't like.)
Instead, since he doesn't' want the planet to live on to die, and is using his own money to save it (he's the child of millionaires) then he must have had a major epiphany. For the love of God, I just want him to be nice to people.
EVIL MUD MEN
It's revealed that many in Haven just want the humans to die out. I was shocked at the hatred they had. They have previously been painted as saints in comparison to the mud men. And the fact that Artemis doesn't bat an eye at this revelation is disturbing. Even more so that neither Holly or anyone else seems ashamed.
WHAT PART OF ARTEMIS?
Orion as an alter ego made little sense to me. We all have thought of who we would be if we were more bold, said what we were thinking, and were less afraid of what people thought of us.
Apparently Artemis' alter ego would have the intelligence of toddler who recites Shakespeare, believes in fairy tales and is basically helpless. I felt the whole idea was not only illogical, but an insult to his character. It was as if the whole idea was to humiliate him. The only scene of any introspection was when Orion said that Artemis is nasty to everyone. Is this Colfer admitting that Arty hasn't grown morally at all?
I kept thinking, an alter ego would share his feelings more and would in general act more like a regular teenage boy. If guilt created this complex, why wouldn't he simply share his guilt then? Why not simply make him more emotional, so he had a harder time making decisions? That would be a huge handicap to him. Not to mention it might bring him and Holly closer.
There are so many issues for Artemis to deal with, mainly how he will live the rest of his life and if he has to rely on the fairy world for intellectual stimulation. Or how he is having a hard time growing morally. Or his relationship with his family, which we know little about besides a small scene when he talks on the phone with his mother.
A NEW VILLAIN-SPOILERS
I am not going to lie, as a villain, I was completely indifferent to Turnbull. Too much of the story was in his perspective in my opinion. I really didn't care. He was slightly cartoony, but not nearly as bad as Opal has been. I found his story about how he met his wife to be interesting. But I couldn't sympathize for him, because he easily discarded of others lives. So there was no real depth. No real three dimensional character. Which was sad, because the potential was there.
CLIMAX-SPOILERS
The climax was anticlimactic. Turnbull Root turned out to be lame villain. His wife convinces him to stop what he is doing. He complies and walks away with her, suddenly willing to give his own life away. Even Orion notes that the ending is strange. For once I agreed with him.
CONCLUSION
Colfer creates a surprisingly dull story where Artemis is basically not in it. As of such, there is no development of his character. There are a few parts I found mildly amusing, but the for most part, I was speed reading, just praying that Artemis would come back. Because unlike the author, and most of the characters, I actually like him and believe he can develop. Nothing of consequence happens anyway. So I would recommend skipping it altogether. I give “Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex” one a half stars.
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