Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Artemis Fowl, The Time Paradox—Book Review


Today I’ll review The Time Paradox, the sixth installment of one of my favorite book series, Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer.

In The Time Paradox, we see our favorite genius boy go back in time in order to save the last of the Silky Sifaka Lemur species that proved to be the cure for her mother’s illness. The problem is, he was the one who caused the extinction of the Silky Sifaka Lemur almost 8 years prior. Therefore, Artemis of the future should face and outwit the Artemis of the past. Using time travel and escorted by her fairy friend Holly Short, will Artemis defeat his greatest enemy to date, his own self? Can they go back to the past and not alter the future they have known?

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My Review:

The book still holds up the same humor and adventurous feel that fans had known from book 1. The adventures that Artemis Fowl goes through are what have driven most part of the book, add clever twists and turns to that and you will get The Time Paradox.  

Like the other Artemis Fowl books, the most impressive part that Eoin Colfer has inculcated in this book is the “reveal.” Colfer still did very well on this one, the wit of writing he used made the twists just make you “Ooooh! That’s cool!”

The book proved to have a much more complicated storyline that seemed to grow with Artemis Fowl. The battle of wit and smarts of the two Artemises is surely a highlight of this book. What could fans ask for more knowing that they can be spectators of an intellectual battle between two characters that they had grown to love and maybe, despise?

What makes this different from prior books is that it showed more on Artemis’ human side. Much more than the genius, here we see how he had grown to be softer. We see how he responds to his emotions and not just his intellectual premise. The book also showed how much Artemis had grown through a comparison of the two Artemises of both time and also how does the relationship between him and Holly develop.

Characterization was never a question when it comes to the AF series as readers are sure to see how Artemis is growing throughout the books’ storylines and how his life has been affected by his involvements with the fairy people. Holly is also given the right and fitting character development. Also, a refreshing thing in this book is the addition of the demon warlock N°1 (first appeared in the fifth book: The Lost Colony) in the lineup of lovable characters.

Reading Artemis Fowl books is like riding the same rollercoaster all over again. But each time you ride it, there are additional features that will make each ride different from the other–a paradox of familiarity and uniqueness in each and every book.

The Time Paradox is surely a must-read for hardcore Artemis Fowl fans! But beware, this book has a little cliffhanger element that will make you want to instantly get the next book: The Atlantis Complex.

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7 comments:

  1. I agree with your review!
    I loved the book as well:D

    Yiota @ http://splashofourworlds.blogspot.com/

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  2. @Yiota - Good to know you agree. Have you read the seventh book? Thanks for commenting btw.

    I followed your blog, pretty interesting reviews there. :D

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  3. My kids love the Artemis Fowl series. We have several of the books on CD for traveling!

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  4. @3 Boys and an Old Lady - Thanks for commenting!

    The Artemis Fowl series is really adorable! Especially for kids! But even though I'm 19, I still go crazy about it! I'm really looking forward to read the 7th book! :D

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  5. I've never read any of the Artemis Fowl books, but am impatiently waiting for my little man to "graduate" to them... He's only 7 though, so it might take a few years. Glad #6 is good, it'll take him a while to get thru 'em! :)

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  6. @drey - This book series is definitely lovable for kids and even I, a 19 year old, is caught up with the books' charms. #7 has just been released weeks ago, though I haven't got the chance to buy it. Hope your kid loves them!

    Thanks for commenting!

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  7. Hi, Ivan! Was looking for other Filipino book bloggers and I stumbled upon your blog. I love your reviews.

    Is it all right if I add you to my list of Pinoy book bloggers? You might also want to join this other site, Filipino Book Bloggers, to find more like-minded people.

    Thanks, by the way, and hope to read more from you!

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