September 1, 2004
The paper-over-board The Artemis Fowl Files supplements Eoin Colfer's bestselling series, taking readers back to Holly Short's early days in the agency, where she works in Traffic and helps Captain Root defeat his villainous brother, Turnball. "The Seventh Dwarf" details LEPrecon's pursuit of Mulch Diggums and Artemis Fowl, who seek the Fei Fei Tiara. Sandwiched between the stories are pages describing Fairy Code and the Gnommish alphabet, interviews (including Colfer), a crossword and more. .
December 1, 2004
Gr 5-8-No, this is not a sequel to the previous titles; it's a companion book. It includes two original short stories, one a prequel to Artemis Fowl (the first) about Captain Holly Short and how she became a member of the LEP, and the other a story about Artemis looking for the Fei Fei Tiara (Seventh Dwarf). In it, readers see Mulch working with Artemis for the first time. There are also games; readers can practice fairy code, learn the gnomish alphabet, do a crossword puzzle or a find-a-word (the latter may cause problems in libraries). Finally, they can read interviews with Artemis, Captain Short, Butler, Mulch Diggums, Foaly, Commander Root, and the author. With the write-in caveat in mind, this volume will give all of those Fowler fans something to read while waiting for the next book.-Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ
Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 1, 2005
Two overlong stories feature characters from the Artemis Fowl books. One recalls how elf Holly Short became the first female to join the LEPrecon squad; a more unwieldy tale describes a jewel heist planned by Artemis. An extraneous middle section includes character "interviews" and puzzles, apparently serving as filler to eke out yet another book-length volume for this moneymaking series.
(Copyright 2005 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)