Artemis Fowl: the Opal Deception

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 09:51:23 PST

The fourth in the series and Colfer has not had a “difficult” sequel in any of them. This book follows two main narratives, one of Artemis Fowl and the other Opal Koboi, These two main characters are genii, and they make sure you know about it. Parallel to the genius theme are epic moments of comic relief provided by witty banter between characters, often using the differences between their species and readable thoughts printed in italic to full effect.

There is a treasure trove of technology presented by the character Foaly the Centaur, he is to the Artemis Fowl series what Q is to bond. But he meets his match in Opal Koboi's ingenuity. This leads to many entirely entertaining chapters of Artemis being outdone by the equipment of others and overcoming them with the help of his fairy friends, and of course his ever present bodyguard aptly named Butler.

You must not let the mention of Fairies, Centaurs and dwarves put you off this book, Colfer has written no fairytale. Fairies have been re-invented, they are as technologically advanced as most of us expect aliens to be, and still with a hint of magic. Colfer even makes light of the legends and myths surrounding the Fairies we were told when we were children, such as the leprechaun. It is said in the book that this is a misinterpretation of LEPrecon (Lower Elements Police recon) the elite group of Fairy police officers that track down other rogue Fairies.

Overall this is a truly fabulously written book with ingenious inventions presented with full explanations, and characters that should have their own stand-up slots on comedy central, a perfect mixture of wit, humour and world saving antics with a supernatural twist.

Redcoat by Bernard Cornwell

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:55:20 PST

Essentially an action packed relationship triangle that involves love, lust and loyalty. Set during the American Revolution, an unlikely friendship emerges between an injured patriot soldier Jonathon Becket and redcoat Private Sam Gilpin. From here the love triangle unfolds between Jonathon, his betrothed Caroline and Sam. The narrative is an intricate weave of missed chances of mischief and frolicking, and harrowing events to disrupt the obvious course of the storyline and encourages the unlikely.

This narrative runs alongside a parallel storyline which involves a failed courtship between an English arcane Captain Vane and wealthy patriot Martha Crowl. Firstly Martha uses Captain Vane as a boost into the rich social life of the upper classes of Philadelphia, and then publicly humiliates the Captain which evokes his subtle but terrible revenge. This is portrayed in such a way that Cornwell must have experienced the emotions expressed himself or observed a similar relationship at a very close range.

The two linear narratives are kept in check by a strict timescale provided by events in the American Revolution which are impartially described in great detail when one of the main characters is involved.

There are many sub-plots that subtly intertwine with the main storyline to make your wholesome feeling of entertaining predictability disappear and shock the system with outlandish but perfectly feasible events to entice the reader.

Overall a perfectly delectable book that keeps you hooked completely until the end, the characters are so easy to love and hate they seem perfectly real while you are enmeshed with the reading this book.