Artemis Fowl - Eoin Colfer - Review

Book: Artemis Fowl

Author: Eoin Colfer

Publisher: Puffin

ISBN: 9780141312125

Rating: A+

Twelve-year-old villain, Artemis Fowl, is the most ingenious criminal mastermind in history. His bold and daring plan is to hold a leprechaun to ransom. But he's taking on more than he bargained for when he kidnaps Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon (Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance Unit). For a start, leprechaun technology is more advanced than our own. Add to that the fact that Holly is a true heroine and that her senior officer Commander Root will stop at nothing to get her back and you've got the mother of all sieges brewing!

Artemis Fowl: Bad Boy, Awesome Boy, Genius; both him and the book, from the first sentence I was confined by Time-Stop towers and within hours had finished the epic novel. It is most definitely one of the best books I have ever read, gripping, intense and powerful, it blew me away.  I’ll give it to Colfer, he has an amazing imagination, and the description was fantastic, I was right in the book.

I’ll start off with the basic plotline which in, there is a boy. His name is Artemis Fowl, he has a missing/dead father, and mental mother and is... I suppose a good AND evil genius. It all depends on whose side you’re on. The Fairies or Artemis’s. Anyway he wants Pixie Gold and will stop at nothing to get it.

The first chapter draws you in instantly as it opens into a city in the Underworld. It then moves onto Holly, an Elf driving a fantastical new creation of mechanical wings. I have to admit that I am a sucker for anything unreal so the hook had caught me.

Artemis is a Regular Teenage boy and when Boys of his age read the book (meaning myself) they will relate to him in many ways, and also look up to him and want to be him, living a life of adventure, magic and well... no school! I sure wanted to be him.

My favourite parts would have to be where Holly is captured, that is a very intense moment and I was in Limbo with whose side to take. Holly because I didn’t want her to be hurt (cheesy, I know), but Artemis because the curiosity got the better of me. Another of my favourite parts was when the Fairies realised that Artemis had survived the Blue Rinse, and I nearly cracked up imagining the look on their faces. Lastly I actually did crack up when Mulch Diggums let off a fart and sent everything flying including Butler.

My favourite character was both Artemis and Holly. They are both complete opposites and you know what they say: Opposites attract. No really I think they would be great together. To start with Artemis is very cool and quirky and has an edge to him whereas Holly seems to be very domestic but can pick a decent fight when she needs to.

The thing that fascinated me was all the amazing Equipment in the book, from the wings to the Bombs. To create stuff like that Colfer must have an awesome imagination. My favourite device was the Iris cam. I mean how cool would that be! Never have to get a camera and miss the moment. Just catch it all on your Iris Cam.

Not that this has any relevance, but the new cover is Gorgeous. I adore it along with the new included graphic novel excerpt at the back.

Honestly I loved the book. It was fantastically written and kept me going page after page, the thrill and adventure was like a disease. I will be reading the second one as soon as I get my hands on it, but this is one of the BEST books ever!

Fanmade Evermore Cover

Yay or Nay?

Remember if you would like me to do alternate covers for any book don't hesitate to ask me at arjunthakrar@gmail.com

The Hunting Ground - Cliff McNish - Review

Book: The Hunting Ground

Author: Cliff McNish

Publisher: Orion

ISBN: 9781444004939

Rating: A+

When Elliott and his brother, Ben, move into the old and crumbling Glebe House they don't expect to find themselves sharing it with ghosts. But soon sinister events are unfolding. An old diary reveals glimpses of the mansion's past - and of a terrible tragedy. A mysterious woman talks to the dead. And evil lurks in the East Wing - a hideous labyrinth of passageways devised by a truly twisted mind. Can Elliott and his family escape the clutches of Glebe House? Or will they be trapped in the maze of corridors, forever hunted by the dead?

The Hunting Ground had me hooked from the moment I picked it up. The Hunting Ground is a fantastical, fast paced thriller with a touch supernatural. Definitely everything I wanted. I kept me engrossed and left me wanting more and the end of each chapter. It had twists and turns and the detail was thrilling. It kept me on the tips of my toes throughout the whole two hours it took me to devour this book.

This hunting ground follows the story of Brothers Elliott and Ben, in which they have moved to the, daunting and terrifying Glebe House, but it also incorporates a lot of the history of the house, portrayed through the diary of a boy named Theo Stark. The brothers are drawn to the East Wing of Glebe house, home to dangerous and Death loving ghost Cullayn.

The book is perfectly written, with chapter filled with horror and ghosts only to find the next chapter a lot less intense and so to calm you down and stop you looking behind you, scared to your wits expecting to see Cullayn with a musket.

The book is set both in modern times and in the past. The diary of Theo Stark is a story within the book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s mysterious and dangerous. The edginess of it gives you thrill to the darkness that awaits Ben and Elliott.

The book has a fantastic plot line. It keeps the thrill the whole way through with surprises awaiting you in each chapter. The story slots together one part at a time, like a jigsaw completing and when it’s finished, boy, it is worth it.

I would have to say the last couple of chapters were tantalizing. They were sending shivers through my body, keeping me alert and awake. They were full to the brim with action and ghosts. I particularly enjoyed the scenes in which Janey and Elliott are running throughout the east wing and they finally arrive in the hidden room. It is such a clever idea to have Theo in the tapestry and it is so immense when the ghosts pull their forces together to finally destroy Cullayn.

My favourite character is definitely Eve. She is so innocent and childlike yet so deadly. She had multiple personalities, and is under the influence of Cullayn, and even though she questions herself she follows him, until, surprisingly she strikes the final blow. She was killed young and is a mature woman in a Childs body still with the desires of a child.

Janey is an interesting one. Very deceiving, yet so fragile and as clear a glass to see through. I think she is the one character I felt for a lot. She lost the one she loved, became influenced by the one she hates, and nearly gets killed multiple times.

Cullayn is totally evil, but hey, everybody loves a good villain, and boy did he do his job. Sly and twisted Cullayn portrays the perfect supernatural evil being, and he plays the part perfectly. Of course he dies (Good over Evil) but thanks to him I had a fantastic time reading McNish’s new novel.

At around 320 pages McNish’s novel has everything I wanted. It was intense; edgy dangerous, filled with supernatural beings and of course the spot of romance. If followed a fantastic plot and was beautifully written. I am glad to say this is McNish’s best novel yet and I hope to god he has more to come.

Artemis Fowl Bookmark Giveaway

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Night Star - Alyson Noel - Review

Book: Night Star

Author: Alyson Noel

Publisher: PanMacmillan

ISBN: 9780330528115

Rating: A+

At the start of this mesmerizing new installment in the Immortals series Ever and Damen are still separated by the poison lingering in Damen’s body. Their only hope of being together is the antidote that was spilled on Jude’s shirt when he killed their enemy Roman. Now Haven is in possession of the shirt—and she’s out for revenge. Blinded by rage and grief, Haven— who blames Ever for killing Roman—could be Ever and Damen’s deadliest enemy yet. Ever is forced to make an impossible choice—allow Haven to destroy her and her dearest friends, or send her to the Shadowland, the abyss for lost souls.

Now where to start with this book... definitely not what I expected but in a good way! This book was a rollercoaster, with ups, downs and wows. Night Star is a fantastic, action packed story with a touch of Magick.

The book focuses around Haven and Ever’s hate for each other, and how one wants to turn the other into a pile of black ashes. To be honest I was locked from the first chapter, which was epic. At the time I was wishing it was real but of course, the Haven Ever showdown was a manifestation. The real showdown was where it got interesting. It is such a complex plot with so much happening it’s definitely different to the other books in the series. I mean this book is fantastically written, but it’s like loads of plots in one book, that all work in sync and follow on from each other.

One thing that did irritate me though is that Ever doubted Damen... again. No offence but it’s like in every book Ever finds a different way to doubt him, or to find a secret he’s been lying about, which is awesome, because I love secrets, but repeating the same thing? I’m not sure.

Now in Night Star, Miles, once a very minor character, gets a major role, being friends with two enemy immortals both trying to get him on their side while he secretly uncovers their secrets. I really would like to see what happens to Miles in Everlasting.

My favourite character from this book was definitely Jude because he wasn’t playing mind games with Ever or playing dirty to get her but he was just really sweet and understanding and even when Ever chose Damen he still tried to help her, which brings me onto the Showdown!

The showdown is an action pact segment of the book which is amazing. In the showdown there is: Jude, Ever, Damen, Haven, Roman’s House, Roman Shirt (with the Elixir), a fire, and a whole lot a fighting. My favourite scene by far. It was so intense and no one knew what would happen. And then Haven dying so suddenly, I though Haven would make it all dramatic before being shoved to the Shadow land.

The Shadow land has me confused because all we learned about the Shadow land in Shadow land isn’t completely correct, because Ever escaped from it with no help! Let’s just hope Haven doesn’t figure it out.

I’ll have to say Night Star is a fantastic, magickal, and beautifully written piece. It is by far my favourite in the series so far and I absolutely adore it. I just want NEED to read Everlasting now.