The Arctic Incident (Artemis Fowl, Book 2)

Eoin Colfer's bestselling antihero is back in Artemis Fowl: TheArctic Incident--the superb sequel to the hyper-hyped Artemis Fowl, shortlisted forthe Whitbread Children's Book of the Year. The Arctic Incident sees theslightly older, perhaps slightly more mellow arch-criminal Artemis recoveredfrom his last adventure, richer now that he has his half of a hoard of fairygold, and happier since the Clarice Starlingesque superfairy Captain Holly Shortof the LEPrecon returned his mother's ailing mind to full health.But there is still much unfinished business: Artemis Fowl Sr. disappeared when adaring escapade designed to free his family from their criminal--not to mentiondeeply lucrative--past and move the family's assets into legitimate enterpriseswent horribly wrong. Held captive by the Mafiya (the Russian organized crimesyndicate) for over two years, he has been declared officially dead, but ArtemisJr. knows in his heart (yes, he does have one) that his beloved father is stillalive, and he is determined to find him. Meanwhile Captain Short is temporarilyon assignment to Customs and Excise as punishment for letting Fowl separate herand her People from their gold and is finding her stakeout duties a little dull.It soon becomes obvious that the pair have need of each other's considerableskills, and before long they are on track for an adventure that will ultimatelyhave far-reaching consequences for both of them.If you enjoyed the first book, you won't be disappointed by the second.Initially the pace is a little slower, and the slightly more mellow Artemis iscertainly a tad unnerving at first (particularly as one of the things that madehim such an unusual character was the fact that there was something distinctlyunlikable about him), but once the sparks between Holly and Artemis begin tofly, and the adventure that tests their endurance to their emotional, physical,and intellectual limits begins, the pages just keep on turning.The high-tech hocus pocus, the complex underworld, and the James Bond-stylestoryline will keep even the most reluctant reader enthralled. Add to the mix afair dollop of humor, the occasional sprinkling of right-on commentary about thestate of the planet, and enough hooks in the story to ensure you will beclamoring for the next book. This chilling, thrilling adventure is a seriouslycool (in more ways than one!) must-read for anyone age 9 and older. --SusanHarrison