Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer

From the Publisher

Criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl is back...and so is his cunning enemy, Opal Kobol. At the start of the fourth adventure, Artemis has returned to his unlawful ways. He's in Berlin, perparing to steal a famous impressionist painting from a German bank. He has no idea that his old rival, Opal, has escaped from prison by cloning herself. She's left her double behind in jail and, now free, is exacting her revenge on all those who put her there, including Artemis.

Meanwhile in the lower elements, Opal has planted a trap for Captain Holly Short and Commander Root of the LEPrecon fairy police--Root is killed, and Holly is framed for the murder. Instead of staying around to defend herseld, Holly rushes to the surface to warn Artemis. But before Holly and Artemis can get away, Opal arrives and abducts them both. Artemis is faced with a world he does not believe in and an enemy with an infernal plan to destroy this world forever.

Publishers Weekly

In his fourth adventure, Artemis Fowl's career is in peril because all memory of the fairy people has been erased, and Opal has framed Capt. Short for murder. Ages 12-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kathie M. Josephs - Children's Literature

Artimis has gone back to being a criminal but because he has no memory of the fairy people, he has no idea that his archenemy Opal Kobol is back. Of course, he would not suspect as he knows Opal is actually in jail; however, by cloning herself and leaving her clone in jail, Opal is now free to carry out her plans, which include: doing away with those who were responsible for capturing her and carrying out her ultimate vengeance by killing Artimis. The plot is excellent and moves the reader rapidly through deadly traps. It is only at the end that the reader finds out if Artimis is actually outmaneuvered. The characters are well developed and believable. The author is very adept at weaving humor throughout the story and readers will be hard pressed to put the book down once they have started to read it. I believe that individuals, who do not particularly like this genre, will be won over if they try this book. A secret code is printed at the bottom of each page and the author challenges reader to break the code. I tried, but could not do it. I highly recommend this book. I am sure if readers are already Artimis Fowl fans, they will put his book at the top of the list of favorites. It is a cliffhanger! 2005, Miramax Books, Ages 12 up.

Karen Sykeny - VOYA

In the fourth installment of the Artemis Fowl fantasy adventure series, the evil pixie, Opal Koboi, escapes from the hospital where she has been faking a coma by cloning herself. Artemis has reverted back to his evil, greedy ways since the mind wipe erased all the good influences that his interaction with the fairy people gave him. Opal is set on getting her ultimate and nasty revenge on Artemis and LEPrechon, while also planning on destroying the whole fairy realm of Haven. Holly Short is framed for a horrible crime but escapes to the surface to try to save Artemis from Opal. As with the previous books, this one is well written with a fast-moving, gripping action adventure plot. All the likeable and lovable characters are back fighting evil and saving the fairy and human worlds. Fans of the series, who are eagerly awaiting the continued adventures of brave Holly and genius Artemis, will not be disappointed. Sadly a major character dies in this story, perhaps making it the last one in the series. It is a must-have for public and school libraries where the series is popular as well as where action adventure and fantasy books are all the rage. A most enjoyable, almost perfect novel, it includes a special message to be decoded from the fairy language that runs along the bottom pages of the novel; however, readers will have to read and use the translation key from The Artemis Fowl Files (Miramax, 2004). VOYA CODES: 4Q 5P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2005, Hyperion, 342p., Ages 11 to 15.

Paula Rohrlick - KLIATT

To quote the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, July 2005: Is the world big enough for two child geniuses? This fourth volume in the popular Artemis Fowl series pits the eponymous criminal mastermind, now 14 years old, against his rival, the evil pixie Opal Koboi. Opal has hatched a cunning plan to leave a clone of herself under guard in a coma, while disguising herself as a human child and setting out to destroy the fairy world?—?and destroy Artemis as well. She wants to get revenge on those who had previously foiled her plans to destroy the fairies, and manages to frame Artemis's old colleague, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Fairy Police, for the murder of her commander. Artemis and Holly team up to defeat Opal, but she sets a clever trap for them that almost has them torn apart by trolls. Luckily, Artemis's loyal bodyguard, Butler, and the flatulent dwarf, Mulch, come to their rescue, and the chase is on to capture Opal. The comic book-like action and humor, as well as the wacky characters and clever gadgets, will keep readers turning the pages in this entertaining fantasy adventure, and Artemis continues to show personal growth. He's even developing a conscience, he discovers to his surprise, and he learns to value friendship over gold. Another winner for Colfer, and sure to be popular among Artemis's fans; they'll also enjoy trying to crack the code at the bottom of each page. KLIATT Codes: JS*—Exceptional book, recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2005, Hyperion, Miramax, 342p., Ages 12 to 18.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-7-Identity fraud is at the heart of this fourth book in the series. To all appearances, Opal Koboi, pixie and archenemy of the fairies, is under close surveillance as she lies in a coma. Artemis Fowl, the brilliant 14-year-old criminal mastermind, has had his mind wiped clean of all knowledge of fairies, and, therefore, of all prior goodness he has learned. When the real Opal escapes and leaves behind a DNA-perfect clone of herself, her revenge against all those who opposed her commences with deadly fury. Among the barrage of high-tech gadgets and continuous action sequences and plot twists are moments that give even Artemis Fowl pause as he contemplates friendship, responsibility, and death. The prose is clunky and the characters speak in clich s, but those who enjoyed the earlier books won't care. The humor (heavily dosed with flatulence jokes) and creativity carry the narrative through the tight spots and impossible situations.-Farida S. Dowler, Mercer Island Library, WA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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Product Details

• ISBN: 0641725051
  
• ISBN-13: 9780641725050
• Format: Hardcover, 352pp
• Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
• Pub. Date: May 2005
• Edition Description: Bargain
• Sales Rank: 1,206
• Age Range: 9 to 12
• Series: Artemis Fowl Series, #4

• Read a Sample Chapter

Read a Sample Chapter

The Opal Deception

Thorndike Press

Chapter One

Ho Chi Minh City in the summer. Sweltering by anyone's standards. Needless to say, Artemis Fowl would not have been willing to put up with such discomfort if something extremely important had not been at stake. Important to the plan.

Sun did not suit Artemis. He did not look well in it. Long hours indoors in front of a computer screen had bleached the glow from his skin. He was white as a vampire and almost as testy in the light of day.

"I hope this isn't another wild-goose chase, Butler," he said, his voice soft and clipped. "Especially after Cairo."

It was a gentle rebuke. They had traveled to Egypt on the word of Butler's informant.

"No, sir. I'm certain this time. Nguyen is a good man."

"Hmm," droned Artemis, unconvinced.

Passersby would have been amazed to hear the large Eurasian man refer to the boy as sir. This was, after all, the third millennium. But this was no ordinary relationship, and these were no ordinary tourists.

They were sitting outside a curbside cafe on Dong Khai Street, watching the local teenagers circle the square on mopeds.

Nguyen was late, and the pathetic patch of shade provided by the umbrella was doing little to improve Artemis's mood. But this was just his dailypessimism. Beneath the sulk was a spark of hope. Could this trip actually yield results? Would they find the Book? It was too much to hope for.

A waiter scurried to their table.

"More tea, sirs?" he asked, head bobbing furiously.

Artemis sighed. "Spare me the theatrics, and sit down."

The waiter turned instinctively to Butler, who was after all, the adult.

"But, sir, I am the waiter."

Artemis tapped the table for attention.

"You are wearing handmade loafers, a silk shirt, and three gold signet rings. Your English has a tinge of Oxford about it, and your nails have the soft sheen of the recently manicured. You are not a waiter. You are our contact Nguyen Xuan, and you have adopted this pathetic disguise to discreetly check for weaponry."

Nguyen's shoulders sagged. "It is true. Amazing."

"Hardly. A ragged apron does not a waiter make."

Nguyen sat, pouring some mint tea into a tiny china cup.

"Let me fill you in on the weapons status," continued Artemis. "I am unarmed. But Butler here, my ... ah ... butler, has a Sig Sauer in his shoulder holster, two shrike-throwing knives in his boots, a derringer two-shot up his sleeve, garrotte wire in his watch, and three stun grenades concealed in various pockets. Anything else, Butler?"

"The cosh, sir."

"Oh, yes. A good old ball-bearing cosh stuffed down his shirt."

Nguyen brought the cup trembling to his lips.

"Don't be alarmed, Mister Xuan." Artemis smiled. "The weapons will not be used on you."

Nguyen didn't seem reassured.

"No," continued Artemis. "Butler could kill you a hundred different ways without the use of his weapons. Though I'm sure one would be quite sufficient."

Nguyen was by now thoroughly spooked. Artemis generally had that effect on people. A pale adolescent speaking with the authority and vocabulary of a powerful adult. Nguyen had heard the name Fowl before - who hadn't in the international underworld? - but he'd assumed he'd be dealing with Artemis senior, not this boy. Though the word "boy" hardly seemed to do this gaunt individual justice. And the giant, Butler. It was obvious that he could snap a man's backbone like a twig with those mammoth hands. Nguyen was starting to think that no amount of money was worth another minute in this strange company.

"And now to business," said Artemis, placing a micro recorder on the table. "You answered our Web advertisement."

Nguyen nodded, suddenly praying that his information was accurate.

"Yes, Mister ... Master Fowl. What you're looking for ... I know where it is."

Continues...

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Excerpted from The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer Copyright © 2005 by Eoin Colfer. Excerpted by permission.
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