Review: #75
Title: Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex
Series: Artemis Fowl - 7th book
Author: Eoin Colfer
Read Before: no
My Comments: A story that started off very very differently and to a different tune than previous books in the series, to the point where I thought it was very weird. It seemed like a completely different series, I thought it would get back into vein as the story progressed but that was not the case. I don't know if it was intentional or not, but this book seemed to be structured very differently than the past six books, to the point where you feel it’s not really a sequel. This change of direction isn’t a good thing either, as the whole book feels lacking, you might think that it’s building up to a good plot as typical to the series, but even when you get to the climax of the book (which is around fifty pages from the end), it’s still not as interesting and doesn't grip you. There are some events that are shocking, similar to Opal Deception, but not as heart wrenching. I felt that the plot was very weak, and the titular disease, the Atlantis Complex, on the main character Artemis Fowl is the killer for me. You don't get to see any of his trademarked well thought out plans being put into action, winning over an evil mastermind, there aren’t any cunning plans here, just one boring event after another. Even after two thirds of the book, you feel that the story hasn't started yet, and you’re still waiting for the clincher… that is not going to come. Granted, there is numerous great dialogue and humorous moments that lift the atmosphere and almost make the book worth the dragging plot, but it can't mask the fact that it’s a very disappointing book. The weak plot is atypical of the author, and it seems that this sequel is here for the sake of a sequel, definitely the weakest of the Artemis Fowl series and a poor addition to the line-up. You just don't get that warm fuzzy feeling for seeing Artemis triumph, coz he doesn't triumph… he practically does nothing.
Rating: 6.5/10
Rereadability Factor: 4/10 (disappointing really, not really worth rereading)