The Last Guardian

Bringing a long-running series to a close is always tricky-no fan is ever entirely happy after all that buildup. All in all, though, Colfer has rounded off this final book about the not-always-likable Artemis Fowl in a way readers will appreciate, right down to the clever last lines. The principle characters are all there, and the overall feeling is uncharacteristically touching. Don't worry-there's still all the adventure and snarkiness the series is known for: ingenious gadgets; humorous sidekicks, like the perpetually gassy Mulch Diggums; and faeries who kick . . . well, you know what. But this is an ending, after all. The plot centers around nemesis Opal Koboi's plot to open a gate that will release not only long-buried warrior faeries bent on revenge against the human race but actual Armageddon. The Fowl's Irish estate is at the center of the action, and Artemis, Holly, and Butler's plans fizzle until Colfer's antihero makes himself sacrificial bait. A definite winner.- Karen Cruze Booklist Online" 3Q 4P M J S In this final battle for our snarky Artemis Fowl, the goal is to rid his brothers of dead fairy spirits before sunrise. The spirits do not realize that this battle is actually long over, but that is what happens when the dead possess the living-they are not up to date on the current news. Artemis must turn once again to our favorite LEPrecon fairy, Holly, to join him if he wants to complete his mission. Of course his arch nemesis, Opal Koboi, is once again wreaking havoc on all things Artemis. The good news is that Artemis finally gets a clean bill of mental health, kind of. The ending goes places that few series have gone before. Fans of Artemis Fowl will appreciate this eighth and final installment in the series. All the tongue in cheek humor and sarcastic wit and tone are present. Fairies aplenty abound, as does the mischief and mayhem that they bring. And anyone who has ever had an annoying younger sibling will appreciate the brothers Fowl. These books are written to be full of fun and adventure, and the Last Guardian succeeds. All the main characters play a part, which will satisfy fans. This should be in libraries with the previous seven books in the series.-Karen Jensen. VOYA" In his eighth, greatest and (billed as) final exploit, Artemis Fowl finally puts paid to archnemesis Opal Koboi while also saving humanity from extinction, but at a steep price. The malign pixie Koboi has escaped prison, sown widespread destruction on both the surface and in the high-tech underground fairy realm, and acquired massive magical mojo. Now she is set to unlock two nested spells on the Fowl estate. One binds the spirits of a band of ancient fairy warriors to her while allowing them to possess any living or once-living bodies available, and the other unleashes Armageddon on the entire human race. Enter Artemis, with his usual sidekicks and allies, from tough fairy cop Holly Short to dangerously flatulent dwarf Mulch Diggums. Punctuating his breakneck narrative with silly turns, sudden extreme violence and memorable turns of phrase-" like the man with the exploding head, it was a one-time trick"-Colfer pits his resourceful crew against an army of killer bunnies and decomposed corpses (most of the estate's other residents being off for Christmas). All this is on the way to a smashing set of climactic twists and turns, just deserts and life-changing sacrifices. A fitting end to a brilliantly conceived and developed series. (Fantasy. 11-14) Kirkus"