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TL;DR: Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl II is a criminal mastermind and heir to a crime family. To restore his family's fortune, he obtains the secret Book of the fairy People and kidnaps Captain Holly Short, an elf from the LEPrecon police, holding her for a ransom of gold. The high-tech fairy world fights back in a battle of wits.
Table of Contents
Artemis Fowl at a Glance
| Author | Eoin Colfer |
| First published | 2001 |
| Type | Children's fantasy |
| Best for | young readers who love clever villains and high-tech fantasy |
Artemis Fowl is a children's fantasy novel by Eoin Colfer, published in 2001. It began a bestselling eight-book series. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes action violence and peril.
Main Characters
- Artemis Fowl II: A twelve-year-old criminal genius.
- Butler: Artemis's loyal, giant bodyguard.
- Captain Holly Short: A brave elf police officer.
- Commander Julius Root: The fiery head of LEPrecon.
- Mulch Diggums: A tunneling dwarf thief.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
The plan
Artemis's father has disappeared, and his mother is ill. Artemis plans to restore the family fortune by stealing fairy gold. In Vietnam, he tricks a fairy into letting him copy the Book, the fairies' secret guide, and decodes it.
The kidnapping
Using the Book, Artemis and Butler capture Captain Holly Short when she comes above ground to complete a magical ritual. They imprison her in Fowl Manor in Ireland.
The siege
Commander Root and the LEPrecon surround Fowl Manor and stop time around it. They try to rescue Holly, sending in a troll and Mulch Diggums. Butler fights the troll, and Holly escapes her cell with clever use of magic.
The ransom
Artemis demands a ton of gold. The fairies plan to use a “blue rinse,” a bio-bomb that will kill everything in the time field, after paying. But Artemis has outsmarted them: he and his family hide from the effects by using the fairies' own rules.
Ending
Holly is released, and Artemis keeps half the gold. In exchange, he asks Holly to heal his mother's mind. His mother recovers. The fairies realize Artemis is a dangerous and fascinating enemy, setting up future adventures.
5 Key Takeaways
- Intelligence can be used for good or bad.
- Even villains can show compassion.
- Loyalty and friendship matter.
- Technology and magic can work together.
- Family love motivates people.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- The cleverest plan considers the enemy's rules.
- Greed can be softened by love.
- Heroes and villains are not always clear-cut.
Who Should Read Artemis Fowl?
Read Artemis Fowl if you enjoy funny, fast fantasy with a clever antihero. It suits readers about 9 to 14.
About Eoin Colfer
Eoin Colfer is an Irish author born in 1965 in Wexford, Ireland. He worked as a primary school teacher before Artemis Fowl became an international bestseller. He has written many other books, including the Wishlist and Airman novels, and was chosen to write a sixth Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy book, And Another Thing.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Artemis Fowl:
- Is Artemis a hero or a villain?
- How does Artemis outsmart the fairies?
- What does Holly teach Artemis?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Artemis Fowl is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Artemis Fowl, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is exciting and funny, a great start to the series.
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What to Read Next
- Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer: the second book
- Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan: mythology meets modern life
- The Field Guide by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi: the first Spiderwick Chronicles book about hidden faeries
Related: 15 Books Like Artemis Fowl You’ll Love · What Age Is Artemis Fowl Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Artemis Fowl about?
A twelve-year-old criminal genius kidnaps a fairy for a gold ransom.
Who wrote it?
Eoin Colfer, in 2001.
Who is Butler?
Artemis's loyal bodyguard.
Who is Holly Short?
An elf officer of the LEPrecon police.
Is there a film?
Yes, a 2020 Disney+ film.
How many books are in the series?
Eight.
What age is it for?
About 9 to 14.
How long is it?
About 280 pages.
What is LEPrecon?
The fairy police reconnaissance squad.
What is the Book?
The fairies' secret guide to their rules and magic.
Who is Mulch Diggums?
A kleptomaniac dwarf who tunnels into Fowl Manor.
What is a time-stop?
A fairy technique that freezes time around an area.
Who are the main characters in Artemis Fowl?
The main characters are Artemis Fowl II, Butler, Captain Holly Short, Commander Julius Root and Mulch Diggums. Artemis Fowl II: A twelve-year-old criminal genius. Butler: Artemis's loyal, giant bodyguard. Captain Holly Short: A brave elf police officer.
Is Artemis Fowl worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for young readers who love clever villains and high-tech fantasy. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.