Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox (Artemis Fowl, #6)

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Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox (Artemis Fowl #6)

4.06 of 5 stars 4.06 · rating details · 27,767 ratings · 1,306 reviews

ARTEMIS FOWL, SAY HELLO TO ARTEMIS FOWL.

When Artemis Fowl's mother contracts a life-threatening illness, his world its turned upside down. The only hope for a cure lies in the brain fluid of the silky Sifaka Lemur. Unfortunately, the animal is extinct, thanks to the money-hungry deeds of a younger Artemis.

Though the odds are stacked against him, Artemis is not willing to g...more

Paperback, 391 pages

Published August 11th 2009 by Hyperion Books (first published July 15th 2008)

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Mar 10, 2009 Mary rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: children-s, sf-f, audio

Listened to on audiobook by Listening Library, narrated by Enn Reitel.
Very disappointed that Nathaniel Parker did not narrate this latest installment in the Artemis Fowl series. I had grown so used to his characterizations and really enjoyed them. It was a bit like having all the actors change in the middle of the season on your favorite TV show. Not that Enn did a bad job, it just wasn't the same.
This story seemed a bit draggy and convoluted. Artemis goes back in time to save a lemur that his e...more

9 likes · like · see review

Mar 13, 2011 Britta rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Tara

Shelves: 2008, fantasy, fiction, 2011

Another stellar visit into the world of Artemis Fowl (teenage genius) and Holly Short (captian of the L.E.P.).

Back from the place where time doesn't exist (where he saved Number 1 - a warlock), three years has gone by but Artemis (and Holly) both find that they are the same as when they left on their last journey. Artemis has two new (twin) 2 year old brothers.

But, Angeline Fowl is sick. Deathly ill. And it's because of magic. She has been infected with a plague like illness that struck down fa...more

7 likes · like · see review

Jul 25, 2008 TamTam rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 2008-reads, favorites, childrens

I LOVED this book! Eoin Colfer writes such great fun to read stories! I loved the ending of this book and the whole idea of the book too with the whole time traveling and Artemis meeting his past self and being outsmarted by his younger self. After reading this book, I definitely want to reread the first one again.

Everyone must give Artemis Fowl a chance! It's a great series and one of my absolute favorites!

11 likes · like · see review

Jan 13, 2012 Palice Pottle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: awesomeness, beautiful, characters-like-no-other, made-me-laugh-till-i-cried, now-she-knows-how-to-kick-butt, you-must-read

Okay, turns out I still like this. No, I LOVE IT. If something can make me laugh, then I love it.

Butler is still awesome as ever.

"I am intrigued," said ten-year-old Artemis Fowl, studying the two individuals in the Bentley trunk. "Something extraordinary has happened here."
"Hardly extraordinary," said Butler, checking the girl's pulse. "Two thieves somehow broke into the manor."
"They bypassed all the security. Not as much as a blip on the motion sensors?"
"Nothing. I just happened on them duri...more

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Dec 17, 2008 Jacey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult-my-secret-shame

Book 6 in the artemis fowl series was thoroughly enjoyable. Now to be honest and fair, I listened to this while working and when I listen opposed to reading, my critical analysis kinds takes a back seat. A good reader can make up for a slightly incompetent writer without me really noticing. With that disclaimer, I'll say that I thought this book was quite good. The series is very original and well-thought out, especially considering the sea of young adult fantasy that is full of so much flotsam...more

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Sep 13, 2008 Derek rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Artemis Fowl Fans

Recommended to Derek by: friends

Artemis Fowl and the TIme Paradox is a interesting and original story about a teenage prodigy who is also a criminal mastermind. In the previous books he has discovered a race of mythical beasts and has had many confrontations but eventually has made peace with them. But now he must ask for a big favor, he needs to go back in time using demon magic. His mother has caught a fatal sickness that can only be cured by a brain fluid of a Silky fur lemur. The problem is that it went extinct four years...more

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Jul 23, 2008 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

14 year old Artemis vs. 10 year old Artemis. It's super genius fun! It was a lot of fun to see just how far Artemis has evolved over the past 5 books. I almost found 10 year old Artemis a bit revolting. It should be interesting to see how his mom features in the next books now that she knows all of his secrets concerning the People. I wonder if he'll recruit his younger brothers for some of his future schemes.

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Jun 03, 2010 Kelvin Sparks rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Kelvin Sparks 805
English Book Review

In the book Artemis Fowl and The Time Paradox Artemis' mother is very ill and this disease is fatal and she caught it almost 'magically' and doctors, and the family are puzzled. A little bit later in the story Artemis discovers the mysterious disease is indeed magic, and is known as Spelltrophy, the N˚1 (a magical peace keeper fairy organization) had 'eradicated' the disease before. Artemis did the research and figured out the disease spreads with the use of...more Kelvin Sparks 805
English Book Review

In the book Artemis Fowl and The Time Paradox Artemis' mother is very ill and this disease is fatal and she caught it almost 'magically' and doctors, and the family are puzzled. A little bit later in the story Artemis discovers the mysterious disease is indeed magic, and is known as Spelltrophy, the N˚1 (a magical peace keeper fairy organization) had 'eradicated' the disease before. Artemis did the research and figured out the disease spreads with the use of more magic and the antidote is the brain fluid of a Lemur from Madagascar which is now extinct. Should Artemis go against humanity to save one person who happens to be his mother.

In the story Artemis faces an extremely tough decision which is: which more important saving a family members life, or saving the lives of multiple others. He has to choose between his Mother or what could be all of the world. In the story Artemis did what I thought was very foolish and picked his mom. That choice made him out to be self centered which he was depicted as in the beginning of the series a person who was rich, immoral, and self centered and that choice showed that after all he's been through he hasn't changed a bit, even through near death experiences.

I don't think that I can directly relate to this, but I have found riddles that confront every day people with a critical decision that somehow will leave people furious, even themselves. In our Socrates Cafe discussion we had one that said after a nuclear explosion there are 8 people there are no more bomb shelter there is enough food to sustain 5 people 3 must be evicted. It is a question that has no right answer, and there will always be people left furious.
All and all Artemis made a tough decision when under insane pressure and was instrumental in the book which kept me at the edge of my seat I give it a 4.5 of 5 stars enjoy!!!!!(less)

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Oct 15, 2008 Loren is currently reading it · review of another edition

July can't come fast enough.

I do hope that Colfer breaks his rule of having a passage of time pass tween books as I really want to see his parents react to getting their little 'Arty' back.

Despite the annoying change in edition/covers I believe Colfer still has it in him to pull this one out his ass. I hear whispers of an implied seventh too.

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Jan 22, 2009 Josie rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: never-again, childrens-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

10 likes · like · see review

Oct 29, 2008 Andreea rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone who read previous artemis fowl books

Shelves: reviewed, 10th-grade

"Artemis Fowl" is my all time favorite series. The protagonist is an anti-hero named Artemis Fowl. When teased that he has a female name, he said that "Artemis" is the name of the Greek goddess of hunting, and sometimes there comes along a male with such an impressive ability of hunting his enemies that he earns the right to use the name. Artemis is an 15-year old Irish genius who discovers a species of intelligent "fairies" living underground. However, these fairies aren't fairytale-like - they...more

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Aug 18, 2008 Shaya rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, summer-2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I didn't like this as much as other Artemis Fowl books I have read, but I liked the themes. I was ready for the series to end last book, or when Commander Root died.

One of the interesting themes I found was when the book showed Commander Root's real feelings about Holly. No, nothing shocking, he wasn't in love with her. But, he did think she did a great job and when he was hard on her it was because he felt he had to. I liked the exposition that the part of Root we normally saw was all an act....more

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Elizabeth Um i didnt think the kiss was pathitic at all i really dont care who artemis will end up with but the question i had what ever happened to minerva is...more
Mar 28, 2010 04:33pm

Desi I thought the same thing! (You spelled it right by the way) I guess she couldn't really be in this book given the whole time-travel plot, but I do won...more
Apr 05, 2010 02:14pm

Shaya The sound of the new book frightens me a little. He's been moving so much in the nice direction already. I was quite enjoying the conflict he had betw...more
Apr 10, 2010 07:14pm

Aug 10, 2008 Rita rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kids, loved, most-recent

This is the sixth book in the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin (pronounced Owen) Colfer. I started reading this series out loud to Alex the first week of second grade for him, which would have been back in ’02, right after we moved here. We had caught up with the Harry Potter books and people who liked that series recommended the Artemis Fowl books (at which time there were only two).

These books are very different than the Potter books, even though they attract the same audience. These are fantasy/sc...more This is the sixth book in the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin (pronounced Owen) Colfer. I started reading this series out loud to Alex the first week of second grade for him, which would have been back in ’02, right after we moved here. We had caught up with the Harry Potter books and people who liked that series recommended the Artemis Fowl books (at which time there were only two).

These books are very different than the Potter books, even though they attract the same audience. These are fantasy/sci fi books. Fairies and magic yes, but also a whole new realm of technology both human and non-human. The technology is as important as the magic. The melding of science and magic is huge. There is Foaly, the centaur who runs the surveillance for the LEPrecon (that would be the Lower Elements Police reconnaissance) who invents new gadgets and oversees them from his control booth. Captain Holly Short is the main character second only to Artemis himself in the series. She’s an elf and the first and only female captain on the LEP in fairy history. Butler (I have a big crush on Butler) is Artemis’s bodyguard. “Butlers” have been bodyguards to the Fowl family as far back as history goes, and were rumored to have coined the term “butler” for the services they provide. He’s human, but barely. He’s trained in many styles of martial arts and proficient with any weapon. Even Holly shudders when she’s had to fight against him. His ethics sometimes clash with Artemis’s, but his loyalty is to Artemis first. Artemis is an Irish criminal mastermind teenager. He invents, he writes, he dallies in medicine, art and music. He is a super-genius beyond measure (although many have tried). In the first book, he’s also possibly a sociopath.

Artemis is not a nice person when the series begins, which I thought a very interesting concept in a juvenile book. It’s up to the readers to bounce around these moral issues. He’s obviously likable to the reader, he’s our main character and he’s suave and brilliant and rich and all things that kids this age want to be. But, he’s spoiled and selfish and makes choices that hurt others often. Naturally, there is a tip in his moral balance that begins in the first book and continues, but we’re reminded now and again who Artemis was when we first met him.

In this particular book, Artemis needs to go back in time to save his mother. She’s contracted a fairy illness and the only cure is derived from a lemur that Artemis himself helped make extinct eight years prior. I’ve always had a hard time with time travel. The whole “Time Paradox” has baffled me. But, when approached head on as Colfer does, with centaurs and fairies and kindhearted demons, then how can something like time travel be unbelievable:

Artemis smiled mirthlessly. “Ah yes, the trusty time paradox . If I go back in time and kill my grandfather, then shall I cease to exist? I believe, as Gorben and Berndt did, that any repercussions are already being felt. We can only go change the future, not the past or present. If I go back, then I already have been back.

When he does go back, Artemis is pitted against his former self, the one who hasn’t yet learned any sort of ethics, the one who would allow the lemur to be killed. It makes for a heck of a story and gives us a little more insight into the mind of Artemis before we met him in the first book. Of course there are lots of twists and turns and surprises, making it the kind of book we expect from Mr. Colfer.

As a treat, go watch Eoin Colfer talk about the book himself on the Artemis Fowl website: http://www.artemisfowl.com/ Wait for the page to load, then click on The Time Paradox Video. He is quite a guy himself and a person I really admire.

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Aug 04, 2008 Moses Operandi rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: readandenjoyed

I read this quickly, as I have past volumes in the series, so my appraisal that the plot was muddled should be taken with a grain of salt; a further reading may prove I was wrong.

I really do enjoy this series. The characters, especially, are fully defined and work well together. Artemis, Butler, Holly, Mulch, Foaly, Root, have all taken a journey through the course of the series and become different people.

This new volume either underscores that or tears into pieces. Authors who meddle with time...more

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Aug 28, 2008 Jackie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: people who love magic

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · like · see review

Dec 11, 2008 Virginia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi, libraryfinds, ya-fiction

I've followed all of the Artemis Fowl books and have enjoyed their unique twist on making the faerie realm something boys can enjoy reading too (although, me not being a boy, I can't say that with 100% confidence, but I imagine the mixture of cool, James Bondian technology and a criminal mastermind boy genius as the protagonist would appeal to boys too).

This particular instance of the storyline shows Artemis really growing as a character, and I liked the contrast/comparison between himself and...more

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Feb 15, 2009 Ryan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: drama, laugher, suspense, thinker, ya, crime, irish

This book is pretty much classic Fowl. My biggest disappointment came with the first words of the book. This one is read by some guy other than who read the previous 5 books. It'd be like having someone other than Jim Dale reading HP and the Deathly Hallows. Once you've heard the same voice reading a series of stories you kinda get used to and expect certain characters to sound a specific way. I can't say I ever got used to the change. It's not that it was read poorly, it was performed quite wel...more

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Nov 14, 2008 R.j. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 04, 2008 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I LOVE these books. I put a hold on this at our small little library and it took forever to get it, but it was worth the wait. Because it involved time travel it had a complicated "which came first, the chicken or the egg" type of a plot, which I found fascinating and unpredictable. And it looks like it sets up for another book...hooray!

I actually wish I would have LISTENED to it though. The narrator they have for the book on tape version is INCREDIBLE. We have listened to many of these books wh...more

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Jan 19, 2012 Mark O'Neill rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: children, fairies, fantasy, fiction, magic

I have to be honest and say that I was getting tired of the whole Artemis Fowl franchise. I just about managed to finish the last book and I was starting to wonder if I could manage to read the next one. So much has changed over five books that I wondered what Colfer would do in book 6 to keep things interesting and fresh.[return][return]Well book 6 is here and it has totally blown me away! It was fantastic! The idea of Fowl going back in time and confronting his younger self is really intriguin...more

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Oct 25, 2011 El Templo de las Mil Puertas added it · review of another edition

Shelves: 12-eltemplo, reseñas, templis-2009, saga-extranjera, finalista

"Por fin llega a nuestras librerías la sexta entrega de las aventuras del joven genio criminal irlandés, aquél que puso en jaque a las Criaturas mágicas, el mismo que se enfrentó a la peligrosísima Opal Koboi, que inventó el extraordinario Cubo B y que viajó a la dimensión de los demonios en las anteriores novelas. Tras todas estas peripecias, Artemis por fin ha encontrado algo parecido a la paz: con su familia reunida de nuevo, alejado de los asuntos criminales y sin conflictos con las Criatura...more

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Mar 26, 2009 James rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I LOVE the Artemis Fowl series and it causes me pain to say this, but I think Eoin Colfer needs to retire the character.

This time around Artemis Fowl, formerly an adolescent criminal genius, is a teen whose rebuilt family has helped him to become a good person. As our story begins we find that the actions of the younger, evil, Artemis have had repercussions that could mean the death of his mother. With this dilemma facing him Artemis launches into an ambitious plan to travel back in time and fac...more

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May 12, 2013 Lucinda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A fantastical fantasy/ sci-fi futuristic adventure which will get your heart pounding!

Reminiscent of ‘Doctor Who’, Artemis Fowl is a young criminal genius travelling through time to face man-eating Trolls, high-tech Faries and flame-throwing Goblins. You could not find a children’s/ teens adventure story with so much inspired creative vision beyond your wildest imagination; it is very exciting!

In ‘Artemis Fowl and the time paradox’ he swaps criminal activity for a little bit of magic, (althoug...more A fantastical fantasy/ sci-fi futuristic adventure which will get your heart pounding!

Reminiscent of ‘Doctor Who’, Artemis Fowl is a young criminal genius travelling through time to face man-eating Trolls, high-tech Faries and flame-throwing Goblins. You could not find a children’s/ teens adventure story with so much inspired creative vision beyond your wildest imagination; it is very exciting!

In ‘Artemis Fowl and the time paradox’ he swaps criminal activity for a little bit of magic, (although complete with mayhem) Artemis travels through time to try and steal a cure from a devious mastermind, which he hopes will help his mother who is extremely ill. With, Fairy ally Captain Holly Short by his side, Artemis must face his deadliest enemy yet…

This brilliantly drawn tale is engagingly vivid, exciting and full of dry wit and humor that will make you laugh-out-loud. Reading one of Artemis’ adventures is like reading a comic strip filled with non-stop action and nail-biting drama, which leaves you completely and utterly breathless. This is a real page-turner and one that both adults and kids alike will absolutely love, for it brings out the explorer in all of us. Ingenious schemes combined with a remarkable and quite extraordinary plot, left me in awe of Eoin Colfer’s genius as a writer.

This exclusive, limited edition book contains extra material including another Artemis Fowl story inside, which contains even more fairy action and adventure! Additionally inside is an announcement regarding Colfer’s new novel based on the incredible Douglas Adam’s science-fiction series “The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, and if that wasn’t tempting enough snippets on the other books and ‘Artemis Fowl: the graphic Novel’ are included.

Enter Artemis Fowl’s wicked world at ~ artemisfowl.co.uk

Amid heart-pounding intensity and electric tension is a deeply engrossing storyline, which is so jam-packed and highly readable that it will have you clutching the pages tightly throughout. I love these books and cannot enthuse enough about Artemis Fowl who is so fantastic! If you love science-fiction and time travel, exploration and danger (complete with a colorful cast of captivating characters and curious creatures), then you will truly enjoy this spellbinding read.
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Apr 20, 2013 Sally rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks

I got this audiobook from my local library, and after seeing some reviews by others who listened to another reader, I'm glad I was able to continue listening to Nathanal Parker's read. The other mistake I made was to listen to this one out of order, after listening to Book 7, The Atlantis Complex. It was a little confusing until I realized what I had done. That didn't ruin the story, but since Artemis and his relationship with the fairy world progress through the series, it is really best to rea...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Maythavee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Wow, just when I thought this series couldn’t get any better! The Time Paradox blew me away! It was just so good. If you didn’t like Artemis Fowl before reading this book and you still don’t like him now, I seriously question your judgment because how? He was adorable as a big brother to Beckett and Myles. Ugh, his pain when he found out that he might be reasonable for his mother’s illness and his determination to cure her. I just can’t fully express my love for him. The thing that I really love...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Al rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Artemis's mother has contracted a deadly disease--and the only cure lies in the brain fluid of Africanlemurs. Unfortunately, Artemis himself was responsible for making the lemurs extinct five years ago. Now he must enlist the aid of his fairy friends to travel back in time and save the lemur. Not only that, but he must face his deadliest foe yet: his younger self.

From School Library Journal

Fourteen-year-old genius and mastermind Artemis Fowl realizes that he has a problem. His mother is neari

...more

Artemis's mother has contracted a deadly disease--and the only cure lies in the brain fluid of African lemurs. Unfortunately, Artemis himself was responsible for making the lemurs extinct five years ago. Now he must enlist the aid of his fairy friends to travel back in time and save the lemur. Not only that, but he must face his deadliest foe yet: his younger self.

From School Library Journal

Fourteen-year-old genius and mastermind Artemis Fowl realizes that he has a problem. His mother is nearing death and the only thing that can save her is the brain fluid from a species of lemur that he forced into extinction eight years earlier. He decides that he must travel back in time to right this terrible wrong but his younger self is present in the past and proceeds to challenge the older Artemis's every move. At the older Artemis's side is elf Captain Holly Short of the Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance (LEPrecon) and Mulch Diggums, a dwarf known for his potent flatulence and ground-munching abilities. The trio struggle to circumvent destiny but find the past fraught with deception. The story flows with quick-witted humor and action-packed scenes, and Colfer's love of science shines through in the story's inventions and clever use of engineering. The dueling technology and a game match between clashing masterminds make for an exciting, modern-day fairy tale. There is no integration of previous story lines; while this does not take away from the resolution, it does leave readers questioning some backstory. The author once again offers an exhilarating ride through the fantastical world of Artemis Fowl.—Robyn Gioia, Bolles School, Ponte Vedra, FL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

A huge hit Guardian Wickedly brilliant Independent Fast, funny and very exciting Daily Mail Folklore, fantasy and high-tech wizardry ... Hugely entertaining Observer Artemis is a brilliant creation -- Author Of The Alex Rider Series Anthony Horowitz

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Dec 09, 2012 Bücherplanet rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Das Abenteuer um Artemis Fowl geht in die sechste Runde und ist nicht weniger spannend und aufregend als seine Vorgänger!

In 'Die verlorene Kolonie' retteten Artemis und Holly die Insel Hybras, aber retten ist etwas zu viel gesagt, eher retteten sie die Einwohner der Insel. Und unter diesen Einwohnern war auch der mächtige Zauberlehrling Knirps oder auch Nummer Eins genannt ' zum großen Glück für Artemis und seine Familie, denn Angeline Fowl, die Mutter von Artemis, ist schwer erkrankt und das ei...more

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Nov 06, 2012 Conner Daves rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Out of the six Artemis Fowl books i've read this one is the best so far. I loved every part of it!The layout of how Artemis Fowl Jr. A super genuis,rich,cunning,thief slowly falls in love with Holly Short a field agent for the LEPrechaun task force. I loved the whole thing because Artemis, and holy don't even know their falling for each other. In the beginning Artemise's mom falls ill to a fairy desease, and artemis is to blame. He calls his friends from the LEP to help, and #1 one of the last w...more

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Oct 12, 2012 Christy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: middle-grade, time-travel

After disappearing for three years, Artemis Fowl has returned to a life different from the one he left. Now he's a big brother, and spends his days teaching his twin siblings the important things in life, such as how to properly summon a waiter at a French restaurant.

But when Artemis Fowl's mother contracts a life-threatening illness, his world is turned upside down. The o...more After disappearing for three years, Artemis Fowl has returned to a life different from the one he left. Now he's a bi...more

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Jul 18, 2012 Josiah rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

**Not too spoilery, there may be one or two things that aren't present in the official premise, but you discover them fairly quickly anyway.**

I have truly grown fond of the Artemis Fowl series since I first read it as a child, which is probably the reason why I can go back and read the first four books in the series, despite the younger age demographic and slightly juvenile writing. The first four books were great fun to read because they had charm and they made enough sense for me to suspend re...more **Not too spoilery, there may be one or two things that aren't present in the official premise, but you discover them fairly quickly anyway.**

I have truly grown fond of the Artemis Fowl series since I first read it as a child, which is probably the reason why I can go back and read the first four books in the series, despite the younger age demographic and slightly juvenile writing. The first four books were great fun to read because they had charm and they made enough sense for me to suspend reality and just enjoy it. *This* book, however, jumped the shark...enormously.

First off, Colfer practically shoves his environmentalist views on the reader the entire time. Though this isn't exactly new to the series, and it's not always a terrible thing, subtlety is the key. This book is about as subtle as an oil tanker crashing into a field of baby seals. My God, the antagonist in this book is so one sided, so hilariously evil, that there is no facet of his personality or plan that the reader can even understand, never mind sympathize with. Colfer's one attempt at giving this eco-terrorist a motive, ambiguity, humanity...fails horribly. The fact that so much of the plot rests on this man's shoulders makes my heart ache.

Let's move on to the second problem with this book, the one that the title implies: A Time Paradox. Time Paradox, indeed. In this book, Artemis and Holly must go back in time to change the past, because, as we all know, Artemis was kind of a douche when he was younger, and he made a ruthless deal with the...*shudder*...Extinctionists, whose goal is to make most animals in the world extinct. Why? Who knows? (It is actually explained in the book, and it has to do with some convoluted utilitarian philosophy that made me want to throw the book out the window in disbelief). So this deal happened and the one thing that could have saved his mother was extinguished from the world by his own doing. How poetic...and also dismally contrived. I mean, really, what are the chances? There's no magic or fate or anything, it's just by pure frickin' coincidence. Anyway...throughout the book, there are several interactions between the future Artemis and Holly and past characters. This is dangerous, dangerous territory. Some authors do this well, many do not, and one can guess by my tone that I don't think Colfer executed this trope very well...at all. When you retroactively add scenes into a universe, which is obviously what he did, it has to make sense; some detail from the earlier books should come into place that makes the reader go "huh, I guess that's why that happened", or something like that, but NO. These isolated interactions are just there, they are never fully explained, the reader says to him or herself "Wow, they should really be effing up the space-time continuum" but...nope, guess not.

I don't have much to say about the characters, except that some of them have strange traits that were never mentioned before in any of the five books before it, therefore adding nothing to the story and, actually, retracting from it by ruining the immersion. For example, Holly cricks her neck to the side to do magic. It's just a thing she does. Oh, really? Well, thanks for never mentioning it in any of the previous books. This may seem small but it is important. Always establish basic character traits off the bat. Major changes, even outright betrayal, etc. That's fair game for future books (as long as it makes sense in the context of the story). It's called character development. Little stuff like this, don't bother if you didn't establish it in the first place. It's irking, and it makes me feel like I don't really know the characters anymore. One thing I have to say about the book, though, is the baffling and unexpected romance that springs up. It's a bit weird, to say the least, but it piqued my interest, so there you go.

This book...I can't say I had huge expectations after reading the last one (which I was also fairly disappointed in), but I did not anticipate such a heartbreakingly bad book. I don't know what happened, but I am seriously bummed out, because although I love these characters and grew up with them, I truly can't get past how badly I hate the writing in this book. Reading many of these reviews, most people seemed to like it, which I don't really understand but it's cool that other people are satisfied with it, I guess. I just wish I hadn't invested such a chunk of myself into this book series that turned into something that I despise. I guess I'll always have the first four, though, and that'll have to be enough.
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About Eoin Colfer

Eoin Colfer (pronounced Owen) was born in Wexford on the South-East coast of Ireland in 1965, where he and his four brothers were brought up by his father and mother, who were both educators.

He received his degree from Dublin University and began teaching primary school in Wexford. He has lived and worked all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. After the publication of the A...more

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Trivia About The Time Paradox

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Quotes from The Time Paradox

“Who are you?" he asked.
I am the future queen of this world, at the very least. You may refer to me as Mistress Koboi for the next five minutes. After that you may refer to me as Aaaaarrrrgh, hold your throat, die screaming, and so on.” — 323 people liked it

“Artemis felt like he was six again and caught hacking the school computers trying to make the test questions harder” — 301 people liked it

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Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox (Artemis Fowl #6)

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