Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian – A Book Review

Plotline: Spoiler-Free

Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian starts in Haven City where Artemis is finishing up his counseling for his Atlantis Complex. Once Cured of his sickness, Artemis, Butler, and Holly are whisked action once again. Opal Kobio orchestrates the kidnapping of herself.  She has her lackeys kidnap the Opal Kobio that followed Artemis from the past into the present in Book 5. 

Opal orders her lackeys to kill her younger self. When they do this creates a huge problem. Instead of ceasing to exist, the Opal that belongs in the present turns into pure energy and uses that energy to break herself out of jail and as a mass of energy herself up to Fowl Manor. 

Fowl Manor is the site of a battle that took place between fairies and humans many years ago. At this battle, a group of warriors called beserkers were buried to protect a gate. They were buried using magic. This magic allows a fairy to summon the beserkers if the hold the key to the gate. 

Opal as pure energy becomes the key to the key to the gate. She summons the beserkers to watch her back while she works on opening the second gate. The second gate, if opened, will eliminate every human above ground. Opal, by doing this, is planning on becoming the supreme ruler of the world. 

Artemis, Holly, and Butler arrive at Fowl Manor and try to stop Opal. Just when it seems that Opal is about to kill them, Mulch Diggums shows up and saves them. He had been trying to steal some paintings from Fowl Manor and was in a perfect position to save them. 

Artemis, Holly, Butler, and Mulch are then tasked with stopping Opal from opening the second lock. Artemis devises a plan to stop her. It’s a selfless plan that for him would have been unthinkable a few years previous. 

Will Artemis be able to stop Opal? Read and find out. 

My Thoughts on Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian (Spoiler Alert)

I read most of the Artemis Fowl books as a kid. As I’d finish the newest one, I’d eagerly wait for the next one. This was the process until about book 4 where I just lost interest. Like many of you, I regained interest when Disney came out with a movie. I was so excited to see some of my favorite childhood characters come to life. However, I found myself disappointed with the film and decided to reread the series in its entirety. 

This book completes the character arc of Artemis Fowl. He went from being the biggest spoiled brat in the world, one who only cared about himself, to sacrificing himself for all of humanity. It’s an arc of redemption and truly satisfying to see. 

As demonstrated throughout the series, he cares about Humanity and Fairy alike. Not only would he put himself in danger to save both Humanity and Fairy, but he makes the ultimate sacrifice. Not only does he save Humanity from death, but he also saves the fairies from an evil would-be queen in Opal Kobio. 

To read the heartbreak of those who love Artemis truly touching. It’s touching to think that just a few years earlier, many of those who cared for him hated him. Even the worst of humanity can change and become something that others love and respect, but the change comes down to the person’s willingness to change.

Though I had read many of the books in this series before, this is the first time I’ve read Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian. I’m not sure how I feel about it as an ending to a beloved series from my childhood. It’s hard to see a beloved series end. It’s even harder for it to end without some answers. 

After some research, it seems like the biggest question many have is, what happens to Artemis and Holly? There is a clear romantic element between the two that goes completely unsettled and I found it, well, disappointing. 

The Ending is satisfying in that it ties back to the first paragraph of chapter 1 of book 1, it left me wanting. I wanted more; I wanted answers. But I guess that’s kind of synonymous with real life. Sometimes you get exactly what you want. and other times you don’t. 

Posted By: glfbooks.com · In: Book Reviews, Fantasy