“The Arctic Incident. It sounded like a bad movie, probably starring a washed-up action hero and a girl band.”
— Artemis's internal monologue about the name of the incident.
Archivist's Choice
The Arctic Incident
Eoin Colfer (2001)
Genre
Fantasy / Children's / Science Fiction / Young Adult
Reading Time
360 min
Key Themes
See below
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Artemis Fowl, a pre-teen criminal genius, must team up with his former pixie captor, Captain Holly Short, to save his father and stop a goblin uprising armed with human tech, preventing chaos in both the human and magical worlds.
Synopsis
Artemis Fowl, still a brilliant criminal, receives a ransom demand for his father, held captive in the Arctic. At the same time, a goblin uprising threatens the magical Lower Elements, fueled by stolen human technology. The Lower Elements Police (LEP) suspect Artemis of supplying these dangerous batteries and capture him.
Artemis convinces Captain Holly Short and Commander Root he is innocent and agrees to help them find the real traitor and stop the goblin war. In return, the LEP will help him rescue his father. As Artemis and Holly form a tense alliance, they navigate the politics of the Lower Elements and the Arctic's frozen wastes. They discover the goblin rebellion's leader is Briar Cudgeon, a disgraced LEP commander who wants to overthrow the current leadership. The unlikely team must stop Cudgeon's plans, end the goblin war, and save Artemis's father, all while preventing a magical disaster.
Reading time
360 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Action-packed, Witty, Adventurous, Suspenseful
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy a thrilling blend of fantasy and sci-fi with a clever anti-hero and plenty of action.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer your protagonists to be unambiguously good or dislike complex magical/technological systems.
Plot Summary
A Father's Plea and a Goblin Uprising
Six months after the first book, Artemis Fowl II has recurring nightmares about his father, Artemis Fowl I, who disappeared three years ago. He gets a coded email he deciphers as a ransom note from the Russian Mafia, confirming his father is alive and held in Murmansk. At the same time, underground, Captain Holly Short of the LEP (Lower Elements Police) investigates violent goblin uprisings. These goblins have human technology, specifically 'C' cell batteries modified into powerful energy weapons, causing damage and casualties among fairies. LEP reconnaissance efforts are hindered by widespread jamming of their advanced technology.
Artemis's Capture and Foaly's Suspicions
Artemis, Butler, and Juliet plan a rescue mission to Russia, believing the ransom demand is real and he can retrieve his father. Meanwhile, the LEP, led by Commander Root, tracks the human technology supplied to the goblins. Their investigation, led by the centaur Foaly, points to Artemis Fowl due to his past dealings with fairies and his known genius. Just as Artemis is about to leave, LEP officers, including Holly Short, ambush and capture him. He is taken to a secure LEP facility for questioning.
Interrogation and a Desperate Alliance
During interrogation, Artemis, though human, outwits the LEP's truth serum, proving his innocence regarding the goblin arms dealing. He shows them the decoded ransom note for his father, suggesting a larger conspiracy. Foaly, still suspicious, admits Artemis's alibi holds up. Facing the growing goblin threat and mysterious system jamming, Commander Root reluctantly agrees to a temporary alliance with Artemis. In exchange for his help in finding the real leader of the goblin uprising and technology sabotage, the LEP will help Artemis rescue his father. This uneasy truce sets up their combined operation.
The Traitor Revealed: Briar Cudgeon
Back in the Lower Elements, Foaly continues his investigation into the technology jamming and the source of the modified 'C' cell batteries. His surveillance and hacking skills lead him to a shocking discovery: the traitor is Briar Cudgeon, a disgraced former LEP Commander. Cudgeon, driven by revenge and power, has allied with the B'wa Kell, a militant goblin group. Cudgeon supplies them with human technology, aiming to start a full-scale war between fairies and goblins, and ultimately take control of the LEP. Foaly relays this information to Commander Root, Artemis, and Holly.
Journey to Murmansk
With this new information, the team focuses on locating Artemis Fowl I. The LEP, using their advanced stealth technology, transports Artemis, Butler, and Holly to Murmansk, Russia. The plan is to use Artemis's knowledge of the human world and LEP resources to infiltrate the Russian Mafia's stronghold. The journey is tense, as Artemis and Holly, despite their shared goal, still distrust each other from their previous meeting. Butler remains a stoic bodyguard, watching the fragile alliance. They arrive in Murmansk, a desolate, icy port city, and begin scouting the suspected location where Artemis Fowl I is held, preparing for a dangerous rescue.
Infiltration and Discovery
The team successfully infiltrates the Russian Mafia's compound in Murmansk. Using human espionage and fairy technology, they navigate the heavily guarded facility. They find Artemis Fowl I, not a regular prisoner, but cryogenically frozen in a special chamber. The Russian Mafia, led by Madame Ko, captured him after his ship sank and froze him, hoping to use his genius or for a higher ransom. Finding him frozen adds urgency and complexity to the rescue, as thawing him requires special medical equipment and carries risks.
The Goblin War Erupts
While Artemis, Holly, and Butler are in Russia, Briar Cudgeon carries out his plan. He fully arms the B'wa Kell goblins with the modified batteries and unleashes them across the Lower Elements, starting a full-scale war against the LEP and other fairy species. The underground cities descend into chaos as the goblins, empowered by their new weapons, cause destruction. Back at LEP central, Foaly works on a countermeasure. He realizes the goblin weapons use human batteries and races to develop a device that can disable them without harming the goblins. His solution is a powerful electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that can overload the batteries.
Thawing Artemis Fowl I and a Narrow Escape
The team begins the delicate process of thawing Artemis Fowl I, racing against time as the Russian Mafia becomes aware of their presence. Thawing is slow and requires careful monitoring to prevent brain damage. As Artemis Fowl I starts to revive, the Mafia attacks their position. Butler, with his combat skills, fights off waves of attackers, while Holly provides cover fire and medical aid. Artemis uses his intellect to devise an escape route. They manage to get Artemis Fowl I, still disoriented and weak, out of the compound, but their escape is a desperate dash through Murmansk's snowy streets under heavy fire.
The Battle for the Lower Elements
With Artemis Fowl I safe but recovering, Artemis and Holly return to the Lower Elements to help fight Cudgeon and the B'wa Kell. The underground world is in disarray, with battles across various sectors. Commander Root's forces struggle against the goblin army's firepower. Foaly has developed the EMP device, but it needs to be deployed effectively across the war zones. Artemis and Holly, now working as a more cohesive unit, coordinate with Root to plan the EMP's deployment and confront Cudgeon directly. The stakes are high, as the fairy world's existence hangs in the balance.
Cudgeon's Downfall and the EMP Deployment
Artemis and Holly, with Butler, lead a mission to confront Briar Cudgeon, who oversees the goblin offensive. They track him to his command center, a fortified bunker. A fierce battle follows, with Butler fighting Cudgeon's guards. Meanwhile, Artemis and Holly work together to activate and deploy Foaly's EMP device across the Lower Elements. The EMP pulses through the underground world, overloading and disabling all modified 'C' cell batteries used by the goblins. The B'wa Kell's weapons fail, leaving them disarmed and confused, ending their terror and turning the war's tide for the LEP.
Aftermath and Reconciliation
With their weapons disabled, LEP forces quickly subdue the B'wa Kell goblins. Briar Cudgeon is captured, his plan for revenge and power thwarted. Afterward, the Lower Elements begin recovery and rebuilding. Artemis Fowl I, though still weak, is safely back in Ireland, slowly recovering from his cryogenic ordeal with medical help. His memory is fragmented, making his full recovery uncertain. The alliance between Artemis and the LEP, though strained, proved effective. A newfound, grudging respect exists between Artemis and Holly, recognizing their shared abilities and their capacity to work together despite differences.
Principal Figures
Artemis Fowl II
The Protagonist
Artemis moves from a purely self-interested criminal to a reluctant ally of the fairies, learning the value of cooperation and developing a more nuanced understanding of right and wrong.
Captain Holly Short
The Protagonist
Holly's initial distrust of Artemis slowly transforms into a grudging respect and a more complex understanding of his character.
Butler
The Supporting
Butler remains a steadfast protector, his loyalty unwavering, but he adapts his methods to the unique challenges presented by the fairy world.
Foaly
The Supporting
Foaly's paranoia is validated by Cudgeon's betrayal, but he learns to channel his anxieties into productive innovation and grudging cooperation.
Commander Julius Root
The Supporting
Root is forced to adapt his rigid command style, learning to trust unlikely allies like Artemis to overcome an existential threat.
Briar Cudgeon
The Antagonist
Cudgeon's arc is one of escalating villainy, culminating in his complete defeat and exposure.
Artemis Fowl I
The Supporting
Artemis Fowl I's arc is primarily one of being rescued and beginning a long, uncertain recovery from a state of suspended animation.
Juliet Butler
The Supporting
Juliet's arc highlights her growing maturity and competence as a bodyguard, proving herself capable alongside her brother.
Madame Ko
The Mentioned
Madame Ko serves as a temporary antagonist, her criminal enterprise disrupted by the protagonists' rescue mission.
The B'wa Kell
The Mentioned
The B'wa Kell's arc is one of being empowered by a villain, becoming a major threat, and then being disarmed and subdued.
Themes & Insights
The Nature of Family and Loyalty
Family loyalty is a central theme, especially Artemis's dedication to finding and rescuing his father. Despite his criminal tendencies, his love for his father motivates him, leading him to form an alliance with the LEP. This also applies to the Butler family's loyalty to the Fowls, as Butler and Juliet risk their lives to help Artemis. The book explores how far one will go for family, even when facing danger or compromising principles. Artemis's willingness to work with Holly, whom he dislikes, for his father's sake, highlights this theme.
“"There's no one in the world who can't be bought. Of course, there are a few exceptions. People like Butler. And me, when it comes to my father."”
Unlikely Alliances and Grudging Respect
This theme explores how enemies can be forced to work together against a common, greater threat, leading to an unexpected change in their relationship. Artemis and Holly, enemies in the first book, must form a fragile alliance. Their early interactions are filled with mistrust, sarcasm, and a desire for revenge, but as they face danger together, a grudging respect grows. They learn to value each other's unique skills, realizing their combined strengths are necessary to defeat Briar Cudgeon. This dynamic is a cornerstone of the book's story and character growth.
“"He was a criminal, a genius, and a complete pain in the posterior. But he was also, undeniably, on their side. For now, at least."”
Technology and Its Abuse
Technology is a double-edged sword in 'The Arctic Incident'. Foaly's advanced fairy technology is vital for LEP operations, but it also becomes a weakness when Briar Cudgeon exploits it through jamming. More importantly, human technology, specifically 'C' cell batteries, is weaponized by Cudgeon and given to the goblins, turning a common item into a destructive force. This shows technology's potential for misuse and the dangers of combining human and fairy tech without proper understanding or control. Foaly's eventual counter-weapon, an EMP, shows that technology can also be used to lessen its own destructive power.
“"The human world was a constant source of innovation, and a constant threat. What they created with one hand, they often destroyed with the other."”
Prejudice and Understanding
The book explores the prejudices between different species and within the fairy world. Humans are largely viewed with suspicion by fairies, a feeling Artemis often returns. Goblins are stereotyped as dim-witted and violent, a prejudice Cudgeon exploits. Through the forced alliance, characters like Holly and Root begin to see Artemis as more than a human criminal, recognizing his intelligence and loyalty. Conversely, Artemis gains a deeper understanding of the fairy world's complexities. This theme suggests that cooperation can break down preconceived notions.
“"Humans. Always had to complicate things. But sometimes, just sometimes, they had their uses."”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Ransom Note / Coded Message
The catalyst for Artemis's involvement, hinting at his father's survival.
The coded email Artemis receives acts as the inciting incident for his personal quest. It provides the crucial information that his father, Artemis Fowl I, is alive and being held captive, directly driving Artemis's actions and forcing him to seek aid. This device is a classic mystery element, compelling the protagonist to unravel a puzzle and embark on a dangerous mission. It also serves to connect the human criminal underworld with the larger fairy conflict, as the LEP's investigation of the goblin uprising inadvertently leads them to Artemis and his father's predicament.
Technological Jamming
Disables LEP equipment, creating vulnerability and mystery.
The widespread jamming of LEP technology is a critical plot device. It cripples the fairies' superior surveillance and communication systems, creating an atmosphere of chaos and vulnerability. This not only heightens the stakes of the goblin uprising but also directs suspicion towards Artemis, as human technology is capable of such interference. The jamming forces Foaly to work harder to identify the true culprit, eventually leading to the reveal of Briar Cudgeon. It also emphasizes the reliance of the fairies on their tech and the dangers of having it compromised.
Cryogenic Freezing
The unusual method of holding Artemis Fowl I captive.
The discovery that Artemis Fowl I is cryogenically frozen rather than simply imprisoned adds a unique twist to the rescue mission. This device not only explains his prolonged survival after his ship was sunk but also introduces a new set of challenges for his rescue and recovery. It emphasizes the ruthlessness and sophistication of the Russian Mafia, who saw him as an asset to be preserved. The delicate process of thawing and his subsequent amnesia create ongoing consequences, impacting his immediate future and adding emotional depth to Artemis II's quest.
Modified 'C' Cell Batteries
Ordinary human items transformed into dangerous weapons.
These seemingly innocuous human batteries are transformed into powerful energy weapons by Briar Cudgeon, serving as the primary destructive force for the goblin uprising. This device highlights the dangerous potential when human and fairy technology intersect, especially when in malicious hands. It also creates a specific target for Foaly to counter, leading to the development of the EMP. The commonality of 'C' cell batteries makes their weaponization particularly insidious, demonstrating how everyday items can be repurposed for destructive ends.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Foley had installed a few upgrades. The most notable of these was a self-destruct mechanism that would reduce the shuttle to a pile of molten slag.”
— Describing the features of the new fairy shuttle.
“Trusting a goblin was like trusting a snake not to bite you.”
— Holly's thoughts on dealing with goblins.
“There were only two kinds of people in Artemis Fowl's world: those he could manipulate, and those he couldn't.”
— Artemis's early worldview.
“It was a strange feeling, being outsmarted. Artemis wasn't used to it. He didn't like it.”
— Artemis reflecting on being outmaneuvered by others.
“Even a genius like Artemis Fowl could be surprised. Sometimes pleasantly, sometimes not.”
— Narrator's observation about Artemis's experiences.
“A good villain is just a hero with a different perspective.”
— Root's cynical view on the nature of good and evil.
“The truth was a slippery thing. It could be bent, twisted, or simply ignored.”
— Artemis contemplating the malleability of truth.
“He knew that the only way to beat a Fowl was to think like a Fowl. Which, unfortunately, was a very dangerous thing to do.”
— A character's realization about the Fowl family tactics.
“There was a fine line between genius and madness, and sometimes Artemis Fowl danced on it like a ballerina.”
— Narrator's description of Artemis's intellectual state.
“Family, thought Holly, was a strange and complicated thing. Especially when your family was trying to kill you.”
— Holly's musings on family dynamics, particularly with Cudgeon.
“Sometimes, even the most cold-hearted individual could be swayed by a well-placed lie. Or, failing that, a well-placed explosion.”
— Artemis's pragmatic approach to problem-solving.
“The world was full of wonders, and most of them were dangerous.”
— A general observation about the world of the book.
“It wasn't about being good or evil, it was about being smart enough to survive.”
— Artemis's philosophy on existence.
“He was a boy, yes, but he was also a Fowl. And Fowls never gave up.”
— A statement about Artemis's resilience and family legacy.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The central conflict begins with Artemis Fowl receiving a ransom demand for his father, Artemis Fowl Senior, who is being held captive in Russia. Simultaneously, the Lower Elements Police (LEP) are dealing with widespread technology malfunctions and a goblin uprising armed with human batteries, leading them to suspect Artemis.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
