I've had a lot of time on my hands this summer, and with my computer unable to play any sort of game I've been reading much more than I normally do at this time of year. Still being a child at heart I picked up AFTAC as soon as I saw it in the bookshop. I'm really sorry to say that, compared to Colfer's normal style AFTAC is disappointing to say the least. The idea is interesting: Artemis gets OCD, paranoia and an alter ego (well I suppose there's not much you can do after Artemis v. Artemis v. Opal Koboi), and a villain hellbent on revenge and reclaiming his old empire after being released from prison.
The problem is that between what happens to the Butlers (Domovoi and Juliet), the villain's escape and return to his hideout, Holly Artemis and Foaly being in mortal danger (again), and what is going on in Artemis's head, there is simply too much going on to create a decent plot. Compared to when Demons are added to the mix or when the LEP are trying to reclaim the Cube (in the Eternity Code), the Atlantis Complex is just sad.
Ok, Colfer is writing for young adults (not strictly teenagers), and no ordinary young adult wants to read a 500+ page book, but that is the only way AFTAC would have worked. I can hope that the next Artemis Fowl book is better.
