The Arctic Incident

Holly Short wants to know who is giving the goblins human technology; Artemis Fowl wants to locate his father, who is being kept captive in Russia; and Foaly wants to know who has turned off all of the LEP equipment and is blaming him for it. After receiving a demand for a ransom for his father, Artemis is arrested by the LEP on suspicion of giving the goblins harmful human technology, namely batteries. He persuades them of his innocence and offers to assist them in exchange for their aid in releasing his father. Meanwhile, anarchy has broken out in the subterranean realm. Unknown traitor has amassed a legion of armed trolls and taken illicit weapons, releasing them to terrorize the populace. Captain Holly Short follows the trail of clues that lead her directly to Artemis. She avenges herself somewhat by capturing him, exactly as he had done to her before. But she quickly finds out that Artemis isn't the cause of the mayhem, and she will need his assistance if she hopes to stop it. Consequently, these former rivals are forced to work together—a combination that turns out to be endearing and explosive.

Colfer's universe is as bit as colorful and imaginative as any recently published shire, gotham, or galaxy far, far away. Rating: A-.