Book Review: The Time Paradox

Is Artemis Fowl so well-known that there are no other enemies to challenge him? In Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox, Eoin Colfer's sixth book on the child genius, the now-reformed criminal mastermind is facing one of the greatest challenges of all times: outwitting his focused, heartless ten-year-old self.

Artemis' family has been painstakingly put back together, and his disappearance for three long years (fighting Demons in Limbo; Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony) has been well-hidden and forgotten. His father is now a hale and hearty philantrophist. His gentle mother has been restored to sanity. He is attempting to teach his twin siblings the important things in life. Life is looking as good as it can possibly be - until his mother contracts a life-threatening illness: one that has repercussions on the magical world as well.

Taking matters into his own hands, he tricks his best non-human friends, Pixie Captain Holly Short and technical wizard Foaly the centaur, into taking him back in time to find the only thing that can save his mother's life - the now extinct lemur. Ironically, the present Artemis' goal in saving the lemur now is the same as the one he had seven years ago when he was trying to kill the lemur: to find a cure for his mother's illness.

Yes, Irish author, Eoin Colfer, writes magical myths - fairies, demons, krakens, dwarfs and centaurs run riot over the pages of the book.

Eoin Colfer has successfully grown his young protagonist over the years and books from a self-centred, money-minded plotter into a mature young man, fallible at times, self-centred at others, but generous and thoughtful in many other ways. This shows up very clearly in the fight between the past and the present Artemis, when moral scruples are brought to light. However, inklings of the young Artemis' changing heart can also be seen in some of his retrospective actions - such as when he showers the people with money to compensate for what he has taken.

I love the familiar banter that has grown up between Artemis and Holly, once deadly enemies. The fight between Artemis and Artemis something not to be missed, as the older Artemis finds that history has been changed, just by their going back in time.

Money, as Artemis realises, isn't everything. Family is a great thing to have, and Artemis' fight to save his mother is a commendable one, using every leverage he can. Friendship, however, is one that that should not be taken lightly, and this was shown up very clearly in the coldness with which Holly treats Artemis when she finds out that he has tricked them into taking him back in time. As she then says, "we would have done it based on our friendship!"

A time paradox it really is, but one that is light and yet heartfelt. Oh yes, and in between all that, Artemis does also manage to save Holly Short all over again.