I seem to remember seeing those when I read the books long ago, now that you mention them, but those obviously weren't vocally recorded. They weren't even mentioned, for that matter.
I never considered that, but he kinda does. I need to actually read a Sherlock Holmes book, since my only exposure has been the tropes in various shows.
I thought the Swear Toads thing was funny. Though it is interesting that they mention wands only there and no other reference is really made to being able to create species.
That is pretty curious. I feel like the magic and creatures of the AF universe are unique, even if they share commonly used names of mythological creatures.
When Holly is first going to report in for work: "Swear toads infested every damp patch, cursing like sailors. That particular breed began as a joke, but had multiplied into an epidemic. Someone lost their wand over that one."
It was rather comical that the Centaur wears a foil hat because he thinks the humans are reading his mind as opposed to the usual direction of humans thinking some other creature is reading their minds.
Everything about Foaly is great. But especially given the fairy technology having hijacked nearly every human communication systems, who would be able to turn that around without Foaly noticing?
I love how the fairy bureaucracy serves as a sort of parody of our real human bureaucracy. The red tape they have to get through, and some of the ways that characters try to circumvent it, seems like things that would really happen.
If you can spend some time above ground and just look like you're a character, I can see the appeal. Kinda surprised there aren't any colonies that masquerade themselves as midgets or something.
The fake finger was funny. Though I am curious about the fake butt. Partly why did he unhook it if he wasn't going to do anything with it other than say it does nothing. If he just wanted to show it off he didn't have to unhook it.
I did like the characters, but they really could have had Juliet do at least one thing to show her training. I'm curious how the mesmer is supposed to end.
I really liked this book, even more than I remembered from when I read it back in middle school. As I discussed in chat, there were a lot of things that I just didn't catch back then. Tin foil hat on Foaly, some adult-esque humor here and there, but nothing inappropriate. Probably made it on my top 5 books, definitely made it on the top 10.
I think one of the things I most enjoy about AF is Colfer weaves magic and technology together, and the tech side is often possible, or at least not too far of a stretch from possible. Fairy tech is a little far fetched, but so it should be.
Related, there are some firearms in the second book that use standard AAA batteries to fire essentially charged beams. https://artemisfowl.fandom.com/wiki/Softnose_Lasers
So the hard copy has a bit of coded text on each page. For those curious: https://artemisfowl.fangathering.com/books/codes-artemis-fowl/
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember seeing those when I read the books long ago, now that you mention them, but those obviously weren't vocally recorded. They weren't even mentioned, for that matter.
DeleteArtemis kind of has a Sherlock Holmes feel when they first meet the informant. I liked it.
ReplyDeleteI never considered that, but he kinda does. I need to actually read a Sherlock Holmes book, since my only exposure has been the tropes in various shows.
DeleteI thought the Swear Toads thing was funny. Though it is interesting that they mention wands only there and no other reference is really made to being able to create species.
ReplyDeleteWell, Breeds I guess
DeleteThat is pretty curious. I feel like the magic and creatures of the AF universe are unique, even if they share commonly used names of mythological creatures.
DeleteHmm..I must have missed the part about swear toads. Explain?
DeleteWhen Holly is first going to report in for work:
Delete"Swear toads infested every damp patch, cursing like sailors. That particular breed began as a joke, but had multiplied into an epidemic. Someone lost their wand over that one."
I remember that part, but it didn't occur to me that wands were only mentioned there and not elsewhere.
Deleteyeah I didn't realize that aspect until posting about it
DeleteIt was rather comical that the Centaur wears a foil hat because he thinks the humans are reading his mind as opposed to the usual direction of humans thinking some other creature is reading their minds.
ReplyDeleteEverything about Foaly is great. But especially given the fairy technology having hijacked nearly every human communication systems, who would be able to turn that around without Foaly noticing?
DeleteI also liked when Root said he was going to make up for his age with "a really big gun"
ReplyDeleteRoot reminds me of some other character I've seen or read, but I can't place who it is. The way he plays hard ball is great, though.
DeleteIt was funny how it described Root reactivating himself as going much faster than usual because he "had a bit of influence with the commander"
ReplyDeleteI love how the fairy bureaucracy serves as a sort of parody of our real human bureaucracy. The red tape they have to get through, and some of the ways that characters try to circumvent it, seems like things that would really happen.
DeleteYes, but I hope you got the reference to the fact that he is the commander
DeleteIt was interesting that Disney Land is popular among the fairies
ReplyDeleteIf you can spend some time above ground and just look like you're a character, I can see the appeal. Kinda surprised there aren't any colonies that masquerade themselves as midgets or something.
DeleteThe guy who sold his shares when the shuttles were shut down was smart.
ReplyDeleteDid it say what species he was? I don't recall.
DeleteElf/Goblin hybrid
DeleteThe fake finger was funny. Though I am curious about the fake butt. Partly why did he unhook it if he wasn't going to do anything with it other than say it does nothing. If he just wanted to show it off he didn't have to unhook it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very Mulch thing to do. He'll make a situation out to be more intense, dangerous, or bombastic than it is in most cases.
DeleteIt was Foaly talking to Root
DeleteI did like the characters, but they really could have had Juliet do at least one thing to show her training. I'm curious how the mesmer is supposed to end.
ReplyDeleteJuliet comes into play more in later books (spoilers-ish?), but yeah, I feel like she was barely appreciated as a character.
DeleteI straight up missed this discussion entirely. So that's my bad. Going back for comments now.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this book, even more than I remembered from when I read it back in middle school. As I discussed in chat, there were a lot of things that I just didn't catch back then. Tin foil hat on Foaly, some adult-esque humor here and there, but nothing inappropriate. Probably made it on my top 5 books, definitely made it on the top 10.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the things I most enjoy about AF is Colfer weaves magic and technology together, and the tech side is often possible, or at least not too far of a stretch from possible. Fairy tech is a little far fetched, but so it should be.
ReplyDeleteRelated, there are some firearms in the second book that use standard AAA batteries to fire essentially charged beams.
Deletehttps://artemisfowl.fandom.com/wiki/Softnose_Lasers