Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox facts for kids
Cover of UK first edition.
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| Author | Eoin Colfer |
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| Country | Ireland |
| Language | English |
| Series | Artemis Fowl series |
| Genre | Children's fantasy |
| Publisher | Puffin Books |
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Publication date
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7 August 2008 (UK) 16 July 2008 (US) |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback), Audiobook CD |
| Pages | 432 (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | 978-1-4231-0836-8 |
| OCLC | 192137506 |
| Preceded by | The Lost Colony (2006) |
| Followed by | The Atlantis Complex (2010) |
Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox is the sixth book in the popular Artemis Fowl series. It was written by the Irish author Eoin Colfer. The book was released in the U.S. on July 5, 2008, and in the U.K. on August 7, 2008. At 432 pages, it is the longest book in the series. This exciting adventure takes Artemis Fowl on a journey through time to save someone very important to him.
Contents
Plot Summary: A Race Against Time
A Mother's Illness
Artemis Fowl's mother, Angeline Fowl, becomes very sick. She has a rare fairy disease called Spelltropy. Artemis accidentally makes her condition worse when he tries to use magic to help her. He quickly realizes he needs help from his fairy friends.
Seeking a Cure
Artemis contacts Captain Holly Short and the young demon warlock, No. 1. They discover that the only cure for Spelltropy is a special fluid. This fluid comes from the brain of a silky sifaka lemur from Madagascar. The problem is, this type of lemur is now extinct. Artemis himself caused its extinction almost eight years ago. He made a deal with a group called the Extinctionists.
A Dangerous Plan
Foaly, the centaur genius, tells Artemis that his mother will die without the cure. Artemis begs No. 1 to open the time stream. This would allow him to travel back in time and save the lemur. Foaly is against the idea, as time travel is very risky. However, Artemis tricks Holly into believing she infected his mother. Feeling guilty, Holly agrees to help Artemis. Foaly has no choice but to let them go.
Back in Time
Artemis and Holly travel back nearly eight years. They arrive in Artemis's old study. The time travel has strange effects on them. Artemis becomes much hairier, and Holly shrinks to the size of a teenager. Artemis expects his younger self's bodyguard, Butler, to help them. But things do not go as planned. Butler tranquilizes them and locks them in a car trunk.
Escape and Pursuit
Artemis and Holly escape with the help of Mulch Diggums. Mulch is a dwarf who likes to steal things. He is also a friend of Artemis in the future. They follow young Artemis to an animal park. Older Artemis tries to get the lemur but breaks into the wrong cage. A gorilla attacks him. Holly uses her magic to heal his wounds.
A Difficult Choice
They manage to save the lemur from Rathdown Park. But young Artemis forces them at gunpoint to give it to him. He plans to trade the lemur to the Extinctionists for money. He needs the money for an expedition to find his missing father. As they rush to the shuttleport, older Artemis admits his lie to Holly. Holly is very angry.
Redemption and a New Threat
Artemis tries to make up for his lie. He gives Holly a chance to talk to Commander Root, who is dead in their own time. Holly feels better and thanks him. They take a shuttle to Fez, Morocco. This is where young Artemis plans to make the trade.
Instead of catching the lemur, Holly gets captured herself. Young Artemis sells her to the Extinctionists. They plan to execute her in a pit with flamethrowers. Older Artemis rushes to save her but falls into the pit too. He discovers that the "flames" are just holograms. There, he finds his old enemy, Opal Koboi. Opal has used mind control on the Extinctionists' leader. She is collecting rare animals for her own research.
Opal's Deception
Artemis escapes, and Holly finds him. They fly back to Fowl Manor to return to their own time. But Opal Koboi follows them into the time stream. She arrives in the future two days early. Opal takes over Angeline's body and pretends to be Artemis's mother. She reveals herself when Artemis is about to give her the cure. Opal also admits she caused the illness symptoms herself.
A Clever Trap
As Opal brags, Artemis reveals a secret. He is actually the younger Artemis from the past! The real older Artemis then sneaks up and tranquilizes Opal. This was a very difficult shot. Butler, who is under Opal's mind control, attacks Holly and No. 1. When Opal orders Butler to attack young Artemis, Butler fights the mind control. He has a heart attack but Artemis revives him.
Opal recovers quickly and tries to escape. But she realizes Artemis and his friends are weakened. She returns to fight. Artemis grabs what he thinks is the lemur and flies away in a plane. He wants to lure Opal away from the others.
The Final Showdown
During the chase, Opal shows incredible strength. She smashes parts of the plane with her fists. Artemis is forced to crash-land on the coast, breaking his collarbone. He escapes the wreckage and runs to the shore. He crosses a rope bridge and two large boulders. Opal chases him relentlessly.
She finally gets "the lemur," only to find it's not a real lemur. It's Professor Primate, Artemis's little brother's toy! Artemis then shoots the boulder Opal is standing on. It turns out to be the shell of a kraken, a giant sea creature. The shell explodes, burying Opal under the rubble. When a Lower Elements Police team searches for her, she is gone.
The Time Paradox Explained
Artemis explains everything to the others. His mother remembers everything that happened. Even though the 14-year-old Artemis promised not to, No. 1 mind-wipes the 10-year-old Artemis. This is because the young demon warlock didn't know about the promise. The 10-year-old Artemis is sent back in time. However, he still keeps an interest in fairies. This interest will lead to the events of the first book in the series.
The story reveals a second time paradox. Artemis's interest in fairies starts a chain of events. These events depend on his initial interest. In this way, both events rely on each other. The book suggests that time paradoxes are often connected. When everyone leaves, Artemis tells his mother the full truth. Opal had forgotten to wipe his mother's mind.
See also
In Spanish: Artemis Fowl: Y su peor enemigo para niños
