4 The Opal Deception

Artemis Fowl is up to his old tricks, like nothing ever happened. Which by him, nothing did happen. Artemis finally had his mind wiped, and there isn't a time the fairies need him more. Opal Koboi is running free and ready to get revenge on everybody who put her away which includes, Holly who is wanted by the LEP, Foaly who is in the dark, and Artemis who doesn't know they exist. Artemis isn't willing to join in saving the world with the friends he doesn't remember, not without a price. As Artemis is thrown together once more with Holly, they try and save the world in seven and a half hours . (Isn't it written somewhere they get at least twenty-four?)

Artemis is back to the way he was before he met the fairies, not pleasant. He steals a painting and lies to his parents. Holly disregards orders from her superior. Opal is not a nice person, insulting and talking down to people, mesmerizing them. This book has the same negative elements a the last three, excepting Artemis, who is changing into a positive element.

Artemis is finally repaying his friends for their loyalty and forgiveness. They have become a working team, everyone with their specialties helping to do what's right. Friends believe in each other to the end. Artmis resolves to do less stealing, making his criminal ventures not the focus of his life, rather, his family.

This story isn't quite up to par, but definitely worth reading. It does better as a middle story than a last story, like I thought it was. I like this book because it cements the relationships that have been uncertain before. That's not to say Artemis and Holly will ever stop ragging at each other, but they know that inside they will always be there for the other one.