Bingo: Culture. This book covers many aspects of fairy culture.
I haven’t read any fantasy in a long time, so I picked up the YA novel Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer. It was a light read, but I enjoyed it.
Artemis Fowl is a twelve year old boy who comes from a long line of crime lords. He is extraordinarily smart and devious. At the start of the book, he manages to get his hands on the fairies’ golden book, which holds all their secrets. With his large bodyguard and servant Butler, he plots to replenish the family fortune by getting his hands on the fairies’ gold.
While Artemis plots, the story switches its focus to Holly Short, a fairy who is part of the reconnaissance police force. She is the first and only woman in recon. Her story starts with her being sent by her commander Root to track down a troll. Chaos ensues and eventually Holly is kidnapped by Artemis to his family’s manor.
The second half of the book revolves around Artemis and the fairies trying to outwit each other. Artemis demands a large ransom for Holly (with a corresponding threat to reveal the fairies’ world) and the fairies gather to fight back.
In the course of the conflict there are many, many gadgets on the fairy side, most of them impossibly perfect for any obstacle. Sophisticated cameras, gadgets to see through walls, invisible time stoppages—the fairies can do it all. There is also a dwarf that tunnels underground to access the manor, eating the clay and dirt from one end and expelling it from the other. Frankly there was a bit too much time spent on dwarf dirt farts, but that’s just personal preference.
Artemis Fowl is an amusing quick read that I think is the first in a series. I shan’t be reading anymore, but I enjoyed the adventure.