The Last Guardian

Artemis Fowl, Book 8

By: Eoin Colfer

Narrated by: Nathaniel Parker

Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Is this Artemis Fowl’s last stand?

Artemis Fowl’s archenemy Opal Koboi has masterminded a way to simultaneously secure her release from prison and bring the human and fairy worlds to their knees. And, unless Artemis can stop her, the evil pixie’s next move will destroy all human life on Earth.

Ground zero is the Fowl Estate, where Opal has reanimated fairy warriors who were buried there thousands of years ago. Their spirits have possessed any vessels they can find - corpses, Artemis’s little brothers, assorted wildlife - and they are bound to obey Opal’s every command. Defeating the motley troops and their diabolical leader will require all of Artemis’s cleverness - as well as Butler’s bravery, Holly’s skill, and Foaly’s gadgetry. But if their best efforts aren’t enough, Armageddon will surely follow.

New York Times best-selling author and comic genius Eoin Colfer will leave Artemis Fowl fans gasping up to the very end of this thrilling finale to the blockbuster series.

©2012 Eoin Colfer (P)2012 Listening Library

Enjoyable, though Indulgent

Where does The Last Guardian rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Certainly not near the top. I have read each book in the Artemis Fowl series - some of them two, three and four times - and while the story was enjoyable as always, I felt that much of the ingenuity and imagination I've come to expect from Colfer was lacking.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Perhaps the baseball-sized killer crickets. And least interesting is the fact that, yet again, Opal Koboi is attempting to rule the world. In a series, you come to enjoy reading about the same heroes and villians, but I'm a bit tired of Opal, as much as she amuses me.

Which character – as performed by Nathaniel Parker – was your favorite?

Two characters: Beckett and Miles Fowl, Artemis' young brothers. Having become acquainted with them in Book 7, it was amusing and entertaining to see them a tad older in this final book. Parker is fantastic, and I love that Miles is a younger Artemis in the making, while Beckett is much more the typical small boy, while hugely courageous and loveable. A wonderful duo.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not particularly. Perhaps this because I've been following the series for about 10 years, though.

Any additional comments?

As a whole, I truly enjoyed the story. However, I feel that this is because, after 10 years of following this series, I am intimate with the characters and the worlds in which they live. It was enjoyable to see loose ends tied up, different characters older and more mature... And the conclusion of the book was satisfying from a reader's point of view. You will not be disappointed at the end, and will appreciate the finality. I am grateful to Colfer for that.

I'm not sure how long Colfer has been plotting Book 8, but frankly, I thought the plot and settings were rather indulgent on his part. Perhaps even "very" indulgent. Yet again, Opal Koboi is bent on world domination. Most of the events conveniently take place at the Fowl estate. Everything was just so..... Convenient. Don't worry, I won't give any spoilers. But, having read the other books, I've come to expect a certain standard from Colfer. I would have liked to see many of the events take place in other parts of the world. I would have enjoyed seeing a new villian, or, since he did need to tie up the loose end of Opal, perhaps a second villian attempting to either thwart - or join forces with - her. Since there are a number of rather fantastical events in the book, he certainly had room to do something drastic, like bring Julius Root back to life. Or perhaps the mania Artemis experienced from the his Atlantis Complex could have made a reappearance. I feel that Colfer had room for so much, and took the easy way out with events I could have casually thought up myself.

I did enjoy many of the new characters, and I must add that Nathaniel Parker is, without a doubt, one of my favorite narrators of all time. His accent lends a wonderful air to Artemis' personality, especially. He brings every character to life, and each one is completely different from the others. Even Artemis' younger brothers sound youthful, adorable, hysterical with Parker's voice.

If you have followed the series, I would say you should listen to this, just for the closure. It's of course always great to enjoy new events with the characters we've come to know and love. If you haven't followed the series, I would say you should still listen, but go back and listen to the other books first. THEY (especially the first three or four) were fantastic, and having read them, you can't leave out Book 8 haha. I'm sorry to see the series end, but few stories going beyond 8 or 9 in the series stay as "good," so I get it. Take Harry Potter, or Twilight, for example. Or Outlander, which I am voraciously reading now (on Book 4, on track to be ready for 8 when it comes out this winter :).

Hope you enjoy!

I LOVE ARTEMIS FOWL book 8!!!!!!!

This book was amazing and perfect! But I was really sad that this was the last book and I didn't wanna say good bye to Artemis Fowl! :( I had to get this book the day it was out. Loved it and you should get it RIGHT NOW!!! Hope u love it as much as I do!

Let's end the story with ending the modern world

This story starts with time travel shenanigans resulting in the destruction of the modern world and almost all technology for kicks and giggles, then turns into a magical Die Hard ripoff against characters we knew being possessed and forced to fight the protagonists. The endgame was convoluted, confusing, and in the end, a cop-out that killed any stakes the story built up so far.

Curse you, convenient yet rarely/never mentioned plot-convenient shenanigans in this book.

A Reasonably Good Ending to a Better Series

Any additional comments?

This was a nice conclusion to the series. All of the usual characteristics of the Artemis Fowl series are in it, as well as all of the characters that we have grown fond of. I also like that the series was concluded in a way that brought the series full circle. If you have read/listened to the rest of the series, it is definitely worth getting this last installment, if you have not then I would recommend trying out the first few books as starting a series at the end is always a bad idea.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end

This was an amazing adventure that truly showcased how far Artemis Fowl progressed as a person since he first the met the faeries so many books ago. I thoroughly enjoyed getting a glimpse into the back stories of a few of our favorite recurring characters – especially Foaly!

This book had so many amazing moments that illustrated the incredible bond between Artemis, Holly and Butler. The trio of friends has been through so much together, and at a few points, I actually cried as they struggled to defeat Opal and realized they might not succeed.

My only complaint with the book is that I would have liked to have seen some resolution to the Artemis/Holly storyline that has been teased for so long. I felt like it could have been resolved, but it wasn’t.However, the ending to the book did the series justice and brought it back full circle.

Colfer has said he’s done with this series, but I sincerely hope we get to see our teen genius and LEPrecon commander again someday!

not as satisfying as the first few...

What disappointed you about The Last Guardian?

won't give any spoilers- but the ending was quite a disappointment.

Has The Last Guardian turned you off from other books in this genre?

loved most in this series,but this one was trying too hard...

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

the guy who does all the voices could have done a better Job making all the voices sounddifferent from each other.

Great ending to a great series!

Where does The Last Guardian rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Definetly highly, it is such a wonderful series. The ending was absolutly perfect, I almost cried.

What did you like best about this story?

All of it! If I had to choose a favorite part it might have to be the ending. Absolutley heartbreaking.

What does Nathaniel Parker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Artemis' voice! If I closed my eyes I could picture Artemis right in front of me!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Artemis' most difficult adventure yet, will he prevaile or even survive?

Any additional comments?

Hilariously funny!

Very good

This book was good and better than most books I have read. Good very good

The last guardian was not that good probably the worst one of the series Maybe it is time to let it go. Let it go

Not that good. Disappointed it is time to let the books go it has solved its time

Masterfully Done

This story comes alive through the excellent narration and character development. It is enjoyable b for all ages. I believe you will enjoy it. I did!