YA Book Review & Poll Results

Today marks the first time I have published a YA (young adult) book review on my blog! I am excited to start writing more reviews as well as partnering with up-and-coming YA writers to review their new novels. Also, today’s review is rather short, which makes it great to read if you don’t have a lot of time.

For those of you who like fantasy, I think you’ll enjoy this book.
WAIT!
Don’t leave the page just yet, people-who-don’t-like-fantasy!
Today’s YA book, Artemis Fowl, is actually a modern-day adventure featuring a brilliant guy who just happens to capture a fairy because he wants some gold.
 A whole lot of gold.
I promise, even if you aren’t a fan of fantasy, the characters, action, and overwhelming amount of sarcasm will make you want to check out this book as soon as possible.
And then read it over and over again.
 
I hope you all enjoy today’s review of Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer.
(Make sure to stick around at the end of the article to see the fantasy poll results).
 
About five years ago when my father was moving things around in his office, I discovered a dusty book that had fallen behind one of the shelves. The front of the book was overlaid with tiny runes, and the cover was made from shimmering gold paper. Dad, knowing my love of fantasy, told me I could have it. I was immediately hooked, and I finished the fast-paced novel in one sitting. Now one of my favorite books, Artemis Fowl is a story I recommend to anyone looking for an excellent adventure.
Artemis Fowl is a genius, criminal mastermind, and millionaire, and he is only twelve years old. (Don’t be turned off by his age…his extraordinary vocabulary makes it seem like he’s much older). Traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, he (and his bodyguard, Butler) capture the creature whose existence they just confirmed: a fairy – Captain Holly Short of the Underground LEPrecon Police Force. These fairies aren’t the beautiful pixies of legend; no, these fairies are armed and very dangerous. Implementing his plan to restore his Irish father’s fortune, Artemis holds Captain Short captive until the Commander of the LEP contacts Artemis and bargains for Holly’s release. Artemis is not satisfied with the offer, and he will not release the Captain until he receives one metric ton of unmarked fairy gold, enough to bring the Fowl family’s smuggling empire back to light. Jam-packed with action, witty dialogue, and cutting-edge technology, Artemis Fowl tells the story of a brilliant boy who learns the age-old lesson that there may actually be more to life than money.
Artemis’s adventures with fairies and humans alike continue until he turns seventeen, spanning seven books.
[This article was previously published in print in The Village Observer. ©]
 
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Now, on to the fun part! I recently polled a Twitter audience and asked them some rather geeky questions, and the results were 100x better than I expected.
I’ll be listing the poll details, answers, and results below.
 
Poll #1: Which fictional place would you rather live in?
Unfortunately, the results weren’t very spectacular, as I didn’t know how to work the poll and only had it up for about three hours. I had six voters. As such, I won’t consider the results accurate. (They can’t be…no one picked Star Wars!)
Hogwarts = 25%
Gondor = 25%
A galaxy far, far, away = 0%
Asgard = 50%
 
Poll #2: Which Hogwarts house do you belong to?
This one had a tiny bit better audience (I figured out how to set the poll length) and I received 23 votes. (If you’re waiting for the best poll, stick around…the next one is amazing).
Gryffindor = 39%
Ravenclaw = 26%
Hufflepuff = 22%
Slytherin = 13%
 
Poll #3: Which Lord of the Rings movie do people like the best?
I admit, I wasn’t hopeful after seeing such low numbers for my last two polls.

Then Weta Workshop stepped in.

*record scratch*
Did you guys get that?

WETA WORKSHOP, you know, the ones who made the props for Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit? The most amazing movie prop makers in the history of cinema? The place where I would love to visit and buy out the whole store if I had money?

*That* Weta Workshop. <3

Weta did me a HUGE favor and retweeted my poll so people all over the world could vote for their favorite LOTR movie.
To whoever manages Weta’s Twitter page: many, many thanks! You made my day!
​
As promised, the results. A staggering 610 people voted.
Fellowship of the Ring = 42%
The Two Towers = 23%
Return of the King = 35%
I figured Fellowship would win since it was the first movie (there’s some theory that the first movie is always the best…I don’t necessarily agree with that). My favorite is Return of the King. I love all the different plot lines and amazing fight scenes. My all-time favorite scene is when Theoden leads his Rohirrim down Pelennor Fields into the waiting Uruk-Hai. The. Best. Scene. Plus, Weta Digital’s use of the Massive program for the following scenes was a cinematic breakthrough. Yes, I love the nostalgic feel of Fellowship, but in terms of action and overall entertainment, ROTK is my favorite.
What are your thoughts?
 
As always, thanks for reading! Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @HogwartsGrad_7.
Remember, never, EVER leave the house without your wand!
-Sadie