Series · fantasy
Artemis Fowl
The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer has 8 books and is best read in publication order, starting with Artemis Fowl (2001).
- Books
- 8 books
- First published
- 2001
- Status
- completed
- Last checked
Start here: Artemis Fowl (2001) — then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The order the books were released — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
Artemis Fowl
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Artemis Fowl - Book 2:
Artemis Fowl and the Arctic Incident
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Artemis Fowl and the Arctic Incident - Book 3:
Artemis Fowl and the Eternity Code
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Artemis Fowl and the Eternity Code - Book 4:
The Artemis Fowl Files
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Artemis Fowl Files - Book 5:
Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception - Book 6:
Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony - Book 7:
Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox - Book 8:
Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex - Book 9:
Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian
About the Artemis Fowl series
Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl II is a genius, a millionaire, and a criminal mastermind from a long line of Irish crime-family aristocrats, and he's just worked out that fairies are real. Rather than wonder at them, he kidnaps one for ransom, gold being exactly the kind of leverage he needs to rebuild his family's fortune. What follows is less a fairy tale than a heist thriller wearing fairy-tale clothing: fully modern, technologically advanced fae (LEPrecon commandos with hi-tech gadgets, a foul-mouthed dwarf, a centaur who runs fairy IT security) collide with Artemis's ruthless intellect across eight books, and the fun is watching a genuinely amoral protagonist slowly, believably develop a conscience without ever losing his edge.
Eoin Colfer's series was one of the defining early-2000s middle-grade hits for readers who wanted their fantasy fast, funny, and irreverent rather than earnest — think caper-movie plotting, technology-versus-magic worldbuilding, and a sarcastic, off-kilter humor that set it apart from its Harry-Potter-era peers. It's a strong pick for kids who like clever antiheroes, fairies reimagined as a hyper-advanced hidden civilization rather than tiny winged sprites, and plots built around cons, hacks, and time-travel schemes as much as spellcasting.
How to read this series
Read the eight numbered novels in publication order, starting with Artemis Fowl. The series is heavily serialized — recurring characters, escalating fairy-world politics, and plot threads (especially around Artemis's father and, later, time travel) build across the whole run, so skipping around isn't recommended.
The Artemis Fowl Files (2004) is a companion volume containing the short story "The Seventh Dwarf" plus character dossiers, quizzes, and behind-the-scenes material; it's a fun extra for fans but not required reading and is best read after book 3. Note that Eoin Colfer later wrote a separate spinoff trilogy, The Fowl Twins (2019-2021), following Artemis's much younger twin brothers in the same universe after the main series ends — it's a different series with its own entry, not a continuation you need to read Artemis Fowl to access.
Frequently asked questions
How many books are in the Artemis Fowl series?
Eight novels, from Artemis Fowl (2001) to Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian (2012), plus the companion volume The Artemis Fowl Files.
What order should I read Artemis Fowl in?
Publication order, starting with Artemis Fowl. The plot and characters are continuous across all eight books, so read them in sequence.
Is Artemis Fowl finished?
Yes. The main series concluded with Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian in 2012. Eoin Colfer later wrote a separate spinoff trilogy, The Fowl Twins, about Artemis's younger brothers.
Is the Artemis Fowl movie based on all the books?
No. The 2020 Disney film draws loosely on elements from the first two books but changes major plot points and is not considered a faithful adaptation by most fans of the series.
Do I need to read The Artemis Fowl Files?
No. It's a bonus companion volume with a short story and behind-the-scenes material, not required to follow the main plot.
Reading order last verified .