Having read MOI and your own analysis, I believe that you are writing at a level well beyond any that I will achieve in my lifetime. Hence all future comments from me must be processed by you and not simply accepted.
My first impression was that MOI is an extremely well polished piece of work.
The twist is lovely. However this is the point that I will criticize. Only a true fan would truly appreciate it the twist. At the half way mark I was fairly certain that it was not Artemis but I couldn't think of anybody taller than standard fairy height as my memory of the Opal Incident had faded sufficiently to forget the pituitary gland implant. Thus I reached the end and was going ARRGGHHH -- who is it. Many thanks for the Author's note (without which you would have received a late night phone call :) ).
So for an audience of "True Fowl Fans", MOI is _perfect_. For a passing through readership (such as moi -- I just had to put those three letters in) I would say that His Son's Father is a much better page turner.
With that criticism aside, MOI is awesome. For example, it is the perfect length. Any longer would have been labouring the story. Any shorter would not do the concept justice.
I think MOI demonstrates your mastery over English and over the Fowl universe. I also think that your stories are better than those available for purchase.
Somewhat paradoxically this, I believe, brings you to the point where you need to quit the Fowl universe. For you to be a successful writer you need to have the potential to publish. From my reading perspective, the only factor limiting you is intellectual property; and possibly your full time job -- but hey, you have to eat during the early years.
I am looking forward to the day when I can purchase a Lily hardcover (and get it signed!). I'm expecting that it wont be too long now.
A vague attempt at criticism
My first impression was that MOI is an extremely well polished piece of work.
The twist is lovely. However this is the point that I will criticize. Only a true fan would truly appreciate it the twist. At the half way mark I was fairly certain that it was not Artemis but I couldn't think of anybody taller than standard fairy height as my memory of the Opal Incident had faded sufficiently to forget the pituitary gland implant. Thus I reached the end and was going ARRGGHHH -- who is it. Many thanks for the Author's note (without which you would have received a late night phone call :) ).
So for an audience of "True Fowl Fans", MOI is _perfect_. For a passing through readership (such as moi -- I just had to put those three letters in) I would say that His Son's Father is a much better page turner.
With that criticism aside, MOI is awesome. For example, it is the perfect length. Any longer would have been labouring the story. Any shorter would not do the concept justice.
I think MOI demonstrates your mastery over English and over the Fowl universe. I also think that your stories are better than those available for purchase.
Somewhat paradoxically this, I believe, brings you to the point where you need to quit the Fowl universe. For you to be a successful writer you need to have the potential to publish. From my reading perspective, the only factor limiting you is intellectual property; and possibly your full time job -- but hey, you have to eat during the early years.
I am looking forward to the day when I can purchase a Lily hardcover (and get it signed!). I'm expecting that it wont be too long now.