"Remember, it's always darkest before the dawn." (Captain Holly Short)
Artemis Fowl and the Arctic Incident portrays Artemis in a more sympathetic light. After he is found innocent in illegal fairy-mud people dealings, he strikes a deal with LEPrecon. This deal involves him aiding them in the investigation and in return, they'll help him rescue his father who's being held hostage in Russia. Artemis is a 12-year-old genius and mastermind who's extremely observant and perceptive, but he still has childlike mannerisms. He isn't naturally athletic, which makes sense because he depends on Butler to protect him, and his lack of physical prowess makes him a more believable character.
In Artemis Fowl and the Arctic Incident, Artemis, Butler, Captain Short, Commander Root, Foaly and later on, Mulch, are working towards a common goal and I enjoy their interactions. It helps that they are likable and interesting characters. I enjoy reading about Holly's grudging respect for Artemis, the kinship between Root and Butler and the friendship/father-son relationship between Artemis and Butler.
Artemis Fowl and the Arctic Incident is also where we meet Opal Koboi for the first time, and I'm excited to see her become a larger than life villain in future Artemis Fowl books.
Unfortunately, the constant PoV switches and different perspectives in Artemis Fowl and the Arctic Incident took the surprise out of most of the plot and it also took me out of the story.
I also don't appreciate that some of the fairy species are resorted to stereotypes. An example is the stereotype that all goblins are stupid. I'd rather have the fairy species be equally nuanced.
In Artemis Fowl and the Arctic Incident, there's more action and more is at stake. This is the Artemis Fowl that I remember enjoying.
"We're being led by an idiot with a crayon." (Commander Julius Root)