Colfer’s series is entertaining, full of wacky ideas and strange and hilarious characters. It has been compared to the Harry Potter series—but it’s also a mixture of Fantômas, Arsène Lupin, James Bond, Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones.

Damian is an endearing character with a poignant history, but the story is also fast-paced and very funny.

This is a unique novel that has it all - tragedy and comedy, moving and courageous actions, displays of loyalty and friendship - and utter stupidity and cruelty. Above all, it has a truly unusual narrator, who casts his eye over the events without feeling any empathy at all.