My thanks to Quercus Books/Jo Fletcher Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Highfire’ by Eoin Colfer in exchange for an honest review.

This is Colfer’s first fantasy for adults though I expect that many ‘grownups’ have enjoyed his highly popular Artemis Fowl series. This was my first experience of Colfer’s writing and I was completely won over.

‘Highfire’ is set deep in the Louisiana bayou where Vern (short for Wyvern), the last living dragon, has made his home far from prying human eyes. He is a wise-cracking, vodka-drinking dragon who is obsessed with reality television, Netflix, and the ‘80s ‘Flashdance’. Quirky right?

Vern’s peace is shattered by the intrusion of teenager Everett Moreau, nicknamed Squib. He is a Cajun boy, who is a little swamp wild but generally good hearted and supportive of his mother. Crooked local cop, Regence Hooke, has his eye on Squib’s momma and would very much like Squib out of the picture so he can make his move. How these characters come together and the consequences form the bulk of the tale.

Enjoying it so much I find myself a little lost to find adequate words. Overall, I found ‘Highfire’ an excellent blend of action and comedy with just a touch of Southern Gothic horror. Colfer clearly enjoyed himself writing it and that sense of enthusiasm jumps gleefully from its pages.

I adored its characters, especially Vern and Squib. The repartee between them was brilliant. Hooke was a very full-on baddie and his evil machinations had me on the edge of my seat.

I was genuinely sad to reach the final pages. Will Vern have further adventures? I hope so as he is such a brilliant creation. I now plan to buy my own copy, likely of its audiobook edition as I feel it would translate well to this format.

Certainly a novel worthy of its prepublication buzz. Highly recommended.

https://lynns-books.com/2020/01/27/highfire-by-eoin-colfer/
3.5 of 5 stars
I have slightly mixed feelings about Highfire. On the one hand, I really enjoyed certain aspects of the story and would no doubt read more if the author intended to revisit. But, at the same time I did struggle a little to get into this and I’m not entirely sure why, other than my reading seemed to ebb a little last week so maybe I was just not in the right frame of mind.

This is fantasy of a very different kind. To an extent, without Vern (who was actually more akin to a Wyvern than a dragon) and his mysterious friend, the fantasy aspect of the story is very low key. This is a story that plays out in the bayous of Louisiana and I have to say upfront that I loved the setting.

Deep in the bayou lives a dragon, the last of his kind maybe. He’s all about keeping a low profile and keeping the howling mobs at bay. In the modern era your likeness and a full on video can be recorded so easily that Vern has taken to hiding out, he’s a bit depressed, he lacks companionship, he has something of an alcohol problem and I suppose he lacks purpose. Until Squib enters his life.

Basically this is a story that focuses very much on the characters. Everett Moreau, aka Squib, is a teenage boy who is one step away from crossing the line. He’s not had the easiest childhood and although at heart he’s basically a good lad he’s struggling to help his mother with a debt that she didn’t run up whilst at the same time trying to keep the attention of the local law from focusing too hard on either himself or his mother. Everett is quite easy to like, especially his enthusiasm for Vern the dragon.

Vern has lived a long life. He doesn’t like humans, mainly due to the fact that they turned on his kind many centuries ago and killed them off, leaving Vern alone and bitter. I suppose you could say that Squib really shakes Vern’s life up, a lot and I did enjoy their interactions, especially the slow way that Vern comes round to this new human in his life.

Regence Hooke is the local law and a bigger lowlife you are unlikely to ever meet. Being privy to his internal thoughts is positively hideous. He’s a murderer and a nasty piece of work. Your basic psychopath really, and he has the big hots for Squib’s mum and would very much like to take Squib out of the picture entirely so that he can move his agenda forward. He really is quite despicable.

The story revolves around these three characters, starting fairly low key until their lives become inextricably entangled and go down the route of no return – things then reach an explosive climax.

I think what held me back from a little with Highfire is that it has a fairly young feel – yet, it’s undoubtedly an adult read. There is violence, people getting their faces ripped off and their guts spilled but in spite of the adult content, for me, this felt almost like Pete and his dragon. I haven’t got a problem with that in some respects but I think I was expecting a darker tone somehow. Vern is definitely an impressive beast and you wouldn’t want to get on his wrong side, but at the same time the comic feel to the story prevents him from having any real menace and I confess it took me a while to form any real attachments to the characters.

Okay, I was aware that this was going to be full of humour when I picked this up so the comic elements weren’t really a surprise but not all the humour quite hit the spot for me personally.

I don’t really mean to come across as overly negative. On finishing this book I would say that I enjoyed it. The ending was satisfying and refreshingly creative and I immediately felt that if more books were planned with Vern as the central character then I would be keen to pick them up, but, I’m not totally in love with the characters just yet, they still have a little more work for me to be totally on board.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the author, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

In cinema we are currently amidst the Keanu-sance, wildly successful actor who has been seen in a number of high profile pictures of late. In fiction, are we seeing the renaissance of Eoin Colfer? With his return to children’s writing with The Fowl Twins, the Disney adaption of the wildly popular Artemis Fowl – coming May 2020 – and now HighFire – his first foray into adult fantasy.

If you are used to his writing style from his other works, this book merely is a much more mature version of what we have seen before. Within the first few pages, we are introduced to Vern, possibly the last dragon in the world, and his… less than sun-shining personality. Amongst this ramshackle cast are; Everett “Squib” Moreau, a 15 year old Cajun-something, with a penchant for petty crime; Elodie, Squib’s mum who works as a nurse; and Regence Hooke, a constable who is as crooked and corrupt as they come.

Be prepared for the changing point-of-views, it often changes between Squib, Vern and Hooke. With the plot at fiery as Vern’s dragon-fire, I was quickly sucked into the story and the blossoming friendship that exists between Vern and Squib. Colfer’s style of writing makes you quickly and all consuming hate Hooke with a passion and as the book continues you start to root for his demise, be it by dragon-fire or any other way. The glimpses of both Vern’s and Hooke’s past create a parallel between them, both have these pasts full of violence but both have evolved differently through their lives. It is nice to see that Squib is a teenager who isn’t always stuck in school, he also works to help support his mother who – by all accounts is “a saint”.

The bayou setting is refreshing. It is adequately described to create an image for the reader but retains enough ambiguity to enhance the story. It is a plot not entirely free of cliches but the concept is suitably refreshing. Although billed as an adult fantasy, I personally feel that the writing wasn’t that exceptionally aimed at an adult audience, as apart from the cursing throughout the themes (maybe a part from drinking) weren’t overly complicated. I do accept that this is probably enough to put it in this higher age bracket from a marketing perspective.

In all likely-hood, this is a novel which will primarily resonate better with a male audience. Purely because the style of writing and the crude-yet-lovable Vern is simply, a bloke. As such, a female audience maybe unable to connect with Vern – the lasts words from Vern are “Balls out” and that probably sums up his character to-a-T. That is by no means to say that I didn’t enjoy it, I really did – but it is important to note that the tone of the book may alienate those who are either unprepared or those who find this style of fantasy not for them.

I’ve already recommended this book to numerous friends who I know will adore the humour and hi-jinks in this novel. After all, there is just something about a vodka drinking, Netflix watching dragon that simply calls out to a modern audience

This is one of my most anticipated books of the year, if not the most anticipated. When Eoin Colfer announced the release of this book at World Con, Dublin 2019, I knew I was going to love it. Colfer has long been one of my favourite writers since childhood, I was luckily enough to meet him twice last year and I can honestly say, this book is now one of my favourites.
'Highfire' takes every single thing I love from Colfer's writing, from the wonderful characters to the razor sharp humor, and remake them into a unique story that turns everything we expect from a story with a dragon and his familiar on its head and gets it drunk on vodka martinis.
Vern stole my heart. How could I not love a world weary dragon who lives on Absolut vodka, hates people and loves Flashdance? He is the last of his kind, he is wary of all humans (same, Vern) and is coagulating in his own sorrows. He struggles constantly between giving up and ending it all and continuing on to hate on humans further. He even considers having sex with an Alligator to liven things up for him. You really feel for this dragon who used to be royalty and is now reduced to just living in hiding every day. His only friend, a Mogwai named Waxman, is even kept at arms length. Then in comes Squib Moreau.
I would honestly die for Squib. Have you ever had that need to make sure the characters in your book are okay when you put the book down? That was me every waking minute with Squib. He has a face that gets him into trouble but is so pure and good you even wonder how he will survive in this world. Squib and Vern's scenes are some of my favourite in the entire book. Their dynamic of master/familiar quickly grows into a friendship each needs as much as the other.
Colfer displays his usual skill of handling a tight plot that refuses to let the reader a moment to breathe. I mentioned already that I found it hard to put this down and I honestly mean that. This is a fast paced story with some very gory scenes that will leave you glued to the book while totally disgusted.
This book while also being tense and very graphic in places is extremely funny. Vern has some of the best lines in the book, but honestly the person who made me laugh is Waxman. He functions almost as Vern's Renfield but if Renfield could kill Dracula at any moment but can't be bothered. I lost it laughing at the below quote;

'Makes me seem a character,' he said. "Crazy Waxman" would be better, or maybe, "Scary Waxman" to keep the kids away, but "Waxman" will do just fine. I'm like Boo fuckin' Radley on crack to these backward-ass folk.'

If you are a fantasy fan who likes your fantasy with a bit of black humor, or like me, you grew up reading any of Colfer's books, this is for you. I can't recommend this book enough, it is honestly my favourite book so far this year and I'm so glad I got to read it early too. Thank you to Netgalley, Jo Fletcher Books and Colfer for giving me a copy of the book for an honest review.

I don't think I'm ready to let the characters in this story go. I think I need more Vern, Squibb and all the cast of this story.
I had a lot of fun, I rooted for them, laughed at their antics and enjoyed this excellent story.
Mr Colfer is a master storyteller and this book is continuous rollercoaster of ideas, action and twists.
I fell in in love with the story at the first chapter and couldn't stop laughing at idea of a dragon who watches Netflix and like Flashdance t-shirts.
Vern is a great characters and I liked how he evolved in the book, going from hating mens to being friends with some of them. Squibb is also having a great character development and he could have been written by Mark Twain if he was living today.
Hooke is the arch villain that makes you laugh and reminded me of Wile Coyote with his complex plans and the unpredictable results.
The story is not always fast paced, the first part is a long introduction to the characters and to build the relationships and the basis for the action. The second one is a fast paced and a firework of actions. Even if the first one is slower is nonetheless very enjoyable.
The world building is amazing and I appreciated the dragon lore and how the bayou setting was perfect for the plot.
It was an excellent read, engrossing and entertaining: highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Highly entertaining, I really enjoyed this and am really hoping that there's going to be a sequel.
Vern and Squib are such great characters and their adversary Hooke is brilliantly hateful. It's a fast paced, and ridiculous adventure that made me laugh out loud.

For those of you who grew up reading the Artemis Fowl books but are now all grown up then you are in for a treat.
Written for the older reader and adults in mind. There is some strong language and yes, there is violence but I feel it’s here for a reason and is not overly done.
An ancient dragon living in the swamps, drinking copious amounts of Vodka and bored with just trying to survive is completely believable.
Colfer hits just the right note of suspension of reality and a believable reality. Vern is a dragon trapped by his own history a reluctant hero. Squib is a youth of his time trying to survive straggling the line of the law. He could go either way. Waxman is the voice of reason and forgiveness. Hook well, Hook is the unredeemable psychopath, the baddie of all baddies. Every goodie needs his baddie and Hook sure is bad.
I thought the book started slow setting the scene but soon picked up speed and raced a little too quickly to the end. I guess I was enjoying the story and didn’t want it to end.
More please. I’m sure Vern and Squib could have more adventures.

I liked the premise of this book and thought the ‘wyvern in a contemporary setting’ idea was a good one.

I like a lot of the characters and especially liked the relationship between Vern and Squib.

The reason I didn’t rate it higher was that I felt the book was trying too hard at times to portray this funny, vodka drinking dragon that was different and I found myself rolling my eyes and getting a bit frustrated at the number of times balls were mentioned. I can see a 13 year old boy absolutely loving this book. I didn’t hate it or strongly dislike it at all, it just fell short of the hype for me personally.

Highfire is the first adult fantasy book by Eoin Colfer, and from the outset it defies the norms of the genre, giving us dragonlore like nothing I have ever encountered before. Vern (short for wyvern) is the last dragon, and as the last of his kind he is living it up....in hiding, in the Louisiana bayou, watching Flashdance yet again while sipping on his favourite tipple, vodka. His existence comes as something of a surprise to Everett "Sqiub" Moreau, a canny Cajun swamp rat who is keen to find ways to make money to help out his single mother. Sometimes his entrepreneurial schemes are a little outside the law and this has brought him to the attention of psychopathic local constable Regence Hook. Hook is the definition of a bad guy, so it should come as no surprise to Squib when he witnesses him killing a local smuggler. and in fact the biggest surprise of the night is definitely the dragon that cant seem to decide if he wants to rescue him or barbeque him.
There is a lot of fun and humour in this book, the banter between Vern and Squib is a highlight, as are Vern's internal monologues. Hook is almost too much of a caricature of a villain, in most books it would not work, but it fits with the overall tone of this one. The pacing is definitely a little slower in the beginning as there are several moving parts that must be put into place , but it does gather steam as it goes along and the conclusion is a great blend of action and comedy.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

After reading the first chapter or two of Highfire i was unsure if this one was for me. I'm a big fan of EOin Colfer, so i checked a few reviews to see what others had initially thought. Turns out many said the same thing, but also urged that the reader stuck with it, as things get good. And my god did things get good.

Highfire is a marvellous book. Its short and snappy and sweet. A tight plot and setting, with a few (incredible) characters that are a genuine joy to read. I loved Vern, truly, and his blossoming relationship with Squib was brilliant. The book was funny, heartwarming, amusing and exciting.

So pick it up, get stuck in, and enjoy one hell of a read.

It is with disappointment that I found the first half of this book to be hard work and could easily have put it down and walked away from it. Characterisation is good, but not strong. Written in the third-person with multiple points of view it should allow for a rich development, however, the difficulty is that none of the characters are particularly memorable or interesting. There is some historical and contextual information revealed as the story progresses, which allows the reader to develop a better understanding of their attitudes, but they are all quite negative. Perhaps the humour is lost on this reader, as apart from the odd witty line there is little to laugh about. Environment and context are explored in some detail, this seems quite dour and certainly in keeping with the dialogue.

The early part of the book has a very slow pace, it spends time building up the suspense with small episodes where the central characters are placed at risk only to have this resolved. It is clear that there is to be a denouement and the likely candidates are flagged from the start; it is unfortunate that the plot failed to grip, as there is a tendency to use the position in the book as an indicator of when this might be.

Once the action begins, it does hold the attention and there are twists and changes in location that keep the readers’ interest; similarly, the character dynamic changes. There is fighting, injury and death with the loss of characters both central and peripheral to the plot. The story has bad language, but it is not gratuitous and sex is only hinted at. If it weren’t for the maturity of most of the central characters and the slow start, this would be more of a young adult story.

As the story reaches its resolution it is clear that there has been growth and change. The author resolves plot lines to allow for a positive ending, but one where there is an opening for future stories.

3.5 Stars

Squib is just trying to be a supportive son to his hard-working mother Elodie, but life keeps throwing the poor young man curve balls. So, what is a young man to do but bend the occasional rule. Unfortunately for him this has attracted the attention of one Constable Hooke - who also seems to have taken a shine to Elodie, and that is where the problems begin. Squib knows Constable Hooke is crooked, so decides to follow him one evening, which leads him into the patch of one reclusive dragon who just wants to have an easy life, namely, Highfire - or Vern to his friends (well, friend). I loved Squib as a character, and even though he is a bit of a crook, it is only for all the right reasons. He is brilliantly witty, and I was rooting for him from the start.

Our dragon is not very conventional. Vern's love of Absolut Vodka and Flashdance give a quick indication that we may be dealing with a different character to those portrayed in Game of Thrones (Vern was NOT a fan). Vern's humour is brilliant throughout, and while he starts off as a bit of a cranky so and so I couldn't help but love him.  As the story continues and the truth of his character is laid out it quickly becomes clear why he has decided to hide away.

Overall this is a great fantasy story, filled with humour that had me laughing (almost) throughout. There are action sequences galore, as there should be in this type of book. The setting of modern-day Southern USA was a great idea, and I think the location added greatly to the story.

It did a take a little while for me to get into it, but not long. After I had gotten over the initial hiccup, I couldn't put it down, and it is certainly a worthwhile read. If I was to somehow attain a dragon friend, I would want him to be like Vern, I may have to lay off the vodka around him though. I can only hope this isn’t a one off story, I would love to read more adventures starring Squib and Vern.

Highly recommend.

This was a pretty funny story, some of which worked for me and some of which didn't. It tells the story of Vern, last of the dragons, hiding out in the Louisiana swamps, drinking vodka and maintaining a keto diet.

The Positives: I really liked the relationship between Squib, Vern and Waxman. The interplay between these characters was endearing and funny and lent some normality to what was a very strange tale. I thought that the plot was pretty compelling and that Regence made a fantastically over the top villain, which was lots of fun.

The Negatives: I felt like the tone of this was a little muddled. Colfer is known for his Artemis Fowl books, and the first part of this narrative seemed like it had been written in the same vein, with expletives thrown in gratuitously to make the content 'adult'. Until the plot really got going, I wasn't really feeling this book at all because it just felt like it was trying too hard to be edgy and quirky, which didn't quite hit the mark for me.

Overall, I felt that this was a book of two halves - I definitely preferred the second half of the novel when the plot took over.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Billed as his first adult fantasy, this is only the second of Colfer's titles I have read. A tale of Vern, a depressed and possibly last of kind dragon hiding from the world in his swamp, and of Squib, a well-meaning teen trying to make his way (mostly) within the law. Paths cross, adventures happen!

I found this a well-paced yarn with good characters, progression and development. The end phase perhaps a little too frenetic but that suits the style and nature of the tale. Development in more areas would have improved the whole; we know Squib cares for his mother's wellbeing, but about whom we learn next to nothing except via references to males and their relationships with her. But taken for it is, an entertaining adventure.

Highfire is the first adult fantasy book by Eoin Colfer. It follows the characters of Vern (short for "Wyvern"), Constable Regence Hooke and fifteen-year-old Squid Moreau, as they battle through drugs, murder and keeping dragon secrets.

PROS:
- new dragon lore. I love the idea! Vern is a really interesting and unique character. The lore that works alongside his presence, the history and the biology of such a character, is different from how dragons are usually portrayed in fiction.
- pacing. The events happen over a drawn-out period and then in really quite succession, but the story doesn't feel badly paced. The slower parts of the timeline build the tension and the lore whilst the fast pace of the ending ties up the ends of the plot in a decent way.
- characters. all three main characters, plus the prominent side characters, are really interesting to read. They are all distinct with different approaches and opinions and ideas. The relationships between these characters are really well written, well developed. I really liked the relationship between Squib and his mother, Elodie, and with Vern.

CONS:
- dicks. so many dicks. maybe it's because the characters are all male, maybe its because that is what Colfer believes adult fantasy books need to have, but I have never read so many things about balls and dicks and pissing.
- everything happens at the end. Although, like I said, the pacing is pretty good and doesn't ever feel slow or unnecessary. However because of this so much happens in the end and after a while, it started to feel super overwhelming.
- Hooke. You're not really supposed to like him, but the characterisation just seems to be 'psychopath' and Hooke knows he is. He questions his crappy behaviour because he's aware its crappy, but decides he doesn't care. It means that he's not just a bad person but knows he is. He is incredibly violent and cruel, which is hard to read through his point of view, and just a lot rape-y. He is the antagonist, which I appreciate, but it would have been nice for him to be something more than evil for the sake of evil.

OVERALL:
I did enjoy the book. It's a quick read, well written and humorous like all Eoin Colfer books. I enjoyed reading about all but one (mentioned above) character and their relationships were well thought out. I kind of want to read a sequel about what happens to Squib as a dragon's assistant after these dramatic events. However, if you are someone who doesn't like gore or violent or crude chat, this book may be uncomfortable or a slog to get through. Lots of dicks, lots of pissing, lots of violent deaths.

Ah this was brilliant, I had such a giggle going the whole way through this. You can tell Eoin had some craic writing it, I’ve witnessed this mans humour in real life and he’s a funny so and so for sure and that humour is shining through in his book. There’s even a Princess Bride reference thrown in “Inconceivable”!!
Squib the kid is just trying to make his way through life without getting into too much trouble but trouble always seems to find him and you can’t get much more trouble than a dirty cop and a talking dragon.. I mean that pretty much says it all. The cop has eyes on Squibs Momma and seems to like getting his own way but he’s a bad bad man and doesn’t seem to have any feelings about anyone but himself. Vern The Dragon just wants to be left alone with his cable and his vodka, that’s not asking for much now really but somehow these 3 characters collide and take us on a journey you never could have predicted!
Totally recommended reading it will give you a laugh, it’s the dragon tale I never knew I needed.

Once upon a time in a Louisiana swamp there lived a depressed dragon named Vern, formerly Lord Wyvern Highfire. Vern has Netflix, a La-Z-Boy armchair and a regular supply of Absolut vodka but he is sad and lonely, and kind of angry too, spending his days remembering how humans betrayed and massacred his own kind, so much so that Vern believes he is probably the only dragon left in the whole world. So when Vern first encounters Squib, a delinquent teenage boy (though he is trying to be good for the sake of his long suffering momma) Vern's first instinct is to fry the kid before he tells all and sundry about him, spoiling the sweet set up Vern has managed to put together in the bayou.  But there is something about the boy and he and the dragon come to a 'business' agreement that should save Squib from being burned to a crisp by dragon fire and keep Vern supplied with vodka.  Things would be hunky-dory if it weren't for Hooker. The town Constable is a nasty piece of work, the dirtiest of dirty cops, and has it in for Squib, though he would like very much to get closer to the boy's mother.  And Hooker has ambitions way above his Constable status that threaten the blossoming friendship between boy and beast. 

This is most definitely a comedy, laugh out loud at times, but the story also has a lot of heart and there are some quite touching moments.  Though it is billed as an adult fantasy, in my opinion it is only the bad language, violence and occasional sexual references that really stop this being a young adult book.  But even adults need to read a little silly nonsense sometimes and I for one had a ball reading it.

The last dragon in the world hiding out in a swamp being a bachelor. This book had a high possibility to be one of my favourite books of last year however, I was left feeling like something was missing. Although enjoyable, this book just didn't hit the right marks for me.

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**

Eoin Colfer's newest fantasy novel, Highfire, is fast-paced, guns-a-blazing, not-for-kids fun. Wyvern, Lord Highfire, is one of the last remaining dragons in the world. Possibly the last. He's all set with his cable TV and Flashdance on his abandoned island in the bayou of New Orleans. Enter one 15-year-old human, Everett "Squib" Moreau. Squib is often on the wrong side of the law, and crooked Constable Regence Hooke intends on solving his Squib problem permanently. Vern and Squib team up in a sequence of events that is part comedy, part action, and full of tastefully scattered obscenities.

Colfer writes Highfire in a way that comes across as generally conversational and down-home. People talk the way people talk, and that's the way Colfer writes them. Plus gratuitous physical humor, often by way of dragon junk.

The whole work is rather reminiscent of classic cartoons like Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd or Road Runner and Wile E Coyote. It's fast paced, with a sometimes dark, sometimes slapstick, sometimes on-the-nose humor about it that makes it just generally fun antics.Colfer managed to strike funny without being overly cheesy, which made this read very enjoyable.

This book does have blood, guts, and gore as well as foul language, mentions of suicidal ideation and mental health struggles, sexual innuendo, issues of moral turpitude, and corruption of authority. This book is firmly in the adult category, and readers should be aware of that going in.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have read this in advance, and to help participate in the Twitter tour as well. I look forward to any future works by Colfer.

Squib Moreau is a bit of a handful, giving no small amount of grief to his hard-working mother, Elodie. When Squib’s “stepfather” deserted them, he did so leaving debts in his wake for responsible Elodie to clean up. Now Squib has an opportunity to get his act together and earn a bit of money. But Squib, being Squib, cannot keep his nose out of the type of business any sensible body should steer well clear of. His curiosity is about to get him into a whole pile of other worldly trouble.
I’m always interested when a young adult author whose work I have really enjoyed makes the transition to writing for adults. The author has a great deal of responsibility in helping the reader take onboard the shift in tone and focus.
I have to admit, when I began reading Highfire I felt as if Eoin Colfer was trying too hard to be grown up. The book reads very much like Dukes of Hazzard with an overly large helping of profanities. Highfire is definitely not a children’s book.
Except for the recognisable underpinning of Colfer’s worldbuilding and plot development, I was left a bit in shock and nearly gave up reading. Artemis Fowl it is not.
Maybe that is no bad thing. As I carried on reading I got into the rhythm of the thing and began to enjoy the florid characters who, although classic southern states bayou caricatures, sat well into the flamboyant plot.
It is the development of engaging characters and twisty turning adrenaline-filled plots that Colfer does best. Although the characters currently lack the depth of those in Artemis Fowl, this is the first in what I imagine will be a new series and there is time for them to develop.
Where I think the book could really take off is as an audiobook, given a highly skilled performer who can really let rip and immerse the listener into Highfire’s colourful world. As yet there is no audio extract available but Johnny Heller, billed as the book’s narrator, seems to be a good choice, as his voice potentially has the right timbre and pace to lend itself well to vocally fleshing out the characters and creating a very entertaining listening experience.