Artemis Fowl series?

They're sort of kiddy books, but each one (I think there's four out now?) has held my attention indefinitely.  I just love Eoin Colfer's writing style and the characters and plots and everything. 
So yeah anyone read this book?  Liked it?  Not liked it? 

(Oh yeah and if anyone could recommend me good fantasy books that aren't overly creepy or cheesy, that would be awesome.)

The first book contained a few eye-rolling moments. As the books wore on they got better.

I lost interest in the middle of the fifth book though. Despite the eye-rollers, I feel the first book was the best, simply because Fowl was more interesting as a crazy brat playing with bombs and playing the evil genius against heavy odds.

Nice kid who always has a technical trick up his sleeve? Count me out. It smacks too much of deux ex machina.