Love, Gnommish Tattoos, and Marriage – an Artemis Fowl love story

The first ‘Artemis Fowl’ novel first graced our bookshelves and hearts over a decade ago, all the way back in 2001. Many of the people who picked up the first book when it was released have now completed school, maybe they’ve gained a University degree, started a family, or any number of life achievements and milestones.

To us, as Artemis Fowl fans, one story stands out: the story of Pedro and Débora, a couple from Brazil, and how they fell in love.

Rather than piecing together their love story, we had a chat with Pedro to find out why Artemis Fowl played such a huge role in their relationship, so much so that they got Gnommish tattoos instead of engagement rings, and a mini Artemis Fowl book even made an appearance on their wedding cake!

AFC: How did Débora and yourself meet?

Funny thing, we studied in the same 2 primary and high schools for most of our student period, and never talked to each other! 

Then, 7 years ago, a couple who are our friends introduced us, and in only a week we were going steady.

AFC: Do you remember when Débora and yourself first picked up the Artemis Fowl books?

We can’t remember exactly, it’s been too long, but definitely while in primary school. 12-15 years old, I’d say.

AFC: How did Artemis Fowl fit into how your relationship blossomed?

We both read a lot, since we were children (and still read a lot nowadays), so our literary interest was already a good point between us. Before meeting me, Débora was snooping around my online profile in Facebook and discovered I had read Artemis Fowl. We had been pretty shy to each other until she brought up Artemis Fowl, which was a book we had never talked about because no one had read it! 

The Artemis Fowl conversation went on through the night together with other discussions about other books, but we agree that AF was definitely the lengthier one and the one that set us on our path to knowing each other.

AFC: What is it about Artemis Fowl that’s so special to Débora and yourself?

I don’t think I can put my finger on what makes us like AF that much. The books are really captivating and all the characters are quite unique and likable (even the villains, in a funny way). You can feel their personalities and that they will hold on to their ideals in all the situations they end up in.

AFC: Why did you decide to get Gnommish tattoos instead of engagement rings?

We had decided on a tattoo long ago, just because it was something different – no big reason for it really. Since it would have to be something really small, we though about the elvish alphabet of AF and settled on the acorn. It’s cute and an important and meaningful item in the books. I guess we consider each other his or her magical acorns – just like the people of Haven, we have to rely on the “acorn”, and, as Holly dangerously taught us throughout her ordeals, it’s something we have to care about, never take for granted, and don’t forget to plant it constantly!

AFC: Thanks so much for your time, Pedro. We wish you all the very best in your marriage.

We reached out to Eoin Colfer prior to publishing this article and interview with Pedro, and he had a special message for the happy couple…