Sudoku has taken a lot of us by surprise. Something that you don’t expect to be interested in and you try it, now you find yourself hooked. Japanese magazines consisting entirely of Sudoku puzzles are said to sell six hundred thousand copies a month. There are several authors putting out many Sudoku books and they are all pretty much the same. I choose this author because there were two volumes available and I liked the layout of the book.
Will Shortz is the New York Times crossword editor so I thought that this would be a good book based on the fact that the guy has been doing puzzles for a long time. He even has a degree in Enigmatology. Based on his experience, he had already published a few volumes in this series and I am currently waiting for more.
Each book has a total of 150 puzzles. There is also an introduction at the beginning of the book to introduce the puzzles and how to solve them. It’s actually quite a simple strategy to solve them although you will probably look at one and wonder what you had gotten into. This particular book has 148 standard 9x9 puzzles that start with easy one’s and progress into the more challenging puzzles. The last two are giant 12 x 12 Sudoku puzzles. Each puzzle is set on it's own page so that allows you to have them large enough to see. Though some with very bad eye sight might need glasses, even though the puzzle is an average size. There is also an answer section in the back of the book. I recommend checking your numbers after you get them in the puzzle so that you don't make any mistakes and have to start all over.
Sudoku puzzles have a 9x9 square grid that are then divided into smaller (9) 3x3 grids. The objective is to fill in each box with the numbers 1-9, the larger puzzles take numbers 1-13. The thing is that you cannot repeat any number within the same row, column, or 3x3 grid. Each puzzle begins with some numbers randomly placed around the 9x9 grid to help you get started. Sounds easy?
Actually the first few puzzles in the book are pretty easy once you get the hang of how to go about it. As long as you can count to the number nine, most should be able to figure it out. It can get downright easy on the beginner puzzles, but it’s still fun to work them. Some difficulties may occur when you get to the “very challenging” puzzles. You are provided with less numbers filled into the puzzles when you first start them. But you will definitely get a sense of satisfaction when you complete one of these challenging puzzles. But they can also get pretty frustrating when you get to a point that there are no ways to fill in numbers and you have to make some educated guesses or use your reasoning skills.
I usually start with each 3x3 grid and attempt to get the numbers 1-9 into the grid. When I cannot fit anymore, then I progress into either the rows or the columns. If I have entered any numbers, I then go back into the 3x3 grids just to make sure that I cannot get anymore numbers in. With these puzzles, you have to keep building on the numbers you fill in. When I get to the more challenging puzzles, there usually comes a point where I cannot put anymore numbers into the 9x9 grid. Then I have no choice but to go through every grid and right in the (small) numbers leftover in every box that they can possibly fit in. Then I am usually able to see where there are numbers that can fit into the grids. But be careful that you don’t actually repeat number in the 3x3 grid, row, or column. This could be a total start over point.
I have to say that I was definitely surprised at how addicting these puzzles can be. I originally purchased this book because search-a-word puzzles are too easy for me and crossword puzzles make me feel stupid unless I really take the time to concentrate on them. I wanted something for car trips when we head south to visit my brothers every so often. I did a few of the puzzles right when I bought the book (instead of waiting for a trip) and I have found that I tend to pick up the book at home more than I intended to.
If you are a fan of puzzles, this is one book that you definitely need to check out.
Although if you have doubts about your ability to solve these puzzles, there are a few other books out there that have easier puzzles you can start with. Shortz also has other books available that I have yet to try, but will definitely hunt them down in the future. These puzzles can get a little challenging, but they can also be very fun.
Also available from Shortz:
Pocket Sudoku: Volume 2
The Giant Book of Sudoku
The Sudoku Challenge
* This review is a part of the Expanding the Database W/O hosted by CaptainD
~ Happy Solving!
Kim
ISBN: 0-312-96708-X
Format: Paperback
Publisher: St. Martins Paperbacks
Price: $4.99 US/$6.99 CAN
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