The Original Sudoku

Bought as gift. Daughter loved it. Compact size and comes with extra hard puzzles too!

I received this book as a gift from someone who knew I really liked Sudoku. I have been playing for a long time and I think I am an advanced player. I played all online games until I bought this book.Now that I've played these hand-drawn puzzles, I have trouble going back to the computer generated puzzles. Although still challenging, these ones have that extra ingredient-- they are FUN. When I go back to the online "Evil" or "Very Hard" games, I reach a point where it's simply aggravating and I leave. I want to stress that this doesn't mean that these puzzles are "easier" by any means. It's just the logic you use here is natural and not mechanical or forced.As has been mentioned before in other reviews, the "easy" and the "very hard" levels here generally have the same number of squares revealed at the start; it's simply where the numbers are placed that makes the difficulty. If you are completely new to Sudoku, you will find that the "Easy" puzzles here are much more challenging than other volumes. (The computer generated Easy puzzles that I see now seem childish, like one of these puzzles 75% finished-- where's the fun in that?)Bottom line: If you are new, be warned these are not the Easy puzzles you are used to. If you are experienced, be aware: you may never go back!

The Nikoli Publishing puzzles are both fun to complete and well-sized. The puzzle grids are a little over 3 inches by 3 inches. I like this size because it's small enough to see patterns emerging (look at the puzzle as a whole) yet large enough to pencil in multiple numbers that might reside in a single square.I agree with another reviewer who commented that sometimes the designations don't seem to jive -- I've found some of the "very hard" puzzles easier to complete that some of the "medium" puzzles. But the puzzles are fun and engaging.I like this publisher better than Sudoku puzzle books edited by Will Shortz (the puzzle grids are just too big) and the Master Sudoku books by Carol Vorderman. I'd rank Nikoli one, Vorderman two and Shortz 3. However, I think Vorderman give the best "How to Solve" directions and would point beginners to her books.

It’s a great size! I take it everywhere with me. Makes me look cool in public instead of awkwardly touching my phone

Great Book! Even the Easy puzzles are challenging. Great size. Perfectly designed book and easy to use and travel with. Japanese designed.Several of these books available all progressively harder. I'm on the second and will definitely be searching for the third when this ones done.P.S. it's been years since I bought this book but have never been without one since!!! Always have book with me.

I enjoy Sudoku and I was looking for something small that I can fit in my purse and I can solve while I am waiting for an interview or a doctors appointment, ext. This is the far the best and its challenging and fun. I love it. The puzzles start out easy and move up to hard. Its perfect and its designed by the original creator. Its nice to have something that is made by a person and not a computer. thanks

This Sudoku book is unique in that the publisher boasts that all 300 puzzles are created by an actual person. There is an introduction that, in addition to giving the rules and strategy hints, explains why these "handmade" puzzles are unique and supposedly more interesting to solve. I think it just makes them harder! Typically a computer generated "easy" takes me five minutes or so, these "easy" puzzles *really* stumped me. As in it over an hour to solve the first one. Its a good sized book, small enough to carry around but large enough to pencil in guesses. Nice heavy paper stands up to the inevitable erasing!

The TYPE SIZE IN THIS BOOK IS HUGE. I feel like the book is made for a half-blind old lady. It's hard to focus. However, I enjoy the challenge of these puzzles, they are truly unique. Plus, if you're a quiter, there is an answer key in the back. I started out as a novice, doing puzzles on the metro, then I bought this book, and my timing and efficiency has increased ten-fold. My only beef is with the massive text. Otherwise, dude, go for it!