Space Rescue

by Graham White

It seems simple enough. You have discovered an S.O.S. message from a spacecraft in danger of exploding on a far-flung planet and need to find and rescue them. That's when the fun begins; as you travel through the book using lateral thinking, imagination, perseverance, code breaking and anything else you can squeeze out of your brain-box to plot your way through the maze. Following the simple and witty instructions you are left to find your way up and down stairs, along corridors, through tunnels, up elevators and any other possible route through the page. Each spread brings a new and different challenge as your journey moves from city to space station, from mining colony to jungle, until you reach an the stricken craft and begin the exciting and intriguing conclusion which tests your previous puzzle-solving skills. And once you've succeeded, if your brain isn't completely frazzled, you can play again - trying to find a quicker route to the imperilled spacecraft.

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Finlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one's an old favourite, that I feel fortunate enough to have found in my mum's house when I was back home. I was probably in my teens when I got it, actually, but it's definitely aimed at younger people than that. But I'm now in my 30s and it's still enjoyable and confusing. It's easy to get stuck on a wild goose chase as you try to navigate the mazes. Since all the pages are interconnected, it's very easy to get lost - I mentioned in a review of another maze book that they became samey and easy to brute-force or backtrack when you can see the whole thing at once.

It's been at least ten years since I last read it, so the puzzles were mostly fresh for me this time. I could remember bits and pieces, but usually after I'd made the same mistake again.

Great illustrations, too. It's just a shame that it was never made into a series. I'd have bought other "A-Mazing Journeys" books if they'd ever made them!