Secrets of the Alchemist Dar (A Treasure's Trove) [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

I received my copy of Secrets of the Alchemist Dar in the mail two days ago, and let me sum up by saying this: Michael Stadther has done it again.

The old characters Zac, Ana, and Pook are back in this sequel to the orginal bestseller "A Treasure's Trove", along with a couple of new characters in the world of the Great Forest, including a loveable newborn Doth (veterans of the series will know that a Doth is a cross between a dog and a moth). I won't give away the name of the new Doth here, you will just have to read it to find out!

Like the original story, The Alchemist Dar is a classic children's tale of fairies, heroes, and mythical creatures, and an epic battle of good versus evil. Any parent with young children should buy this book, and I guarantee they will spend hours reading it with their children again and again. Every illustration in The Alchemist Dar is a small gem, and the story is as good as the original. As a bonus, there is even a sort of "book within a book": namely the book of Light/Dark spells at the end that contains many mysteries waiting to be discovered.

And as if all that isn't enough, The Alchemist Dar has another thing in common with the original: a real-life hunt for real world treasure! And the hunt is even bigger and better than before. In the original, clues led to twelve jewelled creatures; in the Alchemist Dar, clues will lead readers to one hundred exquisite rings designed by a world class jeweller, with one ring appraised at one million US dollars, containing a red diamond, one of the rarest gems on earth. So even if you don't have children, if you like an intellectual challenge, you will enjoy spending hours with this book trying to unlock the secrets of the rings.

I recommend getting the entire set of companion books to go along with the Alchemist Dar, as each one contains special additional clues that assist with the hunt, though they are not required to solve any of the puzzles within the main book.

First, let me start off with the positive. Since I had read, and participated in, Mr. Stadther first hunt, A T T, I was very exicted for this second book to come out. It has proven exceedingly difficult. If for nothing else than to show you how a man could hide an elusive code, burried within this book, I would recommend this book.

Anyone who is considering purchasing this boook on or after 1/27/08, should know the following:

A) This book has been unsolved, in any fashion, by the ten thousand people who have attempted to solve the puzzles for over a year, which is, in my opinion, an impressive feat.

B) The legal status of this "hunt" is unknown at this moment.

-Anyone considering purchasing this book at this moment for prizes,

should know that this hunt may be closed at a moments notice.

-Simon and Schuster, thru counsel, have commenced bankruptcy

proceedings against the author, and may close down the "hunt"

momentairly.

Please seek the websites related to the hunt for further information.

Secrets of the Alchemist Dar - A Brief Review

The book can only be found in the children's section of the most well-known book store chains. Why would anyone hope to sell a book there? Well, Secrets is such a book. Secrets is not just a fantasy, it is also a treasure hunt, filled with imagery, and hints that invite even more images. If you have ever enjoyed tales, this book promises and delivers a unique tale, filled with reminders of flash lighted faces stories told at campfires, at home, and with wonder.

The author dedicates his book to anyone who reads it with a child. The illustrations range from the seemingly crude to the sublime, mystery and wonder. Is it a classic tale retold? Maybe, Maybe not. The story begins with a dance, and ends with something else. Oh no, I won't give that secret away (it might be a solve). If you go to the website dedicated to this hunt, you will hear that often enough, and you will meet people as interesting as the characters in this book. But be careful some of them might be alchemists or worse.

Alchemy, the very word invokes images of menace. Laboratories where vile things like pollution of the environment for greed takes place by villains of every sort. And a challenge, the author makes you part of the story, and you accept. Teachers are invited to investigate the educational possibilities presented.

Biology, physics, mathematics, probability, social responsibility, jurisprudence, archeology, geography, astronomy, history, and research - its all there, and more. Exploring the possibilities. Did the author succeed with this? In my view, yes.

Parents would welcome the opportunity to share this adventure with their children. Age appropriate? Thousands of adults have read and enjoyed this book, not just once, but many times. The book however is not for adults, it is fundamentally a child's story, a tale told to awaken the imagination, the first place reading begins. Then, it reaches in to stir curiosity, and awaken possibilities. Then seemingly out of the blue, critical thinking based upon observation, hypothesis and reasoning starts to take root.