THE FINDER:

Kids Can Press, Toronto, New York, 2004
ISBN: 1553376714 (HARDCOVER)
ISBN: 1553376722 (TRADE PAPERBACK)
TITLE: THE FINDER

Emma Sweeney (See The Watcher and The Seeker for the first two books about Emma) knows she has a mysterious link to the world beyond the portal, but what can it be?

When she stumbles into that world with her friend Pictree Bragg - against the orders of Histal, Master of the Watcher Campan - she finds a place of danger, intrigue and deadly Game Playing. Everything she values and everything she loves is suddenly at stake. Worst of all, Emma's not sure if she can trust her friend and Watcher Tom - for she soon realizes he's keeping secrets from her again.

Emma's powers are constantly tested and threatened in this new world. Can she solve the ominous puzzles set up in the vast and treacherous maze? It won't be easy. But when Emma feels her weakest, she discovers an inner strength she did not realize she had ...

Winner: McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award

A few reviews for THE FINDER:

REVIEW:As the third book in the acclaimed trilogy,"The Watcher's Quest", this book rejoins Emma for the most dangerous quest of the series. We watch Emma flawlessly follow Jospeh Campbell's stages in hero quest as she answers the call to adventure, undergoes trials, discovers her father, (actually that was in the Seeker! MB) has a death like experience, and ...(I've left this bit out as it gives away too much of the plot!MB). All this is with the help of her friend and sometimes love, Watcher Tom ... The Finder is an intriguing and well-written conclusion to "The Watcher's Quest Trilogy". Fantasy lovers will enjoy this book, but they would be well advised to begin at the beginning of the trilogy. Childrens' Literature 2004

REVIEW:In this final volume in the trilogy, Emma is trying to save the world that she has discovered from an evil Game-playing genius. She must risk her life and the lives of her friends and family to finish the quest and win the Game ... This is a well-written and exciting adventure ... a rollicking story with plenty of aliens, danger and conflict for fans of the series. School Library Journal 2004

REVIEW:This is definitely the best of The Watcher's Quest books. The action is breathtaking, and moves quickly from one situation to another. But more than that, we feel for Emma - her anger, her pain, her love - as she struggles to find herself and to deal with her emotions. As with all the Wathcer's Quest books, the worlds are vividly imagined and the characters interesting. Mom's rating - 5 wands! - wandsandworlds.com 2004

REVIEW:The Finder is the third book in "The Watcher's Quest" trilogy. In this complicated, cunning finale, Emma Sweeney is sent to spend a week with her human family on Argadnel, another world. Against direct orders, she enters a cave portal there and thus sets in motion another Game in which powerful druids battle for control of worlds ... Video game players will revel in this book's fast paced action, leaps into the unknown, character morphing and setting meltdowns. Heroes with "magickal" powers, characters described in infinite detail, and the excitement of competitive gaming will attract both boys and girls who long to be the honourable hero who succeeds in the face of almost insurmountable odds through gritty determination and dogged persistence, not to mention a little luck ... A love story is interwoven through the book, too. Emma is initially a wilful, hot-headed, immature girl. Defying her teachers, she takes off into the unknown almost to spite them, deciding that she will no longer be a student Watcher ... Humility initially escapes her. It is only in the end, when Emma admits that she is playing a Game and not going on a quest, that she 'wins" the Game.There are many (countless) other characters each more weird and wonderful than the last. None change and develop the way Emma does, but rather they contribute extremely colourful background to Emma's adventures. Some are not what they seem ... The intricate connections between these players of the Game are extremely complex ... Strong themes of the necessity of discovering one's own identity and persisting in the face of danger and defeat dominate this novel. The powerful pull of family love, though, is ultimately the basis of Emma's success, as she completes her tasks to save her family and to discover who she really is. For those middle school readers willing to persist with its many complications and to puzzle solve as they read, The Finder will provide a satisfying and compelling story. Canadian Materials 2004

RECOMMENDATION: The Finder (Print-Fiction). Buffie, Margaret. (The Watcher's Quest Series). Kids Can Press (UTP), 2004. 406 p. ISBN 1-55337-671-4 ($16.95 hdc.). ISBN 1-55337-672-2 ($8.95 pbk.). (CAN) This third book in The Watcher's Quest trilogy can stand alone. Emma and Tom enter a cave on Argadnel, another world, where Emma must find the four wands (Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire) because everything Emma values and everyone she loves depends on her success. The adventure brings into play all of Emma's experience and her wits, as well as assistance from others. The fast-paced action includes character morphing and setting meltdowns. Heroes with magical powers and a love story are interwoven into the plot. The powerful themes of discovering one's own identity and persisting in the face of danger are dominant. The enduring strength of family love that gives Emma the power to fulfill her quest is refreshing. Suggested Use: Grade 9; Imaginative and Literary Context; Personal and Philosophical Context. Gov't of Saskatchewen Learning Resources

READER'S COMMENTS FOR THE FINDER AND THE WATCHER'S QUEST TRILOGY:

I just finished reading "The Watcher's Quest Trilogy" and I absolutely loved it. I first heard about your books a few years back when I read "The Watcher" and I really liked it. At the time I didn't know it was part of a trilogy. So about two years later, I found "The Seeker." You can imagine the joy I felt that you wrote a sequel to "The Watcher" and was presently writing a third book, "The Finder." As I neared the end of the final book I found myself not wanting the story to end, because I loved the characters and story so much. It was an escape from the stress of school and daily life. The thrill, excitement, and realism of the story pulls me in every time I read it. So I guess I'm just writing to say how much I appreciate the hard work and effort you put into this story. I'm also writing to beg you to write more books about Emma and this Alternate Universe. I don't know how likely that is, but I thought I'd try and ask. :) Your Avid Fan, Yvonne

I love your books sooooooo much! I'm a 14 year old girl in Ontario, and just a month ago, our class had to do a novel study. I was planing to get a long book because I'm weird that way i guess?!?! I saw a thicker book called "The Seeker" and signed it out. I read it so fast and loved it, My report turned out real good too! Determined to read more of your work, i researched on you and the book and discovered there was a prequel to it called the Watcher, so i went to our public library (cause our school didn't have it) to read it. But when i went there i saw The finder...got soooo excited.....and i mean that...and i got that one instead. Sorry,i haven't read the Watcher yet, but i'm sure it's awesome. I started reading the Finder right as we got in the car to drive back home. Since it was late and we had school the following day, i had to put it down. So the next day of school i was waiting all day just to get home to read! Once home, i plopped myself on the couch and read for hours and hours until i was finished! It was even better than the Seeker!!! (The Seeker was still amazing) I loved everything, if i where to tell you everything i enjoyed about it, this e-mail would go on forever! Now I'm not a book worm...accually it's hard for me to read even one book a month, but this one was different! Cause just after i finished The Finder i told ALL my friends, whether they wanted to hear it or not, about The Finder, they said it sounded really interesting and they're going to read it as well. This story tops Harry potter and The Lord of the Rings combined (I mean those stories were great too). And i strongly encourage you or someone else to send a movie script to a person so they can make a movie out of it. I would pay anything to see it! They're making sooooo many movies out of books nowadays like...Harrypotter, Lord of the Rings, Confessions of a Teenage drama queen, and now A series of unfortunate Events, next i'm hoping to see "Coming out soon... The Watchers Trilogy." I'm planning to read some of your other books as well, i love your writing style. And those big and uncommon words you used like 'emaciated', where quite interesting to look up in the dictionary... it widened my vocabulary!!! If you make a movie out of this Watchers Trilogy, i guarantee you it will attract many people, because it's got fantasy animal creatures, different tribes and clanns with a wide variedly of Human like creatures, and characters you love to love and love to hate!!! Think of all the special effects!!! It would be the picture of the year!!!! I urge you to try to make this a movie, if at all possible, and if not...keep writing more and adding on to the Quest. Can you let me know if you are going to write a sequel to the finder??? I'll read it in the blink of an eye. Thanks for taking your time to read my excruciating long e-mail (Ha Ha), and i look forward to a sequel (or MOVIE!) From: Jessica

I just finished reading your books "The Watcher" and "The Seeker", which were given to me for Christmas. They were fantastic! Your books have always been a welcome escape from everyday life for me. I found the characters from your new books very endearing. Emma is hard not to love, with her "slightly" big mouth and her loyalty to her Earth (or Eorthe) family. Tom was my favorite character, I think. Such an enigma at times, and near the end of The Seeker, it is so so hard to know if he's to be trusted! The reader can find themselves relating completely to what Emma is feeling at the time. Your books are impossible to put down, because you just have to know what is going to happen to everyone! Cill was a very lovable character, as was Gyro. I cannot wait until I read the last book of the trilogy. I always find that after reading books by other authors for awhile, returning to your writing is like coming home again after being away for years, to things that are familiar and safe. I think that teenagers like myself can relate fully to the things your characters go through, which is what make your writing so welcomed by my age group. Your books even have a way, at times, of making lost teenagers feel less alone, making them feel that there is someone who does understand their troubles. I hope you continue writing for a long time, and look forward to reading other books by you. Sarah from Ontario

This summer I went to Canada, where I first read your first two books of The Watchers Quest . I love the trilogy. Every time I read it I get the same thrill and excitement of the Adventure. It ranks up there with Harry Potter and I am a big fan of that. I think that you should make a movie of the books. It would be amazing! A reader from Maryland, USA

I have read every book you have ever published and I enjoyed all of them. My favorites were probably the first two books in the WATCHERS QUEST trilogy. I just wondered do you (know) when The Finder will be released? I hope it is soon because I can't wait to read it! Isabelle

Oh my gosh! I loved the book "The Seeker" ... I didn't know that there was a prequel! There should be a warning on books like: Warning: This book has a prequel! Beware! ... You have an amazing talent! I can't wait to read the prequel! (the Watcher) Ash

I love your books. You're a great writer! The way you mix magical worlds and real worlds together makes them seem so real. I'm addicted to The Watcher's Quest. I just finished The Seeker this morning and I was wondering when you think The Finder will be out. I can't wait to read it. Kelly

I just love Emma! I've read both The Watcher and The Seeker twice (something I rarely do) and am looking forward to seeing what's in store for Emma and her friends. Thank you for sharing your gift and writing such a wonderful story. Natalie

I have just finished reading all three books in the Watcher's Quest series. They are fabulous books. I honestly had trouble putting your books down as I just wanted to keep reading until I was finished. I love the imagery and the "realness" you put into your writing. And your imagination and the creation of such beautiful worlds. I especially enjoyed Cill and her character and the fact she is leaves. Thank You! Maureen from Vancouver BC ... Oct 2005

Dear Ms. Buffie, A couple of weeks ago I read and finished your book, The Seeker, it was fabulous! Right now I am reading The Finder and, although I am only a couple of chapters into this book I know it will be wonderful! I am at the part when Emma and Pictoree Bragg have crossed the bridge of light. I love how when you write your books it makes me feel as if there are other worlds, with people who can do spectacular things, like becoming invisible or flying on large birdlike beings like Badba does. It makes me feel as if there might be a "Game" going on somewhere with rulers fighting over new lands It seems like all I have to do is look up at the sky... I hope you write many more books, you have a lot of talent! Keep up the good work! Sincerely, Brooke - A grade 7 student from North Dakota

Hello. My name's Nicole, although I prefer Nicki, and I'm a fan of your "The Watcher's Quest" series. I loved reading those three book so much, especially the last one, "The Finder". I felt like I was going mentally insane when I finished it though, because I read at least 10 chapters a day, and I spent most of my time reading it that I felt like I was in the book, so I guess you could say I sort of tuned out from reality. I got myself back together soon after though. I wish there were, really, different worlds like that. I'm always wishing that there was another book. And that when I finished that book I'd find another one, because I love those books. I started reading your books because I went to the library with my best friend for a few hours, and I wanted a series to read. Then I found your three "The Watcher's Quest" books, and I decided that since it was like the only interesting looking series I found, I would take them out and read them. In fact, they were so interesting, that I actually had to pay for late fees a couple times because I wanted to finish them before I renewed them. It's only 10 cents a day for every late book, though, thankfully. I also I had to finish "The Finder" pretty soon though, because unfortunately I have no clue where I put my library card. I was so into it though, that I finished it in four days, because whenever I read a chapter, I read another, then it turned into 10 chapters, and so on. I really enjoyed those books, especially the last one in the series. I also feel that I can really relate to Emma. I hope you write another one, and I don't think I'll ever stop wishing there was another book to the series. I really admire your "The Watcher's Quest" books, and I hope you'll consider maybe writing another one sometime? Well, thanks for reading this email, I hope you enjoyed it! : ) Sincerely, Nicki

I just had to write and tell you that you're my favorite author! I love all your books. But my favorites would have to be all of "THE WATCHER'S QUEST". They are the books that I read, and will continue to read, over and over again. I love the characters. They are just so endearing. I first read the books when i was 15 years old and now, at 18 they still remain my favorite. Thank you sooo much for sharing your stories with me and the world. And inspiring me to write as well. Sincerely and with much love, Kristie N. ,