Excel Preliminary Chemistry is an okay textbook. However, I would recommend Conquering Chemistry. Unlike Excel, Conquering Chemistry has clear colour diagrams plus short and simple explanations as opposed to the black and white pictures and detail explanations of Excel.
Excel isn't a textbook. It's a study guide. There's a big difference. I don't know anything about Conquering Chemistry, I've heard it's good, but I'd recommend Chemistry Contexts 1 for prelim
an excellent teacher who was once at my school (and taught someone who got 3rd in the state for chem) told me never to buy excel. try the "surfing" series, and i agree, conquering chem is v. good, and so is chemistry contexts