Title: The Rithmatist
Author: Brandon Sanderson
First published May 13, 2013
378 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780765320322 (ISBN10: 0765320320)
Rating: 4.25
Overview
In a world where Rithmatics is the only way to defend against vicious Chalklings, Joel dreams of becoming a Rithmatist. However, as the child of a mere chalkmaker, he is resigned to watching from afar.
When Rithmatist students begin to vanish without a trace, Joel and his friend Melody are drawn into the investigation. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a shocking revelation that threatens to alter the course of Rithmatics forever.
Will Joel and Melody be able to save their world from the impending danger, or will they fall victim to the same fate as the missing students? Find out in Brandon Sanderson’s thrilling novel, The Rithmatist.
About the Author
Brandon Sanderson, a renowned author, has exciting releases for the second half of 2016. One of the books is The Dark Talent, which is the final volume of the Alcatraz Smedry series.
The book is an autobiographical account of Alcatraz’s quest against the Evil Librarians, who have been secretly governing our world. The second book, Arcanum Unbounded, is a collection of short fiction in the Cosmere universe, which includes the Mistborn series and the Stormlight Archive.
The book features The Emperor’s Soul, Mistborn: Secret History, and a new Stormlight Archive novella.
In addition to these books, Brandon released the final book of the Reckoners trilogy earlier this year. The first book of the Reckoners series was a #1 New York Times bestseller.
Brandon’s passion for reading grew when an eighth-grade teacher gave him a copy of Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly. He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1975, and by junior high, he had lost interest in reading.
Tor Books bought the sixth book he wrote, while he was working on his thirteenth novel. Tor has published the Mistborn trilogy, its follow-up, the first two books in The Stormlight Archive series, and the final book of The Wheel of Time series.
Brandon is the only author to have made the shortlist for the David Gemmell Legend Award six times in four years. He won the award in 2011 for The Way of Kings.
In 2013, he won the Hugo Award for Best Novella with The Emperor’s Soul. He has also appeared on the Best-Seller List multiple times, with five novels hitting the #1 spot.
Currently, Brandon resides in Utah with his family and teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University.
Editoral Review
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson is a gripping fantasy novel that immerses readers into a world where magic and science collide. This novel, first published in May 2013, follows the story of Joel, a student at the Armedius Academy, who dreams of becoming a Rithmatist, a powerful mage who can bring chalk drawings to life to defeat deadly chalklings.
Brandon Sanderson, the author of the Mistborn Trilogy and the Stormlight Archive, is no stranger to epic world-building and compelling characters. His masterful storytelling shines through in The Rithmatist, where he creates a complex and vivid world that captivates readers from start to finish.
The novel blends classic fantasy elements with a touch of steampunk and alternate history, which gives it a unique flavor in the realm of YA fantasy. Set in a world where a select few individuals have the ability to bring drawings to life, The Rithmatist introduces readers to a fascinating magic system that is both imaginative and grounded in logic.
Sanderson lays out the rules of the magic system early on, leaving readers to marvel at how the characters use their abilities in creative ways throughout the story. The novel’s plot centers around the Academy’s Rithmatist students as they train to defeat a group of rogue chalklings that have been terrorizing the city.
Joel, the protagonist, is not a Rithmatist but has a passion for the art. His keen mind and observational skills make him an excellent detective, and he partners with Melody, a Rithmatist student, to uncover the truth behind the latest attacks.
The characters in The Rithmatist are well-crafted and easy to root for. Joel, the plucky underdog, is endearing and determined, while Melody is clever, confident, and a bit snarky.
Sanderson imbues his characters with distinct personalities and motivations, which makes their interactions feel authentic and keeps the reader engaged. Sanderson’s prose is clear, concise, and easy to follow, making the book an accessible read for a wide audience.
The pacing is brisk, and the action sequences are thrilling and dynamic. The novel’s themes of friendship, loyalty, and self-discovery are woven into the story organically, making for a satisfying and emotionally resonant read.
Overall, The Rithmatist is a captivating and well-crafted novel that will appeal to both adult and young adult readers. Fans of Brandon Sanderson’s other works will appreciate the author’s masterful storytelling, while those new to his writing will find a fantastic introduction to his imaginative and immersive worlds.
This novel is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys YA fantasy or speculative fiction that explores the boundaries of what is possible.
Score: 4.5/5
