A review by sassmistress
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense

4.25

This book made me stay up late to finish it! I hate that there isn't a sequel. Page-turner for sure. The moral lessons for the teenage protagonist and the Mormon-y themes are just a little too overt for my forever shelf, but I really enjoyed it and will read more from this author. 

The geometry-based magic system is super unique and really gets into the weeds. Exciting adventure, good vs evil, clean story and good character on display. Very riveting, clever strategizing, and a

happy, then cliffhanger

ending. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Kidnapping, Grief, War, Racism, Xenophobia, Misogyny, Death of parent, Classism, Child death, Bullying, and Blood

Character Content: Lots of good character in the book. For an adult reader, the lessons get laid on a little thick at times, but they are good. Mostly the sorts of things that kids and teenagers notice/discover and file away, like recognizing which adults have good character and which are bullies/showoffs/hypocrites, or "The Master chose Rithmatists. Didn't he, in a way, choose cleaning ladies as well?" (ie. deserving of equal honor) We also see overt correction from a father figure: "That was not the sign of a boy who was proud of his aptitude. It was a boy who was proud of being better than another. You disappointed me greatly."... "You are young, Joel. Young enough that you still have time to decide the type of man you would like to become. Do not let jealousy, bitterness, or anger be what guides that path." One thing that surprised me was how ADHD-coded the main character is. If you're familiar with the stereotypes of an undiagnosed inattentive presentation, you'll see it everywhere. But this character will also be particularly relatable to young men who just need a little encouragement to apply themselves. Those things aren't synonymous, of course, but this character seems to be both. (It's still a great read even if these don't apply to you!) The MC shows a lot of character growth. He starts out a little self-pitying, makes some short-sighted decisions, spills cruel and careless words, etc. But he also learns from the caring adults in his life, helps his mother with physical labor, and makes selfless decisions to help others. And he quietly comes to a sort of transformative moment: "It's more than that, of course," Fitch said. "Joel, lad, school is about learning to *learn*. If you don't practice studying things you don't like, then you'll have a very hard time in life. How are you going to become a brilliant Rithmatics scholar and attend university if you don't learn to study when you don't feel like it?" ... He doubted those universities would admit a student who had a habit of failing at least one class every term. He gritted his teeth, frustrated with himself, but there was nothing he could do about years past. Perhaps he could change the future. Other content notes: MC's father died 8 years ago, he and his mother are still grieving that loss. Some intense violence for a YA book, though not up close. The monstrous "wild chalklings" tear up flesh and eyeballs and such to kill their victim. This doesn't happen on-page, but it creates a tense fear. Male-female friendship never develops further than the male MC noticing that his friend is actually "very pretty" and wanting to spend more time together. His mother makes a comment about him "bringing a girl over for dinner". I'm not thrilled by the implied inevitability of romantic attraction between boy/girl friends, but it's tame. There are a few comments from side characters like "Fishing, swimming, girls in sundresses on the beach. Mmmm...." or "He doesn't pay attention to anyone who doesn't have a chest worth staring at." LOTS of spiritual content: The magic (Rithmatics) is said to be a gift granted by the Master to some people in a (subtly Mormon-coded) religious ceremony for all 8 year olds in a cathedral. There are prayers, occasional oaths ("by the Master!!", "And Master help me, I believed in him"). The MC sees a spiritual being/visitation that says nothing and disappears quickly. The evil antagonist is portrayed in a demon-possession-coded way, though this is a fantasy world so it's not an exact analogy. Another, longer example: "But everyone knows that ice cream is worth the trouble of being cold. Like all things virtuous, you have to suffer to gain the reward." "Ice cream as a metaphor for religious virtue?" Joel said. "Nice." As an alternate history fantasy, it also goes into politics and multiple religions. The one in focus was founded when the King of England fled to the US and "discovered" Rithmatics when the Master granted him the ability. It's presented as true, with other denominations and religions still in place.