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mljohnson2698 's review for:
The Rithmatist
by Brandon Sanderson
Somehow I had never read this book until now, which is a shame because I enjoyed it quite a lot. I mean what's not to love?
GOOD
- Joel is my favourite type of protagonist: the majorly underpowered kid who has to do a lot of problem solving. Yessssss. No magic powers to solve this kid's problems.
- Joel wants SO BADLY to be a Rithmatist (like the same level of want that David had to join the Reckoners or Spensa had to be a pilot), and
- Melody. I think she's hilarious. And I love that she's a seriously underpowered character, so I've got a fantastic duo of two people who can't really do magic having to work together. Plus, I thought the unicorns were a nice touch to make her chalklings distinctive.
- The kidnapping mystery is pretty fun. I hadn't read a Sanderson book that I'd genuinely classify as a mystery, but now I've read one. The world is still full of surprises.
- The melee. Hello, my new favourite part of the book. I mean, come on. It's literally the definition of what I love:
- That was hecka intense in a weird way.
- How everything wrapped up very nicely, but there's still a hint of hope for a sequel—if Brandon Sanderson ever gets around to it.
- All around, this book is a fun time and not a long time. This book is very short and doesn't have super dense world building or anything. Really, anyone could read this and have a good time.
Really my only complaint
- I'm going to say it cuz somebody has to say it: the magic system is well built, but honestly, it's a little too weird for me. All the rules are clear, and all the rules are followed. But that doesn't change the fact the magic system is literally drawing fancy circles and lines with chalk while getting attacked by magical 2D chalk drawings. Or you have Rithmatic duels which are (get this) two people furiously drawing circles and lines by each other until somebody's circle gets a hole. Yeah, this magic system is a little weird for me to not look at it with some raised eyebrows and a lot of questions for what Brandon Sanderson was doing with his life when he came up with this one. And this comment is coming from someone who is totally behind and in love with the magic system where people eat metal. Take that for what you will.
Despite the hecking weird magic system, I'd still recommend this book cuz it's a fun boarding school mystery with a girl who really likes drawing unicorns.
GOOD
- Joel is my favourite type of protagonist: the majorly underpowered kid who has to do a lot of problem solving. Yessssss. No magic powers to solve this kid's problems.
- Joel wants SO BADLY to be a Rithmatist (like the same level of want that David had to join the Reckoners or Spensa had to be a pilot), and
Spoiler
he doesn't become one. Absolutely dope power move. I loved that he got to do the whole ceremony over again only to still not be a Rithmatist. Few are bold enough to pull that move out.- Melody. I think she's hilarious. And I love that she's a seriously underpowered character, so I've got a fantastic duo of two people who can't really do magic having to work together. Plus, I thought the unicorns were a nice touch to make her chalklings distinctive.
- The kidnapping mystery is pretty fun. I hadn't read a Sanderson book that I'd genuinely classify as a mystery, but now I've read one. The world is still full of surprises.
- The melee. Hello, my new favourite part of the book. I mean, come on. It's literally the definition of what I love:
Spoiler
the two MCs having to work together in an interesting and unique way. I love that Joel would use his skills at drawing Rithmatic lines and dueling strategy, and Melody would use her power and chalking skill, and together they make the ideal Rithmatist. That's fun as heck and way more interesting to read about than characters who are actually good at and capable of Rithmatics.-
Spoiler
The attack on Joel.- How everything wrapped up very nicely, but there's still a hint of hope for a sequel—if Brandon Sanderson ever gets around to it.
- All around, this book is a fun time and not a long time. This book is very short and doesn't have super dense world building or anything. Really, anyone could read this and have a good time.
Really my only complaint
- I'm going to say it cuz somebody has to say it: the magic system is well built, but honestly, it's a little too weird for me. All the rules are clear, and all the rules are followed. But that doesn't change the fact the magic system is literally drawing fancy circles and lines with chalk while getting attacked by magical 2D chalk drawings. Or you have Rithmatic duels which are (get this) two people furiously drawing circles and lines by each other until somebody's circle gets a hole. Yeah, this magic system is a little weird for me to not look at it with some raised eyebrows and a lot of questions for what Brandon Sanderson was doing with his life when he came up with this one. And this comment is coming from someone who is totally behind and in love with the magic system where people eat metal. Take that for what you will.
Despite the hecking weird magic system, I'd still recommend this book cuz it's a fun boarding school mystery with a girl who really likes drawing unicorns.