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A review by librarybonanza
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson
5.0
Age: Middle School-High School
Sanderson brings an easily devourable mystery situated in a gearpunk world. I rarely consider reading the next in a series (because there are so many books out there!) but this series will definitely be kept on my radar due to the many intriguing mysteries left at the end of the novel. The first half or so of the book is a build up of the mystery behind never-before-seen kidnappings (or killings) at a school set in an alternate United States known as the United Isles. Joel is attending Armedius Academy, a prestigious institution that schools children in the art and warfare of Rithmatism, a battling technique using chalk, geometry, and art to attack the vicious wild chalkings that have been contained on the island of Nebrask. Joel would give anything to train to be a Rithmatist but a set-back in his early years denied him this option, forcing him to study as a normal student. When the attacks begin, Joel is pulled into the mystery surrounding wild chalklings and the danger that may be escaping Nebrask. The second half (or last quarter) of the book is an explosion of action so if that's all you care about, keep trucking through the back story because you will be delighted with the ending.
I love the concept of parallel worlds and Sanderson surely provides, especially with real historic names that exist in his world. The characters were interesting but not stunning feats of literary genius. The most intriguing part of this book is the mathematics behind Rithmatism which are brought to life through the artwork of Ben McSweeney that show textbook-style diagrams and descriptions of each Rithmatic drawing and tactics. Also, each chapter has the chapter number integrated in a mystical creature which is SO FANTASTIC. Well done and I'm really looking for the next one.
Sanderson brings an easily devourable mystery situated in a gearpunk world. I rarely consider reading the next in a series (because there are so many books out there!) but this series will definitely be kept on my radar due to the many intriguing mysteries left at the end of the novel. The first half or so of the book is a build up of the mystery behind never-before-seen kidnappings (or killings) at a school set in an alternate United States known as the United Isles. Joel is attending Armedius Academy, a prestigious institution that schools children in the art and warfare of Rithmatism, a battling technique using chalk, geometry, and art to attack the vicious wild chalkings that have been contained on the island of Nebrask. Joel would give anything to train to be a Rithmatist but a set-back in his early years denied him this option, forcing him to study as a normal student. When the attacks begin, Joel is pulled into the mystery surrounding wild chalklings and the danger that may be escaping Nebrask. The second half (or last quarter) of the book is an explosion of action so if that's all you care about, keep trucking through the back story because you will be delighted with the ending.
I love the concept of parallel worlds and Sanderson surely provides, especially with real historic names that exist in his world. The characters were interesting but not stunning feats of literary genius. The most intriguing part of this book is the mathematics behind Rithmatism which are brought to life through the artwork of Ben McSweeney that show textbook-style diagrams and descriptions of each Rithmatic drawing and tactics. Also, each chapter has the chapter number integrated in a mystical creature which is SO FANTASTIC. Well done and I'm really looking for the next one.