The Rithmatist

This outing of Brandon Sanderson is YA fiction that comes with the default trademark of any new Sanderson series: an interesting new magic system + world building.

The setting for this novel is an alternate history 'gearpunk' version of our world. Apparently Asia conquered all of Europe and the territory of the United States is actually an archipelago. Our protagonist Joel is a 16-year old poor student in an academy called Armedius. His dream is to be a Rithmatist. Rithmatists are able to draw chalk lines and creatures that come to life, and are the only ones capable of fighting the wild chalklings on the island of Nebrask. However, Rithmatists are selected at 8 year old, and so he tries his best to still be allowed near Rithmatists. When a series of Rithmatist student disappearances occurs, Joel helps his Professor Fitch with investigations.

The magic system and the illustrations are fun! The drawn chalklings are really adorable. I would have loved to see way more worldbuilding. You just get glimpses, not enough of a clear picture.

The story is a mix of fantasy + murder mystery, and especially the last quarter is fast-paced and fun. I also adore that Sanderson does not use the standard YA trope of love triangle. Joel has a girl companion, Melody, who is a bit irritating at times.

The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, as a major villain is established, but alas, now he keeps us hanging for the sequel. The life of a Sanderson fan.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Absolutely delightful. This is a story about Joel, the son of a deceased chalk maker whose mother is a cleaning lady in an expensive famous school. Part of the school is also dedicated to teaching Rithmatists, magicians who can animate chalk figures. Joel wants to be a rithmatist more than anything, but his one chance for induction into their exclusive community was thwarted by circumstances beyond his control. Even so, he is a gifted student, a genius in fact, with many talents and more challenges. This is his story.

I love the characters, especially Fitch, Joel, his mother, and Melody. I like the setting - seems like an impending disaster between the Rithmatist haves and the commoner have-nots until you realize that being a Rithmatist may not be so wonderful. The plot is snake-like and the story ends in a great cliffhanger that makes you want more. Clearly Sanderson will return here.

Aside from the characters and the plot, the magic system is very intriguing. Sanderson does a good job of explaining the geometry of the different formations and by the end of the story, you might be drawing figures yourself (I was). Aside from that there is the alternate history of the United Isles and doubts about whether the war against the wild chalklings is justified. What are wild chalklings anyhow? What is their nature? Why are they being held in the tower?

It's all a ton of food for thought and it will linger with you long after the story is complete. This to me is a sign of a great tale. The Rithmatist delivers a concise simple tale at the surface with a hidden depth that will keep you engaged long after the story is complete - a solid win!