Brandon Sanderson: The Rithmatist
English language
More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.
As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students learn the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing—kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery—one that will change Rithmatics—and their world—forever.
A fun YA fantasy novel based in mathematics of all things. Classic Brandon Sanderson twists a reader should come to expect but can rarely predict. I wish Sanderson would continue this series (maybe he will - but he has so many open series at this point).
Another fun, light read from Sanderson. His approach to "magic" is even more machinistic that in the Mistborn books, and the steampunk aspect is a bit facile. This is a YA book with a preposterous premise, but I can forgive it because the plot and mystery carried me along.
I'd happily give this book to a young reader as a morality tale. There's a charming friendship between a boy and a girl, dealing with class differences, examples of mentorship from adults, and the novel idea that you can do a lot of good with hard work without being the chosen one.
