The Rithmatist, Brandon Sanderson
The Rithmatist, Brandon Sanderson
22 Rating(s)
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The Rithmatist

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Narrator: Michael Kramer

Unabridged: 10 hr 23 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/14/2013

Synopsis

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson: his debut novel for the young adult audience
More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity's only defense against the Wild Chalklings—merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. 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 study 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.

Bestselling author Brandon Sanderson brings his unique brand of epic storytelling to the teen audience with an engrossing tale of danger and suspense—the first of a series. With his trademark skills in world-building, Sanderson has created a magic system that is so inventive and detailed that that readers who appreciate games of strategy and tactics just may want to bring Rithmatics to life in our world.

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2013 A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of 2013

About Brandon Sanderson

American author, Brandon Sanderson, writes of epic fantasy and science fiction. His best known works include Cosmere, a fictional universe in which most of his novels are set. They include, the Mistborn series, and the Stormlight Archive, and also finishing The Wheel of Time, that was Robert Jordan's high fantasy novel (that he began writing before his untimely death). He also made popular the terms "hard and soft magic systems" in his Sanderson's Laws of Magic. The media company, DMG Entertainment has rights to the production movie of the Cosmere universe series.

Sanderson graduated from Brigham Young University. He began studies in biochemistry, to become a doctor, but after a two year break to do mission work for his church, he decided he wanted to write, and changed majors to English Literature. He took a night job at a local hotel in Provo, Utah while at BYU, so he could write while working. His roommate during that time was Ken Jennings, who ten years later had a 74-game winning streak on Jeopardy. After graduation from BYU, Sanderson married Emily Bushman, a fellow English major who later became his business manager.

Sanderson sold his first book to Moshe Feder at Tor in 2003. He had almost given up after submitting his manuscript a year and one half earlier. That first novel was Elantris, and over the next few years, Tor also published the Mistborn Trilogy, The Alloy of Law, Warbreaker, and The Way of Kings, the first in the ten-volume series, The Stormlight Archive. The second in that series was Words of Radiance. Other volumes continue in the works. Sanderson's acclaimed Infinity Blade: Awakening was an ebook best seller for Epic Games, accompanying their popular iOS video game series.

Sanderson, his wife, Emily, and their three sons live in American Fork, Utah.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Emily on July 07, 2021

(3.5) As always with Brandy Sandy, the world building and magic system were very interesting. I might be an old shrew but I think this book would have been much better in a university setting. The character, while being 16, read as if he were 12. It made it pretty hard to believe that the adults wou......more

Goodreads review by Dana on March 07, 2019

A another mind blowing book. The Rithmatist, is a Young Adult fantasy. Sanderson hits all the right notes when it comes to all the usual YA themes; coming of age, the meaning of true friendship, loyalty, perseverance, and even a didactic against bullying. As expected in a Sanderson novel, the magic sy......more

Goodreads review by Nicole on January 13, 2022

Bardzo mi smutno, że nie ma drugiego tomu, bo gdyby był to już bym po niego wjechała.......more

Goodreads review by Mary ~Ravager of Tomes~ on August 11, 2017

*deep sigh* So, I've read 14 full-length novels and 2 novellas by Brandon Sanderson, and this is the one that didn't do it for me. My one glowing positive is that, once again, Sanderson presents his readers with a fascinating magic system. Think Chalk Zone with more violence! Rithmatists are a chosen......more

Goodreads review by Anna [Bran. San. Stan] on August 30, 2023

Picture “Muggles” attending a magic boarding school - Joel, our 16-year-old protagonist, being one of those. There, the privileged - both “Muggles” and “Wizards” alike - learn about the magic of Rithmatics. Joel, the son of a cleaning lady, however, stands out especially: for being poor, for being a......more

Quotes

“Illustrations from McSweeney, fiesty characters, and a complex plot likely to unwind over several volumes, this high-spirited, exciting story will appeal to readers of all ages.” —Publishers Weekly starred review

“Fantasy readers should devour this well-crafted mix of action and setup, enriched by thoroughly detailed cultural and historical background and capped by a distinctly unsettling twist.” —Kirkus starred review

“The Rithmatist contains some very good surprises on the way to a pleasingly nifty conclusion.” —New York Times Book Review

“The Rithmatist, while it's definitely as clear and exciting as a YA novel should be, is every bit as deep and richly invented as the best of Sanderson's adult novels…. Sanderson at his best, for adults and young readers alike.” —Orson Scott Card

“Brandon Sanderson has created an ingenious new martial art where the chalk is mightier than the sword. In his alternative, dangerous version of the world, brave young soldiers must battle back dark forces armed with the nerves of a warrior and the skills of an artist. It's a fun read with a unique take on fighting where if you can't draw…you die.” —D.J. MacHale, New York Times bestselling author of Pendragon and SYLO.

“There are very few authors about whom I can say, without a doubt, that I will read every single book they ever write. Brandon Sanderson is a member of that club. He's brilliant and has an imagination I've only seen in the likes of Stephen King and J.K. Rowling.” —James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of The Maze Runner

“Brimming with wit, mystery, and enough ideas to make ten other books jealous, The Rithmatist is boldly entertaining and wildly original. Armedius Academy is the first magic school that really teaches magic--the chalk-based Rithmatics, both a mystic science and a delightful visual art--and I have never had more fun learning anything. The creepy climax had me on the edge of my seat, and the slam-bang finish made me stand up and cheer.” —Dan Wells, author of I Am Not a Serial Killer and Partials

Awards

  • Apple iBooks Best of the Year
  • Audie Audiobook of the Year Finalist
  • Arkansas Teen Book Award ML
  • Audie Award Finalist
  • YALSA Teens' Top Ten
  • ALA Best Books for Young Adults
  • Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year
  • NYTBR Notable Children's BOTY
  • Kentucky Blue Grass Award Master List
  • ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults
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