The Rithmatist

Brandon Sanderson

May 2013 · Sold by Tor Teen

About this eBook

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

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Ratings and reviews

It took me a little bit to get into this book. A little longer than normal for a Brandon Sanderson novel. The "magic" system didn't grab me at first. But once it clicked in my head and I understood it, I loved it. As always the characters are great and the shinning point of the book. They are fleshed out and a joy to read. I loved the world and the idea of it being a "gear punk" story, but I don't think the full potential was reached for either of those. Overall a fantastic mystery

Love Sanderson's take on magic, as always. The world they live in is nicely deep. Bit confused by the ending, but pretty sure I was meant to be. Good read, impatient for the next.

I got through this a lot faster than I thought I would. While the adults in the story seemed to let the 16 year old main character get away with a lot, it was still easy to immerse myself into the story.

About the author

Brandon Sanderson grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He lives in Utah with his wife and children and teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University. He is the author of such bestsellers as the Mistborn® trilogy and its sequels, The Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, and The Bands of Mourning; the Stormlight Archive novels The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance; and other novels, including The Rithmatist and Steelheart. In 2013, he won a Hugo Award for Best Novella for The Emperor's Soul, set in the world of his acclaimed first novel, Elantris. Additionally, he was chosen to complete Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time® sequence.