Review: The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Title: The Rithmatist

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Information on series: 1 in a series. Second book set to come out in 2017

Audience: Teen

Your rating: 5 of 5

TL;DR: Joel has wanted to be a Rithmatist, a person with the power to animate chalk drawings into Chalklings, his entire life. The son of a chalk maker, all he can do is watch those with that power prepare to defend the American Isles from Wild Chalklings.

Longer Review:
The Rithmatist is one of the most original works of fantasy I have read in quite awhile. Brandon Sanderson always seems to come up with fun and interesting new ideas for systems of magic. The Rithmatist is probably one of my favorites.

Joel goes to school at the elite Armedius Academy where wealthy and powerful "ordinary" students learn alongside those studying to be Rithmatists, strategists and soldiers with the ability to animate chalk drawings called Chalklings that pose the only defense against the Wild Chalklings that threaten the American Isles. Joel is neither wealthy nor a Rithmatist and his deep fascination of the art of Rithmatics makes him an outcast as someone who can't actually do it.

When students start disappearing from Armedius Academy, Joel is assigned to help the professor tasked with investigating the disappearances.

Joel is the best part about this book. He's a flawed character who desires things that are not possible and Sanderson doesn't give him the easy way out. Can't wait to read the next one in the series.

Readalikes:
Brandon Sanderson's many other novels, mostly for adults. The Mistborn Series is probably a good place to start.

Harry Potter is probably another good choice. It's another story of a kid at a school of magic who doesn't quite fit in (although for very different reasons).

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

Title: Ink and Bone

Author: Rachel Caine

Information on series: Book 1 of the Great Library series

Audience: Classified as young adult but will likely appeal to upper teens and adults

Rating (scale of 1-5, with 5 being highest): 4

TL;DR: With a tagline of “Knowledge is power” what bookworm could resist this book?

Longer review: I’ve been a fan of this author for many years having read at least 2 of her previous series (both young adult and adult). I was very excited to hear this book announced. As a librarian I am a sucker for any library related book. I tried desperately to end my hands on an advanced copy but never did. I had to wait until release day like everyone else. I started reading it the instant I opened it. I normally have trouble reading books that have a male protagonist but I really liked Jess. I think this book would appeal to boys and girls. There's a great cast of characters. Almost anyone can find one to relate to. This book was hard to put down.  At the same time I would make myself put it down because it contained so much information I had to allow my brain time to let all the information sink in. This book really makes you think what the world would be like if the great library of Alexandria had survived. Also gives a whole new meaning to librarianship. Non-librarians may not find that as humorous as I did. How far would you go to save books? I'd like to take the test and see if I'd be a librarian in their world. Some appeal factors are the alternative history and dystopian elements. I do have to warn you it ends on a cliffhanger. Book 1 just released this week so it’ll be awhile before book 2 comes out.

Read alikes:

Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Inkworld series by Cornelia Funke

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling 


Review by Jenny Ellis