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    The Rithmatist
    The Rithmatist
    The Rithmatist
    Audiobook10 hours

    The Rithmatist

    Written by Brandon Sanderson and Ben McSweeney

    Narrated by Michael Kramer

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    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

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Audio
    Release dateMay 14, 2013
    ISBN9781427221148
    The Rithmatist
    Author

    Brandon Sanderson

    Brandon Sanderson grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He lives in Utah with his wife and children and teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University. His bestsellers have sold 32 million copies worldwide and include the Mistborn saga; the Stormlight Archive novels; and other novels, including The Rithmatist, Steelheart, and Skyward. He won a Hugo Award for The Emperor's Soul, a novella set in the world of his acclaimed first novel, Elantris. Additionally, he completed Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time®. Visit his website for behind-the-scenes information on all his books.

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    Reviews for The Rithmatist

    4.5/5

    916 ratings76 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      The best Sanderson book yet. Listened all the way through
    • 5/5
      Wow! Great story! Better than Elantris! I need a sequel!
    • 5/5
      Wow! This is one of the best books I’ve experienced in the last ten years. The world building is on point and the characters act and ready as you would expect real people to act. This ones definitely worth buying to read over and over again!
    • 5/5
      Another great installment of Brandon sanderson's masterpieces. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and hope to read more in this universe.
    • 5/5
      I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The detailed day to day activities of academic life resonated with me. I found the addition of the supernatural elements to be subtle and yet powerful enough to keep the reader both interested and intrigued. The author maintains continuity throughout this addition to the point of drawing you in and keeping you wanting more. I will be awaiting the second book with much anticipation.
    • 4/5
      Be forewarned: the sequel appears to have been postponed indefinitely and you will hate the end of the book. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a wonderful book with the characters and world building you would expect from this author, but the end leaves you thirsty for the second book and there isn’t one.
    • 4/5
      A great and original story, I would definitely recommend this to teens or to adults who want to take a break from a very heavy story before starting another one. It was an entertaining and very fun read.
    • 5/5
      An unexpectedly deep and enjoyable world filled with fun tropes and fresh takes.
    • 4/5
      Easy uncomplicated plot that is still interesting.
      Loved the MC and how passionate he was about rithmatics
      The writing style and the narrator are a perfect match
    • 5/5
      Love the cleverness of the story. I have read this before and I still couldn't guess the ending. I enjoy a good clean book. Where is the second one?!?
    • 3/5
      Loved the book, recording skipped the most important parts though
    • 5/5
      So we finally finished “The Rithmatist” last night, and the whole family is still in awe. Bedtime stories that last a little too long and have us sitting upright in anticipation. As always, the ending makes the whole book worth every chapter. Sloppy endings kill even the best of stories.Yes, it’s a series and you can’t wait for the next one, but you also feel satisfied rather than cheated. We always have high expectations of Mr. Sanderson, and somehow he never lets us down. Too bad that he has to categorize books so narrowly for marketing purposes- children’s, YA, adult, etc. Sadly, society has become too segregated. Good books are good books.The steam punk stuff was a little too trendy in the beginning, and made me think, “Oh no! Not him too?” But after we graduated from the various illumination devices to more interesting mechanisms, the world building felt more natural and appropriate. My son loved the dollar coin. Where can we get one? I was intrigued by the little lawnmowers. Cute! I want one too! It’s difficult to talk about details without including spoilers!In the end, what mattered to us the most was how people came together in a very exciting, powerful and surprising manner. Very reminiscent of “The Way of Kings.” Hey, and the isles, at least logistically, make me think of the Shattered Planes. Different geography yet somehow similar… I like it! Warning! It won’t mean much to you if you read ahead. Instant gratification does not work in Sanderson’s novels.As the plot progresses, you can guess who will be working with whom, but not how? Character development is not about convenience but rather about the struggle. Real heroes cannot be built in an isolated way. Love it! Very satisfying!
    • 4/5
      I don’t think there’s a book of Sanderson’s that I don’t like. I wasn’t sure about this one since I knew it was written with a Young Adult audience in mind but I shouldn’t have worried. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think the YA audience will appreciate a protagonist their own age and the quirky half-romance that looks like it will form between Melody and Joel, but as an adult I still enjoyed it. As always, Sanderson’s imagination is great. He comes up with unique magical systems all the time. And his writing is always well done as well. His plots are always exciting. All this combined makes for great books. This looks like it will have a sequel at least. I am interested in seeing where Sanderson takes this. There’s been a lot of hints towards Joel’s future. If you’re a fantasy fan, I would recommend this.
    • 5/5
      I REALLY liked this story. This has a very "ivory school", 1920s academia feel to it, which is unique compared to everything else of Brandon Sanderson that I have read. This seems to be a young adult book, but I read it to my 7yo daughter, and she enjoyed it. The magic system is fantastic with chalk drawings. The ending did not go the way I wanted to, but it ended well anyway (hopefully that's not a spoiler). There are times through the story where it drags a little bit, but they don't last long, and the momentum is picked right back up. Good story.
    • 4/5
      I haven't read much of Sanderson's work yet, but I have a generally good impression of it. I was hesitant about The Rithmatist (I think I preferred the original title, Scribbler) because it's YA and some people have made comments about the magic system being too complex, some even feeling it's boring. But! I actually loved it.In a way, it's nothing new. It's essentially set at a wizarding school, there's a Snape-like character, there's a red-haired sidekick (more Ron than Hermione, despite being a girl), there's people who can do magic and people who can't, and various divides between them... I was also reminded of Garth Nix, somehow; something about the world-building, I think.There are differences, too, of course: it's definitely a world of its own, and I liked the magic system a lot. I didn't find it boring at all -- beyond me, at times, yes, but not boring. I loved Joel's enthusiasm for it, his boundless wonder for the whole thing. His interest made what could have been boring, all the detail of the magic system, quite interesting.I loved that some things weren't typical: a second chance at something doesn't always make you special and fix what went wrong the first time, I didn't see Joel's conclusions at the end coming, I don't feel that romance between Melody and Joel is inevitable at all (possible, I guess, but definitely not so clearly telegraphed that it warps their personalities and the plot)...All in all, I read this in a couple of hours, and even stayed up late when I really shouldn't to finish it and get my work done. I thought it was a lot of fun, and I'm glad I did pick it up to fill out a three for two offer way back whenever!
    • 5/5
      This book had a bizarre plot description, even for a fantasy novel, but Sanderson is such a talented author that he eases you into the world easily. I liked the geometry aspects of the magic system. The ending was suspenseful and kept me up too late. I am interested to to see where this story will go.
    • 4/5
      This was a solid, enjoyable YA fantasy. It evokes all the essentials of the genre, with a youngish it yearning for greatness, his irreverent and spunky girl Friday, and the father-figure mentor.

      The story is original and engaging, with the world building all taking place in the background where it belongs. The characters are more than mere archetypes, they inhabit their roles with wit and reality that lots of fantasy can't claim.

      The mystery and adventure were fun and satisfying, and surprisingly unpredictable.

      I'd say this book's only evident problem was a tendency toward excessive traditionality bordering on cliche in the protagonists' characterization. The female protagonist draws unicorns and uses tantrums to get her way, and she is oh so emotional unpredictable (a lá the good old "girls! who can understand them?!" trope). The fatherless male protagonist is positively Dickensian, an outcast whose mother works her fingers to the bone as a cleaning lady, unable to afford ice cream or clothes.

      Even so, I enjoyed it and highly recommend it to fantasy readers tired of grimdark antiheros.
    • 4/5
      Why, why? Do I always manage to listen to audiobooks where the illustrations are integral to the story? I have to say, I don't mind it too much in this case, since the book was so well read, and the Rithmatic diagrams were explained in a fashion that kept the narrative rolling.

      here's what you need to know: Rithmatists are basically mathmetician-magicians who can draw lines with chalk and alter their surroundings. Joel is a gifted mathmetician, but not a Rithmatist. Melody is a screw-up Rithmatist who enjoys giving Joel a hard time, and the two of them end up as special assistants to a scholarly minded professor for the summer, helping solve the disappearances of several Rithmatic students. Set in a wealthy boarding school in an alternate united states that is entirely island based(!) and steam-powered, this is a fascinating and inticate mystery-adventure.
    • 5/5
      Sanderson creates a fun, funny, and scary boarding school tale. Joel attends Armedius Academy in New Britannia in the United Isles of America because his parents both work for the boarding school. His father was a chalkmaker, who created special chalk compounds that the Rithmatists of the school admired but he died under mysterious circumstances that are slowly revealed through the book. His mother works as a cleaning lady at the school. Joel wants nothing more than to be a Rithmatist but his inception at the age of 8 on July fourth failed to anoint him as one of the chosen. Joel sees a chance to learn about Rithmatic theories by becoming the research assistant to Professor Fitch who had been defeated in a duel by a new young tutor, Nalizar, in front of his class. Professor Fitch then must trade his tenured teaching position with Nalizar and become a tutor. Melody, an obnoxious, failing Rithmatics student must also work with Fitch during the summer term. Joel quickly learns that he and Fitch are working on the strange disappearances of Armedius Rithmatics students and events then take off. I listened to this book and therefore missed the fun illustrations by Ben McSweeney. But the narration by Michael Kramer was brilliant and not to be missed. He varies each voice appropriately and injects the humor into the dialogue.
    • 5/5
      Brandon Sanderson, once again, has created an exciting world to sink our teeth into, a good story, and slightly more questions than answers. Looking forward to more stories in this universe.
    • 2/5
      This is a take-off on the Harry Potter phenomena, like Mysterious Benedict Society, and the Unwanteds and others. Special kids, special talents, special school for the purpose of training and defeating evil. This one, though is a mish-mash of too many things. Or perhaps just not well-suited to audio, since it involves geometric drawings and diagrams. A rithmatist is an elite magician (?) who battles with chalk (instead of a wand) with certain kinds of lines and shapes against chalklings -- also drawings -- creatures that are controlled (or not) by other drawers. Joel wants to be a rithmatist, but was not "chosen" during his inception ceremony -- a weird blend-in of Christianity that doesn't seem to inform life beyond designating special status upon adolescents. His parents have worked at Armedias Academy, his father (deceased) as a chalk maker and his mother as a cleaner to pay off the family's debts. So Joel attends and observes, befriends Melody, a sub-par rithmatist, and interns with Professor Fitch, a washed-up academic rithmatist. When student rithmatists begin mysteriously disappearing, this trio tries to determine the cause. Suspenseful story with some good twists, but overall hard to follow and conceptualize. Is it some past time? (America is the Isles, and rithmatists are battling chalkings in the territory of Nebrask, plus there are few modern inventions) Is it some futuristic start-over society? There is a steam-punk element as well with mechanical horses and guns and emphasis on gears. My kids liked it, but it was too choppy for me. Author gets a star for conceptualizing a whole new world, but needs it to coalesce a little better.
    • 5/5
      This is a fantastic adventure/mystery. The characters are excellent, and the magic system is ridiculously great. There are lots of diagrams and drawings throughout the book, and the chapter headings have intricate and lovely art too. Also in these pages: a mechanical stallion, sneaky plots and subterfuge, a brilliant map of the US as a series of islands, UNICORNS, ice cream with cherries, and one of my favorite female characters I've read this year. Good for book-talking, this should appeal to both genders too.
    • 5/5
      Before I read this book, I thought - chalk magic, that's weird. Wasn't really interested. But I'm so glad I read it. Loved it. The concepts were cool. The plot, ending, and vibe of the book were great. The biggest problem is that the series probably won't get finished for 10 years!
    • 4/5
      Joel is smart, Melody is undaunted, and they manage to have a pretty interesting adventure without leaving Armedius academy more than twice. As characteristic of Sanderson, the magic and method of Rithmatics is so clearly explained, it feels like a science.

      Good fun, good read, ending begs for more without driving the reader crazy.
    • 4/5
      Another typical Sanderson novel. Very interesting Gearpunk world, clever little pieces of worldbuilding, and the obligatory awesome magic system (Seriously, has Sanderson ever created a magic system that was not awesome?). This time, I could actually identify with the main character, as a) he was not a gun nut and b) his mind ran along the same lines as mine.

      As for the story: For the longest time, I thought I had predicted how it would end, only for the story to turn around and kick me in the teeth. Twice. So, yeah, Sanderson is still able to surprise me.

      All in all, I would recommend this book. But hell, it's a Sanderson book, so you probably already read it, right?
    • 5/5
      There are good authors, there are great authors, and then there are authors that are simply in a class of their own. Brandon Sanderson is one of the latter. I fell in love with his imagination and writing after I read the Mistborn Trilogy earlier this year, and ever since I’ve been somewhat obsessed with the epic awesomeness that seems to ooze out of his pen. The creativity paints vivid pictures, keeping me glued to my seat from the first page to the last. The characters are entertaining. The plot is usually something out of this world. Frankly, I can’t praise Brandon Sanderson enough.

      The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson is a book I’ve coveted for a while now, so when Pan Macmillan SA delivered my review books for the month and I saw it in the pile, I literally squealed in delight. I cleared my schedule for the day, sat down, and read. Yup, that’s exactly what happened, and you know what? I don’t even feel bad about it. The Rithmatist is what I’d like to call math class made fun. Seriously, if this book was around when I was a kid, I’d probably be more inclined to enjoy maths, especially seeing as it has a Fullmetal Alchemist feel to it … I love Fullmetal Alchemist *sigh*.

      Although it is categorised as a young adult epic fantasy, believe me EVERYONE will find something wonderful in this book to enjoy. The characters – Joel and Melody – are absolutely lovable. However, I actually liked Professor Fitch the most. Weird, I know, but what can I say? Professor Fitch is simply what I wish all professors were like.

      DEFINITELY get your hands on The Rithmatist if you’re looking for an epic fantasy worthy of your time. You will not regret it. What’s more, you’ll fall in love with Brandon Sanderson all over again.
    • 5/5
      Sanderson really has a knack for creating interesting worlds with crazy fun magic. I loved this book. It also didn't exatly end like I thought it would. It is rare a book surproses me anymore but this one did several times. I am looking forward to seeing where it goes next.
    • 4/5
      WOW! My first Brandon Sanderson read and I really enjoyed it! The world building was so intricate and awesome and the characters so well thought out and developed! Cannot wait to read more of his books! :D
    • 4/5
      Magic system based on chalk and geometry set in a world where the United States is an archipelago. Good YA, though the twist in the final 20 pages (that the professor he hated like Snape actually IS evil) is what kept it from being too much like other magic school stories.
    • 5/5
      Another Sanderson goody. I was concerned because it was tagged YA... and there were a few minor things that were a bit annoying, but overall, an excellent read, even for an old lady :-)