The Rithmatist

This is a pretty typical younger mystery complete with the main character blaming an adult with out any evidence. I hate that. It doesn't matter how it turns out. This was handled alright. I want to read the rest of the series now. ( )

It was a simple story but it comes together in a cute way which I like a lot. The world is consistent (even the magic) and the story happens in a well-defined setting where you get the full picture of the protagonist. I even wished for it to be longer. I'm looking forward to the sequel. ( )

It had to be written.

A lot of people know about Rule 34 which is the generally accepted internet rule that states that pornography or sexually related material exists for any conceivable subject (hat tip Urban Dictionary). Fewer people know about the lesser Rule 35a which states that any popular kids cartoon or book will be updated into an adult fantasy version. For example, Jim Butcher's Furie's series which is basically Pokemon. Now comes, The Rithmatist.

Basically a neat world partly based on Harold and the Magic Crayon and Nickelodean's Chalkzone, this is a teen fantasy set in a magic school where the pen is.. well.. let's not go there. And it is way better than all this makes it sound.

The standard characters and tropes of teen fantasy are all present and accounted for. Its clear from early on that there is the standard Sanderson wheels within wheels approach in the world building so it will be fun to see that unfold over time. As usual the writing is very good and the pacing is in the fast mode so you don't have much time to get bored. The story resolves cleanly and leaves lots of room for the sequels.

The only criticism is that the narrator is not my cuppa. He also read the Mystborn series and I barely made it through that with him. I don't avoid him but I usually sigh when I realize he's my guy. ( )

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. ( )

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. ( )