Summary (from Amazon):
More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity's only defense against the Wild Chalklings. 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 learn 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.
A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of 2013
Book stats (from Amazon):
- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Tor Teen; Reprint edition (May 13 2014)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0765338440
- ISBN-13: 978-0765338440
- Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
- Goodreads rating: 4.23/5 stars
I picked this book at random, more out of boredom and a desire for something fresh to read during a long trip. I wasn't really planning to review it - in fact, I already had a different book lined up for my September book review. That book will probably end up being my October book review, because I simply had to review this book first. This is one of the freshest, most inventive fantasy books I have ever seen. I related to and sympathized with both main characters, Joel and Melody, and I was able to see a lot of myself in them. I somehow have managed to go my entire life without reading any of Brandon Sanderson's other books, but if they are all as good as this one (which is what I have heard), I believe I will soon be making a trip to my local bookstore (there goes my paycheck! *waves goodbye*)
I've said it several times before, and I'll say it (probably thousands) of times again: I adore books with strong, quirky, realistic characters. I get attached to characters easily, but rarely have I ever found myself so fully and almost desperately attached to them. I found myself wishing I could jump into the book to help Joel and Melody when they were in danger, or alternatively pull them out of the book. In fact, whenever someone asks me what superpower I would have if I could choose one (which sadly doesn't happen very often anymore), I tell them I would want to power to go into books and live in the world they describe - not necessarily live in the story, but to be able to meet the characters and talk to them and go on adventures with them.
This book had incredible characters, but the world they were in was equally amazing. I attended a private day and boarding high school, and Armedius, the school Joel and Melody attend in the novel, reminded me quite a bit of it. The part about the students often walking to a local ice cream shop made me laugh, to the confusion of those around me, because the students from my school often made the trek to the ice cream shop up the road, where I worked. I saw a lot of my schoolmates while I was working there. The detail put into Joel's world is incredible. Before each chapter is a diagram depicting an aspect of the very complex system of Rithmatics, the chalk-drawing-fighting system some students are chosen for and capable of, while others are not. The world is complex, but the intricacies of it are well-explained and I didn't find it hard to get immersed in the world or confusing to decipher it.
The plot of this book is thrilling as well. Without giving too much away, the final ending of the plot is quite a twist and really piques the reader's interest in the next book in the series - which, sadly, isn't expected to be out until 2017. This novel has a satisfactory ending, but also hints at things Joel has yet to discover and plots which are still to be revealed.
There is only one complaint I have about this book: Why do I have to wait until 2017 for the sequel?
Overall, a fantastic book, one I think a wide variety of readers would enjoy.
5/5 stars!
This book had incredible characters, but the world they were in was equally amazing. I attended a private day and boarding high school, and Armedius, the school Joel and Melody attend in the novel, reminded me quite a bit of it. The part about the students often walking to a local ice cream shop made me laugh, to the confusion of those around me, because the students from my school often made the trek to the ice cream shop up the road, where I worked. I saw a lot of my schoolmates while I was working there. The detail put into Joel's world is incredible. Before each chapter is a diagram depicting an aspect of the very complex system of Rithmatics, the chalk-drawing-fighting system some students are chosen for and capable of, while others are not. The world is complex, but the intricacies of it are well-explained and I didn't find it hard to get immersed in the world or confusing to decipher it.
The plot of this book is thrilling as well. Without giving too much away, the final ending of the plot is quite a twist and really piques the reader's interest in the next book in the series - which, sadly, isn't expected to be out until 2017. This novel has a satisfactory ending, but also hints at things Joel has yet to discover and plots which are still to be revealed.
There is only one complaint I have about this book: Why do I have to wait until 2017 for the sequel?
Overall, a fantastic book, one I think a wide variety of readers would enjoy.
5/5 stars!
