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
I have owned this book for a few years now but just now picked it up. Holy crap! Why did I wait so long. This was my first book of Brandon Sanderson that I read and it sure won’t be my last. In fact, right after finishing this book I picked up the first book in his Mistborn series.
Sanderson has a way with words for sure. His world building is amazing. The story was so unique as well. I have yet to run across anything like it before. The characters are great too. There wasn’t a single one that I got bored with. Of course you run across characters you hate but not in a hate hate kind of way. Does that make any sense? Because it does in my head.
The only thing I would probably complain about (but doesn’t make me rate it any less) is the background. I would LOVE to have more background and history on Rithmatists. I know that isn’t the point of the story but I love getting background info. Even if he wrote a novella talking about it. I would read it for sure.
I was worried that I wouldn’t understand this book. Probably one of the reasons it took me so long to read it. I thought there would be a lot of math to it. But it was so easy to follow along. Sanderson did a great job explaining the different ways of battle. And to have the drawings along with it was a great visual.
I know I am late to the party when it comes to Brandon Sanderson. I know he is well loved already. But if for some reason you have been living under a rock like me I suggest picking up one of his books and trying it out. Specially this one. It gives me a fantasy, dystopian, with a hint of steampunk thrown in there feel.
RATING:
Adventures Between Pages 
I am also really late to the Brandon Sanderson party! One of my housemates lent me a couple of his books and now I’m obsessed. The Rithmatist sounds really intriguing – even if you didn’t get as much background as you’d like.
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