Verdict: Recommended

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson is set in an alternate, gearpunk imagining of the United States, where people with the ability to work magic through chalk drawings fight against wild chalklings—chalk creatures that kill humans.  The story follows Joel, teenaged son of a cleaning lady, who does not possess the magical ability, called Rithmatics.  That he was not chosen to receive the gift of Rithmatics is a sore spot for Joel, yet he manages to land an independent study at his school with a kindly Rithmatics professor, Fitch.  After the mysterious disappearances of young Rithmatists, Fitch has Joel and his other student, Melody, help him unravel the case.

What an oasis for readers trapped in the desert of stereotypical young adult fiction!  Joel is the opposite of the typical young adult hero: he’s not the chosen one.  He is not innately special, or destined for success.  Joel is smart and brave, but also self-sabotaging.  He makes mistakes and learns from them.

Melody is a standout character.  She is hilarious, plucky, and sarcastic, while creating the emotional center of the book.  Though Melody is a Rithmatist, she struggles with her gift, is ignored by her family, and her classmates exclude her.  Being gifted has made her life worse, and through her the reader sees how society’s favoritism of Rithmatists hurts Rithmatists and non-Rithmatists alike.

The character relationships are realistic.  Joel and Melody annoy each other initially, but slowly develop fond feelings for the other.  Their bond develops organically.  Joel’s relationship with Fitch is quite mature.  Joel admires Fitch, and yet is aware of Fitch’s flaws.

The magic system in the book is lots of fun.  It’s a cross between geometry and art, and acts as an assertion that both the sciences and humanities are valuable, especially when used together.  Magic is based in scholarship and strategy, so studying, not innate skill, gets you everywhere.

Sanderson sends the right message: it’s not who you were born, it’s what you do.  Readers looking for a young adult novel with relatable characters and a well-developed magic system will like this one.

Know what your kid is reading: mildly psychologically disturbing violence

 

Know what your kid is reading allows parents to identify mature themes topics of conversation to have with their children after reading the book, and determine whether the book is suitable for their children.  It does not imply a personal endorsement or lack of endorsement, and is simply meant to be informative.