The Rithmatist Audiobook By Brandon Sanderson cover art

The Rithmatist

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The Rithmatist

By: Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by: Michael Kramer
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From number-one New York Times best-selling 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.

Best-selling author Brandon Sanderson brings his unique brand of epic storytelling to the teen audience with an engrossing tale of danger and suspense. With his trademark skills in world-building, Sanderson has created a magic system that is so inventive and detailed that listeners who appreciate games of strategy and tactics just may want to bring Rithmatics to life in our world.

Brandon Sanderson was born in Nebraska in 1975. Since his first novel, the acclaimed Elantris, Sanderson has written the Mistborn series, the stand-alone novel Warbreaker and has become a New York Times best-selling author, hailed as the natural successor to Robert Jordan. Indeed, Sanderson was chosen by the Jordan estate to complete the Wheel of Time sequence following Jordan's death.

©2013 Brandon Sanderson (P)2013 Audible Ltd Fantasy Science Fiction & Fantasy

Critic reviews

"The Rithmatist, while it’s definitely as clear and exciting as a YA novel should be, is every bit as deep and richly invented as the best of Sanderson’s adult novels…. Sanderson at his best, for adults and young readers alike." (Orson Scott Card, New York Times best-selling author of Ender’s Game)
"Brandon Sanderson has created an ingenious new martial art where the chalk is mightier than the sword. In his alternative, dangerous version of the world, brave young soldiers must battle back dark forces armed with the nerves of a warrior and the skills of an artist. It’s a fun read with a unique take on fighting where if you can’t draw…you die." (D.J. MacHale, New York Times best-selling author of Pendragon and SYLO)
"There are very few authors about whom I can say, without a doubt, that I will read every single book they ever write. Brandon Sanderson is a member of that club. He’s brilliant and has an imagination I’ve only seen in the likes of Stephen King and J. K. Rowling." (James Dashner, New York Times best-selling author of The Maze Runner)
All stars
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Brandon Sanderson comes to young adult fiction finally.

Firstly, the magic. To an extent the magic in this one is similar to some of the Japnese manga cartoons where people battle using "playing cards".

Characters are interesting and very reminiscent of the mistborn series with particular characteristics defining people. Michael Kramer's narration also gives you the same feeling - but do note the sameness is in style not in the background or storyline. So, overall it's good.

Story is interesting, and covers an alternate dystopian world. But, it's interesting nonetheless. Some of the world weaving felt a bit strained and hence I've rated it as 4 stars rather than 5. I think the background could have been built up more particularly, the underlying politics and government structure/beliefs.

Overeall, it's a good book and I recommend it with the hope that the background storyline becomes more fleshed out in a sequel.

Good book!

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This was the cure to my book hang over from Ninth House, I really liked all of it. I've Sanderson so much <3

Fun, very fun.

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This book is a little odd story wise. Chalk drawing fighting I'm not sure what to make of it. Well written and a good story but a bit of a stretch concept wise.

Not sure about this one.

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I love Sandersons books, pretty much every one. I wasn't sure if getting into a Young Adult one like this was a good idea, but it didn't disappoint!

Like all of Sandersons works, this had a completely new and well thought out world and magic system, interesting characters and epic twists that get you stuck!

It's not the best Sanderson book after works like the way of kings and mistborn, but it's definitely worth a listen!

Pretty damn cool

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What did you love best about The Rithmatist?

I enjoyed the new style of magic he created. Its detailed and realistic with a great twist waiting in the series.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I wouldn't - its perfectly aimed at the YA audience with enough creativity to be interesting and action to be engaging.

What about Michael Kramer’s performance did you like?

His ability to create tension is quite brilliant

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I think so as its quite short. I was left feeling like it could be a good series for easy listening.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed it as a gap-filler whilst I wait for a more serious fantasy to hit the shelves.

A good story for Teens

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I disliked this book for three main reasons.
1. The chalk monsters are 2D and not easy to envisage as malicious or dangerous.
2. Every chapter started with notes that accompany a diagram that we could not see as this was an audio version. It was a mixture of confusing and annoying.
3. The characters were very shallow and the ending was terrible.
The narrator did a passable job with the text he had and this made the book slightly easier to endure. I would not reccomend this as an interesting read.

2D Chalk Monsters - not remotely scary!

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