Thursday, January 23, 2014

THE RITHMATIST, by Brandon Sanderson

The story: All is not well in the United Isles of America, or even at the Armedius Academy. Wild chalklings (2-dimensional chalk figures that can be brought to life by a skilled Rithmatist) are threatening the UIA, and their fearsome presence is now being felt at Armedius. When a student disappears, leaving nothing behind but a trail of blood, faculty and students alike start getting scared. Two students--Joel, a master at Rithmatic strategy, but unable to perform the magic, and Melody, whose talent is drawing unbeatable chalklings, but who has no sense of strategy and no skill and line drawing--form up to help solve the mystery of the murdered students and vindicate their shamed Professor. But of course nothing is as it seems--and their first big battle could easily be their last.

June Cleaver’s ratings: Language PG; Nudity G; Sexual Content G; Substance Abuse PG; Violence PG-13; GLBT content G; Magic & the occult, PG-13; Adult Themes, PG; Overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: I liked the book a lot, but I think it's too much heavy lifting for the average MS student. Lots of world building, bursts of action here and there, but no need to hold your breath until the climactic events at the very end--by which time most MS kids will have turned it back in. GT or HS readers (especially those who already like Brandon Sanderson's adult stuff) are the better audience. BTW, it's not really steampunk, since there's no steam. I think "gear-punk" is the correct designation, but you can only list just so many sub-genres!
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