By Brandon Sanderson

Overview: I loved this book so much! The Rithmatics system was so well thought out, and while the worldbuilding needed more work, the magic system was one of the best I’ve read about in a while. The Rithmatist would be perfect for people grades five and up. When I say grades five though, I mean more advanced readers. While there isn’t any mature content, the reading level is definitely higher.

What’s it about? Joel has always wanted to be a Rithmatist, one of the wizard-like people who can use chalk to draw fortifications and weapons used to battle wild chalk-creatures. Joel has taught himself so much about the Rithmatic brand of magic, he knows that he probably knows and cares a whole lot more than the people who have the ability! When Joel finally becomes an assistant under a great Rithmatist, he finds himself helping to unravel a plot that could mean the end of many great Rithmatics users.

My thoughts: The plot was well planned out, and the mystery was hard to unravel, yet everything made sense at the end. The ins and outs of “Rithmatics” was “chalk” full- that was a pun there… get it because the Rithmatists use chalk for their magic!!! sorry- of intricate explanations. Sanderson thought of everything, and there were no gaps in his logic. This is not a series, and usually books like this aren’t as good without a sequel or two, but I am happy to say that is not the case with this one. The story is perfect and ties up loose ends tightly. The book was so good however, that I would definitely enjoy a sequel.