The Rithmatist

Joel has always been fascinated by the privileged Rithmatists: those who have the magical power to bring chalk drawings into life and use them to do battle. Chosen as children in a mysterious inception ceremony, they alone are charged with defending the people of the American Isles against the terrifying threat of the merciless wild chalklings that inhabit Nebrask.  But Joel isn't a Rithmatist - instead he's merely the son of a lowly chalkmaker and a cleaner at the prestigious Armedius Academy, stuck with a life of ordinary lessons and running errands, only able to watch from the sidelines whilst the Rithmatist students learn the magical techniques and strategies that he longs to perfect. 

As the long summer holiday approaches, Joel wonders whether he might persuade kindly Professor Fitch to teach him more about the art of Rithmatics - but then school life is dramatically disturbed, when a number of students go missing, leaving trails of blood and strange chalk markings behind them. Soon, Joel, Professor Fitch and an unlikely new friend in fellow student Melody, finds themselves on the trail of a Rithmatist killer.

This exciting fantasy thriller from bestselling US author Brandon Sanderson is an inventive blend of mathematics, geometry and magic. With its detailed drawings of Rithmatic diagrams, it will particularly appeal to those with an interest in strategy and problem-solving. Set in an appealing world powered by 'spring-works' and chalklings, this is a gripping and entertaining adventure story which touches on some intriguing ideas.