The Rithmatist series is a fantasy series written by American author Brandon Sanderson. At least two books are planned in the series: The Rithmatist (2013) and a second volume titled The Aztlanian tentatively to be released in 2017.
Contents
Setting
The world in which The Rithmatist is set is similar to the recent past of our own. At 8 years old, children undergo a religious ceremony known as Inception, during which the child's fate is decided: fewer than 1 in 1000 are chosen to become Rithmatists.
Rithmatists are warriors. They use geometric patterns of chalk (Lines) to perform magic with physical effects. Lines may shield a user, attack an opponent or animate a creature known as a Chalkling which will do the Rithmatist's bidding.
Rithmatists are humanity's primary defence against the mysterious Wild Chalklings. After graduating, a Rithmatist is expected to spend time in Nebrask actively using their gift and training to wage war, protecting the United American Isles from the threat of Wild Chalklings escaping The Tower.
The story mainly takes place at Armedius Academy, one of 8 schools that trains and teaches Rithmatists, alongside non-Rithmatists with rich or important families.
Plot
The Rithmatist follows the story of Joel, a teenage boy who is enrolled at and lives on campus of Armedius Academy. He isn't a Rithmatist, yet is interested in the study of Rithmatist power. Joel, eager to know more about Rithmatics, helps a professor at Armedius Academy when students of the school start disappearing - kidnapped and presumed dead.
Characters
Book Two
According to Sanderson, at least one other novel will be published in The Rithmatist series. While on tour for Words of Radiance(2014), Sanderson said he would start working on a sequel after the final draft of Firefight (2015), the second book in The Reckoners series, is finished. The Rithmatist series sequel is tentatively titled The Aztlanian. Presumed to come early to late 2017.
Reception
Patrick Ness wrote in The New York Times that "the world of the novel is nicely fleshed out", but "there is almost no action until the climax". The book was named one of the "Notable Children's Books of 2013" by the New York Times.