#82 in Fantasy
The Rithmatist
- 448
- Pages
- about 8 h
- Reading time
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About the book
A fast-paced fantasy adventure for readers of all ages by Brandon Sanderson, bestselling author of the Mistborn series and the Stormlight Archives. Here, in a school for the magically gifted, your talent could cost you your life . . . Joel is fascinated by the magic of Rithmatics, but few have the gift and he is not one of them. Undaunted, he persuades Professor Fitch to teach him magical theory. Joel can't infuse his protective lines and circles with power, or bring his chalk-drawn creatures to life, but he's quick to master the underlying geometric principles. His unique skills will soon face an extraordinary test when top Rithmatist students are kidnapped from his Academy. Since he's not a magic user, Joel appears to be safe – but he's desperate to investigate and prove himself. Then people start dying, but can Joel really stop a killer alone? As even more students disappear, he realizes he'll need the help of Rithmatist apprentice Melody. Together, they must race to find clues before the killer notices them – and takes them out too. The Rithmatist is a New York Times bestseller, enjoyed by adult and young adult readers alike. The book features illustrations by Ben McSweeney, which depict the magical elements of the novel with elegance and insight. 'He's brilliant and has an imagination I've only seen in the likes of Stephen King and J.K. Rowling' – James Dashner, author of The Maze Runner
Where the score comes from
The sources average 8.6 across 528 ratings — not yet many, so the reader vote carries 74% of the weight and the rest pulls toward the Fantasy average of 8.0. That is how 8.4 comes out.
| Source | Average | Ratings | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Library | 8.4 | 18 | 3% |
| Hardcover | 8.6 | 510 | 97% |
Reader voices
The most-liked reviews on Hardcover (credited to their authors).
“Very much a young adult book, but still a lot of fun. This one reminded me of a cross between Elantris and Steelheart in a Harry Potter setting. The magic mechanic for this one focuses around a world where “Rithmatists” (think wizards) fight the worlds battles against a vague evil. Rithmatists fight by drawing figures in chalk that are effectively wards against evil, or offensive. The somewhat short story was entertaining all the way through, with great characters, a good magic system and just overall fun. Not the amazing, tell everyone you know fun, but an entertaining story. I'll surely read…”
Frequently asked
What is The Rithmatist rated?
8.4 out of 10, from 528 reader ratings across 2 independent sources.
Is The Rithmatist worth reading?
Readers give it 8.4/10 from 528 ratings, which puts it ahead of 59 % of the Fantasy shelf.
How long does it take to read The Rithmatist?
About 8 hours at an average reading pace — 448 pages.
Where does The Rithmatist rank?
#82 in Fantasy on the current snapshot.
How long is The Rithmatist?
It has 448 pages — shorter than 51% of the ranked books in Fantasy.
If you liked this
The same shelf — Fantasy — and a score of 8.4, the closest to this book.
