Monday, September 24, 2012

Coming Attractions: The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson


If you mash steampunk, young adult fiction, and the incredible imagination of Brandon Sanderson what do you get? Apparently you get Sanderson's next full length novel due for release some time in 2013. Brandon's publisher, Tor has released the following cover art and blurb for what sounds like something completely different for the epic fantasy mainstay. 



"The Rithmatist is an epic fantasy set in an alternate version of our world—a world in which life in the American Isles is threatened by the attacks of mysterious creatures known as Wild Chalklings. Chalklings are two-dimensional drawings that can be infused with life by Rithmatists and it is the job of the Rithmatists to keep the Wild Chalkings at bay. 

You may wonder how a two-dimensional drawing could possibly be a threat. Here’s the answer: Wild Chalklings scurry across the ground like scorpions or land piranhas, and bite chunks out of your feet. At which point you fall to the ground and they swarm you. Enough said.

The Rithmatist is about a 14-year-old kid named Joel who wants desperately to be a Rithmatist. But he wasn’t Chosen, so he doesn’t have the ability to bring chalklings or Rithmatic lines to life. All he can do is watch as The Rithmatist students at Armedius Academy learn the mystical art that he would give anything to practice. Then Rithmatist students start disappearing, kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving only trails of blood. Joel’s professor asks him to help investigate—putting Joel and his friend Melody on the trail of a discovery that could change Rithmatics—and their world—forever…."


Are you intrigued enough by the concept to delve into this story? Or is Sanderson's track record for excellent enough to guarantee your purchase. I know, I'll be checking it out.

4 comments:

  1. i'm probably the only person on earth who *hasn't* read any Brandon Sanderson. Heresy I know, but most of his books just don't look that interesting to me.

    But this new one? it had me at Hello.

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  2. I read pretty much all of Sanderson's stuff, with his Wheel of Time novels being the exception. (Shocking, I know) Do yourself a favor and read The Way of Kings. Excellent book and, dare I say, better than other novels that have gotten more acclaim. Just don't drop that monstrosity on anyone, you'll find yourself calling the paramedics. It's a beast.

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  3. Okay, I fall in between the two comments above - I've read some - but not all or a lot of Sanderson and I would say I'm definitely intrigued so thanks for bringing that to my attention.

    And, I think we could probably safely assume that anything Sanderson does (given his history) is epic! LOL
    Thanks
    Lynn :D

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