Reviews
A New York Times Editors' Choice SelectionSummer 2013 Kids' Indie Next List Top Ten Selection (#6) "Featuring ingenious magic (complete with profuse chalk-drawing-style diagrams and illustrations from McSweeney), feisty characters, and a complex plot likely to unwind over several volumes, this high-spirited, exciting story will appeal to readers of all ages."- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Fantasy readers should devour this well-crafted mix of action and setup, enriched by thoroughly detailed cultural and historical background and capped by a distinctly unsettling twist."- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) " The Rithmatist contains some very good surprises on the way to a pleasingly nifty conclusion."- The New York Times Book Review "Part fantasy, part alternate history, part steampunk, this story succeeds nicely... . An exciting ending and skillful setup of a sequel will have readers hungry for the next volume."- School Library Journal, " The Rithmatist , while it's definitely as clear and exciting as a YA novel should be, is every bit as deep and richly invented as the best of Sanderson's adult novels…. Sanderson at his best, for adults and young readers alike."-Orson Scott Card, New York Times bestselling author of Ender's Game "Brandon Sanderson has created an ingenious new martial art where the chalk is mightier than the sword. In his alternative, dangerous version of the world, brave young soldiers must battle back dark forces armed with the nerves of a warrior and the skills of an artist. It's a fun read with a unique take on fighting where if you can't draw…you die."-D.J. MacHale, New York Times bestselling author of Pendragon and SYLO . "There are very few authors about whom I can say, without a doubt, that I will read every single book they ever write. Brandon Sanderson is a member of that club. He's brilliant and has an imagination I've only seen in the likes of Stephen King and J.K. Rowling."-James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of The Maze Runner "Brimming with wit, mystery, and enough ideas to make ten other books jealous, The Rithmatist is boldly entertaining and wildly original. Armedius Academy is the first magic school that really teaches magic-the chalk-based Rithmatics, both a mystic science and a delightful visual art-and I have never had more fun learning anything. The creepy climax had me on the edge of my seat, and the slam-bang finish made me stand up and cheer."-Dan Wells, author of I Am Not a Serial Killer and Partials "[ The Hero of Ages ] brings the Mistborn epic fantasy trilogy to a dramatic and surprising climax…. Sanderson's saga of consequences offers complex characters and a compelling plot, asking hard questions about loyalty, faith, and responsibility." --Publishers Weekly "Sanderson continues to show that he is one of the best authors in the genre." -Library Journal, starred review on The Alloy of Law, " The Rithmatist , while it's definitely as clear and exciting as a YA novel should be, is every bit as deep and richly invented as the best of Sanderson's adult novels…. Sanderson at his best, for adults and young readers alike." -Orson Scott Card "[ The Hero of Ages ] brings the Mistborn epic fantasy trilogy to a dramatic and surprising climax…. Sanderson's saga of consequences offers complex characters and a compelling plot, asking hard questions about loyalty, faith, and responsibility." --Publishers Weekly "Sanderson continues to show that he is one of the best authors in the genre." -Library Journal, starred review on The Alloy of Law, A New York Times Editors' Choice SelectionSummer 2013 Kids' Indie Next List Top Ten Selection (#6) "Featuring ingenious magic (complete with profuse chalk-drawing-style diagrams and illustrations from McSweeney), feisty characters, and a complex plot likely to unwind over several volumes, this high-spirited, exciting story will appeal to readers of all ages."- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Fantasy readers should devour this well-crafted mix of action and setup, enriched by thoroughly detailed cultural and historical background and capped by a distinctly unsettling twist."- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) " The Rithmatist contains some very good surprises on the way to a pleasingly nifty conclusion."- The New York Times Book Review "Part fantasy, part alternate history, part steampunk, this story succeeds nicely_ . An exciting ending and skillful setup of a sequel will have readers hungry for the next volume."- School Library Journal, " The Rithmatist , while it's definitely as clear and exciting as a YA novel should be, is every bit as deep and richly invented as the best of Sanderson's adult novels... . Sanderson at his best, for adults and young readers alike."-Orson Scott Card "Sanderson continues to show that he is one of the best authors in the genre."- Library Journal , starred review on The Alloy of Law, The Rithmatist , while it's definitely as clear and exciting as a YA novel should be, is every bit as deep and richly invented as the best of Sanderson's adult novels.... Sanderson at his best, for adults and young readers alike., Brimming with wit, mystery, and enough ideas to make ten other books jealous, The Rithmatist is boldly entertaining and wildly original. Armedius Academy is the first magic school that really teaches magic--the chalk-based Rithmatics, both a mystic science and a delightful visual art--and I have never had more fun learning anything. The creepy climax had me on the edge of my seat, and the slam-bang finish made me stand up and cheer., Illustrations from McSweeney, fiesty characters, and a complex plot likely to unwind over several volumes, this high-spirited, exciting story will appeal to readers of all ages., "Fantasy readers should devour this well-crafted mix of action and setup, enriched by thoroughly detailed cultural and historical background and capped by a distinctly unsettling twist." - Kirkus starred review, "Illustrations from McSweeney, fiesty characters, and a complex plot likely to unwind over several volumes, this high-spirited, exciting story will appeal to readers of all ages." -- Publishers Weekly starred review "Fantasy readers should devour this well-crafted mix of action and setup, enriched by thoroughly detailed cultural and historical background and capped by a distinctly unsettling twist." -- Kirkus starred review " The Rithmatist contains some very good surprises on the way to a pleasingly nifty conclusion." -- New York Times Book Review " The Rithmatist , while it's definitely as clear and exciting as a YA novel should be, is every bit as deep and richly invented as the best of Sanderson's adult novels.... Sanderson at his best, for adults and young readers alike." -- Orson Scott Card "Brandon Sanderson has created an ingenious new martial art where the chalk is mightier than the sword. In his alternative, dangerous version of the world, brave young soldiers must battle back dark forces armed with the nerves of a warrior and the skills of an artist. It's a fun read with a unique take on fighting where if you can't draw...you die." -- D.J. MacHale, New York Times bestselling author of Pendragon and SYLO. "There are very few authors about whom I can say, without a doubt, that I will read every single book they ever write. Brandon Sanderson is a member of that club. He's brilliant and has an imagination I've only seen in the likes of Stephen King and J.K. Rowling." -- James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of The Maze Runner "Brimming with wit, mystery, and enough ideas to make ten other books jealous, The Rithmatist is boldly entertaining and wildly original. Armedius Academy is the first magic school that really teaches magic--the chalk-based Rithmatics, both a mystic science and a delightful visual art--and I have never had more fun learning anything. The creepy climax had me on the edge of my seat, and the slam-bang finish made me stand up and cheer." -- Dan Wells, author of I Am Not a Serial Killer and Partials, Brandon Sanderson has created an ingenious new martial art where the chalk is mightier than the sword. In his alternative, dangerous version of the world, brave young soldiers must battle back dark forces armed with the nerves of a warrior and the skills of an artist. It's a fun read with a unique take on fighting where if you can't draw...you die., Fantasy readers should devour this well-crafted mix of action and setup, enriched by thoroughly detailed cultural and historical background and capped by a distinctly unsettling twist., A New York Times Editors' Choice Selection Summer 2013 Kids' Indie Next List Top Ten Selection (#6) YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults and Teens' Top Ten selection 2014 "Illustrations from McSweeney, fiesty characters, and a complex plot likely to unwind over several volumes, this high-spirited, exciting story will appeal to readers of all ages." - Publishers Weekly starred review "Fantasy readers should devour this well-crafted mix of action and setup, enriched by thoroughly detailed cultural and historical background and capped by a distinctly unsettling twist." - Kirkus starred review "The Rithmatist" contains some very good surprises on the way to a pleasingly nifty conclusion." - New York Times Book Review " The Rithmatist , while it's definitely as clear and exciting as a YA novel should be, is every bit as deep and richly invented as the best of Sanderson's adult novels…. Sanderson at his best, for adults and young readers alike."-Orson Scott Card "Brandon Sanderson has created an ingenious new martial art where the chalk is mightier than the sword. In his alternative, dangerous version of the world, brave young soldiers must battle back dark forces armed with the nerves of a warrior and the skills of an artist. It's a fun read with a unique take on fighting where if you can't draw…you die."-D.J. MacHale, New York Times bestselling author of Pendragon and SYLO . "There are very few authors about whom I can say, without a doubt, that I will read every single book they ever write. Brandon Sanderson is a member of that club. He's brilliant and has an imagination I've only seen in the likes of Stephen King and J.K. Rowling."-James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of The Maze Runner "Brimming with wit, mystery, and enough ideas to make ten other books jealous, The Rithmatist is boldly entertaining and wildly original. Armedius Academy is the first magic school that really teaches magic-the chalk-based Rithmatics, both a mystic science and a delightful visual art-and I have never had more fun learning anything. The creepy climax had me on the edge of my seat, and the slam-bang finish made me stand up and cheer."-Dan Wells, author of I Am Not a Serial Killer and Partials, "Illustrations from McSweeney, fiesty characters, and a complex plot likely to unwind over several volumes, this high-spirited, exciting story will appeal to readers of all ages." - Publishers Weekly starred review"Fantasy readers should devour this well-crafted mix of action and setup, enriched by thoroughly detailed cultural and historical background and capped by a distinctly unsettling twist." - Kirkus starred reviewA New York Times Editors' Choice Selection"The Rithmatist" contains some very good surprises on the way to a pleasingly nifty conclusion." - New York Times Book Review" The Rithmatist , while it's definitely as clear and exciting as a YA novel should be, is every bit as deep and richly invented as the best of Sanderson's adult novels... . Sanderson at his best, for adults and young readers alike."-Orson Scott Card "{Sanderson is} brilliant and has an imagination I've only seen in the likes of Stephen King and J.K. Rowling." - James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of The Maze Runner , "Illustrations from McSweeney, fiesty characters, and a complex plot likely to unwind over several volumes, this high-spirited, exciting story will appeal to readers of all ages." - Publishers Weekly starred review, There are very few authors about whom I can say, without a doubt, that I will read every single book they ever write. Brandon Sanderson is a member of that club. He's brilliant and has an imagination I've only seen in the likes of Stephen King and J.K. Rowling., "The Rithmatist" contains some very good surprises on the way to a pleasingly nifty conclusion." - New York Times Book Review, A New York Times Editors' Choice Selection "Illustrations from McSweeney, fiesty characters, and a complex plot likely to unwind over several volumes, this high-spirited, exciting story will appeal to readers of all ages." - Publishers Weekly starred review "Fantasy readers should devour this well-crafted mix of action and setup, enriched by thoroughly detailed cultural and historical background and capped by a distinctly unsettling twist." - Kirkus starred review "The Rithmatist" contains some very good surprises on the way to a pleasingly nifty conclusion." - New York Times Book Review " The Rithmatist , while it's definitely as clear and exciting as a YA novel should be, is every bit as deep and richly invented as the best of Sanderson's adult novels…. Sanderson at his best, for adults and young readers alike."-Orson Scott Card "Brandon Sanderson has created an ingenious new martial art where the chalk is mightier than the sword. In his alternative, dangerous version of the world, brave young soldiers must battle back dark forces armed with the nerves of a warrior and the skills of an artist. It's a fun read with a unique take on fighting where if you can't draw…you die."-D.J. MacHale, New York Times bestselling author of Pendragon and SYLO . "There are very few authors about whom I can say, without a doubt, that I will read every single book they ever write. Brandon Sanderson is a member of that club. He's brilliant and has an imagination I've only seen in the likes of Stephen King and J.K. Rowling."-James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of The Maze Runner "Brimming with wit, mystery, and enough ideas to make ten other books jealous, The Rithmatist is boldly entertaining and wildly original. Armedius Academy is the first magic school that really teaches magic-the chalk-based Rithmatics, both a mystic science and a delightful visual art-and I have never had more fun learning anything. The creepy climax had me on the edge of my seat, and the slam-bang finish made me stand up and cheer."-Dan Wells, author of I Am Not a Serial Killer and Partials