4.7 stars
This is a fantastic AU of our own world, where instead of the United States, there are the United Isles. A lot of the history is the same, such as Euclid’s mathematical discoveries; but when Rithmatics was discovered via wild chalkings, there is a larger divergence. Rithmatics is chalked magic and something I really can’t explain beyond that. Its foundation is in Geometry though, which fascinates me, a math teacher.
This is a math-friendly, educator-friendly book. I freaking love that children are being exposed to such positivity in a fantasy novel.
I love that there are writing and activity prompts in the back. They allow for creativity in the classroom, and for parents & children.
I did read these about 50% in and thus accidentally spoiled myself in the process. I started to keep an eye out for clues that I knew Sanderson must have put in (and he did).
It’s cool that some of the Isles have the same names as places in the U.S. and Canada, such as Wisconsin, Texas, Nebrask, and Newfoundland. Others are similar, including Yellowstone, Erie, and Santa Fe. And then there are places like New France, New Britannia, and New Holland.
Sanderson of course made sure there was a map of the Isles, including marks where the Rithmatic Academies are. There are eight Academies on eight different Isles, and Rithmatists are chosen by the Master among children. Only about one in a thousand children are chosen each year.
McSweeney’s illustrations strew the book, sometimes with drawings on pages themselves, but more so with descriptions between chapters. The illustrations truly enhance the book and almost make the magic come to life. Not only is the reader shown different aspects of Rithmatics, but there is a progression to them that helps the reader simply understand more.
I will say that calling curved images “lines” is annoying, especially because all the chalked images are 2D and are thus not subject to non-Euclidean rules. But the different Defensive, as well as offensive chalklings are full of fascinating uses of polygons and curves. There is a non-gon with only six non-curved sides.
Rithmatics is a complex science that is also based on belief and feelings. I almost want to study it along with Joel.
Joel is not a Rithmatist but is able to go to one of the [private] Rithmatic Academies. I like that there are local public schools for almost the rest of the school-aged population.
Unfortunately, this privilege does not come because of money or social standing. Neither of his parents are even professors (though I have a feeling there are no female professors; it’s a near-scandal to have a female clerk). No, his father was a chalk maker at the school and his mother is a cleaning lady. It’s only because of his father’s death 8 years prior that Joel is even able to have free tuition.
He is a very interesting teenager. He has studied the Rithmatic methods and internalized their history--even more than many of the youth Rithmatists! He is awesome at math, which is bloody amazing to read. I’m seeing this more and more, but I am still always incredibly frustrated whenever I read “yeah, math sucks.” The Rithmatist children even have to take general education courses on top of their Rithmatics ones (in a separate building), though they’re generally in advanced classes. I like that they’re held to a high standard because of their positions and expectations.
My mind struggles to wrap around the mathematical progression: Geometry, Trigonometry...and THEN Algebra.
Sanderson, I’m confused yet intrigued.
But all of the math leaves me full of geeky giddiness.
What is more, it’s also an educator-friendly book that shows competent and flexible and understanding leaders of the school from the principal down. I am SO. HAPPY. a renowned author like Sanderson has written this.
Joel is not ostracized but has few friends. As such, he finds that he’ll be alone during the summer. He is fortunately able to get permission from Principal York to be a student assistant under Professor Fitch.
Or really, the former professor. I really don’t like Nalizac, who challenges Fitch to a duel and therefore takes his teaching spot (and, I believe his tenure). Nalizac is an arrogant priss who thinks fighting on the front lines [of Nebrask] means that he is better than those simply teaching theories and history. I have a bad feeling about him from the start, and I know I’m meant to.
The question is: Is this a true bad feeling or a red herring?
I will say that despite the unknown state of the Isle Nebrask and the fighting that is going on there I’m not terribly interested in it until I’m more than a quarter through.
Fitch’s assignment for Joel opens the lines of friendship between him and a not-so-proficient girl his age named Melody. It’s funny to me that Joel finds her to be very strange, when others feel the same about him and his passion for Rithmatics, despite not having the magical ability.
Federal Inspector Harding is pretty awesome.
I really like that Joel wasn’t embarrassed to admit to Melody that he didn’t even have the 9 cents needed to buy ice cream.
There are pieces of steampunk here, though they are more subtle than other such novels I’ve read. The springrail is the most interesting technology to me
The Monarchial Church seems to be a twisted form of the Catholic church, which makes me ad. They provide the inception ceremony allowing the children to get their Rithmatic powers--the path to salvation.
The ending was intense and perfect.
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Popular Highlights in this book
You are young, Joel. Young enough that you still have time to decide the type of man you would like to become. Do not let jealousy, bitterness, or anger be what guides that path.Highlighted by 63 Kindle readers- “It’s a fun tradition.” “So was witch-burning,” Melody said. “Unless you were the witch.”Highlighted by 52 Kindle readers
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Top reviews from other countries
Isabelly P.
Mais um livro ótimo do Brandon Sanderson
Reviewed in Brazil on August 13, 2022
Isabelly P.
Reviewed in Brazil on August 13, 2022
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Adriana
This book closes the main storyline but it's open-ended.
Reviewed in Spain on February 18, 2021Kanhaiya Mishra
Great adventure into yet another Brandon-verse
Reviewed in India on December 19, 2019
sjhigbee
Excellent magic school adventure...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2019