The Rithmatist

Joel, 16, feels isolated at Armedius Academy, since he lacks the talent to join the elite students in their practice of Rithmatics, a form of magic in which geometrical chalk drawings unlock sorcerous power. When Armedius's most talented Rithmatist students begin disappearing, Joel and classmate Melody help a Rithmatics professor and the local police chief investigate and learn more about Joel's family legacy as they come closer to solving the crimes. In this start of Sanderson's (A Memory of Light) new YA fantasy series, the prolific fantasy author creates a detailed and unique magic system. It sometimes seems to come at the expense of character development, as the characters fail to strike more than one note most of the time, but the world-building he invests in this alternate America is fun and interesting. Narrator Michael Kramer creates distinct voices for the cast and brings gravitas to the story.