El rithmatista
| El rithmatista> | |||||
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| Localización | United Isles of America, Alternate Earth | ||||
| Fecha original | 14 May 2013 | ||||
| Editorial | Tor books | ||||
| ISBN | 978-0-7654-2032-2 | ||||
The Rithmatist is a Young Adult novel by Brandon Sanderson published in May 2013 by Tor after the publication of A Memory of Light.[1] There are plans for an eventual sequel, but note that it is not part of the Cosmere.
Summary
The Rithmatist takes place on an alternate Earth quite different from our own. North America is not a continent but a group of islands, and these were almost empty of human life when Europeans arrived. The islands were, however, home to two-dimensional creatures made of chalk. There was little that the colonists could do to defend themselves from these “wild chalklings” until King Gregory III discovered the magic of Rithmatics, which is performed by drawing with chalk. Several hundred years later, the continued prosperity of the United Isles of America is bought with the efforts of Rithmatists who fight an ongoing battle to contain the chalklings (and other, more mysterious creatures) on the island of Nebrask.
Joel Saxon is a student at the prestigious Armedius Academy in Jamestown, New Britannia. Though not a Rithmatist himself, he is obsessed with Rithmatics and studies the magic as much as he can. The poor son of the campus cleaning lady, Joel doesn’t fit in with the other students who are all either Rithmatists or children of privilege. Joel’s father Trent was the chalk maker for the academy, and shared Joel’s obsession with Rithmatics. When Trent died eight years ago, he left behind debts incurred searching for new Rithmatic lines (undiscovered elements of the magic). Joel believes his father died in a rail accident, but it is implied that there is more to the story than he has been told.
Joel obtains permission to tutor under Professor Fitch during the summer holidays. Professor Fitch is also tutoring Melody Muns, a Rithmatic student struggling in her magical studies. When one of the school’s Rithmatics students disappears and evidence points to foul play by a Rithmatist, Fitch is assigned by Principal York to help with the investigation. As more students disappear, first Joel then Melody are admitted into Fitch’s confidence to help track down the suspected kidnapper.
Leading the investigation is Inspector Harding, a non-Rithmatist formerly of the military police in Nebrask. Because the students have been kidnapped from their homes, Harding urges the Rithmatic students to be kept on campus for protection, and eventually all of the parents agree.
Several odd symbols are found drawn in chalk at the crime scenes. Over the course of the investigation, Joel is able to confirm that these are in fact new Rithmatic lines. Until then, only four types of lines were known in the magic of Rithmatics: two for geometric construction of defenses, one for direct attacks against chalk, and one for creating chalklings under the Rithamatist’s control. (See article on Rithmatics. The newly discovered lines, in contrast, can attenuate sound and attack physical objects. (It turns out that Joel's father had identified one of the lines in his research, but without knowing the function he was unable to prove its existence.)
Joel’s own suspicions center on Professor Nalizar, a self-important and condescending man recently arrived from Nebrask. Joel discovers that Nalizar is researching new Rithmatic lines. Joel particularly dislikes Nalizar because his first act at Armedius was to challenge and defeat Professor Fitch in a Rithmatic duel, by which he was able to claim Fitch’s tenure for himself.. When Joel shares his suspicions, however, Fitch, Harding, and Melody each argue against him. They say that while Nalizar is not a likeable person, he is an acclaimed war hero from Nebrask who has saved many lives (including Harding’s). Melody reveals that her brother William recently died in Nebrask, and Nalizar left the front because of his failure in saving William from the chalklings.
One night, Joel himself becomes the target of an attack. Chalklings chase him towards a trap of Rithmatic lines, but he manages to evade them long enough to take shelter in the academy office with clerk Exton Pratt, then escape and alert the police guarding the campus. After the chalklings retreat, Inspector Harding searches the office and finds evidence in Exton’s desk that leads him to arrest Exton for the kidnappings.
The next night Joel and Melody discover that the officers on guard have been incapacitated outside the Rithmatist dormitory. Melody goes for help while Joel investigates. Inside he finds both Nalizar and Harding. Harding has been possessed by a mysterious entity called a Forgotten, and Nalizar confronts him but is knocked unconscious. Joel sees the possessed Harding send wild chalklings to attack the sleeping students, who are somehow transformed into chalklings themselves. Melody and Fitch arrive, and together with Joel they defeat the Forgotten. The wild chalklings revert to human form, including not only the students but also several Rithmatists who had disappeared in Nebrask, including Melody’s brother William.
In gratitude for Joel's help, Principal York agrees to honor the academy's contract with Joel's father regarding the search for new Rithmatic lines, the existence of which is now proven. The payout will be enough to settle the family's debts.
Joel later confronts Nalizar, who he suspects of being the mastermind behind the Forgotten’s actions. Nalizar confirms that he was behind the plot and that he is not entirely human, but reminds Joel that nobody will believe him if he tries to expose Nalizar.
Excerpt
Tor has published an excerpt from The Rithmatist (Prologue and Chapters One to Five).
Magic System
Rithmatics uses chalk circles, lines, and drawings known as chalklings, otherwise known as lines of making, to do a variety of actions, including, but not limited to, attacking other duelists, creating defenses & structures, as well as, creatures.
Cover Gallery
Gollancz cover by Jamie Tanner
Notes
- ↑ Tor blog posts
— Tor Forge #