about the book
In an alternate reality set in the early 20th century, America exists as a federation of sixty islands held together and protected by Rithmatists, the only guardians against the two-dimensional, ravenous wild chalklings. The magic of the Rithmatists is in their ability to bring to life the 2D chalk images they create.
Rithmatists exist only on the island of Nebrask, which is where the wild chalklings originate. The rest of the American Federation does not know about them, but if the Rithmatists ever let their guard down, the other islands soon would.
On Nebrask is Armedius Academy, a school for Rithmatists. But sixteen-year-old Joel is only a general student. He has spent his life studying the magical chalk patterns, but when the time came to be tested for Rithmatist potential, Joel missed his chance. Now all he can do is watch his more talented classmates excel beyond his capabilities.
Until some of them are kidnapped, or worse. Are the wild chalklings to blame? Are they becoming smart enough to invade the Academy unnoticed? Or is something else going on? Joel, his new friend Melody, and disgraced professor Fitch seek the answer, hoping that no chalkling will escape Nebrask in the process.
about the author
Born in Lincoln Nebraska, Brandon Sanderson enjoyed books while growing up but, like most kids, at some point he became bored with them. He was a stubborn non-reader, and it took an eighth-grade teacher, coincidentally named Miss. Reader, to inspire him with Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly. Riveted by the epic fantasy, Brandon became an avid reader and even tried his hand at writing. He admits his first attempts were dreadful!
Brandon entered Brigham Young University (BYU) to study biochemistry with the hope of going into medicine. (One of his college roommates was Jeopardy champion Ken Jennings!)
While on a two-year missionary trip to Seoul, Korea, he decided that he missed writing more than chemistry, so he changed his major to English when he returned to BYU. Going to school during the day full-time and working an eight-hour shift as a hotel night clerk, Brandon wrote seven novels and accumulated a pile of rejection letters.
Feeling that his manuscripts were actually getting worse, Brandon decided to go back to BYU for a graduate degree in creative writing. He also vowed to stop writing with the intent to market…instead he wrote from his heart. He published his first novel for adults shortly after graduating!
Brandon lives with his wife, Emily, and their son, Joel, in American Fork, Utah.
Sources:
Author website
Author biography: Wikipedia
Also by Brandon Sanderson:
Shadows of Self (Mistborn, Book 5). Tor Books. October 2015.
Firefight (Reckoners, Book 2). Delacorte Books for Young Readers. 2015.
Steelheart (Reckoners, Book 1). Delacorte Books for Young Readers. 2013.
The Alloy of Law (Mistborn, Book 4). Tor Books. 2011.
Alcatraz Versus the Shattered Lens (Alcatraz, Book 4). Scholastic. 2010.
The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, Book 3). Tor Fantasy. 2019.
Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia (Alcatraz, Book 3). Scholastic. 2009.
Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones (Alcatraz, Book 2). Scholastic. 2008.
The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, Book 2). Tor Books. 2007.
Mistborn : The Final Empire (Mistborn, Book 1). Tor Books. 2006.
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