Review “The Rithmatist”
Boys in magical schools are always difficult and tend to be prejudiced as a cheap jump on the Harry Potter bandwagon. But you can read “The Rithmatist” with a good conscience - this is magic like you have never seen it before. In fact, it is the combination of geometry and magic. A very innovative concept and so unusual that I am actually surprised it worked out so well. The steampunk elements did not hurt either, but it was the well-explained chalk geometry magic that impressed me most.
The characters, though there were few of them, were well written and interesting to follow around. I also liked that there was not necessarily a happy ending and the fulfilling of all dreams. The friendship (not romance!) between the protagonists was also very nice. And the idea of a non-magical protagonist in this magical world was something refreshing as well.
One thing I do have to criticize is the world building: perhaps spoiled by the likes of Rowling, Lynch and Martin, I expected a lot more exploration of the school, a few more characters, more details and more fleshing out. Also, the world in general.... Why call it the “united isles” and name all the individual islands like U.S. states or regions? Why refer to the real narrative of Mary Rowlandson, but adapt it to fit your world? I was even a bit confused whether to call this novel a dystopian or high fantasy... It is very weird, but luckily does not ruin the brilliance of the magic and the writing.