The Rithmatist

In a world where chalk isn't just for scribbling but for summoning deadly creatures, The Rithmatist unfolds a story of quiet power and forgotten secrets. Set in an alternate version of early 20th-century America—reimagined as the United Isles—the series blends mystery, magic, and academia in a way that feels wholly original, even within the expansive realm of fantasy.

At the center is Joel, a student who knows the rules of Rithmatics better than most actual Rithmatists—those chosen to wield geometric chalk lines as shields and weapons in the war against the wild chalklings. But Joel can’t perform the magic himself. He’s an outsider in a world that values power over understanding, watching from the edges with equal parts envy and insight. When students begin to vanish, and a darker force stirs beneath the scholarly calm of Armedius Academy, Joel’s obsession with Rithmatic theory suddenly becomes a lifeline—and possibly the key to unraveling a much larger mystery.

The Rithmatist consists of one book and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.