Fantastic Recent Reads: Part One

Lucky me has pnuemonia. At least it is walking pneumonia, but still, for normally active me being able to function on a low level isn't satisfying. At least I have had some great reads to keep me happy.

I had these in one post and then realized it was one extremely LONG post, so here is part one. Check back tomorrow for Part Two and two more fantastic recent reads. I might even have another post on Friday. I just read a book a day for the past three days by an incredible author and I can't wait to share them with you.

First up:

THE RITHMATIST It's not secret that I have a serious crush on Brandon Sanderson. It's one of my great faults in life that I was at BYU and didn't take creative writing from him (or anyone). I was years past my degree before I decided I could be a writer and started putting pen to paper. Okay, back to Sanderson. His Mistborn series is unbeatable. I've had many a debate with my siblings on whether Mistborn or Elantris is his best work. I'm stubborn. I'll always say Mistborn, but then that's what I read first.

As always, his world is intricately created and world class (hehe).
From Goodreads: More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings — merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.

As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students study the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing — kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery — one that will change Rithmatics — and their world — forever.

 This book also has illustrations of chalk defenses (used by Rithmatist drawn on surfaces, usually the ground, to keep back Wild Chalklings) at the start of each chapter, such as the one below:

I followed Joel and Melody as they worked to solve the mystery of the missing students and keep The United Isles safe. A definite page turner...in fact, the second I read the end I kissed the book (I know, silly, but I kiss favorite books) and then looked to see when book 2 was coming out. Unfortunately it's not until 2015, so maybe I'm doing you a disservice telling you about THE RITHMATIST, but I enjoyed it so much I had to share.

Have you read it? Did you love it? I found myself fingering the drawings and checking my pocket for chalk. Another amazing book by a master storyteller.

Also, my first page of GUTTER GIRL is up for First Impressions on Dianne K Salerni's In High Spirits and Marcy Hatch's Mainewords. I'd be grateful if you'd visit one of them and let me know what you think:D Thanks in advance!