The Rithmatist, by Brandon Sanderson

The Rithmatists: A somewhat secretive group that protects the United Isles from wild chalklings, and Joel is enthralled by them. They have the power to use chalk to defend themselves and the Isles from the dangers on Nebrask. Joel goes to one of the eight schools where they are trained, but is not technically allowed to learn Rithmatics. When a new professor comes to teach Rithmatic defenses, Rithmatist students start disappearing. Could it be the work of the new professor, or something more sinister?

The Rithmatist is a steampunk book with good character arcs. As you go through the book, you learn more and more about each of the character’s personality and past. It’s not the best of writing, but it has a great concept. The ending was brilliant, the characters were brilliant, and all round a good book, but not one of my favorites.

Harry Potter series, by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter is “The Boy who survived.” He has lived under the stairs at the Dursely’s for the past ten years. His life has been surrounded by strange happenings: His hair grows back the night after a bad haircut, glass disappears at the zoo, random people come and shake his hand to name only a few. He finally knows why when a giant named Hagrid comes and tells him that he’s a wizard. But not just any normal wizard, no, but supposedly a great wizard, even at the age of eleven. For it was he who had finally stopped Lord Voldemort in his reign over wizardom, as most people thought, forever. But it was not forever. While Harry is studying at the school for wizards called Hogwarts, strange things keep happening, even for wizards. Harry must struggle for survival at what is probably one of the safest places for him on the face of the Earth with his friends Ron Weasely and Hermione Granger as they discover that You-Know-Who is not really dead.

Before I read the Harry Potter series, I listened to what a lot of people said about. It was split fairly evenly between people who loved it, thought it was alright, or hated it. I, for one, loved it. It is by far one of my favorites with the first books used mainly to introduce the characters to you, while the rest are mainly running, fighting, puzzle solving, and all around having a good time. I would suggest this series to anyone, but wouldn’t guarantee that they would love it.