Who Are The Main Characters In The Rithmatist?

The Rithmatist' by Brandon Sanderson has this fantastic cast of characters that really bring the story to life. Joel, the protagonist, is this clever and determined student at Armedius Academy who isn’t a Rithmatist but is utterly fascinated by their magic. His passion for Rithmatics is infectious, and you can’t help but root for him as he tries to prove himself. Then there’s Melody, his Rithmatist friend who’s quirky, rebellious, and hilariously bad at drawing defensive lines—which is a big deal in their world. Their dynamic is so fun, with Joel’s seriousness balancing out Melody’s chaos.

Professor Fitch is another standout, a kind but somewhat disgraced Rithmatics instructor who becomes Joel’s mentor. His patience and wisdom make him easy to love, especially when he’s trying to wrangle Melody’s antics. On the darker side, we have the mysterious 'Scribbler,' a villain who’s terrifyingly good at using Rithmatic magic for sinister purposes. The tension they bring to the story is palpable, and every encounter with them had me on edge. Sanderson really knows how to craft characters that feel real, flawed, and utterly compelling—I still catch myself thinking about their adventures long after finishing the book.