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Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time Prequel
Series: Wheel of Time Prequel
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Published: 2004
Publisher: Tor Fantasy
Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) For three days battle has raged in the snow around the great city of Tar Valon. In the city, a Foretelling of the future is uttered. On the slopes of Dragonmount, the immense mountain that looms over the city, is born an infant prophesied to change the world. That child must be found before the forces of the Shadow have an opportunity to kill him. Moiraine Damodred, a young Accepted soon to be raised to Aes Sedai, and Lan Mandragoran, a soldier fighting in the battle, are set on paths that will bind their lives together. But those paths are filled with complications and dangers, for Moiraine, of the Royal House of Cairhien, whose king has just died, and Lan, considered the uncrowned king of a nation long dead, find their lives threatened by the plots of those seeking power. "New Spring" related some of these events, in compressed form; New Spring: The Novel tells the whole story.
My Review:
I give this book a 5 out of 5.
Robert Jordan originally printed a shorter version of this story in the fantasy anthology Legends: Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy. This was published nine years after the first novel in the Wheel of Time series, The Eye of the World, was published. In 2004, Jordan released New Spring as a full length novel, expanding on the short story previously published. The events in this story take place roughly twenty years before The Eye of the World.
It is not necessary to read New Spring prior to reading the series. In fact I read it originally after reading several other books in the series. While the story does explain many of the world specific things (a week is 10 days, what Aes Sedai are, etc.), it might not be prudent for a newcomer to the series to start with New Spring. But you definitely can start here to get a taste of the world and see if it intrigues you.
The story follows Moiraine Damodred as she starts out as an Accepted in the White Tower, close to becoming Aes Sedai. Aes Sedai are able to channel the One Power (the Wheel of Time's version of magic to put it simply). Intermixed with Moiraine's story, we see glimpses of Lan Mandragoran, who does become very important later on in the story.
Moiraine and her closest friend, Siuan, are attending the Amyrlin Seat, ruler of the Aes Sedai, when the Keeper (the Amyrlin's assistant basically) Foretells something extremely dire and falls over dead from the shock of it. From there Moiraine and Siuan decide to try to find the Dragon Reborn, whom the Keeper Foretold was going to be reborn.
Once Moiraine and Siuan become Aes Sedai, Moiraine is forced to flee the Tower after learning that an assassin is after her and that the Tower is plotting to place her on her uncle's throne. She begins the search for the Dragon Reborn alone, as Siuan must stay behind.
Intricate plots and danger abound throughout the whole story. What Moiraine thinks she knows, she later learns is not the truth. With Siuan's and Lan's help, Moiraine is able to overcome the obstacles and danger placed in her path and continue on with her search for the Dragon Reborn.
Fans of the series will definitely want to read this prequel. And if you're looking for a new series to delve into, I highly recommend the Wheel of the Time.
Have you read New Spring: The Novel? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!
Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.
Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.
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