New Spring

From Publishers Weekly
Expanded from a story that first appeared in Robert Silverberg's anthology Legends (1998), Jordan's eagerly awaited prequel to The Wheel of Time, the first of a projected three, more than lives up to its high expectations. For three days, battle has raged around the city of Tar Valon. In the White Tower two young Accepted attend the Amyrlin Seat and her Keeper as they await word of the outcome. Purely by chance, Moiraine Damodred and Siuan Sanche are on duty when the Keeper foretells the rebirth of the Dragon, the world's only hope of winning the fight against the Dark One. Written with all the skill that has made Jordan one of the grand masters of fantasy, it's accessible enough for new readers, while the inside information is sure to captivate longtime fans. Far from the coldly self-possessed Aes Sedai who arrives in Emond's Field in The Eye of the World, the first Wheel book, Moiraine is a fun-loving, prank-playing and naïve Accepted, one who slowly grows into a determined and resourceful character. Even better, the narrative is flush with answers to mysteries only hinted at in Wheel (what was the test for Aes Sedai, what was "the Vileness") and with little details aimed at those in the know. Jordan buffs will be especially pleased to find the novel moves quickly, not at the glacial pace of recent books in the saga.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist
Jordan's best-selling Wheel of Time stands at 10 volumes and counting, and now he starts a prequel series by expanding his contribution to Legends (1998), an anthology of stories set in the worlds of their authors' novel-series. Basically, the new tale is about how two Wheel protagonists--the soldier Lan Mandragoran, claimant to the throne of a kingdom long defunct; and Moiraine of the royal house of Cairhien, an initiate of the sorceresses known as Aes Sedai--met. The momentous event comes early in the search for the infant boy who, grown up, may save the perpetually warring Wheel world from the Dark One. It doesn't occur, however, until this book is winding down. The preceding pages, after an opening in which Lan and his command are reprieved from certain death when the enormous army they are about to engage turns and marches away, focus on Moraine's and her friend Siuan's last days as wanna-be, and first as new-fledged, Aes Sedai. Both take their new status as license to look for the child of destiny, and they have inside dope, thanks to having heard a senior Aes Sedai announce the child's birth with her dying breath. The term padding comes to mind soon and often as New Spring blooms. Perhaps it should have been left a short story, and perhaps only Wheel of Time junkies will genuinely enjoy it. Said habitues are by now legion; acquire accordingly. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review
"....the new Robert Jordan might prompt fans of the best-selling fantasy author to wonder if he has simply expanded on the short story "New Spring"....as luck would have it, the short story is merely the final chapter and epilogue of the novel. That leaves 25 other chapters of pure, fresh Wheel of Time excitement...." -- Review --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review
"....the new Robert Jordan might prompt fans of the best-selling fantasy author to wonder if he has simply expanded on the short story "New Spring"....as luck would have it, the short story is merely the final chapter and epilogue of the novel. That leaves 25 other chapters of pure, fresh Wheel of Time excitement...." (John Green BookPage ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Product Description
rom America's premier fantasy writer-the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Crossroads of Twilight-comes New Spring: The Novel. Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time has captured the imagination of millions of readers who eagerly await each new volume of the saga. Now, Jordan gives us a glimpse of the events leading up to the first book of the Wheel of Time. New Spring: The Novel is a perfect introduction to the Wheel of Time. 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 young 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,' the novella first published in Legends, related some of these events, in compressed form. New Spring: The Novel tells the whole story. Robert Jordan is a graduate of The Citadel. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author
Robert Jordan is a graduate of The Citadel. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From AudioFile
This novel, fleshed out from a novella, is a prequel to the immensely popular Wheel of Time series. It's a rich, satisfying fantasy with plenty of originality, character development, and multiple plot lines. The Aes Sedai, powerful, magic-wielding women, receive a prophesy about the birth of a man who will save the world. Two Aes Sedai rush to save him with the help of fighting soldier Lan Mandragoran. As there is more of a female presence in the story, Kate Reading's performance stands out. Michael Kramer's bare-bones delivery is perfect for the soldier who has lost his belief in a better world until he is swept up in adventure. Both narrators handle complex roles with feeling and confidence, never losing the excitement and tension of the fast-moving story. The performers breathe emotion into their characters with an earnestness that holds listeners close and leaves them wanting more. D.G. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.