by Alice Atkinson-Bonasio

Created on: October 17, 2008

New Spring

Prequel to the Wheel of Time series by the late Robert Jordan

Many Fantasy fans - myself included - assert that the Wheel of Time is one of the most ambitions fantasy series ever written. The complexity of the world the late Robert Jordan has created is mind boggling and fans who stick with it are rewarded with lovingly crafted worlds that are endlessly complex yet unerringly consistent.

Unfortunately for those fans Robert Jordan died in September 2007 leaving the series unfinished. He has, however, left meticulous notes and his wife and editor is confident that Brandon Sanderson, who was chosen to write the final book in Jordan's place, will manage to do it justice.

In hindsight, then, it might have been a mistake for Robert Jordan to have spent his time writing a prequel to the (so far) 11-volume series instead of advancing the story, but as a fan I am still glad that he did so.

The plot follows the first exploits of White
Tower initiates Moiraine Damodred and Siuan Sanche, whose search for the Dragon Reborn will start the chain of events that will see Rand al'Thor break the world apart in order to save it.

The prequel provides some interesting background on many of the main characters that will play a major part in the story later on such as Siuan, Moiraine and Lan. It also fills in gaps that were previously only alluded to in the main plot, such as the exact rituals and testing that take place when an Accepted is raised to the shawl and how the bond between an Aes Sedai and her Warder is formed.

New Spring sets the premise for the entire tale that is to follow. It also marks a return to a more concise writing style for Jordan, very similar to that of the first Wheel of Time book, The Eye of The World.

The later books in the series can be quite dense, with many chapters consumed by endless political intrigue, which although masterfully executed, can become frustrating at times. New Spring contrasts from that and proves a real page turner, evoking an almost nostalgic feeling for the earlier books and making you stop to realise just how far the characters have come. Because Robert Jordan always took his time, your feel with these books as if you really have watched characters grow and develop, and that is a rare treat indeed. Unfortunately for all of us, Jordan
ran out of time himself, and we can only hope that the final book keeps this work of a remarkable imagination alive.

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