The prequel novel to the globally bestselling Wheel of Time series - a fantasy phenomenon
The city of Canluum lies close to the scarred and desolate wastes of the Blight, a walled haven from the dangers away to the north, and a refuge from the ill works of those who serve the Dark One. Or so it is said. The city that greets Al'Lan Mandragoran, exiled king of Malkier and the finest swordsman of his generation, is instead one that is rife with rumour and the whisperings of Shadowspawn. Proof, should he have required it, that the Dark One grows powerful once more and that his minions are at work throughout the lands.
And yet it is within Canluum's walls that Lan will meet a woman who will shape his destiny. Moiraine is a young and powerful Aes Sedai who has journeyed to the city in search of a bondsman. …
The prequel novel to the globally bestselling Wheel of Time series - a fantasy phenomenon
The city of Canluum lies close to the scarred and desolate wastes of the Blight, a walled haven from the dangers away to the north, and a refuge from the ill works of those who serve the Dark One. Or so it is said. The city that greets Al'Lan Mandragoran, exiled king of Malkier and the finest swordsman of his generation, is instead one that is rife with rumour and the whisperings of Shadowspawn. Proof, should he have required it, that the Dark One grows powerful once more and that his minions are at work throughout the lands.
And yet it is within Canluum's walls that Lan will meet a woman who will shape his destiny. Moiraine is a young and powerful Aes Sedai who has journeyed to the city in search of a bondsman. She requires aid in a desperate quest to prove the truth of a vague and largely discredited prophecy - one that speaks of a means to turn back the shadow, and of a child who may be the dragon reborn.
Review of 'New Spring (Wheel of Time)' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
I am beginning my The Wheel of Time series re-read with a new-to-me book, New Spring. In the decade since I conclude the WoT series I have forgotten more than I remember and while New Spring felt unfamiliar there was comfort being back in this world. Enjoyable read and maybe I will appreciate the story more and rate it higher if I didn't have a decade between re-reads.
The Wheel of Time was kind of a big deal for me: the first big fantasy series I really got into as a teenager. I never read this prequel, and I guess with the release of the TV it was time. It's strange to go back to the world.
On the one hand, this is an exciting adventure story that hooked me in and I enjoyed reading. It's great to spend time in the world, and to learn some important background.
On the other, Robert Jordan's writing is... I expected the overwrought excessive adjective, mail gaze-y descriptions. I knew the gender essentialism would be ever present.
I'd forgotten / hadn't noticed the constant ethnic stereotyping: "stubborn even for an Andorian" and the like.
Likewise the extent of the authoritarianism in the book. I mean, I knew he has a slightly obsession with characters being punished, but the extent to which …
The Wheel of Time was kind of a big deal for me: the first big fantasy series I really got into as a teenager. I never read this prequel, and I guess with the release of the TV it was time. It's strange to go back to the world.
On the one hand, this is an exciting adventure story that hooked me in and I enjoyed reading. It's great to spend time in the world, and to learn some important background.
On the other, Robert Jordan's writing is... I expected the overwrought excessive adjective, mail gaze-y descriptions. I knew the gender essentialism would be ever present.
I'd forgotten / hadn't noticed the constant ethnic stereotyping: "stubborn even for an Andorian" and the like.
Likewise the extent of the authoritarianism in the book. I mean, I knew he has a slightly obsession with characters being punished, but the extent to which everyone lives in a world of strict hierarchy caught me by surprise. Abusive behaviour by characters in positions of authority is constantly justified in terms of being necessary to make people strong.
So much awful people being awful to each other, but this is normal and these are the good guys.
The attitude to consent is utterly bizarre/dreadful too, with a number of situations where a woman publicly declares her interest in a man, and the world at large (including the man) just accept that he has no choice in the matter.
If you're a fan of the WoT and fancy another visit to the world then it's worth a read - if you're interested in a new fantasy series then I think there are much better choices now.
L'auteur à un peu tendance à délayer en décrivant tout tout le temps, pour ensuite caler une résolution très brusques dans les dernières pages, sinon, c'est de la fantasy assez classique qui se laisse lire.
C'est une "prequel" présentant le passé de certains des personnages du cycle, reste à voir ce que donne la suite.
Review of 'New Spring (Wheel of Time)' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
A 100 page short story that takes 400 pages to tell.
Not much happens here that wasn't already explained in the main Wheel of Time series. Except that Moraine can apparently use her magic to control bugs and scare people.
Can easily be skipped if you're slogging through the Wheel of Time. I only listened to it because I ran out of other audiobooks to listen to on my way to work.
