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New Spring
- A Wheel of Time Prequel
- Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
- Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins
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New Spring
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Summary
Critic reviews
"Written with all the skill that has made Jordan one of the grand masters of fantasy..."( Publishers Weekly
"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." ( AudioFile)
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What listeners love about New Spring
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Rp Trelfa
- 21-06-11
The beginning of the wheel's turn
This is a great book, just as you would expect from the pen of Robert Jordan. It tells the tale of how two of the characters that play such a vital role in subsequent adventures first met. Although an excellent and compelling read, I would say that it is not necessary to read this book before embarking on the rest of the series. Rather, it is a book to read for interest: it does not add anything to the overall story line of the series. In fact, I would read this book after reading book 1 and not before.
27 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 08-08-19
Great story, but audio quality could be better
I loved the story, Robert Jordan is one of my all time favourite authors.
Kate Reading and Michael Kramer are excellent performers and I have listened to many books read by the pair and enjoyed them immensely.
That being said, the audio quality on this book is abysmal. I managed through it only because I played it on my phones speaker at abot 50% volume. I tried listening with headphones, but that just makes the bad audio quality stand out even more and is very grating on the ears.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Mr J Elkin / Miss S Elkin
- 05-05-15
Fills in the gaps
A nice story that fills in some of the gaps and questions asked as the wheel of time progresses. Mostly building the story of the Aes Sedai, discovery of the black ajas revival, how moraine and lab met and how the hunt for the dragon reborn began.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Ben
- 25-01-09
Good
Im now on book 7 in the wheel of time series and looking back on this one, it was slow to start with but and some very funny parts and a exciting ending which made me continue.4/5 cuz it was slow and a bit hard to understand at times.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Benji
- 02-04-19
Tasty Taster
Ever wanted a taste of The Wheel but too scared to munch on the bigger books. Try this one out for size, and sample the literary style of Robert Jordan
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anna66
- 22-07-15
A Prequel that can be read after the whole sequel
Where does New Spring rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I love listening to Jordan's world just one last time after listening to all of his books. rarely have a I been submerged so intensely by an invented world of fantasy . Every character gets his worth.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- William Clements
- 08-01-11
Prequel Short
I often imagine the Wheel of Time series as a 7 Season, 24 episode TV Fantasy series (which would work!!). In fact have taken notes each time I've listened to the books, waiting for the next release, and hope to put together a script for the first double-episode of Season 1 (which will cover Books 1 and 2) 'Beltine'. This along with notes for each episode thereafter (S01E03: Journey to Baerlon; S01E04: Aridhol; S01E05: Voyage to Whitebridge; S01E06: Whitecloaks; S01E07: Suspicion; S01E08: Four Kings; S01E09: Caemlyn; S01E10: The Ways; S01E11: Tar Valon; S01E12: The Borderlands; S01E13: The Green Man (part 1); S01E14: The Green Man (part 2).
Okay - so I've thought a lot about this!! Now, while I was waiting patiently for Knife of Dreams to come out (Book 11), New Spring was released and confused m, as I thought at first it was book 11, and wondered why book 11 would be a Prequel!?! Turns out this is just because it was the 11th book Jordan released, but it wasn't 'Book 11'!!
So, fascinated I picked it up.
First of all, it is written as by the commanding style of Jordan by Book 11, which is very different to his style during Book 1, which reminds me of his Conan books. So if you listn to this first, and then read Book 1, it just doesn't feel right. Kind of like watching Episode 1 of Star Wars before A New Hope (Ep 4). So my first advice, is if you plan to re-read any of the books before you get to the next one (which actually is a good idea as the series is VERY complex!!), don't read this first. In fact in my TV Episode plan, this would come out at the cinema as a stand-alone movie between seasons 5 and 6.
It is great! It explores the relationship between Moiraine and Lan, and really gives you a sense of understanding that could only really be guessed at previously. As a Prequel it works great, but as stand-alone, not so much. You see the story it follows tends to be in the way. It is rushed, and feels like it is there simply to 'try' to stand alone. Overall okay
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- di9girl
- 07-05-18
Fantastic start to a great series...
I’ve not read the books but the audio series is looking to be amazing.
New Spring is a must read to get the story behind the Dragon reborn and the one power.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Hussain
- 02-12-17
Amazing
Amazing story laid the foundation for the coming novel and narrating was great . I liked it had a female and male narrator , with some music thrown on too .
2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- joedy
- 19-06-16
all round good
The women's reading is shaky at best at the start but gets better half way through
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Stacy Fair
- 13-12-07
Read it after reading others in the series
I am a really big fan of this series. I didn't think I would like it, but I do! If you try to listen to this before any of the other books you will be totally confused. It is meant to fill in the missing parts to some of the major character's backstory. It isn't meant as an introduction to the world created by Robert Jordan. I suggest listening to at least 5 books in the series before getting this one. It will give you a deeper understanding of the Hows and Whys of what has happened and will let you look at the series from a fresh perspective. After listening to this one, I will begin listening to the series over again!
317 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Dennis
- 14-10-05
A+
I enjoyed this as my first book in the series. The unabridged version is by far the best for audio books. As a long haul trucker I thoroughly enjoy the detailed in depth unabridged audio books. Michael & Kate have always been the best readers (next to Richard Ferrone) in my opinion. Jordan has a wonderful imagination. I enjoyed this book so much. I have listened to over 2000 audio books (yes I?ve kept track of them :) and I have to say this is by far one of the most enjoyable ever for me. It is my opinion the longer the better. If you have a short drive to work then this might be a little much for you, but otherwise it is well worth the cost. I can easily listen to this book again and again for details I did not catch the first time around. Many enjoyable miles go by without any road rage anger thanks be to this audio book :)
I'd like to point out the characters are pure, rather innocent and for children reading this book it is likely one of the few books out there today that is well done without all the sex and vulgarity found in many other books. Adults who listen to this book should keep that in mind when writing a review. How many audio books can you say you've not heard one profane word (as we know them in today's world) or vulgar inflection? Not many are there? It is refreshing to me as a father.
Highly recommend this audio book and the series for all ages.
232 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Anon
- 29-02-04
Well done!
I am a confirmed fan of the Wheel of Time series. It is easy to read, though the plots and subplots are challenging to follow. I read this prequel after finishing Book 7, and really enjoyed it. This "prequel" is really a vehicle to develop the characters of Lan, Moiraine and Siuan. Since the mystery concerning these characters and the reasons for their quest to find the Dragon Reborn helped make the first three or four volumes more interesting, I recommend a new reader read at least the first three volumes before reading this book. Jordan's prose sounds excellent when read. The readers are talented and, as a result, this is one book that might be more entertaining to listen to than to read.
158 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sarah Nelson
- 02-06-17
Don't Start Here
So, I started with New Spring because I was new to the series and in my head, starting with the prequel made sense. However, now that I'm working on the series, I feel that starting with New Spring caused me to have opinions about people that are formed based on this book. It also has a few spoilers. I would suggest that you wait to read New Spring until book 8+.
77 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Robert
- 14-05-10
Do Not read this first
I wish I had read the recommendation not to read this book too early. Not that it is a spoiler, on the contrary. It does not make as much sense unless you have read at least the first book in WOT. I do not think this is the best of the series and if one were to judge the series on this one you might not be too enthralled. The WOT is a masterpiece. While this book is good, I do not believe it is of the calibre of the rest in the series. If you are not familiar with WOT, read or especially listen to Volume One and then decide. You will not be able to put it down.
73 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Kelly
- 05-04-05
Surprisingly Enjoyable
I'm a WOT fan, but was very skeptical of a prequel book to the series. (not to mention anxious for the sequels.) This book was a pleasant surprise. I wouldn't listen to it as the "first" book in the series, however. You'd be missing too much background information on Aes Sedai, and might be a little lost. It might also be helpful to check out a website on WOT terms/pronunciations prior to listening.
As for the reading itself, it was done very well. This was my first audio book and I was, again, quite pleasantly surprised.
27 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Michael
- 20-07-07
Wow!!
I started the series with this book, and I am really glad that I did. After this one I jumped right in to the first novel of WOT, and the 20 years prior that is explained in "New Spring" really gives a good deal of backstory, and a Spring Board into the other novels. Pun intended. By now I am on book 5 and I can't stop listening to these books. The series is great so far; it is like entering a different universe. But going on a listening binge will leave you somewhat emotionally drained. At any rate start with this one if you haven't started.
23 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Magikarp Salad
- 04-09-07
You don't need a review to decide...
If you're a WOT fan, you're gonna get this one eventually. I decided to get it after book 7, since audible doesn't have book 8 at the time I'm writing this review.
(This shouldn't contain any spoilers for anyone who has read even book 1)
The time period for this story starts with Siuan and Moiraine as "Accepted" - shortly before being raised Aes Sedai, and ends with Lan becoming Moiraine's Warder. There are several familiar characters (mostly in the White Tower), and references and expansions to a number of details from throughout the series.
The story does a good job of setting up the back story for how and why Moiraine and Siuan got involved in their top secret mission, and how Lan and Moiraine met and ended up in the relationship they have. It also sheds some light on the process of being raised to Aes Sedai.
This book is much shorter than the rest in the series, but seems to follow much the same pattern: the story moves along at the same pace and then comes to an abrupt end. Many people complain about the stories moving slowly - I don't have a problem with that because they are very well written, interesting, and narrated by professionals. My problem is, as I mentioned, the endings seem to come out of nowhere - as if Jordan all of a sudden realized he'd reached his page quota...
Overall, this book was enjoyable and worth listening to, even if a bit anticlimactic. I would recommend waiting until after book 7 to get this one, but I'm sure getting it earlier would be just fine too. Thankfully the narration is still done by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer.
22 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Mark
- 03-05-08
Good
I listened to this after the entire series, and it was nice to learn how things started. A must listen if you like the WOT series. Read this first or last makes no difference.
21 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Brian W.
- 01-03-04
Better than Crossroads
As a dedicated fan to the Wheel of Time series I felt compelled to listen to this book. Robert Jordan actually goes somewhere in this book instead of a lot of subplot development. "New Spring" reminds me why I started reading the WOT series. I would strongly suggest this book to any WOT fan.
17 people found this helpful