New Spring

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**New Spring**

Cover of New Spring expanded novel, showing Moiraine and Lan
Author	Robert Jordan
Cover Artist	Darrell K. Sweet
Country	United States
Language	English
Series	The Wheel of Time
Genre(s)	Fantasy novel
Publisher	Tor Books (USA)
Released	January 2004
Media Type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages	304
ISBN	ISBN 0-765-30629-8 (Hardcover) ISBN 0-7653-4545-5 (Paperback)
Preceded by	none - First prequel
Followed by	Eye of the World

New Spring (abbreviated as NS by fans) is a prequel novel in the Wheel of Time fantasy series by American author Robert Jordan.

[edit] Background to publication

"New Spring" was originally published as a novella in the speculative fiction anthology edited by Robert Silverberg entitled Legends: Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy. Published by Tor Books, this anthology was released on September 15, 1999, between the 1998 publication of The Path of Daggers (Book 8 of The Wheel of Time) and 2000 publication of Winter's Heart (Book 9).

Robert Jordan later expanded the novella into a standalone novel (though of significantly shorter length than typical Wheel of Time books), which was then published by Tor Books in January 2004, between the 2003 publication of Crossroads of Twilight (Book 10) and the 2005 publication of Knife of Dreams (Book 11).

Cover of Legends, edited by Robert Silverberg, the anthology in which the novella "New Spring" first appeared

The New Spring novel is conceived of as the first in a trilogy of prequel novels. Jordan's original plan was to complete this trilogy before books 11 and 12 of the main series, but he was disappointed with New Spring's reception and decided to postpone this until after the main series is completed.

It is also the first of Jordan's works to be adapted to graphic novel format. Issue 1 was published in July 2005. Issue 2 was be published sometime in September 2005. It is projected to run eight issues total. It is produced by DB Pro, who previously adapted "The Legend of Huma" by Richard A. Knaak and "The Hedge Knight" by George R. R. Martin and published by Red Eagle Entertainment. The current plan is to re-release all the issues as one graphic novel at the end of the run.

The comics are adapted by Chuck Dixon, drawn by Mike S. Miller, colored by Etienne St Laurent, edited by Ernst Dabel, lettered by Artmonkeys, with design by Bill Tortolini. The first 6 issues have been released. Issue #1 The Hook covering chapters 1 and 2 of the novel. Issue #2 Practice covering chapters 3 to 5. Issued #3 Shreds of Serenity covering chapters 6 to 8. Issue #4 It Begins covering chapters 9 to 11. Issue #5 Business in the City covering chapters 12 to 14. Issue #6 The Deep covering chapters 15 to 18. Future issues appear to be delayed.

The first paperback edition of New Spring, released on June 13, 2005, gave readers the first look at Knife of Dreams (Book 11), as it featured an advance excerpt of part of the prologue of Knife of Dreams.

[edit] Plot summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

New Spring describes events which take place twenty years before the events of The Eye of the World (Book 1). It is set primarily in the Borderlands, specifically Kandor.

New Spring focuses mainly on Moiraine Damodred and Siuan Sanche, two Aes Sedai new to the sisterhood, and how Moiraine met Lan Mandragoran and made him her Warder. The novel also explains how Moiraine and Siuan came to begin investigating the Karaethon Cycle, the Prophecies of the Dragon, decades before discovering Rand al'Thor.

[edit] External links

The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
Prequel: New Spring Book 1: The Eye of the World Book 2: The Great Hunt Book 3: The Dragon Reborn Book 4: The Shadow Rising Book 5: The Fires of Heaven Book 6: Lord of Chaos	Book 7: A Crown of Swords Book 8: The Path of Daggers Book 9: Winter's Heart Book 10: Crossroads of Twilight Book 11: Knife of Dreams Book 12: A Memory of Light
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