New Spring was published by Tor Books in 2004, expanded from a novella that appeared in the 1998 anthology Legends. Set approximately twenty years before The Eye of the World, the novel follows Moiraine Damodred and Siuan Sanche as newly raised Aes Sedai who learn of a prophecy: the Dragon has been reborn. Moiraine begins the search that will eventually lead her to the Two Rivers, and she meets al’Lan Mandragoran — the uncrowned king of Malkier, a nation destroyed by the Blight — who becomes her Warder.
The novel provides the origin story for two of the series’ most important characters: Moiraine (whose mystery and authority in The Eye of the World depends on the reader not knowing her history) and Lan (whose grief and duty are given their full context). It also reveals the political dynamics of the White Tower during this period and the Black Ajah’s early attempts to prevent the search for the Dragon.
Young Moiraine
The novel’s portrait of Moiraine as a young woman — clever, stubborn, politically astute but emotionally inexperienced — enriches the reader’s understanding of the measured, formidable figure she becomes in the main series. Her friendship with Siuan Sanche and their shared determination to find the Dragon Reborn give the novel genuine emotional stakes.
Reading Order Debate
Should you read New Spring before or after The Eye of the World? Opinion divides. Reading it first provides context for Moiraine and Lan’s relationship but spoils the mystery surrounding them in the main series. Most experienced readers recommend publication order: read the prequel after at least five main-series volumes, when you know the characters well enough to appreciate their origins.
Collecting New Spring
First edition (Tor Books, New York, 2004): Boards with dust jacket.
Approximate market values:
- Fine in dust jacket (first printing): $20–$50
- Signed first edition: $50–$150
Projected values (2026–2036): Modest appreciation. As a prequel it has consistent demand from completists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this essential reading? Not for the main plot, but it significantly enriches Moiraine and Lan’s characters. The Amazon Prime adaptation incorporated elements from New Spring into its first season.
Were more prequels planned? Jordan mentioned plans for two additional prequel novels, but his death in 2007 prevented their writing. Brandon Sanderson has declined to write them, respecting Jordan’s sole authorship of the prequel material.