New Spring (The Wheel of Time, #0)

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Tracy Not that you haven't already read what you will read, but should others wonder the same, I'd emphatically state that no, you should not.

One of the mai…more
Not that you haven't already read what you will read, but should others wonder the same, I'd emphatically state that no, you should not.

One of the main charms of The Wheel of Time is the mystery, unknowns and half-truths and questions. If you have read this story, you no longer have the ambiguity of feeling towards a few of the main characters. Your doubts are silenced. You read with frustration rather than fear and anxiety, and begin the books not as a confused youth following others into danger, but as a wise looker-on. Where is the fun?

Additionally, this book has about 1/5 the pace of the first couple WoT novels. The initial pacing is intoxicating and pulls you through many duller volumes. This book is not a headlong flight into confusion, but more a detailed snapshot of a small moment that you only come to care deeply about once invested in the characters. Furthermore, the structure of the book is weak. One character is introduced and then disappears for half of the book, before all of the characters are finally united.

I enjoyed it, but only because I had read the others before it.(less)
cc I read it after book two and I thought that was the perfect time to do so. I've heard after book two or after book five.…moreI read it after book two and I thought that was the perfect time to do so. I've heard after book two or after book five.(less)
Su It has fairly simple language complicated by the fact that there are constant references to Old Tongue sayings/terms and also catchphrases/terms from …moreIt has fairly simple language complicated by the fact that there are constant references to Old Tongue sayings/terms and also catchphrases/terms from every language and culture in the world, and there are quite a few, and some have their own old phrases which may be corruptions of other languages or old tongue words. Much like english has stolen and corrupted words form every other language.

The beginning reader will soon be buried under cryptic references like Daes Dae'mar, Dai Shan, Aes Sedai, gaidin, saidar, saidin, Tel’aran’rhiod, aiel, da’covale, a'dam, etc etc. And there are hundreds like this.

It's quite like how educated people of the 18th-19th century were fluent in multiple continental languages and interspersed their writing with latin, greek, french, german and italian words or quotes from classic writers in those languages.

Each term is introduced and explained in the text but a glossary is required and included in the first book. You might also need an online resource, but be careful of spoilers if your eyes wander!
https://wot.fandom.com/wiki/The_Eye_o...
https://www.tor.com/2016/12/20/the-wh... (can be used in reverse)

Think of it a little like the secret language of Potterverse/Wizarding World fans, but amped up quite a bit so it's some work to learn them. That said the terms are unique to this world and once you do learn them you'll soon be sorting your ter'angreals from your angreals from your sa'angreals as you contemplate toh using ko'di. :)

Edit: Spelling and clarification(less)
Dea Check out Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere. He is still adding to it.

I recommend starting with the first Mistborn book (The Final Empire) for a quicker rea…more
Check out Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere. He is still adding to it.

I recommend starting with the first Mistborn book (The Final Empire) for a quicker read, or go straight to The Stormlight Archive, which is much longer. Sanderson is writing multiple series within a shared universe.(less)

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