Audiobook Sample

Listen to the sample to experience the story.

Please wait while we verify your browser...

Dear fellow travelers through literary landscapes,

The first time I heard Kate Reading and Michael Kramer’s voices intertwine in a Robert Jordan novel, I was crossing the Andes by bus – that liminal space where reality blurs and fantasy feels palpably close. There’s something about epic fantasy audiobooks that transforms long journeys into grand adventures, and “New Spring: The Novel” is no exception. This prequel to “The Wheel of Time” series offers longtime fans and newcomers alike a chance to walk alongside Moiraine and Lan during their formative years, with narration that feels as rich and textured as the tapestries in the White Tower.

“”A Homecoming to Tar Valon””
Listening to “New Spring” transported me back to my first encounter with Jordan’s world – a dog-eared copy of “The Eye of the World” I found in a hostel book exchange in Cusco. The audiobook version, with its 12-hour runtime, became my companion during early morning hikes through cloud forests, where mist-shrouded peaks could easily pass for the slopes of Dragonmount. Reading and Kramer’s narration captures the essence of Jordan’s world-building – you can almost smell the ink in the White Tower’s libraries and feel the weight of the Great Serpent rings as Moiraine and Siuan navigate Aes Sedai politics.

“”Narrative Alchemy: When Voices Become Magic””
Kate Reading’s portrayal of Moiraine is nothing short of alchemical. She captures the Accepted’s transition from uncertainty to determination with subtle vocal shifts that reminded me of the Oaxacan grandmother from my memories – how a single word can contain multitudes. Michael Kramer’s Lan is all restrained power, his voice like granite with veins of emotion running through it. Their duet performance creates a listening experience that’s more immersive than reading the text alone – particularly in scenes where Jordan’s signature dialogue rhythms (those wonderful, frustrating, authentic circular conversations) come alive through vocal nuance.

“”Themes That Resonate Across Ages””
Jordan explores destiny versus choice with the same depth I’ve encountered in oral traditions worldwide. There’s a particularly moving section where Moiraine receives her foretelling that reminded me of sitting with Quechua elders as they interpreted signs in coca leaves – that same sense of weighty revelation. The political machinations in Cairhien feel as intricate as any real-world court histories I’ve studied, made more immediate through the narrators’ ability to convey layered intentions behind every polite phrase.

“”A Balanced Perspective””
While the audiobook shines, newcomers should know this isn’t the ideal starting point for the series (despite being a prequel). Jordan assumes some familiarity with his world’s concepts, and without visual text cues, certain terms (saidar vs. saidin) might confuse first-time listeners. The production quality is excellent, though I did notice slight volume inconsistencies between Kramer and Reading’s chapters – minor quibbles in an otherwise masterful performance.

“”For Those Who Journey””
If you’re like me – someone who’s listened to audiobooks while crossing deserts, navigating foreign markets, or simply commuting through mundane reality – “New Spring” offers that perfect blend of escapism and substance. It’s a story about beginnings that gains new layers when you know where these characters end up, narrated by two voices who’ve become as integral to “The Wheel of Time” as Jordan’s prose itself.

May your literary travels always lead you to wondrous places,
Marcus Rivera