I love Robert Jordan's books, and New Spring answers some questions that linger from the first books. It is also Moiraine's and Siuan's story, and their friendship. The book also answers questions on how Lan came to be in Moiraine's service and both of their's unwavering service (and devotion) to Tar Valon. Many familiar characters show up as the early years of the fight against the Dark One begin. Many of those characters show their true colors in later books, but again, in New Spring... you see all of these charaters and their new beginnings. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars... :)