New Spring

Up to this point, I have read the first four Wheel of Time books and watched the first season of the show and found this a really cozy spot to dive into New Spring. You have what you've read in the books so far and some context in the show to lean on and nothing felt spoiler-y to me imo.
I was really enjoying this book in the first half. Moiraine and Siuan scheming pranks, making eyes at each other, and showing how powerful they were as a unit and as individuals was my favorite part. I really do hope we get to see an Accepted Test in the show because I could not get enough of Moiraine's.

It all went downhill for me literally the second Lan and Moiraine “met” aka when she tried to unarm him and then proceeded to harass and physically assault him for days upon days because he wouldn't show remorse, react to her assault, or apologize for basically defending himself.... Like I said, downhill. I am very happy to lean on a later-in-life show! Lan and Moiraine because this ain't it chief.

This book also made me consider how I feel about Aes Sedai. I can't deny the inner workings of their culture is very interesting and seeing their power in action mystifying. That said, they've never really been my favorite parts of the books and I think New Spring showed me exactly why. Aes Sedai have always felt so self-righteous to me and they never really apologize for how they often aggressively act first, passively ask questions later. Probably because they've never been apologized to. As we see in this book Moiraine and Siuan, as Accepted, are basically abused as a form of “teaching” by another Aes Sedai.

The way I see it, Accepted are taught that more often than not, throwing around your power is the right way to get the results you want. Then they go out into the world, treating people the way they were treated in the White Tower and expect respect and apologies themselves. It's just a vicious cycle. I do like some singular Aes Sedai and know how important they are to the story but as a whole, not a fan.

All said, I loved seeing Moiraine before she became The Moiraine (who am I kidding though, she was a boss from the start). And even though it rubbed me so wrong, it was nice to glimpse who Lan and Moiraine were before they came together and how.

Do I recommend skipping this book? .... Eh. I know that's not really an answer, but it depends on what you want. Some backstory on L + M? Sure. Don't really care? You're not missing tooo much. If you do read, be prepared for the usual frustratingly, uber aggressive female character except for its Moirane this time which is even more of a bummer than if it was someone else.

oh my god this is 500 words. I didn't realize I had this many feelings about this book. Don't read this lmaoo