I think how I initially read the books (7, then 1-6) might have given a more positive take to the first book, since I was obviously reading it then as more of a "flashback" than anything else. Strange reading experience then, to say the least.

And yes, it is derivative, but yet despite that, the way the story as a whole flowed seemed well-done for the most part. Wouldn't surprise me if I were to find EotW to have the best narrative flow out of the books. But yes, the writing was pedestrian at best there (and here, as well).



I had tried Brooks' first trilogy just before this and my thought was much the same as yours - trash.



Hrmm...I guess the maladroit infodumping distracted me a bit more (again, because I had knowledge of "future" events from having read CoS first), as while I would agree that the scenes you mention were not quite as formulaic as those in EotW, I think the way in which those scenes were spread out left much to be desired.

It was after TDR before I began to see what I saw in CoS. Good thing I had bought all of those volumes together at once with my remaining grad loans.