Have you ever watched any of the latest "Fast & Furious" films? They are loud like this book is loud. There is so much more action, so many epic scenes, so many skin of our teeth moments. You become somewhat deafened by the cacophony of it all. Half of you appreciates that this is great cinematography (in book form), but the other half feels that it is all intense first order emotions. The emotions and plot devices are so big and bright that it becomes less clear whether any of these characters have background thoughts or feelings. It is so saturated that subtlety or detail become washed out.
I hope that someday we might see the extensive notes left by Jordan to Sanderson. I'm interested in understanding how Jordan initially thought this was going to fit in one final book. I'd also appreciate understanding what Sanderson kept, what he revised, and what he invented in the later books. I'd also very much appreciate knowing if Sanderson would rewrite certain parts of his own work? What parts did he think he nailed, what parts did he wish he did differently?
I'm not putting this very well. I lack the skill to even put it clearly, but there is just something subtly wrong about this book. It is the most peculiar feeling. Objectively, I feel that I should like it. It is punchy. Fast paced. Has regular setups and payouts. It is good.
I think my dissatisfaction stems from a feeling that this series has switched from a sort of study of characters to an almost visual medium. It took the characters I love and it skillfully marionetted them in ways that are similar, but not quite the same as the characters I knew. Almost feels like the characters have been elided (archetyped?) into their core characteristics; soft edged Playmobile versions of the characters they once were.
I wish that Sanderson could have been Jordan's editor for Jordan's last few books. Sanderson has the raw skill and discipline to keep things moving, the theory of mind to recognize flagging attention or exhaustion in the reader. That might have significantly raised the quality of some of Jordan's later books as well as made the switch to the Sanderson books a less jarring transition.