dteowner
Shoegazer
I had a similar struggle with Gardens. It does get better if you can manage to slog thru. I'm up to Book 5 now. I've been spacing them out a good bit because they do require more attention than most fantasy.I started Gardens of the Moon and decided to stop. Just can't seem to get into it after making it to part 2 of the first novel. There was always this feeling I was missing something about the setting and characters. The author filling in details retrospectively became annoying to me as did trying to follow the timeline. YMMV.
I really would like to find a fantasy series besides Game of Thrones (I have nothing against it, but the TV series removes all surprises— at least for book 1).
Currently working on Wheel of Time book 12. I didn't re-read any of the series so I'm occasionally having to find my bearings but I'm pleasantly surprised at how quickly I've gotten pulled in. Between the long gap (which I made longer by deciding to wait until book 14 was out in paperback) and Sanderson stepping in, I just didn't know what to expect.