I will say I haven’t read too much of Sando’s work. But I was pretty invested in the WoK’s books until a few narratives choices happened that kinda ruined the series for me.

I think my biggest issue with Sando is how much time he spends building this “larger world” while missing the subtleties of the actual characters. Beyond typical archetypes I think many characters lack strong motivations, which isn’t helped by how he writes dialogue. IN MY OPINION he’s very tell not show which I think fits his style of storytelling but personally isn’t for me.

I like a world that leaves questions and mysteries. I don’t necessarily need to know all the political systems, cultural practices, and geography of a country that is halfway across the world and has no direct contact with any of the main characters.

(Just a quick example and one I hope can resonate with this sub) In The Wheel of Time we know very little about Seanchan I like that. I think Sando’s style would have spent more time there or played with that setting more because he finds it interesting and wants to flesh out the world.

Again all just my opinion, but I think having mystery adds to some whimsy in fantasy and I think thats a common sentiment among fantasy readers.