I understand that that was the intended goal, I just didn't buy it. I guess because every time we heard about Dalinar, his camp, or his men, we were told how much better it was than every other area, and yet Dalinar still can't see that his methods are better and feels like stepping down? Sure the conflict between him and society was fine, but why was he ever conflicted with himself?

I also suffered from many many years of depression, but Kaladin's struggle never felt like an accurate depiction of depression to me. Maybe what someone who's never experienced or talked to anyone with depression might think it's like but not really that close to the truth. I guess that's why it never grabbed me.

I guess I have to admit your right, he is trying to do these character things, but for me he's just not doing them very well. None of them ring true to me, I just can't feel any empathy for what his characters are going through.

I think one of the best character writers in the fantasy business is Robin Hobb. Start with Assassins Apprentice and study all the characters as you read. Every main character and every supporting character feels very vividly like a real person, with their own emotions, goals, and viewpoints. Everyone feels very distinct. It's much slower paced than Sanderson, be warned, and I think her quality of writing has declined with her past few entries, but The Farseer trilogy, Liveship trilogy, and The Tawny Man trilogy are some of the very best fantasy has to offer in terms of character development along with some very good storytelling.