Cameron’s answer to “I read the first 30 pages and I can't get myself to go further. I feel like the writing and grammar…” > Likes and Comments

I found the characters to be the worst part. I'm going paste a portion of my review because it highlights everything I find terrible about the characters. (Well that and that they are tropes doing things.)

Compare Jezal to Cersei as they are both nobles who want more than they have. Cersei can be simplified to loving her children and wanting power. These two defining traits come into conflict over and over again which gives us a feeling for who she is. Jezal thinks he's better than commoners and is spoiled. Those characteristics don't come into conflict at all. He's lazy and wants to win a contest? That's one conflict at best? Lazy also isn't exactly a strong trait as it's almost a lack of character. Cersei wants to rule the kingdom and will murder her husband, make treaties, wage ware, etc., Jezal wants to win a contest and can barely be arsed to practice. Cersei's main obstacles are her sex, her children's father, and she cannot stand up to her father, Jezal's is that he's lazy (he has all the talent, but just lazy). Hopefully you can see what I mean.

I know what you mean about the negative reviews. Really harsh. I feel like I just got slapped in the face every time I read a bad review for this book. and I didn't even write it!

Ever thought about the fact that people experience things differently, prefer different things, look for different things in books and writing, are bothered by different things, enjoy different things, and what feels "clunky" to some people isn't for others? Maybe the people who don't like this actually don't like this?
Stop reading reviews, if you are bothered by "negativity".