That makes sense. I guess between the two its more of a slow burn, but I always felt the first book was the slowest (and potentially my favorite, though hard to say).

I agree... TDTCB is the slowest, and probably my favorite, overall.

Given that Bakker is midlist (hopefully still), what about that expanded appendix? I've told him on his blog to initiate a simple paypal account or something; perhaps he could release it on his website and make some pure-profit coin to boot.

Madness: you suggested TUC might work better as two books? Is this from a publisher's standpoint (i.e. reduced costs) or more of a feeling based on the book's internal structure? 300,000 words isn't that huge a word count IMO.

Also -- though you've sort of answered this question - does TUC definitely wrap up the conflicts introduced in the prior two volumes, so that if this is the last TSA book, it would be relatively satisfactory from a fan's perspective?

Finally, is it action-packed (like WLW) or more slow-burn (like TJE)?

I understand if you don't feel comfortable being precise on these questions. Thank you for giving us some tidbits to masticate... it's been a long wait.