That's why I've never made it through the book. I tried reading the Denna section and I felt it was so badly written - her magic kept changing to suit the circumstances. She'd be labelled a Mary Sue in a fanfic written like that. And passages like those you quoted...I hope I write better than that, but then how is it these books are not only published but so damn popular?! There's clearly a compelling story or at least compelling characters since LotS came out of it, but it's such a drag to try and read!