Anyone else feel like the expansion is slow to start?

Let's pump the brakes friend ... I don't think what you are reading is "story hate" as much as it is criticisms from a variety of experiences that differ from your own.

I loved (LOVED LOVED LOVED!!!) HW & ShB yet found myself bored with the EW MSQ. To me, there were moments where it was very good, yet many more left me thinking "Is this necessary to move the plot along, or is it merely filler?" Sadly, too many times it was the latter rather than the former. That's entirely my opinion however - experiences vary.

A valid criticism.

Seems many have expressed that it starts slow then it suddenly accelerates very quickly then slows then breaks the brakes till the end.