I've always taken the middle ground on the question of Cassandra Claire. There's an undercurrent of schadenfreude and vicious glee that disturbs me. The report is clearly timed to do as much damage as possible, so I think the motives stink. The tone of the writing is also geared to model the expected reaction for the reader.

But, the side-by-side Pamela Dean vs. Cassandra Claire quotes are damning. My question is, are we looking at a habit or something that occurred in one story five years ago?

Your examination of the book should answer that.

Icarus