There are plenty of reasons to like Egwene, and plenty of reasons to hate her. The thread points out a lot of examples on both sides.

For those that dislike her (as I do), it comes down to this: The writing makes it seem as though we are supposed to think that everything she does it perfect. The other characters all have plenty of faults. Egwene has faults too. The difference is the way they are presented. Egwene just isn't a round enough character. Those that like Egwene undoubtedly feel differently, but that's where the hatred comes from, I believe.

All that being said, I think we're being set up for something truly remarkable to happen with Egwene at the Fields of Merrilor. Her dreams in her Accepted test undoubtedly symbolize something important, along with her falling off a cliff, needing help from a Seanchan, and so forth. I'm really looking forward to that part of A Memory of Light.

"in truth"

I must be crazy, because I think CoT is better than KoD. Not because of the story -- I didn't find the story particularly interesting in either book. But I thought CoT was much better written. The sentences were more lyrical, and the descriptions and dialogue more interesting. KoD just didn't engage me at all on any level. When Faile helps Perrin kill the Shaido guy, I almost stopped reading the series.

Both books are much more enjoyable on a reread than the first time.