Fair enough. Maybe Stephenson just doesn't do it for you.

The WWII storyline was more fun, especially the Bobby Shaftoe/Detachment 2702 segments, but Randy had his moments.

I'm currently reading a translation of Andrezj Sapkowski's Blood of Elves, and it's pretty damn good. It's gritty fantasy with an interesting protagonist. Geralt of Rivia is a witcher, a preternatural exterminator, and reminiscent me of a less-angsty Elric.