I was about the same age when I first tried em. Found em too depressing and very boring.
Tried again a few years later as I had already bought the first book. And got hooked.
I found it a rare gem in the ocean of clichees and
[spoiler]The fact that the endings rarely are "good"[/spoiler]
Doesnt hurt

Cant wait to launch myself again into The land.. Only thing that really sucks is that now I have another series im reading that is not yet finished.
Look at whats happening with jordan
Yes I know theyre persons, but hey I only know em trough the books, if they ,or any good author dies before finishing the work its always a tragedy