Other things I loved about TLD, in no particular order:
I appreciate that Frostheart Grueburn survived. Of all the 3rd Chronicles Giants, I thought she showed the most humor and heart, and would have been quite disappointed had she not made it to see the world's renewal.
In contrast, I'm very glad that
[turiya Raver did not survive, and that we got to see his demise early on in the book (an effective emotional payoff to keep me turning those pages), even if the way it was accomplished was shocking. While all three Ravers are obviously despicable, I felt an especially high level of hatred for
turiya Herem, because he slaughtered the Unhomed.
It was great seeing Brinn showing an uninhibited display of warmth towards TC. Also it was satisfying to see the alliance with Horrim Carabal sealed. And, as others have said, the image of the Lurker distracting the Worm with the help of ur-viles and Waynhim is pretty cool.
Stave is an awesome character, and his portrayal in TLD further solidified that impression of him, and his gallant effort in locating the malachite capstone for the fane, and his rescue by Giants, I found especially stirring.
For all their brave self-sacrifice, I'm very happy that the Demondim-spawn still existed in the world by story's end and found a new purpose, though there sure were darned few of them by that point. I think their absorbing the tormented souls of the women trapped in SWMNBN was a great solution for all involved, and the Forestal sure could use the help. I had been disappointed in Linden in AATE for not heeding Berek and instead denying forgivness to Elena, and am relieved that she made sure to forgive Elena in TLD.
The scene where Kastenessan is bluffed into being herded into the fane is a hoot!
I'd have been very disquieted if the problem of "unearned knowledge" hadn't been addressed, because that was the initial qualm I had when reading of Jeremiah tricking information out of
moksha. But the problem of unearned knowledge was addressed to my satisfaction in the epilogue.
Good to know that the
Haruchai no longer oppose the presence of Lords in the Land, and that all Seven Wards will be located, eventually (I have faith that the new Lords--or should that be the new, new Lords?-- will find a way to use their passions to unlock Kevin's lore while being disciplined enough to avoid Desecration).
There's more about what made TLD great to me that I think I could list, given more time for reflection, but that'll do for now.