Well, yes. Movement is necessary - character growth, in one direction or another. As I get older, I have to admit I'm attracted to happy stories. Sometimes one just wants niceness. But, all the same, one never wants boredom. Characters without journeys, and without shades of gray, are boring.

I'll be interested to know what you think of these books, if you read them. BTW, the last book in Michelle Paver's "Chronicles of Ancient Darkness" came out yesterday in the U.K., and already had a rave review. I'd love to get people reading that series, too!