I like the book and I got it in the mail yesterday.
I'm generalizing a bit, so no offense.
It's mostly the new subclasses I like, and the magic items.
Both of which I'm fed up with, but that's personal opinion.
Of course the subclasses were first introduced in UA - that is the entire purpose of UA. They're not the same as the UA versions because they used feedback they received from the UA surveys to tweak them to be better. Which was the point. UA isn't Dragon Magazine, it's the beta testing.
Yeah, I'm not that against reprints, just have a really, really "meh" stance towards them.
The magic items are both interesting and fill some gaps that existed in the game. I am very pleased with those.
Which implies there is a mechanical void that needs to be filled with WOTCCC (WOTC Certified Content, TM). And this is where shit hits the fan, because it seems it's the default view of the 5e player (again, generally it seems).
Adapting spells to your tastes is what, a few paragraphs? Who cares. It's just a reminder to new players they should do that, and some examples. Remember, 5e is a majority NEW PLAYERS these days. Because it's been such a massive seller. This book by the way is in the top 10 of all books being sold on Amazon (it's the #4 best selling book in the nation as I type this). Us as old players have always done this, but new players might not even have thought of it yet.
I bet it's because of the racial bonuses and the hype circlejerk. I
really can't find anything useful in there except more of the same stuff. And the constant friendly reminder that "btw you can to X in the game!" is indeed dumbing down the populace. I mean, yes, everyone needs some advice when starting with the hobby, but it becomes silly (and far too overdue, like... 6 years overdue) at this point and furthermore WOTC contradict themselves by stating that you should have creativity, but at the same time you shoud
"BUY THIS BOOK WHERE WE RESKINNED SOME STUFF AND SAID OBVIOUS THINGS THAT PEOPLE ON YOUTUBE DO 2h+ VIDEOS ABOUT". Ok, I got carried a bit here, but spell customization is really low ball, you know it. And is just the tip of the iceberg.
Anyway, my point (or rather two points) is that too many options stifle creativity and WOTC are cheesing it at this point.