In as much as Lord of the Rings we're to be adapted about a Hobbit (who looks like a minotaur and hates grass) wearing a magical necklace (which grants him extra speed) on the way to a mythical hot springs guarded by unicorns would be a faithful adaptation.

You're assuming that readers of the books are expecting to see their internal movie played out before them. I think most are expecting an adaptation. What they're getting is an "Inspired by a true story" level of faithfulness to the original work.

I can only speak for myself, which is to say I'm fine with the changes in timeline, consolidation of enemies, etc. Yet there are fundamental changes to characters, motivations, etc. That drastically change who these people are. That's where my disappointment lies.

I see why Brandon Sanderson wants creative control over his adaptations if/when they ever go to screen.