Yeah, I can't speak for everybody, but I think the class sucks. Whoever created it didn't do a very good job, in my opinion.
It's especially bad in bg3 because everyone can cast spells directly from scrolls.
Personally, I would change:
1. higher level spells faster. a full caster at level 12 has 6th level spells. an ek has 2nd. I would raise that to 3rd, minimum, keeping it about half of the full caster.
2. instead of the subclass features at level 7 and 10, give a +1 int at each of those levels, for a total int boost of +2 (to a max of 20).
--or--
3. allow the ek to use int in place of str for weapon attack rolls and damage with bonded weapon. this ability granted at level 3, but completely negating the above two suggestions.