In Order: Jaheira, Minsc first. They are just well done. Not angsty in the slightest, no big reveal overly telegraphed secret... Just, well done. It's sad you can't get then in Act 1 so you can choose to not recruit a few.
Then, Gale and Lae'Zel. They're good. They fit within the main story really well. In act, without LaeZel the whole main plot falls flat on its own face. They also don't come with an over-the-top 'designed for a certain audience' syndrome, making them a little more natural.
Then, Shadowheart, although her story *seems* to once have been an integral part of the main story, that part is over by the end of Act 1. She's kind of weird in her romance, where on one hand she states she likes short term flings and has all this innuendo at every single moment.... But then is actually the 'type that lets you wait.'
Then, Karlach and Astarion. They can be fun. But, I don't care for them. Astarion is *very, very much* written for the straight girls with a domination kink. Aside from that, he's jsut.... there. he has nothing to do unless you romance him, and I can't really bring myself to taht level. I've tried, but... hell no. His whole Vampire thing doesn't matter - you can ignore it completely and be jsut fine. Karlach is the, the toxically masculine lesbian. Ugh, she even bangs you like she's the dude. That is *literally* fucking weird. Anyway. Essentially a swearing teenager, mood swings and all, that was notably put in at the last minute but not given nearly the time she needed.
All the way down is Wyll and Halsin. I can't see how this was the *rewrite* for Wyll. God, he is boring. His voice is like it was a transcript from a phone book and he never 8ever* has something worthwile to say. Halsin is just WRONG. I wish there was a way to save him, but tell him to stay back in the Grove and let me handle things.
