Personally, I'm looking forward to this update! (Why inside)
Look, we all know lightning was pretty useless. It was good for raiding but really awful for war. The whole game has evolved into a war-focused game now. With that, they've done a great thing with the spells.
Poison will be a huge difference maker in war. Luring and keeping the troops under the poison spell will be critical. Earthquake first drop on a building damaging 25% is AWESOME. And lightning upgrade means a huge availability to kill more buildings.
The only thing I really don't like is when they take away a unit's ability to attack. What is the point? Lavahounds not attacking air is silly. Their damage isn't that much in the first place. But, whatever.
I am excited to start using max drags/loons/hounds/minions in some fashion with the new update. Earthquake Air D, lightning it. 2 more lightnings and a hound will easily kill another Air D. Drags level 5 are great against multi-infernos. I can see wars being a lot more interesting now instead of the traditional GoWiWi or GoHoWi or whatever combo you use...