The latter half of the DLC seems far easier to me. I've prioritized getting Scadutree fragments, so I don't feel like it's a leveling difference. Putrescent Knight and Gaius were awful to me, while Messmer is the only boss that felt like an enjoyable challenge.
Scadutree Avatar, Metry, Romina, and Midra were all far easier to me, like an overcorrection from the bosses earlier in the DLC. I still have Bayle and the final boss, so I can't comment on them. The bosses seem to either be fundamentally unfair or outright easy, without much in-between.
I'm a pretty bad player I'd say, so I'm always surprised when a boss doesn't take me a dozen+ times.
