Casting Times are they bugged

I have not played POE in a long time, I came over from Diablo 4 hoping for something new and exciting from POE2, my first impression is, I am struggling and frustrated and I know this is early in the game, so I need some clarifications.

I am playing a sorcerers and when I fire and hold a spell such as spark, then
cast firewall or another spell, it is hit or miss if the spell casts.

I feel like I am constantly dodge rolling every where trying to kill elites or bosses and even though I don't want to 1 shot bosses, I would like to feel like I am in the fight and able to fire back in a timely manner.

They are constantly killing me and I am just rolling around trying to get a spell to fire, let alone 2 spells, it would be nice to be able to fire back properly with out feeling like it takes 5 mins to cast a spell then roll for 5 mins then cast another.

Is this how spell casting works in this game, please tell me that casting is not done by releasing buttons before you fire another, as this is not fluid game play, this is stop start.