I am noticing a pattern with these books. There is a great conflict coming, and it has potential. However, so much of the story is spent on building the studpidity of the characters (they NEVER learn and NEVER see things coming - even though they've been there, done that over and over) that the solid part of the story is short, rushed, and then held overe for the next book. I suspect the next book will start slowly, building the stupidity again. Sigh.

I want to like this series, really I do. Right now the primary merit to this series is the availability of the MP3 audio format through the library.