This series has run down and is sputtering on a near empty tank. More and more padding, an emphasis on an obvious plot point, excessive back story on characters, a teaser for a not-very-interesting plot thread that started in an earlier book and is left dangling here - they all add up to a disappointing read. Apparently aware of the problems the author tried to deal with them in a forward, but really, it is time for China to close up the old herb shop.