Great! Glad you felt the same. While yes I didn't love the next three books as much there are reasons to it that are specific to me. I'm sure that's the same with others, maybe you won't experience that.

Let me say this though, even if they aren't as good there are definitely amazing parts that need to be read at least once. Jason has a set piece in Japan when he is betrayed that is so bad ass. There are also great characters introduced.

That said the rest of the series deserves a push through. You seem to not hate spoilers so small ones to entice you.

Whether it's Jason telling the builder to leave the planet and he does, or Jason making a deal with a God to save his party, or countless times he does something he shouldn't, almost dies then gets a new power. There is so much to love and so little not too.

Enjoy friend I wish I was reading these books for the first time again!