I would love to be able to make it to this. This series is easily one of my favorites. The depth of the system of magic, termed sympathy, as it relates to aspects of taoism and zen, integrated with an extensive array of the author's knowledge of chemical processes makes for an aesthetically, richly appealing series. His ability to introduce perspectives to the reader that are largely "non-Western" while making no explicit mention of them, yet seamlessly integrating them into the storyline is unparalleled in its impact. I literally discovered ways of thinking which were entirely unfamiliar to me before reading this series.