Like some of the other reviewers here, the first half...actually more like 60-70% of the book seems like an endless loop of speculation as to what happened in Tai but AFTER you get through that (starting in Part 5), the book really picks up speed and becomes just as awesome as the previous iterations*. I was unsure if I wanted to finish the book after reading the negative reviews here but I pushed through it and was pleasantly surprised. You get wormholes, magic stuff, backstabbing, a missing person's mystery, and a sprinkle of violence! I definitely dont think this book is for everyone, but if you have patience I'd give it a try for yourself.

*note: In the Yoko series, I've only read volume 1, 4, and now 6 ( )