Loved the books so much I've read them twice. The second time around is better, you don't spend so much time flipping back and forth from the appendices, trying to keep all the characters straight.
EvilZoe (or may I call you Zo Zo?), have you read anything by China Mieville? Perdido Street Station is fantastic.
Why ask? Zo Zo reminds me of Zuzu from It's a Wonderful Life...and she was anything but evil. So, what better nickname to call EvilZoe?