Basically the increasingly negative and stereotypical exoticism as the books go on in really getting the way of my escapist fantasy enjoyment.

Mmm... I can't say this *bothered* me, but I definitely don't think the non-European cultural settings are a strong point of this series. That is, the bits of action that take place outside of Europe are my least favorite parts. I think (for me, anyway) it may be that the worldbuilding is just a lot less strong there. (I did like the dragon-ancestor concept in EoI, I'll say).

The good news, I guess, is that book 5 is back in Europe full time, and I enjoyed it the better for it.