the shrike has noted your interest

Follows a classic sci-fi series arc, IMO. Brilliant, enthralling and at times terrifying first book, followed by several tomes of 'meh'. See also Night's Dawn.

the second is also really good. the second couple is... different. Good but not in the same league

Maybe it was just the last two I was thinking about. Been a while. These things start falling down when they start getting explained.