For those asking about timing I have been PMing answers, but since it keeps coming up I hope no one minds me saying this here...
Volumes 1 and 2 are about 87k words. Volume 3 and 4 are about 110k words, so if you want to do this you would be looking at reading 400k words to get the full continuity. Or if you want to risk being a bit confused, then 110k for just volume 4.
I am looking to send the draft to my editor the first week of December, and I want all the feed back in before then so that changes I make based on the feed back are part of what she edits.
So Speakingtohe, and Corkobo if you are still interested, drop me a PM. I am not going to add anyone else after you two though, as it is getting late in November.
Thanks!