I sell children's books for a living, and read almost nothing but. The first does not necessarily cause the second, as books for children and teens are better than anything in the world.
The best of the trilogy, hands down, and that is saying something. This series is freaking FANTASTIC. I listened to the first two on audio, and the audio is fantastic. When this one actually pubs in November, I will listen to it as well. If you haven't read these, you have missed out so so so so SO MUCH. One of my favorite series of the last decade.