The book is a masterpiece for me. I started wondering what was happening right away in the 1st episode of this series because it deviates so much from the book, and right away first scene. But after two episodes I'm happy to say the core is still there, and the way they're building a somewhat different story on the structure of the book's narrative is very good so far. I Love the way Gibson's and the series' characters show heart, wrestle with complex emotions, and don't take anything for granted. The world building and production design holds up well to the imaginative descriptions of the book. I miss the wonderful prose of Gibson's writing, but they've changed enough about the story to make this a must see even for those of us that have read the book. Bravo!
(edit 10/ 25: I was shocked to see the poor rating on metacritic after I wrote this... it makes me think that having read the book has given me more insight into and appreciation of the characters, and knowing what's coming (more or less) plot wise makes me appreciate what I've seen in the series so far in way that I might not have if I hadn't read it. If that's not it then I don't understand their poor rating - 57!! Ridiculous!)
(edit 10/ 25: I was shocked to see the poor rating on metacritic after I wrote this... it makes me think that having read the book has given me more insight into and appreciation of the characters, and knowing what's coming (more or less) plot wise makes me appreciate what I've seen in the series so far in way that I might not have if I hadn't read it. If that's not it then I don't understand their poor rating - 57!! Ridiculous!)