Don't know what the critics are on about. This is Just brilliant. I had very little expectations for this series from the trailers but boy does it balance great story telling, mystery and character development.

Good idea but sadly underdeveloped and plagued by poor writing and editing decisions. Such a rich world is sloppily treated and the moments of "tension" do not feel like there is any risk to the characters and the villains are so powerful but ignore their powers that should have made them win easily within one or two episodes. It's still an OK story if you can avoid getting frustrated by the general incompetence of the characters.

I really wanted this to be good but with its oversexed approach to young-audience appeal and a lack of substance that so richly embodies the books, what could have been a good or even great series was merely a disappointment.

If you ignore a few of the relatively minor bad script writing flaws that seem to be common to Netflix, this is an enjoyable little series with rich backstory that is drawn upon throughout the series. A cliffhanger, "they'll never get out if this" twist ending ensures that I'll be watching next season.