It is difficult to judge the series once you have read the books and/or played Witcher 3, as they have unique climate, that sets the benchmark at a very high level. As a fan of the above, I feel tricked, as my expectations were high for a series with such budget. It is truly a unique achievement to turn a ready-to-use masterpiece into an average plot with slightly dull dialogues and loads of logical gaps. The story was trimmed in significant places, while unnecessary junk was added without reason (i.e. group sex scene when Geralt meets Yennefer seems to have been added only to show some porn). Dialogues, that gave spice to main characters and actually formed their personalities were turned into something dull and not really expressive. Characters' roles were turned upside down - non meaningful ones now seem to play a major role in the plot, while major ones are presented scarcely. Political correctness was very important during cast selection and seems to have put other aspects of the series to a further plane. Most actors are very far from the original vision and flat like a pancake. Ciri presents virtually nothing, the relationship between Geralt and Yennefer is a joke, Calanthe does not even seem related to Ciri and behaves more like a blunt barbarian, not a queen. On the other hand, Jaskier and Geralt are quite good as characters. Also Tissaia de Vries is very interesting along with several other characters. Unfortunately poor dialogues, raped out of their original wit, do not let them show all of their potential. The altered story is full of logical gaps. Magic is one of them. Its rules change with the plot, as if there were 2 completely different kinds of magic. Another example is the reunion of Ciri and Geralt. There would be nothing wrong with it, if they had ever met before. This part has been cut out entirely, so the reunion makes absolutely no sense! The battle for Sodden is a continuation of nonsense. Someone, who does not know the books can get utterly confused... As well, as someone, who does. The part makes absolutely no sense. To sum up, it is a nice story once you don't think too much about it and probably a good motivation to read the books and feel the difference.