It is a first season of a very complex universe. It requires a build up and the first season did well. Remember that it is adapting TWO books of short stories, so it's A LOT to go through in 1 season, and they didn't even adapt all short stories.

Saying that, I think they did a good job of telling the chosen stories. Much of what needed to be said was said, and didn't feel rushed or confusing.

Showing events from different times was good! If they didn't to that, Ciri wouldn't even be present in first season, only at the very end! Yennefer backstory was nicely done too. Somethings did feel fast, the moment I felt it the most was at "the end of the world" story, much was cut, but it's ok... The acting was good. Calanthe, Geralt, Yennefer, Jaskier and Ciri were very good. The show started very bloody, a bit more than needed for TV, but the books are graphical as it was showed, so ok. The monsters can get better, BUT don't be worried, it's good enough. REMEMBER: the source material is excellent and it is a high cost series. When I say it's ok, it means it was well adapted, and very good compared to other series.