While this is far more of a "magic forward" series than GoT or even Lord of the Rings (complete with a climactic battle fought mostly between pyrotechnic mages), I actually didn't mind that in the least. I found something endearing in people travelling about the muddy countryside or scrambling up dusty mountain paths in clothes more fit for a palace because, well, they're mages, even if it is a bit absurd if you think about it. They ordered a bunch of larva from the Wrath of Khan, and a tent from the Harry Potter supply store as well.

The bigger problem with the series is the time jumps between different periods where we get tons of backstory for the main characters, but there is little payoff and the whole thing seems a setup to get you to watch the 2nd season. Like a trailer, we jump back and forth in the story to get a specific point, but I was left feeling we weren't really told an actual story here. Just teased one.

There's only a little less sex and nudity than Game of Thrones, and even more hardcore violence, so put those kids to bed if you haven't already, but at the end there isn't much dramatic tension to keep my interest. Sometimes you just want to be told a real story.