So if you're a fan of the Cassie Dewell series of books, which I am, you should approach this with an open mind.
There are aspects of the books that obviously would have been too gory for TV and character development on a TV show requires more connection with a wider group of people to create appeal - so we get a lot more differing personality angles of people who were only supporting characters in the books. Jenny Hoyt is a prime example - she's a minor character in the books who doesn't feature much beyond Cody's death.
The Lizard King differs wildly from his book counterpart, as does his mother who is a hoarder and overweight in the book. Cassie herself is also described as having problems with her weight in the books, but not here. Legarski is killed when shot by Cassie in the book, he's also divorced and there's an additional backstory to the young girls - originating from the Back of Beyond book featuring Cody Hoyt is the main character.
Erik, who is Kyle in the books is a major character in the North Dakota set Badlands book and he doesn't meet the Lizard King until the following book.
Long story short - don't expect the books or even a close follow of the books, as the stories have been mashed into a made for TV series.
Does it work? Yes, kind of. I approached it as both connected but isolated from the books and in that respect it works.
I am however looking forward to the new Cassie Dewell book due out September 2022 for my next fix.
There are aspects of the books that obviously would have been too gory for TV and character development on a TV show requires more connection with a wider group of people to create appeal - so we get a lot more differing personality angles of people who were only supporting characters in the books. Jenny Hoyt is a prime example - she's a minor character in the books who doesn't feature much beyond Cody's death.
The Lizard King differs wildly from his book counterpart, as does his mother who is a hoarder and overweight in the book. Cassie herself is also described as having problems with her weight in the books, but not here. Legarski is killed when shot by Cassie in the book, he's also divorced and there's an additional backstory to the young girls - originating from the Back of Beyond book featuring Cody Hoyt is the main character.
Erik, who is Kyle in the books is a major character in the North Dakota set Badlands book and he doesn't meet the Lizard King until the following book.
Long story short - don't expect the books or even a close follow of the books, as the stories have been mashed into a made for TV series.
Does it work? Yes, kind of. I approached it as both connected but isolated from the books and in that respect it works.
I am however looking forward to the new Cassie Dewell book due out September 2022 for my next fix.