To start off, the series was every bit of compelling, each episode leaving you for a taste of another episode. And this might just be my favorite series adapted from a book that I've read. Though, I have only read the Shadow and Bone series, even that years ago, so, I was only looking forward to that world, I was annoyed the first few times when they'd bring in the crows. But that was easily remedied by Jasper's quirky character, then later when the trio moved on with their story, everything did seem to fall in place. The Darkling I must say was very ferocious, but his backstory made his character smoother. Mal the tender hearted teddy bear, and Alina, at times I felt she was really impulsive, and how she never felt remorse for the doom she brought upon her fellow mapmakers.
But I guess you would be confused when the world crashes their weight on your shoulders? So, probably that's what the screenwriters wanted.
Plus by the end you could see a bit of development for Alina's character.
But the development of the other characters seemed rather forced. Plus I didn't understand how Alina and the General started to fancy each other? We had to assume it, for ourselves that they in between sometime, somewhere they started liking each other. So, the series did really skim over some parts, which could have been easily avoided with more episodes, more character development etc. But hats off to the cast, they did an amazing job of bringing the characters to life!
We do need a season 2, though, a little slow paced.