I DID read the book and those who didn't SHOULD. It make the series easier to absorb. If you didn't read the book, I can see where some may thiink it's off the wall. So far the series has not disappointed. There are a few characters that did not look like I thought they would and some pieces missing, but for me, as far as writing and acting, they did a great job so far.
It won't really come together until the middle to end so those of you who are on the fence either stop now and read the book, then come back to the series or hang on, you wont regret