I am not quite shure why I wanted to watch this. Yes, the plot reads interesting but it's more names like Simm and Frain and propably Glenn Morgan.
Anyway, it's more of a mini series than a tv show. Pace is slow which isn't a problem in this case because it fits the whole story and the feel for it. Took me a couple of episodes to get into it. The story is a bit confusing at first but you figure it out. You have to be willing to put some effort into it and since is not your typical easy entertainment show I would say a lot of people got dissapointed, even bored, which might explain the ratings for this. Quality of the production is right at the top, those are actors who deserve to be called that. That little girl was really great. I can't say anything about how close this is to the novel since I never read it.
I'd gave it a 6 because it's not quite my kind of show, this secret society stuff is a bit overdone, but it kept me in front of the screen for two evenings without getting bored. And as mentioned before I liked the quality.