Just started watching it, first three episodes of Season 1 are down, so far so good I am liking the story, I haven't read the books but that is my preferred genre so I have no doubt I will eventually purchase them to read.

As for characters I am still trying to put names to faces I can name 40% of the main characters but my wife and I have resorted to call them by their status like mother and queen and red haired girl haha, but we will get them down pact soon enough.
The main reason is because they are different names that it is hard to understand what they are saying.

Nonetheless I am enjoying it.