Was in this purely because of Eva Green. I don't know the book and I have no intention of reading it now.
Even with only one episode left I couldn't bring myself to finish it. It was that awful for me. I lost interest around episode four, the fifth was just running in the background. I was so bored I didn't care. The concept for the story is supposedly interesting but if you can't keep people interested in what you're about to tell, that ultimately has to be considered a failure. What is descripted as "fateful coincidences" you can also call lazy writing. Let's be honest, those coincidences are rather unbelievable. Things happen because they have to or otherwise the story would be stuck in the mud. Maybe I'm lacking the imagination and I don't think I'm the audience for a novel written by a woman in her mid twenties. According to imdb highest rating comes from women 18-29 while lowest from men 45+. Go figure, we need demographics here, too.
It looks good, though. Costumes and sets, but that alone does not cut it. Eve Hewson has the charm of a tombstone. Eva Green does her usual best, the rest tries but ultimately there are to many characters to follow.
It's a love-it-or-hate-it show. But I read many comments by people who read the book and say it's bad.

Deadwood in New Zealand mixed with Taboo.

Set in colonial New Zealand during the discovery of gold, we follow 2 people, newly arrived in New Zealand, who have set out to try to make their fortunes.

Hewson and Patel are great as the leads, as is the always reliable Csokas (highly under-rated as an actor IMO). But it is the sumptuous Eva Green who steals every scene she is in, especially in the seance.

The plot feels a bit too convoluted, especially with the non-linear storyline and at times I was lost as to which timeline I was in. But it was soon figured out and it paid off well in the final episode.

The set designs and costumes are fantastic and helps immerse you into the period.

This is a fascinating time and I loved watching this period of NZ history on film - from the segregation of races and opium use, to how the prospecting occurred, this series represents it truly well.

This is a very enjoyable way to spend 6 hours - Watch it if you would like to see a different part of history, or if you like spending time with the always engrossing Eva Green.