I've heard the adaptation is not faithful in the slightest, but having not read the source material I wouldn't know. On the one hand though, I thought this might be a blessing because the series has ignited an interest in me to read the books and if they're greatly different then they should still read pretty fresh for me but obviously on the other hand if the series is what ignited the interest then probably what I found engaging is not the same thing I'd find in those books.

What are they like and would I still get as much out of them if I hadn't first watched the adaptation?