I didn't expect this, but I honestly don't even care about this game anymore.
I feel like they've squandered any hype I had by just totally disappearing for like 5+ years.
all that said, if you're still into it, I hope you have fun!
I read the first book and found some of the larger "setpiece" sections to be unique and pretty compelling, but yea everything else including the characters just felt sort of thin to me; which was strange as some details felt very well-rounded and researched.
started the second book and just didn't get on with it and stopped midway through.
after that experience I still gave the show a try and found it to be laughably bad and awkwardly delivered, didn't get past the first episode.
it's almost certainly both, you're right.