I've watched the first episode.
It follows a translated story, so I could make comparisons.
Well, the overall impression is pretty smooth. Some moments look underwhelming in the adaptation, but some look cool. I was really surprised at the use of WWI archive photos and other imagery. Dalian is more Shinku-esque than I remember her in the book, but let's hope Miyuki Sawashiro will know where to stop.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVjvEcd4iIc[/youtube]
The opening. The visuals sadly give off a stock footage feel, but the song itself gotta be the best Latin (?) opening song since Elfen Lied times.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXloxB1RLCY&feature=related[/youtube]
The ending. A nice song, too, and bonus points for the visuals looking like some exerpt from an Ali Project PV.
Overall, gonna follow it. I hope Gainax will manage to keep the atmosphere of the books, but even if they fail, we'll still get access to many stories unavailable in text media (LN translation at Baka-Tsuki has long come to a halt).
Btw, I heard there will also be an OVA due sometime next January. It's packed with the novel's vol 9 LE. Presumably Gainax handles it, too.
But responses at AS are mixed indeed.