Ende gut, alles gut?

The story feels both whimsical and meaningful, which is a tricky mix to pull off in middle-grade fiction. I'm curious what guided that creative choice.

Every detail from the kingdoms to the magic felt so vivid. I wonder how much was mapped out before writing and how much was developed during the process.

His growth felt authentic and inspiring, but I'm curious whether that was based on personal experiences or purely imagined.