Schattenklinge (Der Herrscher über die Sieben Inselreiche)

The dragons feel so integral to the story's magic and politics. I'm curious whether their lore was planned from the start or developed along the way.

I loved the character development, but the slow parts made me wonder if it was necessary to build tension or if it could have been trimmed.

The story switches between intense battles and quieter character reflection. I wonder how the author planned this rhythm for maximum impact.