Dark Territory

The story's intense atmosphere really drew me in, but I'm curious whether the author intentionally aimed for a darker mood or if it developed naturally during writing.

The setting feels alive and complex, which made me wonder how much of it was mapped out beforehand versus evolving as the story progressed.

There are so many intriguing figures, but some felt more fleshed out than others. What do readers think about the choices behind the main character's development?