L'incantesimo dello spirito

The detailed cultures and landscapes feel so immersive — I wonder if Lois McMaster Bujold drew from specific mythologies or created everything from scratch.

The complex power dynamics kept me hooked, but I kept wondering how much of it was inspired by real historical conflicts. What made the political threads stand out the most for others?

The emotional stakes felt so genuine, but I’m curious if this was planned from the beginning or if the characters' arcs evolved naturally during writing.