The Emperor's Gift

The mix of horror and fantasy created a really intense atmosphere. I'm curious whether this was a conscious choice from the start or something that evolved during writing.

The characters’ devotions felt so visceral, but it made me uncomfortable at times. How do readers interpret the role of faith in driving the story's conflicts?

The setting feels so richly textured and immersive. I wonder whether the author drew from existing lore or crafted new elements to serve the narrative.