Grand Conspiracy

The political intrigue adds so much tension, but I'm curious how much of that was planned from the start versus evolving during writing. Did the author have a clear map of the conspiracy from the beginning?

I loved the depth of the setting, but those parts made me pause — was that intentional to build atmosphere, or could it be trimmed for faster reading?

The layers of conspiracy kept me guessing, and I wonder what real-world inspirations or personal experiences influenced this intricate plotting.