Kings of Ash

The book's intense atmosphere really drew me in, but I'm curious whether the tone was planned from the start or evolved during writing. How did the author decide on this style?

The politics, cultures, and history felt incredibly vivid. I wonder if that was mapped out beforehand or developed organically as the story progressed.

Some parts felt relentless while others slowed down, which worked well for me. Was this balance something tested through multiple drafts?