The Steel Remains

The characters and world feel so different from typical high fantasy. I'm curious whether this was a conscious choice to challenge genre conventions or just a natural evolution.

The characters' actions often blur the lines between right and wrong, which kept me questioning what I would do in their place. Does this moral complexity enhance or detract from the story for others?

The atmosphere is so raw and intense — was this mood shaped by specific influences or personal experiences that the author wanted to channel into the story?