Амулет. Книга третья. Облачный город

The illustrations really bring the story to life with their whimsical details. I'm curious whether this style was a conscious choice to appeal to kids or if it evolved naturally during the creative process.

The landscapes and creatures felt so imaginative and detailed. I wonder how much of this was planned out in advance versus developed as the story unfolded.

The characters seem to grow a lot through their adventures, but I'm curious if others felt this was a realistic depiction of young heroism.