Origins

The way the author described the spells and rituals made me wonder how much of it was inspired by real traditions or entirely fictional. Did the detailed world-building enhance or overwhelm the story for others?

I kept wondering if the emotional stakes were heightened by the characters' secrets and choices. Did anyone else find themselves rooting for or against certain pairings?

The setting felt so unique and layered, almost like a character itself. I’d love to know whether the world was built from a core idea or evolved during the writing process.