The Lord of Stariel

The political machinations in Stariel felt really nuanced and layered. Did the author draw inspiration from real-world power struggles or create this from scratch?

I loved the slow build and chemistry, but sometimes I wondered if the stakes were high enough. Did anyone else find the romance believable yet intense?

The lore of Stariel felt rich and immersive. I'm curious whether the author developed this extensively beforehand or let it grow naturally during writing.