Cally's War

Cally's battles felt so visceral, but I also wanted to know more about her inner struggles. Was this balance planned from the start or developed during writing?

The descriptions added authenticity, but I sometimes wondered if they slowed down the story for readers less familiar with sci-fi tech.

The world-building felt very vivid and lived-in. I'm curious whether the author envisioned this universe first or built it around the characters' stories.