The author wrote the book driven by a combination of personal motivations and thematic goals. One primary reason was a desire for escapism and to reconnect with childhood fantasies filled with adventure, magic, and wonder 00:16:06 to 00:16:17. The author explicitly stated, "I definitely knew I wanted a fantasy story... I wanted something where, you know, the world would blow up, like anything could happen" 00:16:17 to 00:16:22.

Additionally, the book is aimed at young adults, intending to help them navigate struggles similar to those the author faced. The author wanted to offer a positive reframing of these struggles 00:07:33 to 00:07:46. This theme of empowerment and empathy is also evident in the author's previous work, "An Echo in the City," which was written to depict both sides of the Hong Kong protests and foster understanding among readers 00:10:00 to 00:10:23.

Finally, the author enjoys complex character dynamics and high-stakes scenarios, which motivated the world-building and character development in the book 00:16:22 to 00:16:28.

By blending personal experiences and a desire to create engaging, magical narratives, the author crafted this book to resonate deeply with young adult readers.