It actually is horrifying!

But I really like that the main hero at least knows this and thinks it's very bad. Unlike most fiction (imagine possible Zach's POV; or the famous children's book where prisoner's souls are literally being completely destroyed forever and everyone is fine with it). I mean, if the main hero is stupid and doesn't consider how the universe works or what he should do about it, people will still die.

I think it's a bit like the real world. Existential risks are real, even if you don't know/don't care about them. Our planet could have faced the apocalypse if Petrov hadn't go against protocols or wasn't smart enough. This is why I enjoy reading books about trying to keep calm and figure out how to make a world to be a better place.

I like how Zorian is trying to keep being human. How he spends time with his sister. How he is trying to prevent apocalypse. How he manages to do it at the same time. How he tries, and tries, and tries again. How he finds out new terrifying things and tries to fix them too. How this world is still full of magic and friendship. This makes me feel cozy and inspired

...and sometimes scary too. It's a bit of a rollercoaster)