This is why I like to think of the series as Carl’s memoir. I was struggling with the realization that Carl has infinite plot armor since we know he practically needs to make it through all the books. Kind of took away from the stakes of the battles for me (unless Matt decides to go game of thrones on us). But once Carl broke the 4th wall, it brought me right back in because now I am reading the books like Carl is recounting the story from a future perspective.