It is done ... Code of Claw Part I—I mean, AHS 3 Part 2—has been edited & updated. Yes, I shifted the ending of Part 2 forward a little. Those who know what's about to happen might be grateful, haha.
Okay, so this part might have changed even more than Part 1. Mainly because of the new subplot relating to the Sandwich lore.
It is kind of difficult to write a tribute to a book that I dislike very ardently (yes, I am an open Code of Claw hater.) But I've tried my best, and I believe I've done well.
Oh, by the way, my CoC rewrite of it is not any kind of wish fulfillment or "ideal reality" outcome of the TUC story. I don't just change whatever I dislike without regard for the themes in the original.
But the entire plot of the final book is different, right? Well, a lot more happens in the actual plot, but there's so much talk about loss, and sacrifice, (the dark side of) heroism, and whether "for the greater good" is worth it. Corruption and death, injustice, and grappling with unkind fates and alienation/rejection.
Now, I did put less emphasis on the societal pressure aspect of CoC, but that is a huge part of AHS 2 already, and it did not really fit this part of the story anymore. "Gregor against society" becomes "Questers against society" (since they are—small spoiler—banding together to actually overthrow Solovet and bring about change.)
And so, it is not only corruption but also redemption. Not only death and suffering but also growth and gain. Not only violence and the breaking of relationships but also companionship and hope.
What it took to give this series a happy ending without disrespecting its gritty, violent core was a shift in mindset toward the positive. Remembering that everything has good and bad consequences. What we take away from it is what we choose to focus on.
This was a bit of a rant but I've seen some people misunderstand this before and it's a little aggravating. As if hope and optimism automatically make something lighthearted and go-lucky.