They say you can remember the Ukrainian flag because there are fields of grain under a blue sky. This feels like a darker version of that. As if the war has covered the grain in soot and the sky has darkened.

That's actually an interesting idea. In life fines are definitely not enough to prevent normal citizens from doing crimes. Jail time and prison sure is. Maybe a system modeled after Nordic prisons would be good. Instead of fines, perhaps a government agency could be formed that "jails" a corporation. Comes in and rehabilitates the corp. Making sure it follows all applicable laws, not scamming it's employees, and auditing everything. But not from like an outside in approach. But from a "were the CEO type approach". If that's too light then maybe am American approach to jail. They are seized and held for a certain amount of time. Offices must close. Their accounts are frozen. No business can be done.

I want to talk to you about ducts.

This is why the character development over the course of three books is so good. You dislike James initially and pardon my spoiler but eventually he gets resurrected as an undead servant of one the later antagonists. James has to do some gnarly shit but eventually he by chance loses his connection to his master and gains self control. Eventually he saves some fan favorites and joins with them for awhile before valiantly sacrificing himself to save a lot of people.

It was a sad ending to be sure, but he was deeply unsatisfied with his new undead form, so he was okay truly in the end.