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katesant's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Sexual harassment
nicoleonbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
First of all, I highly recommend the audiobook.
Lonely Castle in The Mirror is one of those books that really captures the human experience, emotion, and thought. This definitely focuses on the characters and their stories, how each person isn't as different from each other as they may seem. The conversations around heavy topics are so authentic and handled with care, but also with truth. Lonely Castle in The Mirror is really good magical realism, with a dash of folklore. I think this story will really speak to middle grade kids, adults who struggled in school, and anyone who has ever dreamed of escape.
You have to be comfortable with being confused. Best read in a cozy spot with a warm drink and tissues nearby.
Lonely Castle in The Mirror is one of those books that really captures the human experience, emotion, and thought. This definitely focuses on the characters and their stories, how each person isn't as different from each other as they may seem. The conversations around heavy topics are so authentic and handled with care, but also with truth. Lonely Castle in The Mirror is really good magical realism, with a dash of folklore. I think this story will really speak to middle grade kids, adults who struggled in school, and anyone who has ever dreamed of escape.
You have to be comfortable with being confused. Best read in a cozy spot with a warm drink and tissues nearby.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
christinaanna's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, and Child death
Minor: Rape and Suicidal thoughts
eheidenreich's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was recommended for "fans of Spirited Away" and it delivered on that promise. This books is adorable, and fantastical, and so heartwarming. Some parts were predictable and I planned to give it 4 stars until the ending, which was so lovely it made me cry. 10/10 recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Abandonment
luckykosmos's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Focusing on the lack of emotional support for bullied children in Japan, the mystery and magic of the castle fades into the background as the children come to life around one another. The final act ramps up significantly from the rest of the book, but not in a way that feels inappropriate, just as a warning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Sexual assault
amsters's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, and Child death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
lambclown's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I mean...I understand the appeal and recognize that I am not the target audience for this book. It was feel-good, immersive, and mysterious. However, I had a hard time looking past the glaring plot holes that were conveniently ignored to drag out the big reveals. You're telling me that after being together for a year, the topic of favorite shows, popular musicians, or even everyday technology never came up? No one noticed that each others' fashion styles were completely different or outdated? No one ever talked about current events? One personal gripe I have with specifically the audiobook is that if the localizer/translator decides to write in a dialect (in this case, British English), I think it's best to have an audiobook narrator who also speaks in that dialect. I found a lot of the British slang to sound really awkward and stilted when being read by an American.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, and Terminal illness
lotecider's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is a slow paced book that offers a refreshing insight into the experiences of Kokoro (the main character). The first part of the book was really slow, even for a slow paced book, and it took me a very long time to get through it, but it was definitely worth it!
The book has an interesting plot, a really whimsical fantasy element to it, and an insightful approach to incorporating themes on Mental health. the twists towards fhe end are so thrilling! After we get to know the characters mode and we get more interactions with the wolf queen, things become more mysterious until several events happen back to back and it really is such a good ending to a good story
Primarily from a child's pov, the narration is pleasant and laced with childhood innocence, but somehow still relatable even as an adult reader. The authors writing is satisfying and the translation definitely does a good job at conveying this (although I'm sure it must be much more satisfactory in the original language)
The book has an interesting plot, a really whimsical fantasy element to it, and an insightful approach to incorporating themes on Mental health.
Primarily from a child's pov, the narration is pleasant and laced with childhood innocence, but somehow still relatable even as an adult reader. The authors writing is satisfying and the translation definitely does a good job at conveying this (although I'm sure it must be much more satisfactory in the original language)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Mental illness
taurusfeelings's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
In another world, we were already friends.
This just has become one of my favorite books of all time. This story was unbelievable, I enjoyed every single moment - whether it be an amazing twist or a mundane little moment shared by the characters. It was beautifully written, and is gonna stay with me forever.
I’ve never given 5 stars with such ease. Aki’s story broke my heart and put it all back together by the end. Also consider me a Wolf Queen stan!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child death and Sexual harassment
my_weird_bookish_heart's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment