Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Il castello invisibile by Mizuki Tsujimura

44 reviews

stefaniacg's review against another edition

adventurous 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? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Grief

moonadjacent's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Found family from a bunch of outcasts has got to be one of my favourite tropes in fiction. The heartfelt sincerity with which the kids come to regard each other is so touching to witness evolve. 

I cried for Rion. It was so heartbreaking for him to lose the chance to wish for his sister to come back home.

My only criticism would be that as much as I loved getting to know each character's backstory, the lead up to each discovery became quite formulaic.

Kokoro runs, touches X, views memory, vows to save friend, rinse, repeat. Sort of like a video game, which, meta!

Apart from that small section, I did enjoy the writing style and pace. 

But I must admit I was quite shocked at how the parents didn't just force the kids to go to school to be honest. Personally, the idea that a child could just not go to school for a year was more fantastical

than being eaten by a wolf in a castle accessible by mirror.

Great story though, really enjoyed how all the puzzle pieces came to fit. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

laurenvoice's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

3.5

Lonely Castle in the Mirror had a slow start, but the whole story came together in the final chapter. This story was quite sad, but hopeful at the same time. It is quite hard to put my thoughts into words to describe how I feel after reading this book; however, I know it will stay with me for a long time. I hope Kokoro and her friends will all meet again. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Grief

kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Sad, hopeful, whimsical, lovely. the movie was lovely but this felt like an arrow to the heart in a very bittersweet, throbbing way. I NEED this in print 

I often struggle with translated literature feeling stilted or distanced from the characters but this was spectacular. 

my one bone to pick is that sometimes the children admitted faults in places where truly their parents should have picked up the slack, but I also think that is realistic to their lives. their parents didn’t know them enough to notice their issues, so the kids blame themselves for “not speaking up” when problems arouse. :( 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

writteninmagic's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child death, Suicide, and Blood

blacksphinx's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Fatphobia, and Mental illness

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Grief, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Sexual assault, Medical content, Car accident, and Death of parent

Misogynistic slurs

haidaway_'s review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I found the book's pacing to be generally fast and very easy to read because of how it was translated. it was a really comfortable and heartwarming read and I was not expecting the twist at the end and how everything came full circle so beautifully. it made grief a heartwarming topic to read about rather than a heart-wrenching one

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Content Warnings

Minor: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Suicide attempt

maryellen's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

sophiesmallhands's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Grief, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Child death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Abandonment

kelly_e's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Title: Lonely Castle in the Mirror
Author: Mizuki Tsujimura
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: May 1, 2017

T H R E E • W O R D S

Vivid • Playful • Heartwarming

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Bullied to the point of dropping out of school, Kokoro's days blur together as she hides in her bedroom, unable to face her family or friends. As she spirals into despair, her mirror begins to shine; with a touch, Kokoro is pulled from her lonely life into a resplendent, bizarre fairytale castle guarded by a strange girl in a wolf mask. Six other students have been brought to the castle, and soon this marvelous refuge becomes their playground.

The castle has a hidden room that can grant a single wish, but there are rules to be followed, and breaking them will have dire consequences. As Kokoro and her new acquaintances spend more time in their new sanctuary, they begin to unlock the castle's secrets and, tentatively, each other's.

💭 T H O U G H T S

Lonely Castle in the Mirror is a book I'd likely never have stumbled upon if not for an online event in my book club. Yet it was also the type of book that reminded me of the importance of stepping outside of your comfort zone every now and then. It was one of those books that reminded me of what it means to be human, and that's not something I get everyday.

Written from the perspective of Kokoro, a young girl living with the anxieties of returning to school and dealing with the kids at school, this novel is definitely on the lighter side of the fantasy genre. In my opinion, it veers more in the direction of magical realism, where the reader isn't required to suspend all belief, yet does need to suspend some. It evoked feelings of empathy and compassion for each of the students. I thought the portrayals of the struggles of coming-of-age were very well crafted.

Additionally, I absolutely loved the concept behind this novel. As an avid puzzler, the inclusion of a puzzle aspect was so much fun. This is a story filled with connection, kindness and tackling teenage mental health. I don't think I have ever read something quite like it, but it definitely left me with the comforting feelings similar to The House in the Cerulean Sea.

Overall, I there was definitely a little something that was lost in translation. I can imagine the original Japanese version to be just that extra little bit more powerful. Yet this story really drove home the importance of community and reaching out for help. It would be the type of book I'd recommend to anyone who has ever felt left out and/or alone.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers who like puzzles
• T.J. Klune fans
• younger readers

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"If you try hard, you will always see results, and it will never be wasted no matter what you end up doing in life."

"She understood the fear. Not knowing what the future would be for her, not knowing how long she’d be like this. Seeing people who were moving on was enough to make her feel an excruciating pain in her chest." 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Cancer, Domestic abuse, and Terminal illness