Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Kastel Terpencil di Dalam Cermin by Mizuki Tsujimura

28 reviews

randomly_reading_13's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, and Medical content

Minor: Fatphobia and Toxic friendship

gillthequill's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

What a moving story. I was struck at how well Tsujimura wrote the depictions of children's feelings: of bullying, of how it feels to be on the other side of the rumor mill, on the complex tangled web of emotions and interpersonal relationships at that age. This was a deeply moving story with a fun premise born of a wish. I am glad this book was recommended to be by the Goodreads algorithm. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantasy-lite story with a heavy focus on childhood relationships, bullying, and overcoming those circumstances through friendship and actual honest to god supportive adults, along with struggling with mental disorders like anxiety.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship

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

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

takahapa's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship

aude's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

nalakoala's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious relaxing medium-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Stalking

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

alexisgarcia's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

i wish the writing was from the perspective of a different character (i like the main character but would’ve liked to read the story through one of the other characters’ eyes). but this was heartfelt and filled to the brim with childlike wonder.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, and Toxic friendship