talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Bullying
Moderate: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, and Child death
Minor: Terminal illness, Cancer, and Medical content
catwhisperer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Child death, Fatphobia, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Gaslighting, and Mental illness
kaydeedickins's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, and Bullying
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Mental illness
Minor: Self harm, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual assault
sarah984's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Terminal illness, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Sexual assault, Cancer, Child death, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
edgaranjapoe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying and Mental illness
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol, Abandonment, Grief, Sexual assault, Blood, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Cancer, Pregnancy, Car accident, Child abuse, Death of parent, Death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Child death, and Suicidal thoughts
purplepenning's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Grief, Gaslighting, Chronic illness, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship
bealmg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Although I struggled for tha majority of the book, the ending came together in a really satisfying way, with all the pieces of the puzzle joining each other neatly. However, the first 2/3 of the book were almost painfully slow and a bit repetitive. And although the clues eventually made sense, most of the time I felt a bit clueless as to where the story was going. I did like the growth each character went through as well as the way their relationships grew over time. But I was expecting, maybe due to the blurb or to the glowing reviews, a story with more fantastical elements, even if grounded in reality as this was.
The ending was beautifully written, so sad and heart-warming at the same time, and it was worth the wait, even if I struggled to get there.
Graphic: Mental illness, Bullying, and Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child death, Sexual harassment, and Alcoholism
parasolcrafter's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Bullying
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Abandonment
parchmentdreams's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
The day was fast approaching, the key was still not found, and no wish had been granted. But Kokoro was fine about it. Memories were not the only thing she’d take away from here.
Overview
Lonely Castle In The Mirror is a character driven story of 7 junior high students that have chosen - for their own reasons - not to attend regular school. Some still attend classes, others barely leave their rooms. Our main character Kokoro, is one such student. After some traumatising clashes with her classmates soon after starting junior high, Kokoro barely leaves her room except to eat. When her mirror starts glowing one day, she touches it and is dragged into a castle ruled over by the Wolf Queen.
Kokoro and her 6 fellow students are given the opportunity to have one wish granted if they can find the Key to the Wishing Room, however they are only allowed to visit the castle between 9am and 5pm… and only one wish will be granted.
What I Liked
I really enjoyed the premise of Lonely Castle In The Mirror, and the development of the characters throughout the novel. Kokoro was a relatable and likeable character, and the group of “Little Red Riding Hoods” all had their own unique personalities and stories. I loved watching them all grow to trust and befriend each other, even though they struggled to find friends in their own realities.
What I Didn’t Like
The pacing of the novel was a bit off, it was slow for the first 60% then rushed through the end. This worked well with the plot and allowed for a large amount of character development, however it did tend to drag a bit over the first half.
Other Impressions
While I did guess some of the twists, the main one that I didn’t get was the identity of the Wolf Queen, and I was pleasantly surprised! I wasn’t expecting for us to actually see the Wolf Queen’s identity, and the girl behind the mask was surprising yet believable.
Overall I really enjoyed reading Lonely Castle In The Mirror and would rate it a 3.5/5. If you love reading about fairytales, friendships, and finding the courage to be yourself, then you’ll enjoy this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Content Tags
bullying, physical assault, sexual assault (mentioned), mental health, depression, anxiety, suicide (mentioned), violence, friendship, found family, mystery, absent parents, character death, hospitals
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Suicide, and Terminal illness
jfield351's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Spoiler
baths and sinks but no waterSpoiler
why the wolf girl was able to do magicSpoiler
adult/minor relationshipSpoiler
The alternate ending where all the X’s were graveyards was so freaky, that last chapter was so tense and just wow! also the triple twist really made me stunned! because i thought it was also a parallel world, so finding out it was a different time zone was so wonderful. i guessed that someone might be another ones parent or something, but Aki being the teacher was unexpected and so lovely. it really tied it together beautifully. And finally, Rion’s sister being the wolf girl was a tragic yet beautiful ending, a sister just wanting one last wish for her brother. Also the concept of having the dollhouse be the castle, i’d subconsciously guessed at just because I’ve watched a Doctor Who episode like it, was really cool and tied up all the last plot holes. I don’t understand where she got that magic from, but i’ll accept it. i also don’t get why they couldn’t be in last 5pm? why were they eaten by the wolf? because it was time for her to sleep?After a few weeks I have decided to up it to 5 stars. such a beautiful and clever book.
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Child death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Suicide
Minor: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Medical content, Abandonment, and Panic attacks/disorders