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."
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."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Terminal illness, Cancer, and Domestic abuse
tomyelland's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Child abuse
lolabee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Bullying, and Sexual assault
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
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
absolute_bookery's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
A real surprise for me - I loved this book so much. Some great twists that really set me thinking, definitely recommend as its nothing like I've read before!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Bullying, Cancer, and Child abuse
irammy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I found the first 75% of the book slow as not much happened and I was frustrated the characters didn't talk more! I guessed the first key "plot twist" early on and I found it unsatisfying that they took so long to work it out. In the finale of the book we learn much more about the other main characters and why they weren't going to school, I think it's a shame we didn't get to know them earlier as they seem more interesting that Kokoro, who I struggled to relate with. In contrast to the rest of the book the finale was unputdownable, with twists I didn't forsee and covering some difficult topics. Learning how bad teenage mental health is in Japan shed new light onto the book and I can understand why it's so popular. In retrospect, I think I would've enjoyed this much more as a school/uni student when I could've related more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Cancer, Child death, and Suicide attempt
potteresque's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Bullying
Minor: Terminal illness and Child death
bluberrybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Fatphobia and Suicidal thoughts
jo_withabook's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
Heart-aching, gorgeous and unique. Not once was I disappointed by this book. A study on bullying and depression, Lonely Castle in the Mirror talks about the struggles kids go through and their recovery journey alongside their friendships and dreams. I loved how everything was connected and the way it ended broke my soul in the best way possible. It’s more than a book, it’s a life lesson, a portrait of common situations in Japan and one of the best adventures you’ll ever embark on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child abuse
ghostnaps's review against another edition
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
5.0
My first thought upon finishing was wondering how soon I should reread or watch the movie! This was such a lovely tale. I enjoyed the mix of tackling realistic issues with more fantasy elements. The cast is wonderful, and it’s great that not only do we get to see development for all of them, but there is care taken to establish other relationships between them & not just with the main character. While the primary plot twist is predictable, I didn’t see some of the others coming which left me pleasantly surprised. While it’s an emotional read, I definitely recommend it for a heartwarming story about friendships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Adult/minor relationship