A lovely tale of growing up with mental illness, fighting bullying, and finding your place, LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR is a coming-of-age story set in Japan.

Meh, I don't know. Could have been better. The translator confused me a little. There were so much things happening, it confused me. Once she is here and the other times she is there. Sorry, this book just wasn't my cup of tea.

But the story was very nice. I really needed a Kickstarter to kick me so that I'll start reading after my exams. This book was perfect for that.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc.

When I saw the gorgeous cover of the Erewhorn edition of this book and heard that Phillip Gabriel translated it (he’s translated a number of Murakami books, and whatever your opinion is on Murakami, I think we can all agree that the translations are excellent. I recommend David Karashima’s Who We’re Reading When We’re Reading Murakami if you want to know more about why Murakami is such a juggernaut internationally and more about the translations), I knew I had to get my hands on an ARC.

Some context: Tsujimura is normally a mystery writer. Lonely Castle in the Sky is fantasy—she wrote it to start a discussion about mental health in Japan, especially the mental health of preteens and teens. The premise is that a girl who has been consistently skipping school gets sucked into this weird magic castle game with other school-skipping kids from who-knows-where. This book has been slated for an anime adaptation. (Not a surprise, given the middle school protagonists and fairytale magic.) I think Lonely Castle in the Mirror works wonderfully both as a story and a conversation starter. If you don’t like YA/MG, you might not enjoy it. Tsujimura really gets the thinking of her characters and doesn’t pity their situations or make light of them, which is important for a book addressing mental health.

Ahh! This is the second ARC that was ever approved for me.  I was vibing, scrolling through Netgalley and oh did something catch my eye: a coming-of-age fantasy story about fairytales, mental illness, and those moments in our lives when we form pure human connections.

(Feel free to read this on my website: www.lyjimenez.com/book-reviews/a-book-review-on-lonely-castle-in-the-mirror )

Lonely Castle in the Mirror is a Japanese fantasy novel written by Mizuki Tsujimura and translated by Philip Gabriel. It's about seven students who, because of some form of mental illness, refuse to go to school. But the mirrors in their bedrooms start to glow, pulling them into an enchanted castle, offering momentary respite from their stressful lives. There, they meet an enigmatic figure: a little girl with a wolf mask who goes by the title "Wolf Queen." And she has one task set out for them: find a key hidden somewhere in the castle in exchange for a wish. They have until March before the castle closes forever.

Off the bat, we meet Kokoro, our main girl. She's meek, quiet, and has a fondness for fairytales, which is great, considering the premise of the story. But, she can't bring herself to go to school. Even the thought of going to school and running into her bullies gives her a stomachache.

Now, characters are often likeable for either talent, nobility, or vulnerability. Kokoro's character falls under the third, but, she's also more than that.  For a quiet person, she's a strong main character. She feels real. The way she speaks and reacts and makes decisions are consistent with the way she's been described. Even giving her the motivation she had (which you'll find out is far from noble) makes her more believable.

The story as told through her eyes would allow any reader to get into the mind of someone young and struggling with mental illness. It launches the reader toward the heart (pun intended) of the novel: empathy and connection.

The way the story unfolds does risk losing the reader. It even took the promise of the premise and cast it aside somewhere to collect dust. Its pace is slow. It's cozy. It tricks you into thinking this is going to step on the gas and race headlong into a magical adventure. But it doesn't. The fairytale motifs become a backdrop, their main quest left “on read”, the identity of the Wolf Queen questioned but never investigated. And it dawns on you: this is now a slice-of-life, about troubled kids who just want to escape from their miserable lives.

Now I bet you're asking, why is this a "pro"? I would say it depends on your taste. Any thrill seeker (the bookish kind) might dismiss this but I think its pace and its sudden trajectory toward a slice-of-life, adds to the story. As the novel progresses, Kokoro gradually gets to know the others: Fuka, Aki, Masamune, Rion, Subaru, and Ureshino. She starts to realize that they're just as guarded, just as hesitant to open up.  This slow, steady pace, marked by moments of finding out that they're not so different after all, to me, reflects the hesitation one would feel when, for a long time, they believed that no one would understand. This is the thrill to me. In fact, I think it's the thrill of anyone who has ever been mentally ill. The idea of being seen.

The writing is the weakest link to me. The prose felt a little flat and I couldn't help thinking of the possibility that perhaps the voice was lost in translation.

When it comes to writing, I always enjoy seeing the author's unique perspective. I want to hear their voice. It doesn't have to be poetic or in the slightest bit romantic, but it has to shine through.

Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This book was such a rollercoaster of emotions! The concept was really amazing and I found myself gripped by the ‘fairy tale’ aspect of the story. It was very well executed as well, being deeply mysterious until the reveal.

I thought that the pacing dipped in the middle so it got a bit difficult to read but the plot twist made up for it in the last 20% of the book.

Similarly the found family trope warmed my heart! A group of school children struggling to live in their worlds and finding solace and comfort in one another, despite all their issues and flaws.

A 4 star read from me!

Lonely Castle in the Mirror is a perfect mix of Your Name and The Anthem of the Heart. I had high expectations of this book and it didn't disappoint me at all!

In the beginning, I struggled a bit with reading and I did not expect that the writing style would be so simple and adapted to school-aged children - although this novel is indeed about children, the topics it deals with are very important. However, the last hundred or so pages have blown me away, with a truly perfect and elaborate ending that answered all the questions and made me cry.

Mizuki Tsujimura talks about abuse an its
consequences, about anxiety and mental health (studies have shown that school children in Japan especially have these
problems), loneliness, and the importance of friendship. It combines the motifs of fairy tales, mysteries, and magical realism as well (and maybe a bit of horror?). A brilliant combination, truly.

Creepy at times, but incredibly warm and touching, this is probably one of the best books I've read this year.

4.5

“Kokoro didn’t know the details of any of their situations. But she knew full well that whatever they’d experienced, it must have felt like jumping into a storm or tornado, one that would mangle and maim you.”

I love a book that makes me feel a wide range of emotions, and this is the epitome of that kind of book for me. Tsujimura tackles so many real world problems, like grief, bullying, fear, and shame; but she does so in a whimsical and enchanting way that gave me as many warm fuzzies as it did tears of heartbreak. She incorporates the above themes, as well as those of friendship, belonging, hope, and bravery. All of these are woven into a fairy-tale-esque tapestry, with the backdrop being a mysterious castle that becomes a temporary safe haven for a group of awkward and lovable social outcasts.

In a time where mental health crises seem to be ubiquitous but still stigmatized, books like this are incredibly important. Through literature, we are privy to ample internal dialogue that shows the anxiety and trauma the characters have gone through, as well as their different cries for help. There is hope, though, for a future that is full of promise and connection. It is this hope we need in our real world, and the struggles and overcoming shown in the book are incredibly relevant.


You might enjoy this if you love:

🐺 Magical realism
🐺 Stories that feel like dark fairy tales
🐺 Books that are character driven rather quickly paced, plot heavy ones


Be aware that:

🐺 There are many mental health struggles, suicide, attempted sexual assault, bullying, and death from illness portrayed in the book. Check for more info about the trigger earnings.
🐺 This book is heavier with Japanese cultural aspects than many of the other Japanese-translated-into-English books that I’ve read. Because of this, there may be some traditions or ideas that seem out of place to you if you aren’t familiar with Japanese culture. I personally loved this though, and even though I live in Japan, I learned a few cultural tidbits through the book!

Ooof. This one hit home. The tears this novel brought me were unreal. Loved the layers of characters and the lines drawn between how I felt as an adolescent and how I feel now. Just beautiful.

<b>DNF @ 30%</b>

In the end, there's nothing really <i>wrong</i> with this book. The writing was fine, even enjoyable, and the mystery was interesting. However, the blurb is a bit misleading, and what you get isn't nearly as fast-paced and thrilling as the blurb implies it will be. It's like starting a movie and expecting <i>Spirited Away</i> but getting <i>Grave of the Fireflies</i> instead. Doesn't mean it's bad, but it's not what I wanted/expected.

What I expected would be a focus on an interesting mystery/puzzle was instead more of a social commentary. An important one, at that, especially given how little attention it receives in Japan, as well as elsewhere. All the children are suffering from their own social issues, including severe anxiety, bullying, mental health problems, etc. They find solace in each other and this strange world they've been pulled into . . . to some extent.

At the point where I stopped, I ended up frustrated with the fact that, despite being sucked into this strange and beautiful castle and being told to explore, there is basically no exploration that takes place. Instead, the book is mostly slice-of-life, focusing on the day-to-day of the characters, their interactions, and their personal emotions and growth.

In the end, I think this was just a case of reality not quite matching up with expectations, and this isn't the book I wanted to read right now. I think it would be a great one for readers who enjoy introspective contemporary books and books with meaningful social commentary.

Lonely Castle in the Mirror
By: Mizuki Tsujimura
Lonely Castle in the Mirror is a story about 7 middle schoolers who have a hard time attending school due to family, bullying and emotional reasons. For some reason they have all dropped out. One day they find that their mirrors are shimmering and they are pulled through into another world. A castle. Thai castle is run by the Wolf Queen who informs them they will have access to the castle every day for almost a year. This castle holds a wishing key, whichever kid finds the key will be granted any wish and then the castle will close forever, and their memories will go with it. There is just one rule, they have to leave by 5 pm or they will be eaten by a wolf. The story follows as the kids get to know each other and y ravel the mysteries of castle and why they were all brought there and what they all have in common, who are they? And is the wish worth it?

I would not change a single thing about this book, ever single word, every character was perfect and had a purpose. I was stumped all along the way by the mysteries, and even as clues were revealed I was still completely surprised by the ending and blinded by how brilliant it was. I was sobbing at the ending. This was a perfect and stunning book that everyone should read. The message is one that everyone can relate to and the plot and way the message was conveyed was so thoughtful, I feel so honored to have gotten to read this as an ARC, and will definitely be purchasing a copy for my shelf. This is a heart warming must read full of joy, sadness, trauma, friendship and healing. It is vulnerable and explores human emotions like I’ve never seen in a book. You will enjoy this if you like puzzle like plots with interesting character and a meaningful message. The main characters in this book are younger but by no means is it just a book for younger people. This is a book for everyone

This book just blew my mind.
The feelings of students who face bullying is painfully captured, the struggle of parents to understand their kids and their helplessness, indifferent as well as empathetic teachers and how a teacher plays a pivotal role in a student's life, all is captured so well.
And, the magical realism, for me was the cherry on the cake.
I am new to reading Japanese translations, and safe to say, it definitely won't be my last. I am grateful to translators who help us read such delicacies which would otherwise had gone unexplored.

When I first started this book, I wasn’t sure if I would like it. But I finished the book ten minutes ago in tears and knew I needed to write this review immediately.

This book is heart breaking, wonderful, and filled with love, mostly of the secret variety.

I was so moved by every child’s story and I felt so emotionally attached to all of them by the end of the story. I enjoyed how everyone had a chance to share their story, and how alike they all were despite their differences.

The fantasy world created in this novel is incredible and the way it all just makes sense by the end is gorgeous and perfectly achieved. This book has easily earned a spot on my favorites shelf and will forever hold a precious place inside my heart.

I will also be looking forward to reading any other English translations that exist by this author!

Oh, this book was interesting. I've become more interested in character-driven plots and this book just keeps me wanting more of that. I loved the coverage on topics such as loneliness, bullying, domestic and sexual abuse, because it's such an eye-opener, a plea for growth.

The writing was descriptive and the plot heart-wrenching, but the mirror world felt quite lacklustre at times. However, I found this to be the only issue for me, and the rest - the characters, Kokoro, the teens, the Wolf Queen, really sold me on the story.

The premise of this book really intrigued me, but the execution wasn't for me. I wasn't sure of it was the translation or the original writing, but the dialogue was so stilted, as was all the description. I was only invested for the last 15%, when things actually began to happen.

From my experience, Japanese literature, especially those focused on children, always seems to pull the hardest at my heartstrings. I’m unsure what it is, if it’s my desire to heal my inner child or if I just grew up watching Studio Ghibli too much. Mizuki Tsujimura’s 2017 novel “Lonely Castle in the Mirror” definitely fits into this category.

Seven students avoiding going to school discover a portal into a castle through a glowing mirror. As the seven kids find solace in the castle, there’s a catch¬––they must leave the castle every day by 5 o’clock or be eaten by its protector, the Wolf Queen. The children are tasked with finding a key hidden in the castle that'll grant whoever finds it a single wish but ultimately wipes all of their memories from the castle.

Tsujimura’s characters are complicated kids just trying to figure out themselves and written with a loving nuance of that age. There are few books out there that I feel accurately depict the ages of 12 to 15 without infantilizing or aging them up mentally or emotionally. The last third of the novel is the crowning achievement in “Lonely Castle in the Mirror,” with an examination of each character’s thoughts leading up to passing through the mirror for the first time.

There’s no doubt that middle school is a rough time (as I remember), and navigating mental health, friendships, and school can be torturous––all of which Tsujimura highlights well. Although set in Japan and written to address the severe lack of mental health representation in Japan, the characters’ struggles and discussions cross over seamlessly for American or Western readers.

With magical realism reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, this novel doesn’t need to explain the how or why––which I would generally find annoying. But in this case, leaving so many unexplained works perfectly with the extensive character work Tsujimura dives into. The writing of “Lonely Castle in the Mirror” occasionally felt a little off, but this is likely an issue with the translation, not the original story.

Hopeful, imaginative, and vivid observations of loneliness, “Lonely Castle in the Mirror” is a must-read for anyone who struggled growing up. With the themes of bullying, isolation, child abuse, and navigating friendships, “Lonely Castle in the Mirror” felt it was written to heal your inner child.

lonely castle in the mirror is a heart-wrenching exploration of adolescent loneliness, a cozy blanket on a stormy night and an absolute jewel of a coming-of-age story. simply put: it has my entire heart, nay, it can have my first born as well. i loved being in Kokoro’s head, our MC’s progression feels very true and entirely relatable — she, as well as the rest of our young cast, deserves the world. they are, each and every one of them, preciously flawed and stubbornly brave in their own way — reading about their individual growth had filled me with so much unabated joy and pride of an older sibling. Tsujimura deftly juggles the sizeable cast while still giving so many thoughts and care into their characterization in just 384 pages; i was in awed and still am in awed. i would not have fell in love with this book as hard as i did if it weren’t for these characters lighting the way.

this is a story crafted with a lot of heart and its ending, while sad, is infinitely more hopeful and satisfying than you may think. without giving anything away, i can promise you that much! i would recommend this one to anyone who seeks for dawn or needs a reminder that it is coming — let these characters in, let them warm your heart and give you a good cry. you won’t regret it.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*

"Lonely Castle in the Mirror" is a Japanese bestseller that features the well known portal quest fantasy but makes the escapist component of this journey more visible. Kokoro has been bullied in school, the perpetrators even pursued her at home, which is why she stops going to school. She is terribly anxious yet cannot talk to her parents or teachers about it. When the mirror in her bedroom glows one afternoon and she meets other children in the mysterious castle on the other side, everything changes. Wolf Woman, the owner of the castle and the supernatural creator of it, gives them a quest: find the wishing room and have your wishes fulfilled. For most of the kids the castle is used to play video games together and they do not really try to uncover the mystery. After some initial discord, they also become friends and want to unravel the mystery as to why they are all in the castle and if they have more in common than they know.

I liked the novel, it was very insightful and realistic in connection to bullying. How the fear paralyses you, how going outside is already perilous. I also liked Kokoro as the protagonist and I quite liked the ending, but parts of the story were just confusing, for example the infrequent change of the focaliser or the magic system. But overall I enjoyed it and it was a good coming of age story between worlds.

3.5 stars

I wanted to enjoy this as the premise sounded super promising, but ultimately I was left wanting more from both the characters and the plot itself.

4.5 stars rounded up, I have a lot of feelings about this book!

Kokoro has been staying home from school after an incident with a bully. She is unable to face her fellow students or even try to go to a specialty school without feeling extreme anxiety and dread. After being at home for awhile, her bedroom mirror starts to glow and she finds she (and 6 other similarly displaced children) can enter a fantastical realm run by a Wolf Queen who promises to grant their wish if they can find a hidden key.

First of all, I want to say that this story comes together in a seriously beautiful way and the ending is perfect.

Part magical realism, part character study, this novel explores struggles of mental health and the pressures of society and family. I thought the characters were so well done and although the build up took awhile, the pace didn’t seem slow. I was thoroughly invested in this magical castle and what would happen next.

This felt like a modern fairy tale, with very emotional and touching moments!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

"Lonely Castle in the Mirror" by Mizuki Tsujimura is a fantasy novel that mainly addresses the issue of bullying the students suffer at school. Middle schooler Kokoro Anzai stops going to school, not being able to tell her parents that it's because she's been bullied by another, a more outgoing student in her class, who has terrorized her for no real reason.

But one day, the mirror in Kokoro's room starts to shine brightly, eventually drawing her into a castle through a portal that appears in her mirror, and there, she meets with six other students who haven't been able to go to school like her. A little girl called "Wolf Queen", who wears a wolf mask all the time is the one who has brought them together inside her castle, for a competition: there is a key hidden in the castle, a key to a Wishing Room, and whichever of them finds the key first, will be granted their one wish, no matter what that is. In time, the castle becomes a refuge for these adolescents, and the things they experience in the castle give them courage, as well as some understanding of life, to go on.

The novel started slow but it became really engaging toward the end. The mysteries that were revealed through some plot twists were surprising and very satisfactory. Other than criticizing the bullying in schools, to which even the teachers may become a tool used against the victims, the book also deals with mental health issues, friendship, and loss in many senses: loss of a loved one, loss of one's status in society, loss of innocence, etc. and makes its reader stop and think from time to time. Therefore, it makes a great reading experience, one that I recommend to other readers.