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sbrot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
brisk28's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this was okay mainly because of the pacing. In my opinion, this could have worked better as a novella, especially with how slow it was. There's really nothing exciting until the last couple chapters and by then I was losing patience.
elladk's review against another edition
5.0
a well-deserved 5 star rating; this novel was absolutely beautiful and meaningful.
dianareadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
This book is far from my norm. I read it for my book club.
Sometimes, when you read something and the mood you're in matters, my review might reflect that. I read this book while rather ill. Seriously, folks, I felt like I was dying.
The main thing is, did I like this book? Would I recommend it.
Yes, and yes.
You follow 7 kids who, for some reason, don't want to attend school. Those 7 kids are able to enter into another place ( the castle) through their mirrors.
The kids are allowed to go to this castle for a certain amount of time. They also have a challenge they need to complete by a certain date. There are rules they must follow. Things are not what you think or are they?
While the kids are visiting the castle, we also learn why they don't go to school.
This is the mental health part of the book.
Nothing is ever really explained about what issues they have. You have to figure out anxiety, depression etc yourself.
I don't think it took anything away from the book.
Naturally, someone breaks a rule or do they and things happen.
Then the kids learn why they are there, what to do about going not going to school. Lots of decisions are made.
It's really hard to write a review when I'm I'll, so forgive me. It's really hard not to give something away.
I liked it cause I really connected with the main character and the whole not going to school thing.
I thought how it was wrapped up was good, but it could have been better, hence my 3 stars.
Sometimes, when you read something and the mood you're in matters, my review might reflect that. I read this book while rather ill. Seriously, folks, I felt like I was dying.
The main thing is, did I like this book? Would I recommend it.
Yes, and yes.
You follow 7 kids who, for some reason, don't want to attend school. Those 7 kids are able to enter into another place ( the castle) through their mirrors.
The kids are allowed to go to this castle for a certain amount of time. They also have a challenge they need to complete by a certain date. There are rules they must follow. Things are not what you think or are they?
While the kids are visiting the castle, we also learn why they don't go to school.
This is the mental health part of the book.
Nothing is ever really explained about what issues they have. You have to figure out anxiety, depression etc yourself.
I don't think it took anything away from the book.
Naturally, someone breaks a rule or do they and things happen.
Then the kids learn why they are there, what to do about going not going to school. Lots of decisions are made.
It's really hard to write a review when I'm I'll, so forgive me. It's really hard not to give something away.
I liked it cause I really connected with the main character and the whole not going to school thing.
I thought how it was wrapped up was good, but it could have been better, hence my 3 stars.
mtstellens's review against another edition
5.0
Just as good as I thought it was going to be. The last section of the book where we figure out how all of the kids are tied together. That the girl in the wolf mask is the sister of one of the boys who had died. The last part was definitely the best. Getting to see all the other kids lives, seeing why they needed the castle. Main character was perfectly awkward as we all were in middle school. It definitely had a slow start, you might pull your hair a bit wanting all of the kids to start to unravel the mystery, but what kid would care about a mystery when you can just have somewhere safe and make friends.
b00kh0arder's review against another edition
3.0
Round up to 3.5 stars.
Seven children are summoned to a beautiful castle, through their bedroom mirrors, by a mysterious little girl in a wolf mask, known only as the Wolf Queen. The castle will be open for these 'Red Riding Hoods' every day from 9 until 5, until March 30th, when the castle will close for good. It also contains clues to a key that will unlock a special "wishing room." The one who unlocks this room will have their wish granted.
There's only one rule: They MUST leave by 5pm, or they'll be eaten by a wolf.
The children slowly get to know one another, they discover they have one thing in common: for one reason or another, they've all stopped going to school.
Lonely Castle in the Mirror is, at its heart, a fairytale - with all the hallmarks of both Japanese literature and Japanese fantasy (despite the Western fairytale motifs), the latter of which you will be particularly familiar with if you watch a lot of anime or read a lot of manga; It's been translated by Philip Gabriel, translator of a lot of Murakami's work, so the translation itself is fairly solid - about making connections with others,looking as it does at relatable subjects such as bullying loneliness, isolation and school burnout, and at the particular flaws of the Japanese school system, where pupils' psychological health & well-being is often the price of academic excellence, and dropping out is not an uncommon phenomena.
Easy to see why it was a bestseller.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for review
Seven children are summoned to a beautiful castle, through their bedroom mirrors, by a mysterious little girl in a wolf mask, known only as the Wolf Queen. The castle will be open for these 'Red Riding Hoods' every day from 9 until 5, until March 30th, when the castle will close for good. It also contains clues to a key that will unlock a special "wishing room." The one who unlocks this room will have their wish granted.
There's only one rule: They MUST leave by 5pm, or they'll be eaten by a wolf.
The children slowly get to know one another, they discover they have one thing in common: for one reason or another, they've all stopped going to school.
Lonely Castle in the Mirror is, at its heart, a fairytale - with all the hallmarks of both Japanese literature and Japanese fantasy (despite the Western fairytale motifs), the latter of which you will be particularly familiar with if you watch a lot of anime or read a lot of manga; It's been translated by Philip Gabriel, translator of a lot of Murakami's work, so the translation itself is fairly solid - about making connections with others,looking as it does at relatable subjects such as bullying loneliness, isolation and school burnout, and at the particular flaws of the Japanese school system, where pupils' psychological health & well-being is often the price of academic excellence, and dropping out is not an uncommon phenomena.
Easy to see why it was a bestseller.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for review
multeapod's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
herongraystairs's review against another edition
3.0
[3.5]
honestly I wasn’t a big fan of the writing style (maybe a translation issue?) and lost interest during some parts in the first half especially, but oh my god this has to be one of my favourite endings to any book i’ve ever read I genuinely balled my eyes out like the story is wrapped up so beautifully I really needed that healing after the poppy war
honestly I wasn’t a big fan of the writing style (maybe a translation issue?) and lost interest during some parts in the first half especially, but oh my god this has to be one of my favourite endings to any book i’ve ever read I genuinely balled my eyes out like the story is wrapped up so beautifully I really needed that healing after the poppy war
inkwithimagination's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This heartwarming novel beautifully intertwines fantasy and reality to tell a poignant story about friendship, trauma, mental health, and the journey towards healing.
The characters are richly developed, each with unique stories and backgrounds that unfold gradually, revealing their fears and desires. One of the novel’s strengths is its sensitive portrayal of mental health issues, including bullying, anxiety, and depression. Tsujimura addresses these themes with empathy and depth, making the characters’ struggles and growth feel authentic and relatable. The bonds that form between the characters are touching and highlight the importance of empathy and support in overcoming personal challenges.
The writing can be somewhat awkward at first, probably due to translation, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story. I love the flow of the narrative, which balances magical elements with the real-life issues faced by the characters. There’s a hint of mystery and twists, but all the pieces come together beautifully. I was truly surprised by many of the revelations towards the end. While I predicted some of them, others caught me off guard, and they all made sense later on.
The ending is truly beautiful, heartwarming, and emotional. It made me tear up while reading it. I was definitely satisfied with the conclusion. Overall, this novel is a touching and compelling read that deftly balances fantasy with real-world issues, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.
The characters are richly developed, each with unique stories and backgrounds that unfold gradually, revealing their fears and desires. One of the novel’s strengths is its sensitive portrayal of mental health issues, including bullying, anxiety, and depression. Tsujimura addresses these themes with empathy and depth, making the characters’ struggles and growth feel authentic and relatable. The bonds that form between the characters are touching and highlight the importance of empathy and support in overcoming personal challenges.
The writing can be somewhat awkward at first, probably due to translation, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story. I love the flow of the narrative, which balances magical elements with the real-life issues faced by the characters. There’s a hint of mystery and twists, but all the pieces come together beautifully. I was truly surprised by many of the revelations towards the end. While I predicted some of them, others caught me off guard, and they all made sense later on.
The ending is truly beautiful, heartwarming, and emotional. It made me tear up while reading it. I was definitely satisfied with the conclusion. Overall, this novel is a touching and compelling read that deftly balances fantasy with real-world issues, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Panic attacks/disorders