A review by nervousbell
Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-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

3.5

The initial pace of the book left me feeling somewhat bored, but I found the characters to be authentic representations of young teens, effectively capturing their interactions and struggles. The depiction of the daunting world adolescents face, which extends into adulthood, was particularly well executed. It skillfully portrayed the communication gap between children and their parents, reflecting a common reality in both literature and real life.

However, the truly captivating aspects of the story only surfaced towards the end. While I did derive enjoyment from the book overall, I couldn't shake the feeling that the pacing could have been improved. There's an elusive element that didn't quite resonate with me, and it's frustrating not being able to pinpoint exactly what it is.