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

  • 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. 
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