Lonely Castle in the Mirror: A Novel Review

I’ve always wanted to be in a book club but something always drew me away from them. Between my drifting curiosity and stubborn independence I’ve never been able to keep up with reading groups. During one of my attempts to join and keep up with a book club, though, Lonely Castle in the Mirror was the book being read by the group.

I read it, loved it, and can still feel how much of an impact this book had on me. I can’t remember the name of the group or anything else about it, but this book, and the characters within it, stayed with me.

Quick Overview Lonely Castle in the Mirror

Attending school is a social rite of passage for those who have access. Some children acclimate seamlessly and thrive in the environment, while others struggle with finding their place.

Lonely Castle in the Mirror is a coming of age story told from the perspective of a little girl named Kokoro, who finds herself unable to attend school after developing disabling social anxiety.

This anxiety causes friction between Kokoro and her mom, leading to intense feelings no child should ever have to feel. So, when Kokoro finds herself presented with the opportunity to travel through a portal that spontaneously appears in her bedroom mirror, she’s willing to take a risk and go through it.

How Lonely Castle in the Mirror Impacted Me

As someone who also struggles with social anxiety and experienced adversity as a child, I understand why Kokoro feels afraid of the dangers that may be on the other side of this portal while being willing to go through it anyway.

Upon arriving Kokoro finds herself inside of a beautiful, warm and brightly lit castle. To her surprise, other children begin to arrive and, after some initial anxiety and tentative introductions, Kokoro finds that she isn’t alone anymore. She has finally found other children to relate to and find companionship with.

After the children have arrived, and their introductions out of the way, they are greeted by the Wolf Queen and informed that they are more than welcome to utilize this space, at any time, as an escape from their troubles, for a price and with very specific rules that threaten their lives.

At this point I found myself unable to put the book down. I wanted so badly for Kokoro to find a semblance of peace and suddenly her new safe space isn’t as safe as she thought.

I had questions. Why had the other children also taken the risk of going through a mysterious portal that could have led anywhere? Why would they continue to come to the castle if their lives were in danger if they didn’t abide by the castle’s rules? Would Kokoro gain some perspective and learn how to cope with the debilitating anxiety that kept her from relationships?

The Storytelling Had Me Hooked — But What About the Writing?

Through Mizuki Tsujimura’s visceral, inviting writing style, readers of all ages can relate to feeling unwanted or alienated in spaces that are supposed to be welcoming.

The feelings evoked throughout Lonely Castle in the Mirror create a space that allows for dialogue, compassion, and empathy through a modern day fairy tale that honors fairy tales that have survived for countless generations.

Tsujimura also presented much of the  character development in the second half of the book , which worked well as a conclusion to the many details presented in the first half.

And while this is in the young adult genre, I didn’t get the feeling that this book was explicitly aimed at a younger audience.

Tales As Old As Time

Fairy tales and folklore continue to resonate in communities around the world, in spite of rapid changes and improvements in technology that have changed how we interact with and tell stories. They are designed to relay profoundly deep subject matter through magical stories.

I borrowed Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura from my local library. It’s also available in e-book format. If you’re able to, please support your local small business bookstore or library when you read this fantastic tale.

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Need more great reads for your TBR? These reviews and original works can help!

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• The Photographer – Speculative Flash Fiction
• Minds Behind Locked Doors: A Look Into The Institute by Stephen King

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