Lonely Castle in the Mirror

Mizuki Tsujimura
4.24
36,113 ratings 7,268 reviews
Seven students are avoiding going to school, hiding in their darkened bedrooms, unable to face their family and friends, until the moment they discover a portal into another world that offers temporary escape from their stressful lives. Passing through a glowing mirror, they gather in a magnificent castle which becomes their playground and refuge during school hours. The students are tasked with locating a key, hidden somewhere in the castle, that will allow whoever finds it to be granted one wish. At this moment, the castle will vanish, along with all memories they may have of their adventure. If they fail to leave the castle by 5 pm every afternoon, they will be eaten by the keeper of the castle, an easily provoked and shrill creature named the Wolf Queen. Delving into their emotional lives with sympathy and a generous warmth, Lonely Castle in the Mirror shows the unexpected rewards of reaching out to others. Exploring vivid human stories with a twisty and puzzle-like plot, this heart-warming novel is full of joy and hope for anyone touched by sadness and vulnerability.
Genres: FantasyFictionMagical RealismJapanJapanese LiteratureYoung AdultContemporaryAsian LiteratureMental HealthBook Club
355 Pages

Community Reviews:

5 star
16633 (46%)
4 star
13030 (36%)
3 star
5295 (15%)
2 star
949 (3%)
1 star
206 (1%)

Readers also enjoyed

Other books by Mizuki Tsujimura

Lists with this book

The Hunger Games
Pride and Prejudice
To Kill a Mockingbird
Best Books Ever
74241 books • 275039 voters
Norwegian Wood
Kafka on the Shore
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
Best Japanese Books
766 books • 3235 voters
The Housekeeper and the Professor
Convenience Store Woman
The Travelling Cat Chronicles
[ATY 2025] Translated Novel from Asia
272 books • 77 voters
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library
Remarkably Bright Creatures
The Midnight Library