BOOK 239: LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR: MIZUKI TSUJIMURA

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.

(From Goodreads)

MY VERDICT: I don’t read a lot of YA books but it’s not because I’m a snob about them, some of them are wonderful and great to be read by any age, and this is one of those books. The premise is magical but believable and as a sometimes lonely teenager I could relate to the protagonist in a way I was not expecting. There’s also a bit of a mystery that I enjoyed. I would recommend this book, especially if you’re in a reading rut and want to get back in with something that is quite short and engrossing.