Lonely Castle in the Mirror

I don't know how I've managed to remain oblivious to this book for so long -- it is so exactly right up my alley, and I only found out about it by accident, and I decided to borrow it on the strength of the title alone. First published in 2017, Mizuki Tsujimura's Lonely Castle in the Mirror is a much loved favourite in Japan, and has been turned into a series of manga volumes and an animated film.

For me, it did take a while for the story to get moving, but the third and final section of the book positively galloped along as all the plot pieces fell into place. Lonely Castle in the Mirror opens with Kokoro, who is refusing school and hiding in her room after being traumatised by bullies. Magically her bedroom mirror opens a portal to another reality -- an enchanted castle where she finds six other junior high students, most of them also avoiding school, and all with their own private problems, and a mysterious wolf-girl who calls the shots and tells them they have access to the castle for a single year, during which they must find a hidden key to a secret room which will grant one of them a wish.

I did find what I assume to be traditional Japanese courtesy and reticence a bit frustrating initially, as it took ages for the seven to start to trust each other and begin exchanging information that allows them to solve the questions of how and why they've been summoned here. (I did pick the twist, she says smugly.) But after the slow start, the plot slides into place like a beautifully made puzzle box. If I were younger and didn't have a gazillion more books on my pile to read, I could imagine re-reading Lonely Castle immediately to pick up the clues. 

But more than a satisfying fantasy mystery, Lonely Castle has a lot to say about bullying, shame, friendship and mental health, and many young readers will see themselves reflected here.