Quick Review: Lonely Castle in the Mirror

Not my picture, as usual

Note: This is a spoiler-free post!

This book had been sitting on my to-be-read list for quite a long time. It all began with an Instagram post that said: If you loved Before the Coffee Gets Cold, then you are going to love Mizuki Tsujimura’s Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon. After some Google-aided research, I decided to begin my acquaintance with Mizuki Tsujimura through Lonely Castle in The Mirror instead. (partly because it’s cheaper, oops). If it’s to my taste, then I’ll give her other books a shot.

I finally bought Lonely Castle in the Mirror nearing the end of last year, but decided to postpone reading because I wanted to make this my first 2026 read (hehe). And when I did start reading, I told myself I was going to take it slow. I was going to soak up every nook and cranny of the story. But like most New Year resolutions…it remained a mere resolution. I was done reading in roughly three days. I can’t help it!

A Brief Blurb

One day at the beginning of a new school year, seven children find their bedroom mirrors glowing. Upon touch they discover that their mirrors have become portals into a fairytale-like castle. The castle’s caretaker, a mysterious little girl donning a wolf mask, tells the seven children that they have been given a certain opportunity. Within the castle lies a key to the Wishing Room, and if anyone can find it and access said room, that person will be granted a wish. As these seven children attempt to understand more of the castle and each other, they find themselves in a journey of acceptance and healing.

Generalities

Overall, this was such a sweet and touching story. It actually kind of reminds me of KPop Demon Hunters because it demonstrates - among other things - how opening up and sharing your experiences with the right people can result in relationships that heal and empower.

A story of this kind tends to have the effect of a bowl of onions, and another reviewer here even made a preparatory claim that you will cry. But alas, I read that review after finishing the book, and so was severely underprepared for the amount of tears induced by the last part of the story. I am very glad I did not get the book wet.

I think it’s also because a lot of the reviews in the testimonials page highlight the plot twists in the story. Naturally, I thought this was going to be some mind-boggling experience like Higashino’s The Devotion of Suspect X or Christie’s Crooken House. But I was mistaken. This isn’t a story that simply shocks - it’s also one that moves its readers.

(I really want to mention this one book I’m reminded of, but I’m afraid it’s going to count as spoilers. So I’m not gonna mention it here!)

Twists and Turns

The story has several impactful twists, but they’re not impossibly unthinkable twists. In fact I got some of the big twists right. This predictability may make the book look unappealing, but consider this: the seven characters in the story are junior high schoolers. I don’t think a story in which seven children have to solve a cold case that has baffled the nation’s entire police detectives for twenty years makes much sense (except if the gang of children is led by Conan Edogawa, I guess…?). Moreover, Tsujimura may have intended this book for real junior high-schoolers. They won’t feel motivated to read if the story is akin to a game of 4D chess.

Anyway, despite getting several twists right, my enjoyment of the story was not diminished at all. I was actually happy that I managed to piece the clues together. I don’t think it’s the plot twists alone that make or break the book, so even if you end up not liking them, I’m sure there are many other wonderful things you’ll appreciate from the book.

Other things

Among our big roster of seven characters, our main one is a young girl in seventh grade named Kokoro Anzai. Tsujimura’s portrayal of Kokoro’s anxiety felt so real. I definitely relate to all the thoughts and feelings Kokoro experiences when shoved into an anxiety-inducing situation.

Something else that really stuck with me is the opening monologue, ending line, and publisher’s note at the very end. I know the publisher’s note is a very odd thing to mention, but reading that publisher’s note right after the ending page added an extra layer of depth and context to the story.

Challenges

Two things might pose a challenge to readers. First, the characters. Seven characters mean seven different people to remember, and I definitely had some difficulty remembering who is who.

Second, the Japanese suffixes. There are some moments in the story where Kokoro worries about using the right suffix for the right person. These are suffixes like -san, -kun, -chan, and so forth. If you’re not familiar with them, you might find it difficult to understand the nuances each suffix brings. The translator does try to slip in quick explanations here and there, but they might not be enough for someone with zero knowledge about Japanese suffixes.

To conclude…

Lonely Castle in the Mirror was a great way to open 2026. I wish I was able to read this book when I was younger, haha. Definitely would have helped my anxious self.

It’s decided then: I will definitely be checking out Mizuki Tsujimura’s other books :)