As a self-confessed mood reader who is feeling incredibly hormonal and emotional these days, I seem to be swapping books left, right and centre. I have a couple already on the go, but the other night I really wanted to read a cosy fantasy that would transport me somewhere magical; where the stakes are low but the magic is in abundance.
I downloaded Lonely Castle in the Mirror, a Japanese novel written by Mizuki Tsujimura, a few months ago thanks to a Daily Kindle Deal for only 99p and it fit the criteria perfectly.
It's an enchanting tale of seven seemingly random, yet tragically lonely, teenagers who are transported through portals to a wonderous castle inhabited by the so-called 'Wolf Queen'. They are tasked with finding a hidden key and a 'Wishing Room' that will grant one of the teenagers their hearts desire. They have a year to come and go as they please through the bewitched mirrors in their bedrooms, with a few stipulations. If the wish is granted they will lose all memories of their time in the castle and if they over stay their welcome (stay past the grand clock chiming 5pm each night) they will be collectively hunted and eaten by a ferocious beast.
This beautifully crafted pocket world of twisted fairytales was heartbreaking, uplifting and very unusual. It tackles a lot of difficult themes such as bullying, grief, anxiety and assault, but it isn't harrowing or overwhelming in the slightest. Each teenager has a story to be uncovered and it is done so in a delicate and thought-provoking way. Lonely Castle in the Mirror is both sad and oddly comforting.
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