Lonely Castle in the Mirror

The mirror feels so symbolic of self-reflection and escape—I'm curious what motivated the author to choose this motif and how it ties into the story's themes.

The way the characters’ emotional struggles are portrayed made me reflect on my own feelings of isolation. Did others find the mood of the novel as intense and real as I did?

The blend of magical realism and genuine teen angst creates a unique atmosphere. I'm wondering whether this mix was planned from the start or evolved during writing.