The Lantern of Lost Memories is an amusing book to read. Have you ever heard the saying of "your life flashes before your eyes just before you die"? Well, this is an immensely interesting take from it.

For quite some time, Hirasaka has been tasked to run this photo studio, a staging post that must be passed before a recently deceased person moves to the afterlife. His task is pretty simple, guiding them.

The book follows three people as they are suddenly awoken in Hirasaka's place, confusion etched across their visage. A few frightened, which is to be tolerated. It is precisely why Hirasaka is there to greet those people the moment they reopen their eyes. I find it comforting to imagine after a horrifying death we would be met with such a kind and loving creature to help us figure out the next step.

You see, one is inclined to enter a denial stage, especially if one is tied by an intense emotions to the world of the living still (like resentment, regret, and more often than not yearning—be it towards someone or material possessions). When it occurs, their soul is trapped, therefore they are unable to go anywhere at all. Hirasaka ensures things will go according to plans. Upon achieving that, he helps them arranging their own lantern filled with pictures, one for every year, until the moment they take their last breath.

We get to learn about the lives these three people led before they met their end, but nothing much about Hirasaka. It piques my curiosity that I cam scarcely put the book down in order to discover things quicker. Finally, the unexpected connection comes as a surprise to me, I will not elaborate further for it will take an element of fun from placing the puzzle pieces altogether yourself.

This was a pleasant read. I enjoyed every second spent reading it. Highly recommended.

My sincerest gratitude to Pan Macmillan for granting me an ARC in exchange of honest review.