The Lost Souls of Benzaiten by Kelly Murashige

The quick cut: A girl with selective mutism prays at a shrine to be made into a robot vacuum cleaner.

A real review:

Life isn't perfect, but sometimes those difficulties can make a person lose hope. What response would you have when you start to feel isolated and without joy? For Machi, that response is to ask to be made into a robot vacuum cleaner.

Machi's life looks drastically different now than it used to be. Sunny and Angel were her closest friends until they ruthlessly parted ways with her. Now Machi goes to online schooling, keeps to herself, and chooses not to speak. Therapists have tried to help, but she still chooses not to talk. When her latest therapists gives her a journal with prompts, she ends up at a shrine. Her prayer leads to an unexpected response: a goddess appearing with an offer.

This book is equal parts thrilling and devastating at the same time. Readers meet Machi at her lowest point and I'll admit that at first I didn't like her. Getting to know WHY she ended up that way made me love her though and it will do so for most readers.

Machi chooses to stop speaking and the reason why makes a lot of sense when you find out why. The depression she experiences is one of situation rather than biology. The mutism is her way of expressing that experience for herself. If you've ever grappled with either condition, this book is meant for you!

The fun magical twist with the goddess and her shrine really just serve as a fantasy twist to keep the mental health component the focus of the book. It works well and doesn't distract from the main point.

An important mental health conversation with a magical twist.

My rating: 4.25 out of 5