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Mister Magic
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Horror (2023)Who is Mister Magic? Former child stars reunite to uncover the tragedy that ended their show—and discover the secret of its enigmatic host—in this dark supernatural thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hide.
Thirty years after a tragic accident shut down production of the classic children’s program Mister Magic, the five surviving cast members have done their best to move on. But just as generations of cultishly devoted fans still cling to the lessons they learned from the show, the cast, known as the Circle of Friends, have spent their lives searching for the happiness they felt while they were on it. The friendship. The feeling of belonging. And the protection of Mister Magic.
But with no surviving video of the show, no evidence of who directed or produced it, and no records of who—or what—the beloved host actually was, memories are all the former Circle of Friends has.
Then a twist of fate brings the castmates back together at the remote desert filming compound that feels like it’s been waiting for them all this time. Even though they haven’t seen each other for years, they understand one another better than anyone has since.
After all, they’re the only ones who hold the secret of that circle, the mystery of the magic man in his infinitely black cape, and, maybe, the answers to what really happened on that deadly last day. But as the Circle of Friends reclaim parts of their past, they begin to wonder: Are they here by choice, or have they been lured into a trap?
Because magic never forgets the taste of your friendship. . . .
Thirty years after a tragic accident shut down production of the classic children’s program Mister Magic, the five surviving cast members have done their best to move on. But just as generations of cultishly devoted fans still cling to the lessons they learned from the show, the cast, known as the Circle of Friends, have spent their lives searching for the happiness they felt while they were on it. The friendship. The feeling of belonging. And the protection of Mister Magic.
But with no surviving video of the show, no evidence of who directed or produced it, and no records of who—or what—the beloved host actually was, memories are all the former Circle of Friends has.
Then a twist of fate brings the castmates back together at the remote desert filming compound that feels like it’s been waiting for them all this time. Even though they haven’t seen each other for years, they understand one another better than anyone has since.
After all, they’re the only ones who hold the secret of that circle, the mystery of the magic man in his infinitely black cape, and, maybe, the answers to what really happened on that deadly last day. But as the Circle of Friends reclaim parts of their past, they begin to wonder: Are they here by choice, or have they been lured into a trap?
Because magic never forgets the taste of your friendship. . . .
295 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2023
About the author
Kiersten White
61 books13.6k followersKiersten White is the #1 New York Times bestselling, Bram Stoker Award-winning, and critically acclaimed author of many books for readers of all ages, including the And I Darken trilogy, the Sinister Summer series, the Camelot Rising trilogy, Star Wars: Padawan, Hide, Mister Magic, and Lucy Undying. Her books have been published in over twenty territories, and her novel HIDE is currently in development with Universal Television and Peacock.
Visit her online at kierstenwhite.com and @authorkierstenwhite on Instagram and Threads.
Visit her online at kierstenwhite.com and @authorkierstenwhite on Instagram and Threads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,740 reviews
December 8, 2023
I found this book to be a little existential, abstract, complex, eccentric, and somewhat strange! I have to admit, I reread some parts to understand things, but I felt lost in some chapters, feeling numb and confused.
"Mister Magic" is a presumed title for a children's show, but its title could also be "Magic Show" or "Magic Time." Interestingly, nobody has a clear idea about the concept, title, or image of Mister Magic. The only concrete thing about the show is that six children stand in a circle in a featureless black room, saying magic words, throwing an ephemeral cape up into the air, and waiting for Mister Magic's appearance. The suspense is the key factor why everyone cannot take their eyes off the screen.
What does Mister Magic really look like? He is tall, enormous, all arms and legs, either a person or a puppet. Everyone agrees that they have never seen his face.
Even the theme song of the show is enough to make people's hair stand up. It's creepy, eerie, and irritating!
A tragic accident occurs with the shutdown of the show without any surviving video. There is no evidence of who the director, producer, or host was. Only five children survived, moving on with their lives with different memories they harbored.
Now, those children who became adults are ready to reunite for the 30th Anniversary! They find themselves in a remote desert filming compound, trying to fill the blank spaces of their deteriorating memories and confronting the secrets to find the identity of Mr. Magic!
I honestly had a hard time connecting the dots, not moving in the dark, and understanding what was going on in this book. But the unreliable perspectives of the characters, wobbling pacing, more creepy and mind-bending scenes made me even more confused. The bizarre ending didn't help me form a concrete opinion about things. You get stuck in a gray line throughout your reading. Everything is blurry. You keep walking in the dark till you see the end of the tunnel, but when you think you are finally going to see the light for seeing things from a clear perspective, you find yourself bumping into the walls of another dark tunnel!
Thankfully, the author's note was explanatory enough to understand what the hell was happening in this book!
Overall, it was an intelligent, bizarre but also exhausting, existential, weird experience! I cannot say I enjoyed it. It was something different! Not my favorite work of the author, but it was still unique, unconventional, and something original.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Del Rey for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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"Mister Magic" is a presumed title for a children's show, but its title could also be "Magic Show" or "Magic Time." Interestingly, nobody has a clear idea about the concept, title, or image of Mister Magic. The only concrete thing about the show is that six children stand in a circle in a featureless black room, saying magic words, throwing an ephemeral cape up into the air, and waiting for Mister Magic's appearance. The suspense is the key factor why everyone cannot take their eyes off the screen.
What does Mister Magic really look like? He is tall, enormous, all arms and legs, either a person or a puppet. Everyone agrees that they have never seen his face.
Even the theme song of the show is enough to make people's hair stand up. It's creepy, eerie, and irritating!
A tragic accident occurs with the shutdown of the show without any surviving video. There is no evidence of who the director, producer, or host was. Only five children survived, moving on with their lives with different memories they harbored.
Now, those children who became adults are ready to reunite for the 30th Anniversary! They find themselves in a remote desert filming compound, trying to fill the blank spaces of their deteriorating memories and confronting the secrets to find the identity of Mr. Magic!
I honestly had a hard time connecting the dots, not moving in the dark, and understanding what was going on in this book. But the unreliable perspectives of the characters, wobbling pacing, more creepy and mind-bending scenes made me even more confused. The bizarre ending didn't help me form a concrete opinion about things. You get stuck in a gray line throughout your reading. Everything is blurry. You keep walking in the dark till you see the end of the tunnel, but when you think you are finally going to see the light for seeing things from a clear perspective, you find yourself bumping into the walls of another dark tunnel!
Thankfully, the author's note was explanatory enough to understand what the hell was happening in this book!
Overall, it was an intelligent, bizarre but also exhausting, existential, weird experience! I cannot say I enjoyed it. It was something different! Not my favorite work of the author, but it was still unique, unconventional, and something original.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Del Rey for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
November 1, 2024
**4.5-stars**
Mister Magic is the sophomore-Adult release novel from beloved author, Kiersten White. With a cover that could hang in an art gallery, this one caught my eye right away.
After my experience with Hide last year though, I was slightly concerned about picking it up. I'm happy to report that this is incredibly compelling and kept me glued to the pages, wanting to know more, the entire way through.
I do feel like I cheated a little though. In my friend, Debra's review she mentioned that she wished she had read the Author's Note first.
I felt that exact same way about Hide and thanks to her jogging my memory, I decided to do that here. So, before I even started the first chapter, I flipped right to the back and read the entire Author's Note.
Honestly, I do feel like doing that had a positive impact on my experience. Frankly, I'm glad I did it that way.
Just being able to keep in mind the author's inspirations and motivations, which I wouldn't have known had I not read that first, while reading helped to provide a bit of context for a lot of the more emotional bits of the story.
In this one, we're following a group of adults, who once starred together on a hit-Children's television series, Mister Magic. The show stopped airing 30-years ago, after a supposed accident on set.
Over the years, Mister Magic has become more of an urban legend than a show. You can't watch it any where, no tapes exist and no one can seem to really remember anything specific about it, including the actors themselves.
At the start of the story, the group of actors, once known as the Circle of Friends, is reunited under the guise of filming a documentary of the show. Together they return to the actual property where the show was once recorded.
The property itself is disturbing from the beginning. It's remote, set in a desert landscape and the house has some odd architectural choices. It got my hackles up right away.
The group of old friends are going to be staying in the main house during the course of the documentary, shooting confessional/interview-type footage in the basement.
It's through their time at the house, their interactions and their interviews that the full picture of Mister Magic begins to fill in. The revelations are shocking to say the least.
I found this to be an incredibly interesting story. The premise was like nothing I have ever read. It was so mysterious from the start and I loved White's creative use of mixed media to make the phenomenon of Mister Magic feel more real for the Reader.
There was just something about the idea of this program that was creepy to me. How many people could talk about it, remembered it being a part of their lives, but couldn't list a single real fact about it.
It reminded me of like Captain Kangeroo from my own childhood. The vibes felt sort of similar. I loved that show as a kid. I remember being mesmerized by it, but I can't recall a single tangible thing about it. It's so weird.
It had such a dark and ominous feel, even before I had any clue where it was going, I sort of felt afraid. Particularly because of one of the main characters, Val's, reaction to the house and the idea of the show.
I also feel like it stayed intriguing throughout. White just kept building and building on the idea the show, and its history, right up to the shocking conclusion.
Admittedly, the end slipped a bit, IMO. It got a little too heavy-handed in the messaging and seemed to go off the rails as far as delivering easily understood action. Overall though, a hugely successful comeback!
Thank you to the publisher, Del Rey, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm so glad I gave this one a shot!!
Mister Magic is the sophomore-Adult release novel from beloved author, Kiersten White. With a cover that could hang in an art gallery, this one caught my eye right away.
After my experience with Hide last year though, I was slightly concerned about picking it up. I'm happy to report that this is incredibly compelling and kept me glued to the pages, wanting to know more, the entire way through.
I do feel like I cheated a little though. In my friend, Debra's review she mentioned that she wished she had read the Author's Note first.
I felt that exact same way about Hide and thanks to her jogging my memory, I decided to do that here. So, before I even started the first chapter, I flipped right to the back and read the entire Author's Note.
Honestly, I do feel like doing that had a positive impact on my experience. Frankly, I'm glad I did it that way.
Just being able to keep in mind the author's inspirations and motivations, which I wouldn't have known had I not read that first, while reading helped to provide a bit of context for a lot of the more emotional bits of the story.
In this one, we're following a group of adults, who once starred together on a hit-Children's television series, Mister Magic. The show stopped airing 30-years ago, after a supposed accident on set.
Over the years, Mister Magic has become more of an urban legend than a show. You can't watch it any where, no tapes exist and no one can seem to really remember anything specific about it, including the actors themselves.
At the start of the story, the group of actors, once known as the Circle of Friends, is reunited under the guise of filming a documentary of the show. Together they return to the actual property where the show was once recorded.
The property itself is disturbing from the beginning. It's remote, set in a desert landscape and the house has some odd architectural choices. It got my hackles up right away.
The group of old friends are going to be staying in the main house during the course of the documentary, shooting confessional/interview-type footage in the basement.
It's through their time at the house, their interactions and their interviews that the full picture of Mister Magic begins to fill in. The revelations are shocking to say the least.
I found this to be an incredibly interesting story. The premise was like nothing I have ever read. It was so mysterious from the start and I loved White's creative use of mixed media to make the phenomenon of Mister Magic feel more real for the Reader.
There was just something about the idea of this program that was creepy to me. How many people could talk about it, remembered it being a part of their lives, but couldn't list a single real fact about it.
It reminded me of like Captain Kangeroo from my own childhood. The vibes felt sort of similar. I loved that show as a kid. I remember being mesmerized by it, but I can't recall a single tangible thing about it. It's so weird.
It had such a dark and ominous feel, even before I had any clue where it was going, I sort of felt afraid. Particularly because of one of the main characters, Val's, reaction to the house and the idea of the show.
I also feel like it stayed intriguing throughout. White just kept building and building on the idea the show, and its history, right up to the shocking conclusion.
Admittedly, the end slipped a bit, IMO. It got a little too heavy-handed in the messaging and seemed to go off the rails as far as delivering easily understood action. Overall though, a hugely successful comeback!
Thank you to the publisher, Del Rey, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm so glad I gave this one a shot!!
August 2, 2023
3.5 stars rounded to 4
”Well, find your own magic, I suppose. The magic way to give your kids the perfect childhood that will turn them into better adults than you could have ever been. The magic way to undo whatever damage your parents did to you, to keep your kids happy and safe and protected forever.”
If you read Hide then you probably have an idea of what to expect with Mister Magic. Not that the plots are exactly the same, but the formula of mysterious build up to supernatural horror/thriller is present again, and I think that this genre works really well for the author. The less you know about this one going in the better, so my review is going to be brief and vague, but know that this is a dark, enthralling, suspenseful read that dabbles in how The Mandela Effect might have influenced elder millennial memories. What makes it even more meaningful is the author’s note in the back, explaining where the inspiration for this novel came from. If you’re looking for a lightning fast read where you may not understand everything by the end of the book, but have a ball of a time reading, this book is for you.
TW:
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
”Well, find your own magic, I suppose. The magic way to give your kids the perfect childhood that will turn them into better adults than you could have ever been. The magic way to undo whatever damage your parents did to you, to keep your kids happy and safe and protected forever.”
If you read Hide then you probably have an idea of what to expect with Mister Magic. Not that the plots are exactly the same, but the formula of mysterious build up to supernatural horror/thriller is present again, and I think that this genre works really well for the author. The less you know about this one going in the better, so my review is going to be brief and vague, but know that this is a dark, enthralling, suspenseful read that dabbles in how The Mandela Effect might have influenced elder millennial memories. What makes it even more meaningful is the author’s note in the back, explaining where the inspiration for this novel came from. If you’re looking for a lightning fast read where you may not understand everything by the end of the book, but have a ball of a time reading, this book is for you.
TW:
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
July 28, 2023
I can write an entire dissertation on the allegorical messaging behind Kiersten White's upcoming horror novel, MISTER MAGIC, but this review will just have to do for now. When the author's last book, HIDE came out, lots of readers had a variety of opinions on it. As a reader, I enjoyed HIDE but understood the reasons why people were mixed on its reception. That being said, MISTER MAGIC's synopsis and cover immediately drew me in. I won't go into too much detail about this book, because there's so much that ISN'T said, but inferred, that you'll have to find out for yourself.
30 years after the abrupt ending of popular children's show, MISTER MAGIC, five of the six cast members return to film a podcast about their time on the show. While many have fond memories of this television sensation, one cast member, Val, has no memory of her time filming with the cast. With no evidence or footage of the show circulating anywhere to be found, the show has left an enigma on a generation who grew up loving the show, and a cast who struggles to remember why it was cancelled in the first place. As the podcast dives into the cast's memories of the show, they soon realize that there were other forces at play—forces that may not have been so benevolent.
There's a lot of mixed reviews for this book, and if you'd like to debate why I'm giving it 5 stars, MY DMs ARE OPEN AND READY BABY. If you enjoyed John Fram's THE BRIGHT LANDS, you'll enjoy this one. The messaging behind this book is very metaphorical, so take your time with this book and you'll hopefully see what I mean. The book leaves readers with a lot of open-ended imagination to come up with their own reasoning for certain actions, which I thought was very fun. Speculative fiction is something that I will always gravitate towards, but I understand why readers may want something more concrete. The world building that this book could provide for film or a series is incredible and I hope someone is optioning this book.
30 years after the abrupt ending of popular children's show, MISTER MAGIC, five of the six cast members return to film a podcast about their time on the show. While many have fond memories of this television sensation, one cast member, Val, has no memory of her time filming with the cast. With no evidence or footage of the show circulating anywhere to be found, the show has left an enigma on a generation who grew up loving the show, and a cast who struggles to remember why it was cancelled in the first place. As the podcast dives into the cast's memories of the show, they soon realize that there were other forces at play—forces that may not have been so benevolent.
There's a lot of mixed reviews for this book, and if you'd like to debate why I'm giving it 5 stars, MY DMs ARE OPEN AND READY BABY. If you enjoyed John Fram's THE BRIGHT LANDS, you'll enjoy this one. The messaging behind this book is very metaphorical, so take your time with this book and you'll hopefully see what I mean. The book leaves readers with a lot of open-ended imagination to come up with their own reasoning for certain actions, which I thought was very fun. Speculative fiction is something that I will always gravitate towards, but I understand why readers may want something more concrete. The world building that this book could provide for film or a series is incredible and I hope someone is optioning this book.
March 13, 2023
White tried to fit the religious trauma of her childhood into a thriller format, and they went together like oil and water.
NOTE: This is not about members of the LDS church, specifically. This is about White’s experience with the church. When you look at certain sects and groups of the LDS church and what they perpetuate, you can see how White might come out of her experiences traumatized. If you are Mormon, you might not agree with this book, or what I put in this review. White’s book is not an attack on Mormons personally.
Everyone can agree that the show Mister Magic existed, and then it was just gone. A whole generation grew up with this eccentric show as the center of their childhood until it mysteriously vanished from the airwaves. Any attempts to dig into the mystery of what happened are quickly removed from the internet like they never existed. Decades later, the last six children appearing on Mister Magic are returning to make a podcast on their experiences. Val, the leader of the group as a kid (and our main character), remembers nothing about her childhood. As she reconnects with her decades-old friends, it is quite obvious that they are hiding something. As old childhood memories and horrors are dug up, the six adults quickly realize the podcast is a cover for something much more sinister.
Intricacy is what makes a good thriller. Whether through clever loopholes, complex characters, or a weaving plot line, a thriller should be comprised of nuance and cleverness. The thriller side of this was as subtle as a sledgehammer to the face. It is obvious that every single character has a secret. In fact, on several occasions, side characters openly taunt Val with the fact that they know things she does not. And yet, our main character, Val, goes along with it. It is so incredibly clear that nothing about this situation is normal. The house, the people, and the town where the podcast is being recorded are so bizarre and sinister. Yet, even though every situation in this book was screaming “RUN THIS ISN’T RIGHT,” Vals stays right there, very stationary. Everything just happens to her. There is no action or proactiveness on her part. She is frustratingly passive about everything going on, and it literally takes a stranger to give her a glaring piece of evidence to spur her into action. I have only read White’s fantasy novels, which are filled with subtlety and complex plots, so to have Mister Magic seem so juvenile was quite a shock.
Every character is absurdly weird, or a caricature. This book's supporting cast is all summarized as white, racist, homophobic, AND sexist. The six main characters aren’t much better. They all have exactly one personality trait that makes up their character arc. Mind you, these six “kids” are now parents and in their forties. So why was there no character depth? White was presenting the supporting cast as the Mormon church, and what they stood against. It is not a secret that the traditional teachings of Mormonism are problematic. Women and people of color are seen as less than white traditional men, homosexuality is not only frowned upon but condemned. Naturally, our six main characters reflect most of these points. A gay Black man, a man still in the closet, a severely unhappy “traditional” wife, and a man who is softer than what is deemed manly make up four of our six. I only connected that the frustratingly simple characters were meant to be a reflection of something AFTER I read the author’s note. Without any context, this just came across as lazy writing.
At 80%, the climax of the story, we switch gears. At this point, the story was finally coming together. Our girl Val was finally taking some action to fix the absolute absurdity of her situation. Right about here, White included pages upon pages of writing about the harmful effects strict and rigorous rules and lifestyles can have on a child. This is wonderful but in the middle of the climax? The fast-paced decisions and tense moments were rudely interrupted with dialogue on how to raise your children, whether there is one “correct” way, and such. Of all the places to add this commentary, right when everyone is about to die does not seem like the smartest place.
Reading this book was an exhausting and murky experience. I have a lot of respect for White to be able to write about something that really hurt her in childhood, I just don’t think this was the way to go about it. In the end, what was this book trying to be? A thriller with cleverly added commentary on religious trauma? Religious trauma disguised as a thriller, in order to make it more palatable for a larger audience? In the end, no one really knows, and that is the problem. How is one supposed to enjoy a book if, by the final page, the book’s purpose has not been made clear?
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
--------
I am having an incredibly hard time with this review. At its core, this book is a commentary on religious trauma for children, disguised as a thriller. This format did not work. Not only that, but everyone in this book also felt like caricatures of hate. Send help this review might be the last thing I ever do.
-------
a full review will be (hopefully) posted tomorrow, but I have a few things I want to say:
-this book lacks any nuance or subtlety. everything is in your face, and not in a good way.
-these 35+ year-old characters are dumber than some of the 16-year-old girls from the 2010 YA dystopia era, which is saying a lot
-the mystery aspect of the book could have been fun and wonderful, but the fact that the writing, characters, and context were done so poorly ruined any enjoyment I could find.
thanks to NetGalley for the arc
———
this cover is just *chefs kiss*
NOTE: This is not about members of the LDS church, specifically. This is about White’s experience with the church. When you look at certain sects and groups of the LDS church and what they perpetuate, you can see how White might come out of her experiences traumatized. If you are Mormon, you might not agree with this book, or what I put in this review. White’s book is not an attack on Mormons personally.
Everyone can agree that the show Mister Magic existed, and then it was just gone. A whole generation grew up with this eccentric show as the center of their childhood until it mysteriously vanished from the airwaves. Any attempts to dig into the mystery of what happened are quickly removed from the internet like they never existed. Decades later, the last six children appearing on Mister Magic are returning to make a podcast on their experiences. Val, the leader of the group as a kid (and our main character), remembers nothing about her childhood. As she reconnects with her decades-old friends, it is quite obvious that they are hiding something. As old childhood memories and horrors are dug up, the six adults quickly realize the podcast is a cover for something much more sinister.
Intricacy is what makes a good thriller. Whether through clever loopholes, complex characters, or a weaving plot line, a thriller should be comprised of nuance and cleverness. The thriller side of this was as subtle as a sledgehammer to the face. It is obvious that every single character has a secret. In fact, on several occasions, side characters openly taunt Val with the fact that they know things she does not. And yet, our main character, Val, goes along with it. It is so incredibly clear that nothing about this situation is normal. The house, the people, and the town where the podcast is being recorded are so bizarre and sinister. Yet, even though every situation in this book was screaming “RUN THIS ISN’T RIGHT,” Vals stays right there, very stationary. Everything just happens to her. There is no action or proactiveness on her part. She is frustratingly passive about everything going on, and it literally takes a stranger to give her a glaring piece of evidence to spur her into action. I have only read White’s fantasy novels, which are filled with subtlety and complex plots, so to have Mister Magic seem so juvenile was quite a shock.
Every character is absurdly weird, or a caricature. This book's supporting cast is all summarized as white, racist, homophobic, AND sexist. The six main characters aren’t much better. They all have exactly one personality trait that makes up their character arc. Mind you, these six “kids” are now parents and in their forties. So why was there no character depth? White was presenting the supporting cast as the Mormon church, and what they stood against. It is not a secret that the traditional teachings of Mormonism are problematic. Women and people of color are seen as less than white traditional men, homosexuality is not only frowned upon but condemned. Naturally, our six main characters reflect most of these points. A gay Black man, a man still in the closet, a severely unhappy “traditional” wife, and a man who is softer than what is deemed manly make up four of our six. I only connected that the frustratingly simple characters were meant to be a reflection of something AFTER I read the author’s note. Without any context, this just came across as lazy writing.
At 80%, the climax of the story, we switch gears. At this point, the story was finally coming together. Our girl Val was finally taking some action to fix the absolute absurdity of her situation. Right about here, White included pages upon pages of writing about the harmful effects strict and rigorous rules and lifestyles can have on a child. This is wonderful but in the middle of the climax? The fast-paced decisions and tense moments were rudely interrupted with dialogue on how to raise your children, whether there is one “correct” way, and such. Of all the places to add this commentary, right when everyone is about to die does not seem like the smartest place.
Reading this book was an exhausting and murky experience. I have a lot of respect for White to be able to write about something that really hurt her in childhood, I just don’t think this was the way to go about it. In the end, what was this book trying to be? A thriller with cleverly added commentary on religious trauma? Religious trauma disguised as a thriller, in order to make it more palatable for a larger audience? In the end, no one really knows, and that is the problem. How is one supposed to enjoy a book if, by the final page, the book’s purpose has not been made clear?
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
--------
I am having an incredibly hard time with this review. At its core, this book is a commentary on religious trauma for children, disguised as a thriller. This format did not work. Not only that, but everyone in this book also felt like caricatures of hate. Send help this review might be the last thing I ever do.
-------
a full review will be (hopefully) posted tomorrow, but I have a few things I want to say:
-this book lacks any nuance or subtlety. everything is in your face, and not in a good way.
-these 35+ year-old characters are dumber than some of the 16-year-old girls from the 2010 YA dystopia era, which is saying a lot
-the mystery aspect of the book could have been fun and wonderful, but the fact that the writing, characters, and context were done so poorly ruined any enjoyment I could find.
thanks to NetGalley for the arc
———
this cover is just *chefs kiss*
June 21, 2023
1.5/5 stars
thank you to the publisher, as well as Netgalley, for the e-arc.
giant trigger warning for religious trauma
this has gotta be one of the most disappointing reads I've encountered in quite some time. the only way I can accurately describe the fatal flaw is to say that it's the epitome of telling, not showing.
we're told that val is stuck in a boring, mundane, sheltered life. we're told that her father is lifeless and distant. we're told that val can handle anything (references wrangling a horse named 'stormy' multiple times yet we never have a single scene where she actually does anything with said horse? why should I care?). we're told this cast of characters have been through the wringer. we're told, we're told, we're told. and it's utterly exhausting and boring to just be told everything. because of it, I never cared about the characters, the plot, the journey, the discoveries, the mystery. I was merely a passenger.
this is where I would say the length of this book does it a disservice, because I think if we had more time to actually explore these characters and their lives, it would've had the impact the author was intending.
another major problem I had with this book is the terrible dialogue. I've never met a single person who asks as many questions in a single sentence as val does. in fact, I've never met anyone who asks more than one question before waiting for an answer. example: "here, here? as in this house? or as in bliss? and the studio? it was here, too? by the house, or also in bliss?"
so you had val asking 294549 questions, but you also had the rest of the cast NEVER. ANSWERING. THE QUESTIONS. here's an example of how val is always dismissed after a question, and val never challenges it. she literally just accepts this as the answer every time. "instead of answering, they all turn to Jenny like a school of fish on the hunt."
that was infuriating on its own, but then you have this main cast of characters that have no personality besides The Hot Trouble Maker, The Gay Artist, The Depressed Mom, and... The Boring Guy Whose Personality Is Supposed To Be Big Brother But He's Actually Super Passive And Dull And You Kinda Forget He's Even There.
lastly, this book lacks any depth when it comes to the most crucial part, which is that it heavily talks about religious trauma. with a topic so big, you'd think it would be a little more carefully constructed and treated with importance, but it's not. we're again told of trauma, told of situations that COULD HAVE BEEN SO WELL DONE IF IT HAD BEEN A FLASHBACK CHAPTER OR SOMETHING, and so we just don't care .
this is a book that was such a fantastic concept. six kids on a mysterious enigma of an abandoned children's tv show, the world desperate for it to return and give them their childhoods back. a podcast reunion that brings clarity to why it ended in the first place. a supernatural element. it was all there , but the delivery fails. I'm so bummed with this read.
also, side note - not sure if this was how zoomed in I had my text via kindle, but there are multiple chapters that are supposed to be mimicking reddit threads. they never showed up correctly on my kindle, with the text all over the place in random clumps and lines, and so I'd have to skip those sections completely.
thank you to the publisher, as well as Netgalley, for the e-arc.
giant trigger warning for religious trauma
this has gotta be one of the most disappointing reads I've encountered in quite some time. the only way I can accurately describe the fatal flaw is to say that it's the epitome of telling, not showing.
we're told that val is stuck in a boring, mundane, sheltered life. we're told that her father is lifeless and distant. we're told that val can handle anything (references wrangling a horse named 'stormy' multiple times yet we never have a single scene where she actually does anything with said horse? why should I care?). we're told this cast of characters have been through the wringer. we're told, we're told, we're told. and it's utterly exhausting and boring to just be told everything. because of it, I never cared about the characters, the plot, the journey, the discoveries, the mystery. I was merely a passenger.
this is where I would say the length of this book does it a disservice, because I think if we had more time to actually explore these characters and their lives, it would've had the impact the author was intending.
another major problem I had with this book is the terrible dialogue. I've never met a single person who asks as many questions in a single sentence as val does. in fact, I've never met anyone who asks more than one question before waiting for an answer. example: "here, here? as in this house? or as in bliss? and the studio? it was here, too? by the house, or also in bliss?"
so you had val asking 294549 questions, but you also had the rest of the cast NEVER. ANSWERING. THE QUESTIONS. here's an example of how val is always dismissed after a question, and val never challenges it. she literally just accepts this as the answer every time. "instead of answering, they all turn to Jenny like a school of fish on the hunt."
that was infuriating on its own, but then you have this main cast of characters that have no personality besides The Hot Trouble Maker, The Gay Artist, The Depressed Mom, and... The Boring Guy Whose Personality Is Supposed To Be Big Brother But He's Actually Super Passive And Dull And You Kinda Forget He's Even There.
lastly, this book lacks any depth when it comes to the most crucial part, which is that it heavily talks about religious trauma. with a topic so big, you'd think it would be a little more carefully constructed and treated with importance, but it's not. we're again told of trauma, told of situations that COULD HAVE BEEN SO WELL DONE IF IT HAD BEEN A FLASHBACK CHAPTER OR SOMETHING, and so we just don't care .
this is a book that was such a fantastic concept. six kids on a mysterious enigma of an abandoned children's tv show, the world desperate for it to return and give them their childhoods back. a podcast reunion that brings clarity to why it ended in the first place. a supernatural element. it was all there , but the delivery fails. I'm so bummed with this read.
also, side note - not sure if this was how zoomed in I had my text via kindle, but there are multiple chapters that are supposed to be mimicking reddit threads. they never showed up correctly on my kindle, with the text all over the place in random clumps and lines, and so I'd have to skip those sections completely.
October 13, 2023
Boring AF.
I love slow burns and atmospheric literary novels. Mister Magic is not that.
If this book were a colour it would be beige. If it were a food it would be poached egg whites. If it were a place it would be your grandma's sitting room. Just painfully dull.
I love slow burns and atmospheric literary novels. Mister Magic is not that.
If this book were a colour it would be beige. If it were a food it would be poached egg whites. If it were a place it would be your grandma's sitting room. Just painfully dull.
July 7, 2023
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ 4/5 stars
read if you like:
♡ creepy-pasta
♡ abstract, existentialist horror
➸ reading kiersten white’s new horror novel mister magic feels so jarringly anachronistic - as if you are once again bleary-eyed in the dead of night, scrolling through creepy-pasta and trying not to stare too hard at the shadows around you which may or may not be resolving into monstrous forms. it’s a nostalgic throwback to when the creepier corners of the internet crawled into the light with those chain-emails promising your violent evisceration if you didn’t forward them onto x amount of people. mister magic is dizzyingly psychedelic and the plot is a two-way mirror designed to throw you off the scent of what’s really going on. your eyes will glance off the true face of the story until the final hour in a way which is not unlike the nature of childhood memory and nostalgia. in here, nostalgia and memory itself are nothing more than a pernicious sleight of hand.
➸ when production abruptly stopped on kids’ tv programme mister magic and everything about it was wiped from existence, its cult-like followers were bereft. what's perhaps even more unsettling is how no one remembers the show the same or with much detail - and that’s only if they somehow happen to remember it at all. now, 30 years later, its child stars are brought back together for a reunion podcast where all is not what it seems.
➸ i’ve always been of the opinion that, in many cases, for a writer - or really any artist - their most personal work is their magnum opus. white’s latest work follows this precedent. an examination of religious trauma and cult communities, it is not a condemnation of mormonism for those who are aware of white's religious history and therefore leery of any religion shaming. this novel is an exercise in catharsis and it yields an intimate glimpse at white’s own experience as a child growing up beneath the stifling fist of indoctrination. her suitability for telling this particular story is beyond dispute.
➸ white ingeniously plays up her conjuration of old-school internet by strewing transcripts from cultish fan forums. these embattled online conspiracy theorists attempt to cling onto their memories of mister magic whilst working around a bizarre mandela effect which somehow made it possible for that once cult-classic show to have been reduced to a slippery-eel of a memory. this ambiguity is extended to the events of the novel itself, needling you with a sense of skin-crawling wrongness and snarling your comprehension of whatever is on the page.
➸ personally, my only serious issue with how this novel unfolded lies in the dialogue. it rings far too juvenile and ya for what is purportedly a group of people pushing 40. you can technically defend this point by saying it’s very much in-line with the characters’ stunted emotional growth but i’d be reluctant to concur with that. ultimately, it almost came off a little as if they were mouthpieces for teenagers. despite this, the rest of the novel is brilliant enough to dazzle you away from dwelling on that shortcoming for very long.
➸ conclusion :
prepare to be bug-eyed with mister magic in a remarkable and trippy pop-culture merry-go-round which refuses to let you off this thrilling ride or give you a chance to figure out what’s going on until it suits white in her author’s notes.
thank you netgalley for the arc !
read if you like:
♡ creepy-pasta
♡ abstract, existentialist horror
➸ reading kiersten white’s new horror novel mister magic feels so jarringly anachronistic - as if you are once again bleary-eyed in the dead of night, scrolling through creepy-pasta and trying not to stare too hard at the shadows around you which may or may not be resolving into monstrous forms. it’s a nostalgic throwback to when the creepier corners of the internet crawled into the light with those chain-emails promising your violent evisceration if you didn’t forward them onto x amount of people. mister magic is dizzyingly psychedelic and the plot is a two-way mirror designed to throw you off the scent of what’s really going on. your eyes will glance off the true face of the story until the final hour in a way which is not unlike the nature of childhood memory and nostalgia. in here, nostalgia and memory itself are nothing more than a pernicious sleight of hand.
➸ when production abruptly stopped on kids’ tv programme mister magic and everything about it was wiped from existence, its cult-like followers were bereft. what's perhaps even more unsettling is how no one remembers the show the same or with much detail - and that’s only if they somehow happen to remember it at all. now, 30 years later, its child stars are brought back together for a reunion podcast where all is not what it seems.
➸ i’ve always been of the opinion that, in many cases, for a writer - or really any artist - their most personal work is their magnum opus. white’s latest work follows this precedent. an examination of religious trauma and cult communities, it is not a condemnation of mormonism for those who are aware of white's religious history and therefore leery of any religion shaming. this novel is an exercise in catharsis and it yields an intimate glimpse at white’s own experience as a child growing up beneath the stifling fist of indoctrination. her suitability for telling this particular story is beyond dispute.
➸ white ingeniously plays up her conjuration of old-school internet by strewing transcripts from cultish fan forums. these embattled online conspiracy theorists attempt to cling onto their memories of mister magic whilst working around a bizarre mandela effect which somehow made it possible for that once cult-classic show to have been reduced to a slippery-eel of a memory. this ambiguity is extended to the events of the novel itself, needling you with a sense of skin-crawling wrongness and snarling your comprehension of whatever is on the page.
➸ personally, my only serious issue with how this novel unfolded lies in the dialogue. it rings far too juvenile and ya for what is purportedly a group of people pushing 40. you can technically defend this point by saying it’s very much in-line with the characters’ stunted emotional growth but i’d be reluctant to concur with that. ultimately, it almost came off a little as if they were mouthpieces for teenagers. despite this, the rest of the novel is brilliant enough to dazzle you away from dwelling on that shortcoming for very long.
➸ conclusion :
prepare to be bug-eyed with mister magic in a remarkable and trippy pop-culture merry-go-round which refuses to let you off this thrilling ride or give you a chance to figure out what’s going on until it suits white in her author’s notes.
thank you netgalley for the arc !
March 22, 2023
QUICK TAKE: Book friends, can I tell you how much I loved MISTER MAGIC by Kiersten White? The latest from the author of HIDE (A Jordy’s Book Club 2022 fave!), this book is bonkers in all the best ways with a central mystery that will leave you trapped on your couch turning pages.
Similar to HIDE, #MisterMagic is a supernatural thriller that subverts reader expectations and is reminiscent of movies like NOPE and IT, centered around the former child stars of a popular kids tv show as they piece together the tragic events that ultimately led to the end of the show. The book plays with the idea of The Mandela Effect (Berenstein Bears v. Berenstain Bears) and nostalgia in really fun ways, interspersing the main story with message board chats and other multimedia interstitials. I had so much fun with it, and think it’s going to be an amazing beach read when it hits bookshelves this summer (August 8th!).
Similar to HIDE, #MisterMagic is a supernatural thriller that subverts reader expectations and is reminiscent of movies like NOPE and IT, centered around the former child stars of a popular kids tv show as they piece together the tragic events that ultimately led to the end of the show. The book plays with the idea of The Mandela Effect (Berenstein Bears v. Berenstain Bears) and nostalgia in really fun ways, interspersing the main story with message board chats and other multimedia interstitials. I had so much fun with it, and think it’s going to be an amazing beach read when it hits bookshelves this summer (August 8th!).
September 21, 2024
You must read Kiersten White’s author’s note to fully appreciate Mister Magic.
Because the book isn’t really about the reunion of a group of child stars from a beloved TV program who are determined to uncover the secrets behind the tragedy that ended the show. I mean – it is, but it isn’t. That’s happening on the surface – yes – but running beneath it is a more personal story to White, one based on her own trauma.
I’ll leave it at that and say no more, because I do think it’s more impactful for the reader to finish the book and then be surprised by White’s note afterward. It puts a different spin on the story, allowing it to hit in another way.
Though be prepared for a slow burn read. The novel is classified as horror, which it is, but it’s more psychological horror than anything else, often veering into the realm of the surreal and the abstract. White takes her time to build the story and, as it progresses, does an excellent job of creating a simultaneous sense of bewilderment and dread in the reader.
I really liked Mister Magic. Looking back, I’ll admit White is at times too loud with some of her messaging. But for the most part, she makes her points with a subtlety I found to be effective.
My sincerest appreciation to Kiersten White, Del Rey, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
Because the book isn’t really about the reunion of a group of child stars from a beloved TV program who are determined to uncover the secrets behind the tragedy that ended the show. I mean – it is, but it isn’t. That’s happening on the surface – yes – but running beneath it is a more personal story to White, one based on her own trauma.
I’ll leave it at that and say no more, because I do think it’s more impactful for the reader to finish the book and then be surprised by White’s note afterward. It puts a different spin on the story, allowing it to hit in another way.
Though be prepared for a slow burn read. The novel is classified as horror, which it is, but it’s more psychological horror than anything else, often veering into the realm of the surreal and the abstract. White takes her time to build the story and, as it progresses, does an excellent job of creating a simultaneous sense of bewilderment and dread in the reader.
I really liked Mister Magic. Looking back, I’ll admit White is at times too loud with some of her messaging. But for the most part, she makes her points with a subtlety I found to be effective.
My sincerest appreciation to Kiersten White, Del Rey, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
February 28, 2023
I always keep it honest and I have to say, I didn’t really like this book. I usually like trippy horror like this but it had me completely confused and I’m still not sure exactly what was going on, lots of things didn’t make any sense at all, and certain things were completely skipped over, and the characters were written very YA even though they’re all pushing 40. A+ for the unique premise but I was certain this was going to be a 1-star read until about the 80% mark when things actually started being revealed.
The author’s note at the end confirmed that it was an allegory for events that White herself experienced, and you can feel that it was a personal and cathartic book for her. I sat with my thoughts for a day after finishing this to fully form a review. although it didn’t work for me personally it’s obvious that this is an important book for White and a topic that I don’t see much of in fiction
The author’s note at the end confirmed that it was an allegory for events that White herself experienced, and you can feel that it was a personal and cathartic book for her. I sat with my thoughts for a day after finishing this to fully form a review. although it didn’t work for me personally it’s obvious that this is an important book for White and a topic that I don’t see much of in fiction
July 5, 2024
Wow! I was not prepared for all of *that*. I went into this book with a certain level of expectations based on what I *thought* this book was going to be, but Kiersten White had a few tricks up her sleeves and now I'm just totally and completely blown away.
Who will love this book?
Readers who enjoy...
- Short chapters & multiple cliffhangers
- Mixed media elements like emails, articles, blog posts, message boards, etc
- Podcasts/documentaries for those "true crime" "reality tv" vibes
- Childhood friends reuniting to face a common threat (think Loser's club/IT)
- Mandela effect in horror--memories
- Found footage
- Religious trauma/Childhood trauma
- Conspiracy theories
- TV shows
-Horror as catharsis/therapy (it was for me)
I loved this book. I think it would make a great companion read with books like, Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle, Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay, Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison, The Children of Red Peak by Craig DiLouie, and Little Heaven by Nick Cutter
Who will love this book?
Readers who enjoy...
- Short chapters & multiple cliffhangers
- Mixed media elements like emails, articles, blog posts, message boards, etc
- Podcasts/documentaries for those "true crime" "reality tv" vibes
- Childhood friends reuniting to face a common threat (think Loser's club/IT)
- Mandela effect in horror--memories
- Found footage
- Religious trauma/Childhood trauma
- Conspiracy theories
- TV shows
-Horror as catharsis/therapy (it was for me)
I loved this book. I think it would make a great companion read with books like, Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle, Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay, Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison, The Children of Red Peak by Craig DiLouie, and Little Heaven by Nick Cutter
September 5, 2023
This should not be marketed as a horror. The premise seems to promise that, but it’s a complete missed opportunity to really explore a fascinating idea of a creepy children’s tv show. Instead, we get an extended allegory of the author’s deconstruction of her relationship with the LDS church (which, whatever, you do you, but don’t try to disguise it as a horror novel if you can’t pull it off). Also, the whole thing was completely confusing, and I only finished because I wanted some answers about the supernatural elements. I should have just quit reading.
July 22, 2023
Five former child stars once known as the ‘circle of friends’ reunite 30 years after the show they were on ended. The show was called Mister Magic and it ended due to a tragic accident. Fans of the show have vivid memories of the show and the lessons they learned from it but strangely there are no surviving videos of the show, no records of who filmed or worked on it, nothing.
Even though the friends haven't seen each other in decades, they feel as of they understand each other more than anyone they have met since. After all, they are the only ones who hold the secrets of the show and its mysterious host.
The beginning of this book really grabbed my attention with its interesting and complex characters. But unfortunately, I started to feel a bit lost as the story progressed. I wish I had read the author's note prior to reading the book, I read it after I finished and it did help me to understand and appreciate the story much more.
The story has some unique components and I thought it was very well written. Overall, I did enjoy this highly original tale and I think a lot of readers will too. I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Rebecca Lowman (Big Swiss, The Last Thing He Told Me).
Mister Magic by Kiersten White will be available on August 8 from Del Rey. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audio copy!
Even though the friends haven't seen each other in decades, they feel as of they understand each other more than anyone they have met since. After all, they are the only ones who hold the secrets of the show and its mysterious host.
The beginning of this book really grabbed my attention with its interesting and complex characters. But unfortunately, I started to feel a bit lost as the story progressed. I wish I had read the author's note prior to reading the book, I read it after I finished and it did help me to understand and appreciate the story much more.
The story has some unique components and I thought it was very well written. Overall, I did enjoy this highly original tale and I think a lot of readers will too. I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Rebecca Lowman (Big Swiss, The Last Thing He Told Me).
Mister Magic by Kiersten White will be available on August 8 from Del Rey. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audio copy!
August 1, 2023
This year has been packed with horror novels featuring premises that seem perfect for my tastes. Mister Magic is the latest: 30 years after production ceased on a mysterious kids’ TV programme, its stars are brought back together for a reunion podcast (!), the recording of which takes place at a huge, creepy house just outside an eerily perfect desert town (!!), with things being complicated by the fact that no records of the show exist and everyone remembers it differently (!!!). Clearly inspired by the ‘Candle Cove’ creepypasta, Mister Magic builds a fantastic setup and explores it well – the inserts between chapters, where we get to see extracts from various online discussions about the show (and even its Wikipedia page), were my favourite parts. Ultimately, however, the plot goes in a different direction than anticipated, examining the psychological effects of a cult-like community. It’s pretty effective, it’s just that I would have personally preferred to read more about the mythos of the show. Plus the relationships between characters are sweet but a bit cheesy. I liked The Devil’s Playground, Experimental Film and
Blue in Green
better as stories about cursed media of various types.
I received an advance review copy of Mister Magic from the publisher through Edelweiss.
I received an advance review copy of Mister Magic from the publisher through Edelweiss.
Shelved as 'wishlist'
February 4, 2023OMG this sounds like something Joe Hill would write and I am SO DOWN
October 16, 2023
reading vlog - https://youtu.be/aDnUQEYBXBQ
May 8, 2023
Again?
Again, we take a very interesting horror concept and turn it into petty, heavy-handed, ham-fisted, not even remotely subtle sociopolitical preaching in the final stretch?
You went from
I am impressed, author: You killed the tension and horror you'd managed to build up in the first two-thirds of the book with record fucking speed.
On God, I will not pick up another Kiersten White horror book. That is twice now that a decent horror plot sudden had sociopolitical bullshit dropped into the middle of it. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
September 11, 2023
Thirty years ago, there was a children's show called Mister Magic. Envision something like the Mickey Mouse Club or Barney, where a group of 6 young children use their imaginations in each episode and form a strong bond until ultimately the series abruptly ends. 30 years later, there is much interest in trying to find out why it ended and where did the childhood actors end up. Of course there is a podcast to bring this all to light, however there are no videos of the episodes and not much info on the internet. Why is that?
This had me hooked from page 1. The chapters flip between the now grown children, but mostly told thru Val's perspective as well as a few excerpts from the actual podcast. She currently is residing in a Midwest ranch teaching kids the ropes of ranch life when two of the original "Circle of Friends" from the show convince her to come to the reunion which will be aired via a Podcast.
Without going into too much more detail, because I certainly don't want to ruin the Magic for others, this had me completely trying to figure out what was going on. I liked the idea of the mystery surrounding the show and the different elements that were thrown in there. The atmosphere of where the reunion takes place was very well done- the desolateness of it - I'm always a sucker for those creepy types of towns. While at first, I was a little disappointed in how it ended, once I got to thinking about it, I think it was a great ending and perfectly fit for me once I understood what the author was trying to convey.
This certainly was different and while this won't be for everyone its worth checking out.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
This had me hooked from page 1. The chapters flip between the now grown children, but mostly told thru Val's perspective as well as a few excerpts from the actual podcast. She currently is residing in a Midwest ranch teaching kids the ropes of ranch life when two of the original "Circle of Friends" from the show convince her to come to the reunion which will be aired via a Podcast.
Without going into too much more detail, because I certainly don't want to ruin the Magic for others, this had me completely trying to figure out what was going on. I liked the idea of the mystery surrounding the show and the different elements that were thrown in there. The atmosphere of where the reunion takes place was very well done- the desolateness of it - I'm always a sucker for those creepy types of towns. While at first, I was a little disappointed in how it ended, once I got to thinking about it, I think it was a great ending and perfectly fit for me once I understood what the author was trying to convey.
This certainly was different and while this won't be for everyone its worth checking out.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
July 31, 2023
I don’t know why I keep trying with Kiersten Whites’ books, they are obviously not for me. And with this one, it was especially bad, because it focuses on cults and religion and that’s something I don’t like.
The story itself was very boring. For the most part we don’t know what it's really about, I wasn’t interested in the TV show plot or what happened when it ended and why. I didn’t connect with the characters, none of them really had personality. The main character asks about 2 million questions, no one really cares to answer those questions and just pretends she didn’t say anything. I was baffled at the idea that a 38-year old woman would decide to leave her fathers funeral with three strangers, just because they told her they knew her.
For me, the blurb was the most intriguing part of this story and I’m sad to say that I didn’t have much fun with the book.
The story itself was very boring. For the most part we don’t know what it's really about, I wasn’t interested in the TV show plot or what happened when it ended and why. I didn’t connect with the characters, none of them really had personality. The main character asks about 2 million questions, no one really cares to answer those questions and just pretends she didn’t say anything. I was baffled at the idea that a 38-year old woman would decide to leave her fathers funeral with three strangers, just because they told her they knew her.
For me, the blurb was the most intriguing part of this story and I’m sad to say that I didn’t have much fun with the book.
October 4, 2023
This book somehow managed to both not make any sense and absolutely beat you over the head with its intended meaning at the same time. I should have tapped out after 25 pages when the main character (who conveniently has memory loss for 90% of the book) decides to leave her father’s funeral for a road trip with strangers who claim they know her, but I powered through because the premise sounded so interesting, especially in this pop culture nostalgia era. Instead this was 300 pages of grown adults acting like YA characters, the most heavy-handed religious allegories you’ve ever read, and a ridiculous explanation of the world-building/magic.
April 27, 2023
Kiersten White has become an insta-buy author for me. Her work just keeps getting better and better as it goes on. When I got my hands on an ARC of Mister Magic, I was ecstatic! I read it in almost one sitting. It was just that good.
I don't want to say too much in my review to give anything away. I think this book is best taken with as little information as possible. But ultimately the story focuses around a group of adults who as children were all on a very popular TV show. However, there is no record of this show ever existing - no video, no scripts, nothing on the internet. There's just talk on message boards and memories.
The mystery was the best aspect of this book. It kept me guessing all the way up until the end. I honestly had no clue what was going on and it worked for this. I was right there with Val as she struggled to weave through what was real and what wasn't. There was this foreboding aura that surrounded Val as everyone around her knew more than they were letting on. While I didn't really understand why she stuck around with so little answers, I wanted answers too so I just went with it.
But what ultimately got me was White's authors note at the end. It was very personal and this was a very personal book for her to write. I felt like after I read her note and let the book sink in, it hit deeper. On the surface this was a very fun horror/thriller where nothing makes sense, but at the core it's about religious trauma and the effects it can have on our adult lives. I have seen some reviews mention how immature the characters seemed for being adults and I can see that aspect. There were times where I had to pause and remember I was reading an adult book where these people were in their late 30's or so. But knowing their childhoods, it's not hard to see why they are emotionally stunted. None of them were given the opportunity to really find themselves until they were forced back into this situation.
And if you have read Hide, did you catch the little Easter egg?
Another solid performance from White and I can't wait to own a physical published copy!
I don't want to say too much in my review to give anything away. I think this book is best taken with as little information as possible. But ultimately the story focuses around a group of adults who as children were all on a very popular TV show. However, there is no record of this show ever existing - no video, no scripts, nothing on the internet. There's just talk on message boards and memories.
The mystery was the best aspect of this book. It kept me guessing all the way up until the end. I honestly had no clue what was going on and it worked for this. I was right there with Val as she struggled to weave through what was real and what wasn't. There was this foreboding aura that surrounded Val as everyone around her knew more than they were letting on. While I didn't really understand why she stuck around with so little answers, I wanted answers too so I just went with it.
But what ultimately got me was White's authors note at the end. It was very personal and this was a very personal book for her to write. I felt like after I read her note and let the book sink in, it hit deeper. On the surface this was a very fun horror/thriller where nothing makes sense, but at the core it's about religious trauma and the effects it can have on our adult lives. I have seen some reviews mention how immature the characters seemed for being adults and I can see that aspect. There were times where I had to pause and remember I was reading an adult book where these people were in their late 30's or so. But knowing their childhoods, it's not hard to see why they are emotionally stunted. None of them were given the opportunity to really find themselves until they were forced back into this situation.
And if you have read Hide, did you catch the little Easter egg?
Another solid performance from White and I can't wait to own a physical published copy!
September 3, 2023
Culty, creepy, shocking, and sad. Really loved this book gave me IT vibes along with nostalgic fear of child shows. I truly never liked Barney he always scared me.
Would highly recommend -a true page turner and the audiobook was fabulous as well.
Would highly recommend -a true page turner and the audiobook was fabulous as well.
August 19, 2024
I didn't really expect to enjoy this book considering that my first experience with its author was pretty mid. Surprisingly enough though, this one really hit the ground running for me and I was into it from pretty much the get go and it held my attention till the end. The characters were great, their progression made sense and the pacing was great.
I wasn't really keen on the way the story ended though and that's the main reason this one wasn't a 5 for me.
I wasn't really keen on the way the story ended though and that's the main reason this one wasn't a 5 for me.
April 8, 2024
This fun horror novel plays with the idea of the Mandela Effect. In the world of this book, the 90s show Mister Magic is widely remembered by elder millennials…but no other evidence points to the fact that it ever existed.
At the beginning of the book we meet Val, a late-thirties woman living an isolated life on a horse ranch after being taken there by her father as a child. Her memories of life before the ranch are hazy. She soon meets two mysterious men who tell her she starred on a children’s show with them as a kid. Val takes a leap of faith and joins them for a cast reunion.
Our cast of characters slowly realizes that life on the show wasn’t as idyllic as they had remembered…and supernatural forces might have been involved.
This book cleverly addresses themes of religious control and generational trauma. It speaks to the desires of millennial parents to raise their children differently than they were. In the author’s note, we learn that the story was inspired by her own journey out of Mormonism.
This book is a pretty frank critique of organized religion. As a progressive religious person, I was personally unbothered by the anti-religious message, as my view of God is quite different than the one portrayed in this book, but your mileage may vary.
I really enjoyed reading this book, but the ending ultimately didn’t satisfy me the way I hoped it would. There were other elements of this world that I would have liked to have seen explored more deeply. But while this falls short of five stars for me, it was definitely a good time, and I will for sure be checking out more by this author.
At the beginning of the book we meet Val, a late-thirties woman living an isolated life on a horse ranch after being taken there by her father as a child. Her memories of life before the ranch are hazy. She soon meets two mysterious men who tell her she starred on a children’s show with them as a kid. Val takes a leap of faith and joins them for a cast reunion.
Our cast of characters slowly realizes that life on the show wasn’t as idyllic as they had remembered…and supernatural forces might have been involved.
This book cleverly addresses themes of religious control and generational trauma. It speaks to the desires of millennial parents to raise their children differently than they were. In the author’s note, we learn that the story was inspired by her own journey out of Mormonism.
This book is a pretty frank critique of organized religion. As a progressive religious person, I was personally unbothered by the anti-religious message, as my view of God is quite different than the one portrayed in this book, but your mileage may vary.
I really enjoyed reading this book, but the ending ultimately didn’t satisfy me the way I hoped it would. There were other elements of this world that I would have liked to have seen explored more deeply. But while this falls short of five stars for me, it was definitely a good time, and I will for sure be checking out more by this author.
September 2, 2023
This is a solid, and creepy, tale of a childrens show that everybody remembers watching as kids, but can't find any episodes of it as adults. It's a circle of friends, that will remind you of the misfits from "It" by Stephen King, who must complete the circle for the magic to happen.
Equally parts weird and spooky, and kept me entertained throughout. The ending felt off to me, but that's about the only gripe I have with the author. Definitely binge worthy, pick it up!
Equally parts weird and spooky, and kept me entertained throughout. The ending felt off to me, but that's about the only gripe I have with the author. Definitely binge worthy, pick it up!
July 3, 2023
I have really struggled with horror this year. I've disliked more than I've liked. So it was a wonderful relief when MISTER MAGIC came along and swept me off my feet. With eerie creepypasta vibes and memories you're not sure are real or fake, I was in from the beginning. White builds a great sense of strangeness where you are always figuring things out just the slightest bit before they are revealed in the text. The third act we finally start getting more on the nose and concrete, but even then there were enough surprises and enough fluidity to the story to keep it fresh. A big step up from HIDE, in concept, pacing, and character.
It is at its best when we are around the edges of this television show no one is actually sure they remember because no version of it exists anywhere. And we get a great slow roll of info for our protagonist, Val, who has forgotten all of it even though she was one of the show's stars. This takes some very strong steps into the supernatural, but I thought the way it led you there step by step worked.
Most of the book is unwilling to be pinned down. It enjoys the weird and strange, the uncanny. I think more traditional thriller readers may struggle with just how loose some of it can be, but for me that was the book's biggest strength. Reminded me of a movie like THE EMPTY MAN where we just start wandering and it's not totally clear where we will land.
Inevitably third acts in this kind of high concept situation are the weak point and that's true here, too. Our characters become more wooden and trope-based, the reveals get less interesting. But because this is so common in even the best horror novels, I didn't mind it so much.
I kept thinking I was seeing things in this narrative and then thinking no I'm just putting my own personal read on everything. It was subtle, not quite big enough to mean something. And then I got to the author's note at the end and realized Oh my gut feeling that this was written by an ex-Mormon was not just me imposing my own experience on a story! I am sympathetic to just how on the nose some of the themes are, but mostly I think this isn't too heavyhanded with what White is diving into.
It is at its best when we are around the edges of this television show no one is actually sure they remember because no version of it exists anywhere. And we get a great slow roll of info for our protagonist, Val, who has forgotten all of it even though she was one of the show's stars. This takes some very strong steps into the supernatural, but I thought the way it led you there step by step worked.
Most of the book is unwilling to be pinned down. It enjoys the weird and strange, the uncanny. I think more traditional thriller readers may struggle with just how loose some of it can be, but for me that was the book's biggest strength. Reminded me of a movie like THE EMPTY MAN where we just start wandering and it's not totally clear where we will land.
Inevitably third acts in this kind of high concept situation are the weak point and that's true here, too. Our characters become more wooden and trope-based, the reveals get less interesting. But because this is so common in even the best horror novels, I didn't mind it so much.
I kept thinking I was seeing things in this narrative and then thinking no I'm just putting my own personal read on everything. It was subtle, not quite big enough to mean something. And then I got to the author's note at the end and realized Oh my gut feeling that this was written by an ex-Mormon was not just me imposing my own experience on a story! I am sympathetic to just how on the nose some of the themes are, but mostly I think this isn't too heavyhanded with what White is diving into.
March 25, 2023
Kiersten White is a fantastically creepy author and Mister Magic is no exception. This book is about Val and her circle of friends who were on the children’s show, Mister Magic. Thirty years after it was shut down, the five surviving cast members have tried to move on from what happened years ago. But what did happen? There is no record of the show Mister Magic anywhere; no producers, scripts, camera people, or record of the show online. What was it about again? And who, or what, was Mister Magic? A puppet? CGI? A man?
When the castmates are brought back together to record a podcast on the show, they feel like they are back where they belong. Even though Val has no memories before the age of six, she knows these friends and it feels like they belong together. But soon they begin to ask themselves, are they here by choice, or have the been lured into a trap much more sinister than they could ever imagine.
Thoughts: What a TRIP! This book was like if the children who were on Barney were also part of a cult and had the show shut down because someone died. You know. Tale as old as time. This book was abstract and complex and I loved it. Essentially it was talking about the cultish way we follow religion without having flexibility to make mistakes. It’s about forgiving ourselves for being human and giving ourselves grace every day. It used religious trauma as a plotpoint and brought up so many good points about our childhood. It was trippy and nostalgic and I really loved the multimedia aspect as well.
I loved how eerie the house was. It was a sinister character in itself and gave me the creeps. There was a clear message about racism, homophobia, and sexism, but it bothered me that the main characters were all one dimensional and known for a singular character trait without depth. Without reading the author’s note this can be very disappointing and feels one note. I can see how this book could be confusing or disappointing if taken for face value, but as someone who loves the subtext of books, I found it terrifying and creepy and realistic. 4-stars
When the castmates are brought back together to record a podcast on the show, they feel like they are back where they belong. Even though Val has no memories before the age of six, she knows these friends and it feels like they belong together. But soon they begin to ask themselves, are they here by choice, or have the been lured into a trap much more sinister than they could ever imagine.
Thoughts: What a TRIP! This book was like if the children who were on Barney were also part of a cult and had the show shut down because someone died. You know. Tale as old as time. This book was abstract and complex and I loved it. Essentially it was talking about the cultish way we follow religion without having flexibility to make mistakes. It’s about forgiving ourselves for being human and giving ourselves grace every day. It used religious trauma as a plotpoint and brought up so many good points about our childhood. It was trippy and nostalgic and I really loved the multimedia aspect as well.
I loved how eerie the house was. It was a sinister character in itself and gave me the creeps. There was a clear message about racism, homophobia, and sexism, but it bothered me that the main characters were all one dimensional and known for a singular character trait without depth. Without reading the author’s note this can be very disappointing and feels one note. I can see how this book could be confusing or disappointing if taken for face value, but as someone who loves the subtext of books, I found it terrifying and creepy and realistic. 4-stars
July 12, 2023
4.5 stars
Wowowow, this book hit me. I had no idea what to expect going into this. I honestly don't know if what I want to talk about is a spoiler or not. I feel like this book is going to really work for some people, and that other people might not really get it. It's very symbolic, atmospheric, and I would say personal to people who have experienced certain trauma. If you have lived through this, it will probably slap you in the face like it did me, but if you didn't, you may be a little lost. It's hard for me to say. All that aside, I thought the writing was great! And I listen to the audiobook and Rebecca Lowman is phenomenal. I thought it was super bingeable, creepy, mysterious, and easy to be absorbed into. It wasn't scary. So if you're looking for a true horror novel, you might be disappointed. But I am so happy I gave this book a chance.
The following isn't exactly a spoiler, but if you don't want to know anything about the book going into it, just to see how you react to it, don't read any further.
About the 50% mark, it hit me that this book was about religious trauma. And I cannot even describe to you the accuracy in the way that this book symbolically represented so much of what happened to me in my life. Kiersten White does an incredible job of representing what it's like to grow up in a very conservative religious environment. And to feel both happy and comforted, and like there's something not right at the same time. I swear, if I had known ahead of time how much this book was going to affect me, I would have had a notebook to keep all of my thoughts straight. I'm tempted, when this book comes out, to re-read and annotate the whole thing, and I've never annotated a book in my entire life. If you grew up in an ultra conservative religious environment, or are interested in what it's like, I feel like you are going to eat this book up.
Wowowow, this book hit me. I had no idea what to expect going into this. I honestly don't know if what I want to talk about is a spoiler or not. I feel like this book is going to really work for some people, and that other people might not really get it. It's very symbolic, atmospheric, and I would say personal to people who have experienced certain trauma. If you have lived through this, it will probably slap you in the face like it did me, but if you didn't, you may be a little lost. It's hard for me to say. All that aside, I thought the writing was great! And I listen to the audiobook and Rebecca Lowman is phenomenal. I thought it was super bingeable, creepy, mysterious, and easy to be absorbed into. It wasn't scary. So if you're looking for a true horror novel, you might be disappointed. But I am so happy I gave this book a chance.
The following isn't exactly a spoiler, but if you don't want to know anything about the book going into it, just to see how you react to it, don't read any further.
About the 50% mark, it hit me that this book was about religious trauma. And I cannot even describe to you the accuracy in the way that this book symbolically represented so much of what happened to me in my life. Kiersten White does an incredible job of representing what it's like to grow up in a very conservative religious environment. And to feel both happy and comforted, and like there's something not right at the same time. I swear, if I had known ahead of time how much this book was going to affect me, I would have had a notebook to keep all of my thoughts straight. I'm tempted, when this book comes out, to re-read and annotate the whole thing, and I've never annotated a book in my entire life. If you grew up in an ultra conservative religious environment, or are interested in what it's like, I feel like you are going to eat this book up.
January 7, 2024
An intriguing premise, but the story felt messy and never really came together for me. The characters are one dimensional and we're told everything and never shown, by halfway my mind had started to wander, and even though I made myself struggle on to the end, not much of it has stayed with me 😬. I'm sure there's a good story in there somewhere, but I failed to find it. The author's notes at the end are worth reading first, they might help to make a bit of sense of it all.
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