
Member Reviews

I kinda wish the author's note had been at the beginning of the book instead of the end for this one. It might have helped me understand where she was coming from. But in the end, I don't think it matters if I understand where she was coming from -- Kiersten White wrote this book for herself, and what we think of it is, in many ways, irrelevant.
Mister Magic is weird and existential and metaphorical and doesn't make a ton of sense and most of the time I had no idea what was going on. It's clearly an allegory about White's departure from the Mormon church, which she explains in the author's note. And it will probably help you understand the book if you know that up front. But even if you don't understand it at all, White has accomplished something that all of us who have left toxic religion behind need: she's explained her upbringing, her guilt, her memories, her childhood and so much more to HERSELF. The fact that she's also explaining it to the reader is secondary.
The audience for this book is probably on a spectrum -- on one end are those who have been through what White has and will totally get it. On the other are people who have no experience with religion and won't get the metaphor at all. I'm somewhere in the middle, and the book left me feeling like I did in college when a professor talked about quantum physics: I feel like I almost get it, like I have glimmers of understanding, but just as I reach out to grab it, it's gone. I hovered on the edge of understanding here too. But the explanation wasn't for me. It was for White herself. And as someone recovering from her own religious hangover, I hope writing this book was cathartic for her.
For those who don't understand the metaphor, the book will probably prove somewhat disappointing. This is the second time lately I've said this about a book, but I think Stephen King could have written the h*ll out of this premise. A bunch of now-grown child actors, a kids' show that ended mysteriously, the collective memory of a bunch of millennials who may or may not remember what they think they remember. It has the makings of a brilliant supernatural horror story. If that's what you're expecting (as I was), you're going to wish Stephen King had beaten White to the punch. If you can let go of those expectations and see the story for the healing vibe that it is, you might be able to appreciate it for itself.
I'm unclear on what, exactly, happens to Val and Kitty, on why their parents were the way they were, what or who the interviewer is, or what the town of Bliss represents. Your mileage may vary. But if I could talk to Kiersten White, I'm pretty sure she'd say she feels better for having written this book, and I'm glad she did.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book!

I’ve been a big fan of this author from one of her YA series, and have enjoyed her last adult novel and this one was pretty good too! It had a lot of different ideas in it, just like the last one did. I loved the idea of the mysterious cult like 90s children’s tv show. I also liked all the social media or people speculating about it online and how anything about it online seemed to disappear shortly after being put up. Although in my e-galley certain things in that ended up being one letter per line and I had to try to read that which was difficult, I assume it won’t be like that in the finished copies.
The whole forgetting and not having any idea exactly what she and her father were hiding from aspect of Val’s life was perfect because it meant we didn’t know either. It meant I had to keep reading and turning the pages to see just what might have actually happened. Even the other characters weren’t straight about who or what they wanted. And the little bits in between main chapters when we got letters or emails between people supposedly wanting the show back weren’t clear in what exactly they wanted about the show.
When we finally learn kind of what is going on with the characters and Mister Magic himself, who he “really” is, some of the answers are still kind of vague, and while it was a little irritating for me as someone who wants to know all of the reasons, it made sense and made the story complete the way it was.
Definitely another good read from Kiersten White and I look forward to more of her horror stories in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC!
Okay, so when I started this book, I immediately thought of Romper Room, a tv show about preschoolers with a lady that had a magic mirror. I don’t remember all the details but if you were old enough to know this show then you know! This book is like taking Romper Room and having actual magic, and not all of it good. There are six children that form the friend circle and the show is about them playing and learning lessons. Suddenly, the show is off the air and 30 years later, one of the children, now an adult is thrust back into a life she doesn’t remember. They are many twists and turns and some of it went over my head but I had a blast reading it.

After reading HIDE i was super stoked to read Mister Magic . I was expecting another intense thriller ,but this was not that exactly .It was strange and abstract . You do keep turning the pages fast but I’ve not read another book like this . 30 years after Mister Magic leaves the airwaves the cast reunites for a podcast . There is a mystery to solve. This is a very different book and after reading the author’s note at the end explaining it all I was all clear . If you want something off the beaten path this is for you

This was a really fun story. I really liked the premise of the book and thoroughly enjoyed a good part of the book. I was intrigued and on the edge of my seat to learn what was going on with this story in the larger part of the story. However, I struggled a bit with the climax and ending of the story. That said, it was a fun story, gave me all of the nostalgic vibes from 90s tv shows, and kept me entertained for hours.

This book has a compelling and dark premise, and I enjoyed the beginning quite a bit. My middling rating has more to do with the supernatural aspects, which I personally am not a huge fan of.

There was so much about this that I enjoyed. I felt that the last chapter really wrapped the story up in the only way I would have been happy with. While there were parts that were definitely creepy and gave serious cult vibes, I felt that it wasn’t over the top or hard to read. There was a spot (I don’t want to say where, as to avoid spoilers) that I felt was a little confusing at first but made more sense towards the end of the novel. I’d recommend this to anyone who wants a quick culty vibe read!

The cast of characters were interesting enough to keep me engaged, but mostly this story gets all my stars for the unique premise and setting. There’s cult-y vibes and it’s mainly about the rules and cultural expectations we learn as a child and realizing that the values you hold may not be what you truly believe. I'd categorize it as horror although it's not really scary so much as tense.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really, really, really enjoyed this book! The story was so original, I can honestly say, unlike any book I’ve ever read! I loved how the plot focuses on a tv show with six “friends” and Mister Magic building worlds together and haw they come back together after 30 years to solve the mysteries behind the show. The characters were complex and the story kept me engaged from the first page to the last. I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys horror, mysteries, and a touch of science fiction!

I liked White's first, Hide, quite a bit but felt it suffered from some editing issues and could have been really good instead of just entertaining - fell down in the third act quite a bit. This one has learned from experience and stands up from start to finish - I enjoyed it immensely and will be recommending it.

Honestly, I thought the idea of this book was incredibly interesting, but it ended up falling a bit flat for me. Throughout the entire book I just had WAY too many questions. Any time we came close to maybe getting an answer we didn't, and instead got more questions. They did all get answered by the end, but it all comes in one go, and I just think it would have been a bit more interesting if it was just a bit more spread out. I also just think the ending was a bit of a let down. I understand why it is the way it is, especially after the acknowledgements and reading about what this book means to the author, but it just felt a little bit anti-climactic. I did quite like the cast of characters. Val was easily the blandest of them though. She was just really one note, and didn't seem to be anything besides "stubborn" (as this book keeps reminding us of). The other characters felt more like real people and I loved seeing more depth to them as the book continued. I also like how eery this book was. The mystery around the show was created really well, especially with the bits from online forums included. It made it all seem larger scale than just the story of Val would have been, and made it all seem quite unsettling. So yeah, this did some good things but I was missing some things.

A boldly and bravely told story of childhood magic and adult regret! White uses her gift of atmospheric tension to transport us into a world where need is reality and want is poison, where everything is perfectly built on a festering foundation of lies. Your heart will ache and yet you’ll leave strangely soothed. Excellent story telling!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my free copy. These opinions are my own.

3.5 out of 5 stars (3.5 / 5) Honestly, I’m not sure how to rate this one. I loved it and I hated it. It put me through the ringer, so much so that I had my husband read it to see if I was interpreting correctly.
This is a confusing book. There is a lot of symbolism and more. There are parts I will never fully understand but I believe that’s because of my experiences; the “lens” I look through in life. But if you have or have had a similar “lens,” then this will hit you in ways you wouldn’t expect.
Each character has their own meaning. They range in race and personality but also purpose. They each had a purpose on the show with Mister Magic. It was how they grew up, how they were taught about life and the world and how they were expected to live. It was also how they taught others and were expected to teach others.
“People think children’s lives are simple, easy, but it’s the opposite. Everything that happens around them affects them, and they don’t have the power to affect any of it back.”
Then something interferes. It throws the entire show off and it cannot be made the same anymore. The people are not the same, the feeling is not the same and through this “lens,” nothing will ever be the same. But the question is; Is that a bad thing?
“Doesn’t it feel good … to have the magic back for a moment? The magic that was always there for you, that always worked. Until the day it didn’t.”
What I’m choosing to take away from this book is how Mister Magic changed. Instead of instructions, and rules and specific ways of doing things, Mister Magic changed and did everything with love. It didn’t matter if someone did it wrong, they were given love. It didn’t matter if they questioned it, fought against it, looked different, was different, thought different, or felt different. The only answer was love.
While I’m dying to start belting out, “All You Need Is Love,” I’ll spare everyone and just make it known that I agree with love. Being a parent, a wife, a friend, a sibling and more, all I need is love. All I hope I give is love. And hopefully through that love, people can see through my “lens” of life.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the copy!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of Mister Magic in exchange for an honest review.
Mister Magic is a dark supernatural thriller about a group of former child stars who reunite to uncover the tragedy that ended their show, and the secret of its enigmatic host. The book is a slow-burning mystery that builds suspense and dread with each page. White does a masterful job of creating a creepy and unsettling atmosphere, and the characters are all well-developed and complex.
The book explores themes of childhood trauma, memory, and the power of suggestion. It is a thought-provoking and disturbing read that will stay with you long after you finish it. I highly recommend it to fans of horror, mystery, and psychological thrillers.

Thank you to Random House Ballentine for granting my wish. This book feels unique yet nostalgic. I love a good mystery/thriller and this is one of the best I've read lately! 4 stars.

Mister Magic is a creepy, ominous, and propulsive read that you will not want to put down until the very end. Mister Magic is about a children’s television show that everyone seems to remember, but no one can find a trace of the show actually existing. When it’s announced that there will soon be a podcast about the show, this pulls the five cast members together who have not been reunited since the show suddenly ended on suspicious terms.
It’s difficult to review a book like this without giving too much away, so I’ll just say that if you enjoy books that are a little dark and mysterious, this is a fun read. I liked the cast of characters a lot and how there were constantly new questions being raised after every reveal. I highly recommend adding Mister Magic to your reading list this year!

So... a really strong story requiring an even stronger suspension of disbelief...
Is everything explained... no. Not even close. Does anything make sense, or even get addressed in the story? Again, not quite.
But what this DOES do is recapture the nostalgia of unrestrained youth, the importance of childhood friends, and the danger of conforming too closely to other's wishes.
Ultimately written about her restrained, conformist religious upbringing, White shows the power of being yourself while keeping us entertained. We all need a Mister Magic, where he comes from is the question!
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

An Intriguing Concept with Room for Improvement - ★★★☆☆
"Mister Magic" by Kiersten White is a novel that presents a unique and imaginative concept that instantly caught my attention. White's creativity shines through in her world-building. However, while the book has its moments of brilliance, there are aspects that left me wanting more.
On the flip side, the pacing of the story can be a bit uneven. There are moments of excitement and intrigue, but there were also times when the plot seemed to drag, causing my attention to waver. Additionally, while the concept of magic is captivating, I found myself wanting more depth and exploration. The mechanics of magic, its limitations, and its impact on society could have been fleshed out further to provide a richer and more immersive experience.
Character development is another aspect that fell a bit short for me. While the main character shows promise with her complexities, some of the secondary characters felt underdeveloped and lacked the depth needed to make their motivations and actions fully understandable.
"Mister Magic" has the foundation for an outstanding story, but it left me wishing for more depth, consistency, and character growth. Kiersten White's imagination is evident, and I believe that with some refinement, this could be a series with a lot of potential.

3.5 stars rounded down
Mister magic has an unique and interesting set up. A children's TV show that everyone remembers, yet there is no footage of it. One of the main characters in the show has no memory of ever being on it, when she is found by her castmates to do a reunion. There are so many secrets and so many questions that go unanswered for our main character. I was hooked in and enjoying the ride....but as the book went on, I felt like I may never get answers.
"Either way, the rules defining this biting, lonely reality mold you, shape you, then break you. Tell you that you deserve to be broken, you're better off broken, you should be grateful to be broken. God or society or some twisted combination of the two is watching"
As you read on, there are some heavy feelings/observations dropped like this, where you know that it is all heavily metaphorical...but of what? I wasn't 100% sure until I read the author's note, and then I appreciated it all a bit more. I will leave it up to you if you want to discover that note before or after reading....but I think I would have liked to know beforehand, as I may have gotten a bit more out of it. Either way, this is a unique read that kept me wanting to know more.

Based off some other reviews I may be in the minority here, but - I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read this in 2 days, I truly couldn’t put it down. And when I did, I couldn’t wait to pick it up again. Although I love to read and can read pretty quickly, it doesn’t happen too often nowadays that I finish a book in 2 days given I have a busy life/schedule (sorry, I digress). All I’m trying to say is, this book had me captivated from the synopsis.
I will give no spoilers because honestly, you just have to read it and interpret it yourself. I will say, it’s weird. It’s trippy. It makes you think about things that you may not normally think about (or in my case, expand on thoughts I have had). If you have an open mind, i.e. existential thoughts are present or a topic you are interested in, then I think you will enjoy this book.
Being that this is a different type of horror/thriller than one may be used to, I can see this book being confusing for some. In my opinion, thrillers that make you think outside the box are more appealing. The metaphors present really open your eyes to what is happening in parts of our world, which is in itself a whole different type of horror.
I will mention that there is *something* that influenced/impacted this story, per White herself (that’s all I will say - no spoilers/manipulating your views) HOWEVER, in all honesty, this book wasn’t about that to me. While it may have been the driving force for White, I felt something different here. It brought up different feelings and thoughts and emotions - I would love to chat more without giving spoilers so DM ME if you want to talk more about this book!
Thank you to @netgalley + @randomhouse for this eARC!