This is deeply unsettling, which is good because it's horror so that means it's well done, but it also means I wanted to finish it really quickly because I was so uncomfortable with it. It didn't hit me in quite the same way as Hide, which I was obsessed with, and that might be partly because even though I could see the Mormonism White was working with, I have no personal connection to that area of [whiteness or religion or class, so it simply didn't tug at my heartstrings and I probably missed some more subtle stuff. Anyway, it could also be because I was reading an electronic galley so the formatting was off and that made it hard to follow some transitions, but the voice of this just didn't quite cohere the way I wanted it to in the end. Fine but not great.

Mister Magic is another wonderful addition by Kiersten White who never seems to disappoint. The story was incredibly interesting and I enjoyed the characters. It’s been a long time since a book is able to give me chills and this one definitely succeeded.

LOVE LOVE LOVE!
It created such a vibe for me when reading! I felt like I was thinking all the shows I watched growing up like the quirky Romper Room with the mirror and puppets totally differently after reading!

Great plot, fast read, super characters, this book was a winner!Thankful for the ARC!

i enjoyed this one more than i thought i would. the nostalgia of media, in artifice and artistry is always ripe to mine. it seemed very reminiscent of different creepypastas and online urban legends to me. pretty good

A bizarre and dark take on corruption of the innocent and the cult of tv. The circle of friends has reunited from Mister Magic but Val remembers nothing about their time together. As pieces start being exposed and a greater threat emerges, what exactly is Mister Magic and what happened all those years ago when the circle was broken…and what will happen now they have come back together?

Very strange and compelling story. Not edge of your seat scary but a slow creeping that gives you a sense of dread.

As I was reading this, I couldn't help but draw comparisons to my own life and experiences. I felt so connected to these characters and what they were going through; so much so that I knew there was something more. Upon reading the author's note, it all came together for me. It seems easy enough to draw parallels to the horrific nature of child stardom, but Kiersten White writes of an even deeper, darker evil of childhood: religion. To compare the two sent me reeling, in the most introspective of ways. It's interesting how you don't question any of the things you should be questioning when you're a kid. The blind trust we give adults, and the downright disrespect they show that trust is astonishing. This had me on the edge of my seat, and it was the perfect blend of existentialism, complexity, and terror.

I loved Hide, and enjoyed her other books, so I went into this book thinking it was going to be a good time. It wasn’t a bad time, but it could have been a better time. I will start off with I knew the theme behind the story while I was reading. It was too vague at times. The characters felt a bit shallow. I think the ending was my least favourite, I wanted more of a climax. I also thought the main character was a bit contradictory. The mystery part of it kept me reading as I wanted to know how it ended.

I like the author's writing style and I thought the concept was original and interesting. Unfortunately, the beginning is a slog and it threw off the entire book for me. The second half is much better and when I realized the inspiration behind the book and the point White was trying to make, I enjoyed it more. Characterizations could've been improved, but I think White did well with how many main and supporting characters appear in the book. Not my favorite thriller, although I'm not sure you would label it a thriller since it's more an expose on dealing with religious trauma.

Mister Magic is a children's show that everyone remembers watching, but doesn't seem to actually exist (there's no information on the web about the production, nor are there any recordings). The six children from the last iteration of the show are coming together for a reunion podcast and potential reboot of the show, but their memories of their time on the show are spotty to non-existent. This book was a bit creepy and a little bit weird but devolved into an allegory for the horror of religious fundamentalism, particularly fundamental Mormons. The author did grow up Mormon and in the afterword mentions that her upbringing in Mormonism directly reflected on this book. The 'reveal' of who was behind Mister Magic was broadcasted pretty heavily once the six children reached the recording destination for the podcast, but overall an interesting and mildly disturbing book.

This book was such an interesting premise and i enjoyed most of the ride, but the ending did not sell it for me.

This was a really creative horror story! I was captivated by the plot's unpredictability and complexity. The book delves into societal pressures and childhood trauma, highlighting the conflicting messages children receive about behavior and creativity. From the start, the book had me hooked, and the pacing was really consistent! While I did guess the podcast narrator's identity early on, the rest of the story kept me totally engaged. I didn't love "Hide," so I was pleasantly surprised by liking this so much!

After reading and loving Kiersten White's book Hide in 2022, I was super excited to see that she was publishing another book in the same vein. Mister Magic was super weird, but I also really liked it overall? There were a few confusing parts that I would have loved more clarity on regarding all of the other-worldly supernatural elements and some of the background information on the friends making deals that were mentioned but not really expanded upon, but there was an eeriness from the very beginning of this book that drove my interest from start to finish. I always felt like I was missing some key piece of information, but in the case of this book, it worked for me. I couldn't quite tell what was real and what was not, and I had no idea what was going to end up happening. Overall, this was really fun, and I would love to see White keep publishing these darker thriller/horror novels.

CW for parent death, abandonment, child abuse, child death, homophobia, religious bigotry, alcoholism, racism.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC of Mister Magic by Kiersten White.

*Review will be posted 6/16/24

This was an interesting book that had a lot of depth but I think the pacing and ending took from the impact it could have had. For context, I think it's important to know that Kiersten White drew on her experiences as a member of the Mormon church and her departure thereafter to inform parts of the novel. I think anyone who has experienced religious trauma will be able to see that and connect to it, but also anyone who has felt the weight of other's expectations.

I really loved the format Kiersten White used for this book. We had chat forums, emails, and articles along with POVs from all 5 of the ex-child stars. It felt dynamic and fun. 

Mister Magic was surrounded by mystery. The premise of the story was a group of childhood friends trying to uncover their memories of their time on a children's TV show. No tapes or clips existed anywhere online but it had a cult following. Val more than anyone else wants the truth because she has no memories of her childhood. She spent her whole life hidden away on a ranch believing that she had done something terrible for her father to be hiding her away.


Without spoiling the plot, I have to say that things progressed very slowly. I can understand that Val needed to reconnect with her friends and family, but it did feel very slow at times because we weren't getting enough information about the show. This was a case where character development wasn't enough to carry the story. I loved Val and the others, but I really wanted answers. 

I can't get too much into the reasons why I disliked the ending without spoiling it, but it basically boiled down to this: Kiersten White wanted to show the characters breaking the pattern and carving their own futures, but I feel like Val didn't get that. More than anyone else, she deserved that. A chance to reclaim her life, to have a future where she wasn't hiding away anymore or stuck following someone else's rules. I felt like the town also didn't pay enough for what they'd done and the way things ended still felt like they won because they managed to ensnare another person. I felt like Val's reason for making her choice shouldn't have closed the door to other possibilities. She deserved more. 

Overall, it was a fun read but the plot was definitely slow and the ending wasn't what I wanted. I think the message and symbolism were strong, but maybe too much for its intended audience. I think most young adults wouldn't necessarily be able to connect to it the same way, but I could be wrong. Despite its flaws, I do recommend this book because I loved the messages embedded in it and I loved the creepy factor.

"Mister Magic," Kiersten White's latest novel, is a chilling and thought-provoking exploration of childhood trauma and the power of collective memory. The story follows Val, a former child star haunted by her experiences on a mysterious children's television show called "Mister Magic." As Val reunites with her fellow cast members, they begin to uncover the dark secrets that have plagued them for years.

White masterfully weaves together elements of horror, mystery, and psychological suspense. The narrative unfolds through a series of flashbacks and present-day events, gradually revealing the disturbing truth behind the seemingly innocent children's show. The atmosphere is eerie and unsettling, leaving the reader constantly on edge.

The characters are complex and well-developed, each grappling with their own demons and repressed memories. Val, in particular, is a compelling protagonist, her resilience and determination shining through despite the trauma she has endured. The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, their individual struggles adding depth and nuance to the story.

One of the novel's strengths is its exploration of the lasting impact of childhood trauma. White delves into the complexities of memory and the ways in which past experiences can shape our lives. The themes of manipulation, gaslighting, and the silencing of children's voices are all explored with sensitivity and insight.

While "Mister Magic" is a captivating read, it may not be for everyone. The slow burn pace and ambiguous ending may frustrate some readers. However, those who enjoy psychological thrillers with a touch of the supernatural will find much to appreciate in this chilling and thought-provoking novel.

A former child star investigates what happened to end the show and the host with other cast mates. The only problem is, there’s no record of the show or recording. This reminds me of a creepy pasta.

"Mister Magic" by Kiersten White offers an intriguing premise and nostalgia for fans of classic children's programming, but ultimately fell short for me. While the mystery surrounding the show and its characters drew me in, the execution felt lacking, with pacing issues and underdeveloped characters. The concept of revisiting childhood trauma and secrets held potential, but the resolution felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, "Mister Magic" didn't captivate me as much as I had hoped, and I found myself wishing for more depth and complexity in its storytelling.

Fun and quick read! A little heavy-handed in its messaging, but not the worst I've encountered. That's counterbalanced by the likeability of the characters, the format, and the quick pace of the story.

I have tried to finish this book countless times. I mean that literally—I keep picking it up, try to read a few more pages, but cannot make myself care about the characters. Unfortunately, they feel one-dimensional. The story is an excellent concept, and I was thrilled to read it, but similarly to Whit's other horror-leaning book, Hide, the execution didn't work for me. It came across as YA, was primarily showing rather than telling, and was just...boring. Maybe the ending improves things, but I've been trying to read it for nearly a year, and I can't make myself get that far.

This one was creepy. A specific chapter gave me chills and if you have read it, it probably did too (palm IKYK🫣).📺

A group of friends trying to figure out what truly happened the day they were separated and are now back together. Some memories are lost and some remember it all. It gave me It & Stranger Things vibes and I truly enjoyed this adventure and that ending was perfect yet unexpected.📚

This is a book that captivated me from page one. I really enjoyed the cult-like story that wasn’t completely cultish the entire time. The acknowledgment chapter was absolutely fabulous as well and it really added to the story for me.

I received this from NetGalley and it took me much longer to pick it up than I originally planned. By the time I did, I had already ordered a physical copy from Aardvark Book Club and my audiobook copy had come in from the library. So I listened to the audiobook and it added so much to the story. I really enjoyed the audio performance and highly recommend.

Overall this story is one that I’ll be thinking about for a long time. 4.5⭐️