<b>What really happened on your favorite TV show?</b>

I loved Hide, so this book was an instant yes for me. I was so excited when I was able to snag a review copy as well, it was hard to read my library books first!

This book hit a lot of personal notes for me. The description of Val as a child, "Nobody can make Val do what Val doesn't want to do" fits my own youngest child to a T, and is something I struggle with every day. Also this book touches on what it means to be a woman, especially in certain cultures, (I'll touch on that in a moment) and traditional gender roles in general, as well as toxic messaging and ideals. Things I've fought against my whole life. It really made this book hit home for me.

There were also some things that stood or for me because my husband is an exmormon, and I'm active in the exmormon community, at least on social media. Some of the phrasing was definitely reminiscent of things said in that particular religion, and sure enough, there are mentions of Brigham Young as well. So those moments definitely got my attention, and I could really get what she was talking about.

The story itself is captivating, and although I guessed some of what was going to happen and some of the characters' motivations, there were other parts that definitely kept me guessing. The ending, while not giving me what I personally wanted, was still very satisfying and well done. Overall, just a fantastic book, and definitely going on my best of 2023 so far list.

Also, don't skip the acknowledgments. The author gives a lot of insight into herself, and the book, as well as some words of inspiration for anyone in certain cultures. One last thing, shout-out to other Bunnicula fans out there! I never see it talked about, so that little mention made my day.

Happy pub day to Kiersten White! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

I liked Hide, so I was excited to give this one a go and the synopsis spoke to my late Gen X heart. This definitely hit some nostalgia notes, but with a dark and creepy twists. I feel like I can't go much into the plot because it will give too much away. Mister Magic is definitely a stronger book than Hide, and a page turner perfect for summer reading.

Mister Magic did not do it for me. If I were to read the author's note in the back of the book first, I would have liked the storyline better. It definitely would have made more sense because the whole time you're reading, you're confused about what is going on, and even once you get a moment's clarity, it still didn't entirely add up for me.

I felt no connection to any of the characters. They were bland, and none made me want to read the story. I wanted more horror throughout the whole book than what you get. I did enjoy some areas, like the random articles from people discussing the show and remembering watching it as kids, but other than that, the whole book felt very "meh," which was a bummer because the premise sounds outstanding. Maybe cult followings are not for me.

Thank you, NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, for providing an eARC of Mister Magic. This review is being left voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.

Thank you to Kiersten, Del Rey, and Netgalley for an advance copy of Mister Magic.

Mister Magic was that kids show. The one that everyone loved, that everyone wishes they could find again and reclaim their innocence and wonder that time has stolen from them. Unfortunately, for unknown reasons, there is no trace of it anywhere. In fact, when people begin to talk about it too much or speculate on what happened or why…the posts are removed. Mister Magic lives only in fragmented memories. Until five friends…the last five who were the child actors on Mister Magic…come face to face again to do a reunion conversation for a podcast. Like the fans of the show, the Circle also have very hazy distorted memories of what happened on the show. They cannot recall a director, nor can they remember exactly why the show came to an end - just that one of their Circle is no longer alive.

As they return to the place of filming for the reunion, things aren’t adding up and they start to wonder if they were brought back together under false pretenses. And if so, who of them isn’t being a faithful and honest friend?

— there will be some mild spoilers as to the overall theme, however nothing specific about the plot of the story will be discussed —

I continue to be impressed with Kiersten’s adult novels, as well as her particular style of horror writing. It is definitely not for everyone. She is what the genre has come to refer to as “elevated horror” - all of the elements of horror are there, but there’s a deeper meaning, an allegory to what we’re presented. In this case Mister Magic referred to religion as a whole, but specifically her mormon upbringing. Readers could connect with it in a variety of ways, however. Religion, harsh parenting, even society as a whole and the restrictions that we are put under, the lengths at which a person in control will go to get us in line and conforming. Personally, I found a lot of connection in looking at parenting, and myself as a mother. I found myself looking at ways that we truly restrict our children from being who they are, the innocence and freedom of childhood - but also the chains that come with being a child.

With five different characters (there is a greater focus on one, but the rest are also explored due to third person narrative), you really get to see the different ways that people handle past trauma. We got to know everyone well enough that I was invested in seeing each of them through to the end and worried about whether they would all make it or not.

Fans of horror as a whole will definitely enjoy this one. It’s that creeping and uncomfortable horror that gets into your bones and leaves you unsettled. If you’re strictly a slasher fan, it probably isn’t for you - it’s not quick, it’s not gory, and there is no big time third act payoff. Mister Magic is a very personal thinkpiece and you can see Kiersten working through her demons as we move through the story, but it does resonate beyond the LDS.

(Also, highly recommend checking out the afterword!)

I can’t wait to see what she gives us next.

This book was so much fun to read!! The television show theme itself and the child actors having grown up to want and need the time of happiness they relate to most in their lives is so relatable at its core. Bur the flickering tvs, the darkness that seeps into their thoughts, and an overwhelming feeling of magic that brought the show to life so well described...Nostalgia induced, trippy vibes that showcase a feeling of something being "off" and not sitting right is extremely gripping.

I'm not sure there's many who will guess all of the events that play out, which is exactly what pulled me into the plot and the characters seeking answers from the past and present.

My favorite aspect of this book is the added "sources", bloggers and social media posts describing and discussing the former show. It really portrays how viewers perceive the show and sheds a modern light on the storytelling. So cool!

I don’t exactly know how to review this book. I’m not sure how’s it’s meant to be marketed and it is definitely hard to describe. This is the first book I’ve read but the author so I’m not sure if this is typical of their writing, but what I can say is that it was unique. It was trippy. It was kind of confusing. But if you are into cultish books, this is one for you. That said, I’m not 100% sure I can review the book without spoilers because I’m not exactly positive what even really happened.
Once I read the epilogue it helped explain a little bit and i respect her need to write the story, but whew, t is a wild trippy way to write it. I’m sure there’s an audience for it. And to be honest, I kept flipping pages because I had to try and figure out what the heck I was reading. But I just don’t think I’m the right audience for this one.
Thanks to Del Rey Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

The first 25% or so of this book felt really familiar...like really familiar. It reminded me so much of White's 2022 release, Hide. The set up and the starting plot are quite similar but thankfully, this plot merges from the other enough that it didn't feel like the same exact book. If you enjoyed Hide, you'll probably enjoy this one, too.

The story itself is spooky. I was reading it at night and I was legitimately getting creeped out. There's a creepy pasta out there that's very much the same concept of this book that I was always incredibly creeped out / unsettled by. The buildup of the suspense and the unseen horror was done really well. I kept expecting Mister Magic to pop out everywhere and was on the edge of my seat the whole time. When the plot gets a little bit deeper and the actual meaning of Mister Magic and what's going on comes out, it definitely loses its scary factor but I'm not convinced that's a bad thing. I'm also not convinced the ending was my favorite. I'm not sure how else I would have preferred it to end but I don't know if how it did end was the best option for me.

I don't want to say much else because this does feel like a story that you should go into pretty blind. The synopsis itself doesn't give much away at all but I would definitely recommend this to horror fans.

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey books for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A deeply nostalgic and beautiful written book that’s deeper than surface level, and leaves you to personally question some of the things that you “know” to be true. AND THAT COVER…IMPECCABLE✨

While this book didn’t end up being exactly my style or what I normally read (there’s a a lot of allegory and deeper meanings that flew right over my head…definitely a me problem not a book problem) I really enjoyed the beautiful writing of Kiersten White especially the epilogue and the acknowledgment which really tied together everything I personally didn’t understand!!

Special thanks to netgalley and Del Rey an imprint of Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

4.00⭐️

I honestly do not know where to start with this book. The amount of dread and terror I felt throughout this book is on a whole different level. Watching the story unfold through the eyes of a narrator that does not remember their haunting past is absolutely terrifying. The horror elements are written so well and I devoured the first three quarters of this book. Sadly, for me, the ending fell a little flat and the reveal did not live up to the dread that was delivered throughout the book.

When 5 child stars reunite as guests on a podcast discussing the show they starred in, it sets off a series of events that will drag them all back to the strange, mysterious place they spent their childhood.

I really enjoyed this book! If you find you’re feeling that the beginning sort of drags, it does pick up halfway through and more than makes up for a slow start. Finding out the author is ex-Mormon really made the core message of the book about children’s autonomy and the roles they’re expected to play come through much more clearly for me. I think it’s ultimately a solid use of horror to explore her feelings and experiences of growing up in a religious community and the expectations placed on children there.

This book also very much has the vibes of that famous nosleep story “Carnival Cove” about a kid's TV show people remember as adults and slowly realize how creepy and unsettling parts of it were. If you liked that, you’ll really enjoy this!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for sending this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mister Magic follows the cast of a once popular but seemingly untraceable children's show. The story centers on Val, one of the stars who like any evidence the show ever existed seems to have disappeared, until her former cast mates show up to find her and bring her back into the world of Mister Magic, filled with an ominous aura and some family secrets.

While this book was fabulous at creating an eerie and creepy ambiance, it fell short on everything else. The first 1/4 of the book I was genuinely curious what was coming next but I just ended up confused. While I think this was supposed to be a commentary on religious trauma on children, that did not translate well on the page. Overall, the concept about children's media and how it affects our development could have been interesting but the execution left me confused about what exactly was going on.

I went into this book completely blind- I had never read or even heard of this author before. I read the description of the book and was intrigued. I'm so glad I got an ARC copy (thanks @netgalley and the publisher!). Here's the publisher's synopsis:

"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?"

This book really is best read with as little information as possible. There's some mystery, some thriller, some coming of age and it all meshes together really well. It is a confusing book and you will feel frustrated and lost for good portions of it, but that's what makes it so good. You won't necessarily feel completely satisfied at the end either. Once I read the author's note at the end I was able to piece it together more and confirm some of my suspicions about the larger messages of the book. I loved this and highly recommend.

I was confused by the end, but I had a really great time getting there. The in-between chapters of chat threads, Wiki entries, emails, and the like were the most entertaining part, but I guess I expected something (based on the creepy synopsis and White's previous novel) more horror than what Mister Magic ended up being.

Can I say surprising? I started this and couldn’t put this down. A child show reunion that follow protagonist Val as she reconnects with four former friends trying to figure out what happened and why the show was cancelled.

The book falls heavily into the memory erased trope, so much so that the book felt like it never really had to explain anything along the way, just kept giving the reason of “I don’t remember”

This book was enjoyable, pacing even and overall likeable characters. If you’re looking for a story that combines the cultish vibes of The Stepford Wives with Stephen King’s IT, you may have just found it. The ending left me wanting a little bit more, a little bit more description and a little bit more explanation.

Pack a bottle of water (and maybe your therapist, assuming they fit in your suitcase) before embarking on Kiersten White's eerie, extremely creepy journey into the desert in Mister Magic. (FYI she’s the same author of 2022’s abandoned amusement park nightmare, Hide, if you read that).

Overall this horror novel about the surviving cast members of a mysterious TV series for children that ended in tragedy (think Barney & Friends, if Barney was cousins with the Babadook) reuniting to figure out the truth about the show’s final days, is really unique, and tailor-made for a generation of nostalgia-addicted millennials (aka, me: hi, hello, how do you do). How it manages to be the perfect cross between Stephen King's It, and whatever Olivia Wilde was trying to accomplish with her 2022 sci-fi thriller Don’t Worry Darling, I’ll never know, but White pulls it off.

There are moments of straight horror here and there, yes, but on the whole the scares are more of the trippy mindfuck variety — a deep unease that comes from never knowing exactly where the characters (and their differing motivations) stand, which of their memories are real and which seem to be manufactured, etc. Highly unsettling.

There’s a lot happening in Mister Magic: kidnappings, amnesia, the supernatural, grief, a cult (maybe?), a haunted house (again: maybe?!), awful parents, the trials and tribulations of coming-of-age, an astounding amount of frog statues . . . the list goes on. Despite that, the book almost felt too slight to me, and there’s one specific spot that I would’ve loved to see get beefed up: *majestic wizard voice* the lore.

The origins of the Mister Magic figure, and the radio and TV shows in turn associated with him (it?), are touched on but it seemed like a missed opportunity not to expand on those things in fuller detail. Especially since they involve some ominous characters who are introduced late in the game. I was desperate for more! By the end of things, I felt like I’d been teased by the promise of something fully creepy and horrifying, rather than getting to fully experience it. Like seeing the silhouette of something monstrous lingering in the background, scene after scene, without ever bringing it into focus. (If it sounds like this book gave me horror blue balls . . . well, I guess it kinda did.)

At the same time I can also see how an argument can be made for keeping things vague in a plot like this. I got the impression that White was purposefully keeping a lot of details surface-level, letting readers’ minds wander into the deep, freaky implications of what said details could mean for themselves. And, if that’s the case . . . ugh. It’s fine. It really is, I swear! I definitely didn’t hate Mister Magic by any means, or even moderately dislike it (I’d give this book somewhere between 3.5 or 4 stars, out of 5, for what it’s worth). Frankly it’s the author’s own fault for setting up a plot that’s this compelling! I wanted to know more! I’m just a girl who loves to know the how and the why and the who in horror. I’m greedy, OK?!

Annnnnyway: read this book when it hits shelves on August 8th. It’s solid and original, and I highly recommend it. Just make sure you read it with the lights on, k?

This book is very confusing. I had no idea what was happening for the majority of the time I was reading it. And the first 60/70% of the story is kind of slow and disjointed. But I pushed through because I was invested in the mystery, despite the fact that I was completely perplexed by what could be going on. And I ended up liking it! I think.

Overall, the best way to describe it is unique. It simultaneously reminded me of a certain horror movie that came out in 2011 (that will remain nameless for spoiler purposes), while also deviating from that premise enough to be its own thing (though I think it’s highly influenced by that movie for many reasons). And I flew through the latter part of the book because the ending wasn’t at all what I expected - in a really cool way. I highly recommend you read the author’s note at the end as well, as it explained some of the themes, made me think, and made me like the book more upon reflection. It’s definitely a story you need to sit with to really appreciate!

If you’re looking for something creepy and different to read, I suggest trying this out!

Thank you to Random House - Ballantine and Netgalley for this ARC. Mister Magic is out today!

With Mister Magic Kiersten White weaves an mysteriously intriguing tale. Something happened thirty years ago that completely upended and altered Val’s life. The problem? She has no clue what that was. But when she gets a surprise visit from some ‘familiar’ strangers on the day of her father’s funeral her life takes another turn. She is shocked to find out she used to be part of the cast on the Mister Magic show. The Mister Magic show? Yeah, you remember it don’t you? Everyone does. It was amazing. Right? So many people know of it, loved it, have fond memories of it, and yet somehow there is no proof it ever even existed. No photographs, recordings. Now a podcast is bringing the cast back together (those familiar strangers Val has just met), and Val is invited along, after all she was a one of the Circle of Friends. Will this bring her memories back? What was that tragic event that shut down the show and altered her life, and just who or what was the mysterious Mister Magic? This was a wondrous tale and I found Val’s trip into her unknown past completely captivating. 4.5 stars! I’d like to thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Mister Magic.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R29Q6BV39JH32T/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

“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?”

This book was a trippy, wild ride. I loved the nostalgia, as well as the different medias used in the book. I loved that you didn’t trust any of the characters and most of them were unreliable. Also, give me a culty vibe and I’m all in on a book. I went into this book almost completely blind and it made it that much better. So even though this review is very vague, I promise the book is worth it! The authors note at that end, makes everything make so much more sense and I loved how personal this book was. If you want a creepy but abstract horror definitely check this one out

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

If you have ever stayed up far past your bedtime, finishing a book in a sleep deprived state, I highly recommend you don't do it with this one. You will need 3-5 business days to process it, and if it is already late into the night, you will lay there thinking about it, unable to sleep.

This book received mixed reviews, and I am convinced it is because whoever wrote the summary/synopsis did a terrible, horrible, no good and misleading job at it. The synopsis describes a children's television show called Mister Magic from the 80's and 90's, starring 6 children. The show was cancelled after a mysterious accident. Thirty years later, the 5 remaining friends reunite for a podcast episode about the show. One of the members has no recollection of her time on the show. The world/internet is going crazy over the podcast because everyone seems to have creepy memories of the show, yet no one can find any footage or record of its existence, and the internet sleuths have tried. Think Mandala Effect situation.

The summary leads you to believe there is something humanly sinister happening. You are immediately thinking some form of child abuse, some traumatic but realistic event, but that is not the direction the book takes. It very quickly goes through the sci-fi/supernatural/cultish rabbit hole and takes on a far deeper meaning. I can't get into it without giving spoilers.

I ended this book thinking what the actual eff did I just read and had to reflect on it for quite some time.

There were a couple of things that kept me from giving it five stars. It felt a little disjointed towards the beginning. Everything happened so fast. Val's father passed away and her friends from the show appeared at his funeral after 30 years, and Val didn't remember them. All of a sudden it felt like Val was just in a car with them.

The other thing I didn't like, which is a personal me thing was the fact that none of the other cast members would tell Val what was going on. She clearly stated at least 1,000 times that she had no memory of her childhood on the show, and anytime she would ask questions, the subject would change, and she didn't really challenge it.

This book was essentially parents in a cult forcing their children onto this show (whatever the show actually was) where the children would learn to be good little rule-following robots and the parents could watch them on screen every day. The show ran for 20+ years and it didn't delve too deep into the cast members before the main characters, but you get the vibe that they came out just like the parents before them, forcing their own children in and continuing the cycle. The thing that made it all click for me was reading the author's acknowledgement where she talks about leaving the Mormon religion.

Overall, I loved the story. In order to enjoy this one, you need to be able to appreciate the symbolism. You also need to be ready for it not to be what you expect.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Mister Magic is very much one of those mindfuck horror books. While it in some ways continues in a similar vein to Kiersten White’s prior horror offering Hide, this one also felt much more twisted, and yet way more personal, and it makes sense when you read about White’s background as a former Mormon who has since left the LDS Church, something she discusses briefly in her author’s note/acknowledgments.
The format of the book is perhaps most similar to Hide, including mixed media, but the formatting of some of these elements is also quite warped textually, making them both fun and a bit of a pain to read (especially as an e-galley). However, I get the sense that this is the point, so I can’t blame it too much.
The concept of what’s going on remains pretty evasive, especially early on, and I won’t spoil much of it, but it’s not impossible to connect the dots. The idea of also having to figure out the difference between what’s real and what’s not also adds an intriguing layer of messed-up to it all.
Much like with Hide, this book is more about the themes than anything else, and the characters feel largely like a means to an end to get the themes across. I did think the focus on the reunion between child stars of a tv show did add an intriguing, somewhat poignant angle, especially given some of the narratives that have come out in recent years about the price of childhood fame.
While (again, like Hide), this book won’t be for everyone, I think readers who liked that book will like this one too. And if you’re looking for a twisty, trippy horror novel with deep social themes at the center, I’d recommend checking this out as well.