Absolutely loved this book! It quickly shot to the top of my list of thrillers I read this year. I thought the concept was so unique and so compelling right from the beginning. I NEEDED to know about the obscure and secret TV show. I liked that the reader was just like Val, didn't know anything, was lost and scared, and just trying to make it to the next day to learn more. This was so easy to read but a very fun read. The writing was great, the tension was very high, and the narrative ws compelling. I loved the cast of characters, each was distinct and unique and I was interested in all of them. I had so many theories running through my head while I was reading but none of them were correct. I was guessing until the very end. I also loved that the book's format included letters, messages, snippets from online communities, etc. It really made this book feel like it was placed in the real world. I will be highly recommending this one.

I enjoyed this book. It has a good mystery element to it, and moves very quickly. I would recommend this book.

3.5 ⭐️
I enjoyed this book, especially the last 75-100 pages. The story was abstract and complex with a lot of allegories about religion/cults, so you may need to look back throughout the book as you are reading to understand happenings and characters actions or you may feel lost/confused. The eerie nature of the story, along with not knowing what actually happened kept me wanting more, but in the end I actually felt like I still wanted a bit more. I can’t tell if I liked the ending or hated it, similar to how I felt about the book as a whole at points. You go through the whole story wanting answers, which are lightly sprinkled throughout, mostly at the end. However, the answers you get are sandwiched with more actions and occurrences that leave you with further questions.
Having a main character (Val/Valentine) made the beginning of the book a bit of a slog more me because she was extremely boring and had few character traits besides being the only one without her memories of Mister Magic. However, I loved the others in main cast made of the childhood friends that were on the “show”. Once I learned about their background, it definitely gave me the vibe of someone who had been controlled by religion or a cult for their young life before breaking free of it. I didn’t mind this, but it seemed to take precedent over giving the characters complexities. The only things about the characters adult lives are their professions and how they hate their lives, but love their children. I just would have appreciated something deeper like the story was preaching, at least to me.

Thank you to Del Rey/Random House Publishing and Kiersten White for providing an Arc copy of this book on NetGalley for me to review.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love creepypastas and r/nosleeps, so this story immediately drew my attention with similarities to the creepypasta Candle Cove. Instead of a group of strangers reminiscing on a children’s show that may or may not have existed, however, it’s a reunion of the last set of child actors. There’s a kind of cult classic feel to the hype for the show, as people seem to remember it but they can’t quite remember exactly what they watched nor can anyone find evidence of it online. It’s a mystery, and so once word gets out about the last cast getting together to do a podcast about the show - it’s all over the internet.

This book does a great job of bringing that feeling into it - it includes blog entries, discussion boards, Wikipedia articles, etc - with the rest of the world’s opinion and feelings towards Mister Magic and the cast reunion. I loved this, as it really brought a sort of “reality” to the novel. It’s not just the main character or the previous cast who are both obsessed with the show but also can’t quite remember anything specific that happened - it’s the rest of the world too. It really gives a solid foundation to the almost eerie feeling of this show that was a part of everyone’s childhoods - but yet no one can find evidence of it online.

The main character, Val, was apparently a cast member as a child on this show, but she has absolutely no memory of it. Her father brought her to the farm that she’s lived on for the past 30 years, keeping her hidden from anything that could identify her - but why? Does it have something to do with the show Mister Magic? What’s wrong with the show if everyone who remembers it only has positive memories attached?

We kind of wander in the dark, trying to figure out what’s exactly going on - all the while, an omnipresent uneasiness fills both the reader and Val, letting us know that there’s something not right going on. Why did her father essentially kidnap her, and never tell her about her past? What’s going on with the house they supposedly filmed Mister Magic in? And who exactly is the podcast narrator? We don’t know the answers to any of these questions, and neither does Val. From the start, Val can sense a feeling of wrongness about everything that’s going on, but she needs answers to these questions as well.

There is a very strong (and explicitly stated) theme of religious trauma in this novel, that lends an entirely other aspect to the horror happening. Once the reader can start to connect the dots between the events of the book, and the real-life abuses inflicted by the LDS church, it brings everything that’s happening into a new light. The ending might not be satisfactory to some, but I felt - with the context of this being a novel by White to confront her religious trauma from growing up in the LDS church - that it made sense. There’s never an easy answer or an easy solution when you grow up and move on, and there shouldn’t have to be.

If you, like me, read Candle Cove years ago and wanted more out of it - I recommend this book. It’s obviously not the same as Candle Cove, but it incorporates a lot of the things I loved about the creepypasta into this novel, all the while still being its own unique experience. (However, if you have issues with confronting religious trauma or cults, I would kindly suggest choosing another novel.)

This was a delightfully scary read. I was immediately intrigued by the premise and think the author did a good job of playing it out.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Randomhouse for providing me with an arc!

Mister Magic follows the numerous mysteries surrounding the children’s tv show Mister Magic. People remember watching it and that the show was really impactful for them as children, but it seems that nothing pertaining to this show can ever be confirmed. There is no footage to be found anywhere online, there is no cast list and no one knows which tv production company even made the show to be able to ask any questions. People are just relying on their childhood memories to know that the show did exist, but former viewers have a lot of different opinions on what happened on the show and how it ended.

People online are thrilled when a Mister Magic podcast is created and the cast reunites to discuss the show. While the public is vying for a Mister Magic reboot, the former cast is making some dark discoveries as they try to answer the same questions as the viewers- Who was Mister Magic? What happened during the last episode that ended the show? Was there truly a death on set? The circle of friends comes to realize that many of their memories have been distorted, and that something sinister has been going on.

I enjoyed reading Mister Magic and it truly is a unique story. I had so many questions and had to keep reading to find out more about Mister Magic and the intentions of everyone in the book. The author takes us on a journey where we really can’t anticipate what is coming next-even when I thought I had something figured out, there was still more to the story that I hadn’t seen coming. I would recommend this book to people that like the thriller and supernatural genres. I think this would make a great addition to a spooky season TBR!

This book was excellent! I was a little hesitant to read it at first since I'm not normally into horror, but this was more creepy suspense than the kind of terrifying murder-y horror that I usually associate with the genre.

As someone who grew up in a very conservative religious environment, this book really hit close to home. Many times throughout the book, I said to myself, "this Mister Magic stuff is giving me some serious Christian Children's Programming vibes" and then I read White's author note and was like "ah yes."

I really enjoyed the use of social media posts (reddit, tumblr, etc) to add to the realism of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey/Random House for this ARC! This is my second reading/review of an ARC, and I have to say they’ve both been highly interesting choices so far!

What to say about Mister Magic? Well, it’s mind blowingly creative. The villain that we can’t quite get a full grasp on is intriguing and wildly different than most horror antagonists. This story also plays on memories and nostalgia, as “Mister Magic” seems to be a television series that everyone and their mother collectively remembers, but there is little to no record of anywhere online or otherwise. And why could that be? This question is where the mystery begins.

Nostalgia junkies will enjoy this book and its grown characters, who reunite to film a podcast and in the process unlock many memories pertinent to themselves and their childhoods. All have strong personalities of their own, which are detailed in their individual interview sections. For example, Issac is brotherly, Jenny is kind, Javier is a troublemaker, and Marcus a dreamer. Then we have our protagonist Val. Of everyone, she remembers the LEAST amount of details from her time on the show. But her trip and reunion with former friends is sure to open her eyes to the past much more.

The good is super good. The scenes that take place in the basement are ridiculously jump out of your seat creepy. The sounds of the static. The mysterious interviewer, who seems to get a bit malicious. The constant feeling of dread at the thought of a strange presence in a top hat and cape stalking the house’s harrowing walls. And past secrets, buttloads of them that will slowly be revealed as the story progresses.

So, in concept and in scare factor, this atmospherically excels. The writing is pretty strong too. It does get a bit carried away, often repeating itself or overly explaining certain concepts, but it flows well and takes on a unique style.

There were a fair number of problems I had with this book. I loved the first half of it- more than the first half actually- and the middle was probably my favorite. But there were still things that felt just… not right. First off, Val’s acceptance at leaving her home on whim with complete strangers. The author does try to explain this one multiple times, so she knew it seemed abrupt, but for me those explanations just didn’t work. It just felt inauthentic in that respect.

Then, we have the ending. Prior to the very end of the book, there is a scene that felt so absolutely cheesy to me. High School Musical’s “We’re All in This Together” actually started playing in my head when I read it. I love Disney, but yeah that’s not the vibe in this case. And I felt what could’ve been an enticing story about legends and the secrets of a lost past quickly became a disjointed rollercoaster that ended without making much sense at all. (Side note- what was up with Gloria panicking over the phone with Val and then that conversation never ever being revisited again? Too many loose ends.)

That said, the acknowledgments do explain the reasoning behind the ending pretty well, and I encourage you all to savor the message and be sure to read those. The background is truly interesting.

Mister Magic has a lot to offer. The stuff of legends, conspiracies, and how sometimes we can become nostalgic for disaster. When it releases on 8/8/23, many will absolutely devour it. Recommended for fans of that nostalgic gut punch, or anyone who considers themselves into messy conspiracies as well.

4⭐️ This book was such an intense ride! I’ll admit, I was very confused in the beginning but as the story continued on, all the pieces started to fall into place.

Kiersten White has a fantastic way of making you feel the pure unadulterated DREAD that the characters feel. As I was reading, I found myself unable to stop because I wanted out of the anxiety I was feeling for the characters.

Maybe I’m admitting to being a horrible book reader, but I don’t often read the acknowledgements. I read them for this book, and I am SO GLAD I did. Kiersten, thank you for sharing such a personal piece of yourself in this novel. Anyone who has survived religious trauma and found their independence will feel the underlying current of this novel and see themselves in it.

Also thank you to NetGalley and Kiersten White for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy in exchange for a review!

I struggled with this one. While I was reading I would get interested but then when I had to stop, I lost motivation to pick it back up. It started so slow and I found myself wondering what kind of woman would just run off with a group of men she doesn’t know or remember without telling anyone?
This just wasn’t for me, but I can definitely see how it could appeal to many people!

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Me, most of the book: what in the paternalistic brainwashing/behavior mod is going on 👀
When the allegory clicks: 💡💡

Mister Magic was everyone's favorite childhood show that no one can actually prove ever existed, and no one is quite sure they remember what they think they do. Val, one of the last cast members, remembers nothing. What happened when the show mysteriously ended and why can't she remember anything from that time? As Val reunites with her fellow cast members and tries to piece together her past, the true nature of a supposedly idyllic childhood comes to light.

Mister Magic is a bizarre, creepy read that ultimately explores some deep existential issues. The format is very effective at building tension and unease, and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end. The layers contained in this story were compelling and made for an excellent read.

CW: child abuse, religious trauma

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an advance review copy of this book.

Mister Magic grabbed me from the very beginning, with that first description of remembering something from your childhood, but not entirely. You swear you used to watch this show about this guy, or maybe it was a girl, or did they even ever gender them? Anyway, it was on at night, or was it early evening? On Saturdays for sure. But you swear you watched it when you were home sick from school once. You try to explain it to your friends, and a few of them have similar memories, but nothing quite matches up. Any information about the show seems vague and old. Any new information doesn't seem familiar and like it's an entirely different show. You start to wonder if you're confusing mixing multiple shows together or if you made some of the details up.

Kiersten White grabbed me immediately with this description, which sets the scene perfectly for this slowburn, escalating, creepy tale of six kids from a popular children's television show, now turned adults, grappling with their former lives and what they left behind. But make it culty!!!

First, I loved that for 75% of the book. I wasn't sure who to trust. Every time one of the friends confessed about their life and we learned something about their time with Mister Magic, I went "awww," but still didn't trust them! I thought for sure at least one of them was going to still be in the midst of the whole thing. I will admit, I had a feeling of what was happening. There are hints along the way and if you're paying even the slightest amount of attention, you get the idea. The ending was hinted at as well, but it all came together well and made sense, and I really liked the sacrifices that had to be made by each person.

This is probably the first book I read the author's note at the end. It made it all the more powerful. I would suggest putting it at the front. While reading the note, I could see the parallels and felt more strongly toward the characters. It was a fascinating read that I really enjoyed. I also read Hide, and I enjoyed this one more.

My only critique is that the ending felt abrupt but was also a bit winding? There was a bit where I had to read the chapter twice because I wasn't sure what was happening. It turns out it was a dream-like instance, which to me was a bit out of nowhere. A few of the friends also strayed from their character growth a bit as the novel came to an end.

All in all I flew through this book and really enjoyed the creep Mandela Effect-like trip with a heavy side of religious trauma. Well done!

I'm far from a Horror reader, but I will always grab something by Kiersten. Plus, her horror books are more of a page turner and edge of your seat rather than scare, so win-win! 



For decades Val has lived on the Farm. She helps with the camps and has a good life. Heading back to the cabin she notices that the door is open. It shouldn't be but she'll make a note to add locks where her dad can't reach.  But there won't be a need, she finds her dad has passed. 



The funeral comes and Val is in Gloria's house. They talk and Gloria mentions there will be more people attending because she mentioned it online. Val is worried, but she also isn't sure why. Why they showed up here, what happened when she was younger, why her dad was the way she was. Maybe he did something bad, maybe he was in hiding, but now the answers are gone. 



To add to everything, three guys show up. Calling her by her full name and Val is scared. She has no idea who they are at all, how they know her name, nada. So, bossy Val takes over and demands they go out outside and explain. 



 A brief explanation and suddenly, Val grabs her duffle bag, some cash and off she goes with these guys. Stranger danger, who? Oh, and they are on the way to a reunion for a show she has no clue about and someone she thought dead isn't actually dead. 



That's all just in the first three chapters and I feel for Val. She really has a lot thrown at her quickly, but she is strong, smart and just a wonderful character. People blame her, a woman even attacks her, and she still maintains such a strong character. She could easily lash out, scream to the world she hadn't a clue what happened back then. Yet, she remains strong, keeps her cool and even offers kindness. 



As the book continues on, so much more is revealed, and it really becomes a page turner that is impossible to put down. I've loved Kiersten’s work since Paranormalcy came out and her books continue to show why she has been one of my top authors for so long and will continue to be.

I didn't know what to expect when going into this book but this book knocked me off my feet in a good way. This book was so well written

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Mister Magic was a basic 90s kids show, with all the nostalgia and memories that come with that. Except you can’t find clips or episodes anywhere. All the life lessons and catchy songs learned existed only in the memory of the viewers and those on the show.
Val has lived her whole life on a farm, leading horseback riding lessons and camps for kids. She dreams of a young girl, who she knows will be her daughter one day. That girl keeps her going, despite the chunk of her past that’s missing from her memory.
Val loses her father, the only family she has, and is reunited with friends from a past she has no memory of. They venture to the set of their childhood, desperate to hold on to any happiness they might have felt all those years ago.

I enjoyed the premise of this, as well as the characterization. It was a fun read for me, although it was also unsatisfying. I connected with each character and understood their motives. I was excited for the horror elements, which ended up feeling disjointed and not well executed. The ending was especially frustrating, with moments that didn’t make sense or fit well together. Overall I did enjoy this, it was interesting and I did find myself needing to solve the mysteries and uncover the ending. It was just that when I uncovered these it ended up being disappointing. It’s possible that I also don’t work well with this author in general, as I also read Hide and didn’t enjoy it much. I enjoyed this much more than that though, so I recommend to anyone who already enjoys this writing style.

As soon as I saw this was by Kiersten White I was crossing my fingers I would be selected to review it. The cover and the premise was on point for GenXer's who were latchkey kids and grew up with TV families. This book did not disappoint with making that connection and appeal to our generation.

I previously read HIDE by White and I hung on to every word until I made it to the end and was let down. As much as I like this genre of books she's writing and where she goes with them I felt like HIDE's ending had so much potential, but lacked. It seemed like the author just got tired and had nowhere to go and ended it. Up to that point, I was all in.

I read Mister Magic in ONE day, in just a few hours. Y'all I was INVESTED. But, opposite of HIDE it seemed as though the last quarter of the book drug, forever. I understand the need for build up and where she was going with it and I respect that. I just felt like there could have been more "magic" in that part of the book to match the build up in the first 75%. The TV/podcast...in my head, was screaming for poltergeist meets a podcast. Excellent concept, just a little lackluster.

I was finding myself skimming sections and pushing my way through. I HATE being brutally honest when it comes to book reviews because this is someones blood, sweat and tears. But, as a reviewer....we'd be doing a disservice if we didn't. With that said, READ the book. It's absolutely worth the read, especially if you are a GenXer. The cover itself is 100%.

I'm holding out that the next one will take the less-than ending from HIDE and mix it with the long ending from MISTER MAGIC and it'll be absolute perfection.

Thank you for letting me read & review Mister Magic!

I think I was a bit in the minority last year in really like Hide from this author, so was excited to try this one (and that cover...love!). Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. Sadly, it's a DNF for me. I got about 35% in and was just really struggling with it - the characters were reading younger than what was supposed to be their late 30s/early 40s ages. And Val is just so passive - I know she doesn't remember but none of the former leader of the group she apparently was came through. Felt like this was going to go down a very weird rabbit hole, and I just wasn't interested in taking the ride. That said, looking at reviews, some loved it so YMMV...I mean, I loved Hide when many didn't so I'm really happy for those who connect with this one. Thanks again, to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I am someone who loves creepypasta stories, and this feels exactly like a creepypasta story. If you’ve never heard of Candle Cove and you like the sound of this book, I encourage you to go check it out because it has a similar concept and it’s great. Okay, let’s talk Mister Magic! This was so so good and actually, my first full Kiersten White book. I’ve read bits of And at Darken and Hide but never fully finished them. This book actually creeped me out at a few points and I definitely monitored the dark corners of my room for any suspicious shadows and/or capes. I will say, I wasn’t expecting this to go where it did or end how it did, but I also don’t know how I didn’t see either of those things while reading. The writing did feel like it was a little slow in places, and occasionally a bit repetitive with the main characters inner voice, but it wasn’t terrible and didn’t ruin my overall reading experience. This was a pretty enjoyable horror book and I am very interested to see if Kiersten White continues in this genre, because I think this was a success. Also, I recommend reading the acknowledgments at the end because it gives insight into the root of this book and it makes a lot of things make sense.

Mister Magic is not a linear story served up to you, it is messy and chaotic and confusing in the best way. We follow Val, who has no memory of her time on a mysterious show as a child, as she is reunited with her former co-stars for a reunion podcast. Things are fishy and Val isn’t able to get the answers she wants.

While I thought the podcast but felt a little extraneous, I understand it was necessary to get all the characters back together. The magic and explanation for the wacky show was honestly super cool and it gave this book a really unique feel to it. I don’t think I’ve read anything with a similar plot-line, although for some reason I kept thinking the reading experience felt similar to Sarah Gailey’s Just Like Home.

But what really solidified this as a great read for me was that the whole thing was a really big metaphor for religion/Mormonism. The prose itself was also great and in a style I always enjoy. There were some really great scenes and imagery in here that fall in the horror/creepy category that were vivid and memorable.

I hesitated on picking up Hide that came out from this author last year because of some mixed reviews, but based on the writing in this book, I’m looking forward to reading that one.

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Mister Magic" by Kiersten White is a mesmerizing and poignant tale that effortlessly weaves nostalgia, mystery, and camaraderie into a compelling narrative. The author masterfully transports readers into a world where the remnants of a long-lost children's program, Mister Magic, hold immeasurable significance for the five remaining cast members known as the Circle of Friends.

White skillfully captures the profound impact the show had on both the characters' lives and the devoted fans who still cherish its teachings. The novel's exploration of friendship, belonging, and the elusive happiness found on the set of Mister Magic resonates deeply, making it a truly heartwarming and evocative read.

The intriguing mystery unfolds as the Circle of Friends reunites at a remote desert filming compound, where they must confront the enigmatic figure of Mister Magic, concealed by the shroud of time and limited memories. The absence of surviving video footage, directorial records, and even concrete information about the beloved host adds a layer of enigma that keeps readers engaged until the very end.

With a touch of nostalgia and a dash of suspense, White crafts an atmosphere that transports readers back to the days of the show's heyday, while expertly delving into the characters' emotional journeys and the deep bond they share. As the narrative unfolds, questions arise about the true nature of their reunion, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they ponder whether the Circle of Friends has been drawn into a trap.

In "Mister Magic," Kiersten White delivers a five-star stellar experience that will captivate readers of all ages. The novel's enchanting blend of mystery, friendship, and the search for lost magic ensures it will be cherished for generations to come.