I devoured this book. I received a digital ARC version and am THRILLED I was chosen to do so, shout out to NetGalley and RandomHouse for selecting me.

Val can't remember the past she's spent her entire life running from. When she was a child, her father whisked her away to a horse ranch, where she was mute for an entire year, and where she's never left.

When her father dies, her past comes crashing from the dark and falls around her in the form of forgotten friends who bring her back to the house where a TV show they starred in as children was filmed. The catch? The TV show wasn't a TV show, it was a gateway.

I loved everything about this book. The characters were fantastic, the pacing was perfect, there was just enough philosophical waxing to make you think while still being incredibly entertaining. And the ending was perfection. I don't know if it's the deep place in my soul where Stephen King has taken root, but throughout the book, I felt like I was reading "It" for the first time. The trope is similar, childhood friends reunited in a circle to fight incomprehensible evil, (no spicy scenes), but I think so is White's word choice, the way her writing makes you feel as you read. The storytelling here is topnotch.

I can't say enough good things about this book. It's one you finish and you're a little sad after. The kind of book you need to drink a gallon of water to clear your head after. So good.

“New isn’t the same as perfect. Growing up isn’t inherently loss, it’s just change.”

So some of you may have noticed I haven’t posted in a while. I’ve been going through a bit of a reading slump lately, starting books that just don’t really click with me for whatever reason.

Not only did this one break that slump, but I can pretty definitely say it’s going to be my one to beat for the rest of the year! Hide was one of my favorites from last year, but Mister Magic grabbed me from page one and just wouldn’t let go.

Honestly, I don’t even have the words for how much I adored it! The friendship of “the circle”, while frequently challenged from within and without, is so beautiful and felt vaguely reminiscent of the IT’s Losers Club.

The central story and mystery of the children’s tv show they used to be a part of, while completely fictional, is nostalgic and eerie in the best possible way.

The true horror here though, is the mirror White holds up to organized religion (specifically Mormonism, though aspects of more of present) and the idea that individuality is evil/dangerous.

Anything else I say is just going to spoil the story for you, so I’ll just end by urging you all to grab this one when it’s released on 8/8.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

Former child was reunite to uncover a tragedy that ended their show many years ago. In this story we follow six former cast members Val, Issac, Javi, Marcus, Jenny, and Kitty. They are all getting ready to do a reunion, but no one has a memory of the show there is almost no evidence of this show ever existing and who really is Mister Magic? With every turn of the page a new level of creepy is unlocked. I really enjoyed the character and found them relatable. This book had me confused and terrified all in one sitting. And the ending to this book had me Shook!!! I had to give it a re read just to fully understand what was going on wild. I loved this book and would definitely recommend especially if you are looking for a new kind of thriller/horror book as sometimes the story’s can get repetitive. Give it a try and be warned things will get spooky!

I wasn’t able to finish the book. I got to about 40% and just couldn’t continue reading. The characters came across very juvenile although they were adults. It reads like a YA book.

It was confusing at times and I found myself bored and not being able to focus. I did read the author’s note at the end and after I read the note, I tried reading more of the book. I just couldn’t do it. I do recognize how important and cathartic this book was to write - but it just wasn’t for me.

I would have given it 1 star but the note bumped it up a star.

Thank you so very much for an advance copy!

I was very excited to receive this! The premise is so interesting and of course this author knows how to write! Unfortunately, it was just a little toooo tippy and wacky for my taste.

**My full review will be appearing in the book/magazine, Rise Above, publishing in April 2023 by Wintry Monsters Press. Below is a simple summary for the time being. This is not what will appear in print."

I loved this book. I launched into it Saturday and finished it Monday. I was drawn to it early on and got hooked. It's a quick read, too, a little under 300 pages and suspenseful and mysterious throughout, with a sprinkle of weird and cosmic elements. MISTER MAGIC has given me that extra push to move HIDE up my list for reading.

Unfortunately, I didn't like this one as much as I hoped to. As someone with fond memories of weirdo kids' TV, I was expecting this to be a lot spookier than it turned out to be. Something more like Channel Zero, you know. And while I appreciated the parts toward the denouement, about what rigid structure does to a developing soul, I just didn't love this book overall. The pace dragged, and too much of it felt like treading water.

You can feel something insidious brewing within the first few chapters of the story. and it weaves in and out through to the end, where you're left with a pit in your stomach. It's a horror story based in reality that builds and stays with you.

Thirty years after their children's show went off the air (or disappeared altogether?), five castmates get together for a reunion of sorts, journeying back to the original filming place. There they share their sing-songy memories and discover the truth behind the phrase "children's programming," for television and otherwise. It's wild to think of things you considered "normal" as a kid but realize later weren't normal at all.

In the acknowledgments, the author dives into the inspiration which adds to the overall story. Slow in places, though it seems like this is intentionally done. Short chapters make for a quick read; I finished it in two days.

As a fan of Hide, I was really anticipating this year’s release from Kiersten White. Unfortunately, it was waaay too trippy for me. I felt like the pacing was so slow, and the events occurring were a little too dream like/what is reality/spacey. I’m just not a fan of the storyline. I was confused half the time as to what was actually going on. There’s not a lot of background info on 90% of the characters, so it’s very hard to feel anything for them.

If you’re a fan of sci-fi, or weirder storylines, maybe that show Channel Zero? This might be for you. I honestly think it would have worked better to WATCH it than read it.

I did appreciate the author’s follow up note, knowing a little about her background went far in explaining the cult like atmosphere of the story.

Thanks again to NetGalley, Random House/Ballantine/Del Rey, for giving me the opportunity to check out this book ahead of publication. I’m looking forward to seeing what Kiersten White brings us next time!

Thanks to Del Rey and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Kiersten White's 'Mister Magic.'

I loved 'Hide' so was happy to receive this ARC. Although there were clear thematic similarities - the desire to reinvigorate a moribund product (theme park v TV show), the remote, bizarrely idyllic desert settings, and the clearly dodgy older people in control - this felt like a far more serious book in its themes and, sure enough, the author's afterword confirmed that.

I was hooked from the start - she dives right in there with the mysterious premise and it kept me hooked right through to the denouement. The late introduction of Mormonism was completely unexpected for me but, again, with the author's note, makes a lot of sense.

A popular though vaguely remembered children's TV (formerly radio) show is trending and the characters from it - one of them who's been in forced hiding for three decades and has no memory of the show - reassemble for a reunion podcast. Who to thrust, who not to trust? Slowly but surely the truths are revealed - such as they are - and we're faced with the climactic showdown.

The story and the telling are very creepy and well done.

Satisfying ending, which is not always the case with this type of novel.

This is essentially a horror novel based in the real-life behaviors of cults and religion in general where children are always the worst affected by the behavior of adults.

My big thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC of Mister Magic. I was intrigued by the premise of this book—a show called Mister Magic aired from the early days of radio and transitioned into television in the 40s. Then, abruptly, in 1991, the show ceased to exist and there was no record of it, except for people who remembered it on Reddit. The last remaining cast members of the show reunite to participate in a podcast, but one was in hiding and remembers nothing about that time, so there’s a lot of mystery surrounding what happened to cancel the show.

I did enjoy Hide last year, although I didn’t like how it ended. I was excited to give White another chance. The first half plus of this book had me eagerly turning pages, trying to see what on earth was going on. Somewhere around the 60% mark or so, I wondered if I was reading the message correctly (purposely vague here as to not spoil anything.) If this was the message, I was sold.

But then, it became really trippy. It almost reminded me of the ending of IT without the debauchery. Sometimes fever dream books work well for me but something about this section of the book was a little TOO confusing and fever dreamy. At that point, I wanted to knock the book from the 4 star rating I’d planned down to 3 stars. But then…I read the author’s note, and she confirmed my suspicions about her own personal experience, and I really appreciated the book a lot more, confusion be damned. I think the message here was important, and if it reaches people who need to hear it, I’m here for that.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

I have enjoyed White’s paranormal reads in the last, so was excited to read this one early.

Val, has lived her whole life sequestered on a ranch with her dad living a lonely existence. Now that he has passed, she is surprised to meet a men claiming to be her friends as a child…where they all filmed a children’s television show.

Wanting to learn more about her past, that she does not seem to recall at all, Val hitches a ride with her new old friends where the group is planning to record a podcast about their mysterious childhood show, Mister Magic.

While the commentary on religion is apparent, the novel can easily be read just as a supernatural story filled with mystery, subtle creepiness, and well, magic.

A complicated and intriguing read.

This was so different! Bits of Stephen King’s IT and the Stranger Things series with a touch of The Handmaids Tale. Nail biting at times. A creepy tale of children’s innocence and those who would steal it from them.

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.

Was a good read. Pretty creepy, but the reveal felt rushed and there were moments that felt like they could have had more build up than what they got.

First off thanks to netgalley and publisher Del Rey for providing me an ARC!

Val doesn't remember anything before she was on the ranch with her father. Her father kept her on the ranch and never answered any of her questions about her past. But when her father dies, the doors open to a world of possibilities.
At her father's funeral, she meets 3 men who she recognizes but can't figure out how. One of them tells her her mother is still alive and they can take Val to her, Val agrees without even changing out of her funeral dress.
This starts Val's journey to unpacking her past. Comes to find out she was apart of a children's show "Mister Magic" that was cancelled 30 years ago and they're in the process of doing a reunion podcast. While Val is trying to remember and get answers about her past, the others are refusing to talk about it.
This book was really good up until the climax.. The last quarter became a little magical and I wasn't expecting it. It was hard to visualize and follow. However, after reading the author's "Acknowledgments" it made more sense. I'm about 50/50 on if I'd recommend this book.

First, the cover is what made me want to read the book without knowing anything about the premise. So Good!!

Six children are on a children’s show called, Mister Magic, when something horrible happens on set and one of them disappears. Fast forward 30 years and they come together for a reunion, or so a few of them think.

This book was so weird and cryptic, but in a good way. It was creepy and I was filled with dread through out. I felt at times like I had no idea what was going and I think that was the point. I really loved the writing style in this book. The way she told the story made you believe in what was happening and it wasn’t too far fetched. Every time someone would go into that basement I thought “Oh My God, Why???”

This book more than just a scary story. It was unraveling trauma, hurt, fear, and it became something more.

Also, I don’t read the acknowledgments, but when the first line says “I’ll save you the work of trying to decipher the google result:,” I am intrigued. I appreciated her explanation of how her own life experiences inspired this!

Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Kiersten White for a digital ARC of her upcoming book.

This one had such potential! A trippy children's show (that people aren't quite sure they remember), a terrible accident, throw in some religion, and then after 30 years...a reunion. And a podcast. I was so excited to dive in!
But after only a few pages I found myself confused and uninterested. Much like Hide, this one seems very YA. And something just didn't flow. I don't know how to explain it except to say there WERE some good scenes, and a bit of thrill, but all in all I can't recommend it.

3.5 stars!

Kiersten White is not someone to be underestimated. Her mind bends in fantastically horrid ways that always seems to produce something that sticks with you. While I enjoyed the palpable terror in Hide slightly more than the tension filled unknown of Mister Magic (it went off the rails a bit for me at the end), I feel like this book definitely has an audience.

I was in about 1/3 of the way before the story really caught my interest. It seemed as though the author was being intentionally confusing. Not that the rest of the story was transparent, but at a certain point I became invested in these characters and had to stick around to make sure they each got their happy endings, even that heifer Jenny.
There is a lot I still don't understand, but it doesn't lessen my enjoyment of the book. If you're a person who likes you endings tied up in a nice little bow, maybe not so much this book.