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autumnleafgirl's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Release Date: August 1, 2023
Genre: Supernatural Mystery / Thriller
Themes: Forgotten media, childhood trauma, 90s PBS nostalgia
We've all watched a show like "Mister Magic" - all about a cast of kids building world with their imagination and learning life lessons. It's the kind of show that lingers on the edges of your memory, only teased out now by a nostalgia-fueled YouTube compilation or an off-handed mention from a friend. But what happens when the nostalgia comes back to haunt you?
The five surviving cast members from the "Mister Magic" television show are all grown up now. Brought together for the 30th anniversary of the show's ending and wracked by the trauma they experienced as children, they must learn who they are, how their lives are intertwined, and who they can trust as adults in a world that seems determined to drag them back into the otherworldliness of the show.
It's a fascinating concept, perfect for this era of the recovered child star, the unnecessary reboot, the tell-all book/podcast/documentary. Kiersten White's imagination goes off the rails in a good way painting a picture of the titular fictional kids' show, the nostalgic populace who watched it, and the elements conspiring against our protagonists. The question of the tragic accident that resulted in the show's ending is a compelling, entertaining mystery that make it easy to pick up and finish in just a few settings.
On that, a note about genre... While I wouldn't necessarily agree that "Mister Magic" is a horror novel, I think it works well as a supernatural mystery-thriller. Don't go in expecting gore or exorcisms or demon animatronics - instead, keep an open mind for some interesting abstract anxiety about self and identity and a unique metaphor for the author's exit from Mormonism.
That said, this story isn't without its challenges. The book's pacing, and specifically the drip of relevant information that typically drives a mystery-thriller, was somewhat inconsistent. We spent a lot of time towards the middle rehashing what certain characters don't know and what no one would care to admit and a lot of time at the end getting a waterhose of information straight to the face. Despite one theme of the book being about imperfections and character development, the characters more often than not defaulted to their stereotypes, which seemed like a missed opportunity.
For fans of: At face value, this book is going to his a very specific subset of people directly in their feelings: If you grew up watching "The Big Comfy Couch," "Zoom" or even "Out of the Box" on TV and are now the kind of adult that falls asleep watching YouTube videos about lost media, this is the book you didn't know you needed. Seriously, perfect intersection of nostalgia and current interests.
On the literary side, fans of Edgar Cantero's "Meddling Kids" will appreciate the similar your-childhood-all-grown-up approach, while fans of books like Elizabeth Little's "Pretty as a Picture" will appreciate the mystery, if they're open to a supernatural twist. Overall though, this book will appeal to those looking for an interesting, not-too-dense mystery that digs into the recesses of your brain for all the things you've lived long enough to forget about.
The verdict: "Mister Magic" is a fun read that leverages the eerie nostalgia of early childhood afternoons watching PBS to build up to an interesting mystery with a surprising solution. While it's not necessarily as intense as a true horror book, it'll scratch the itch for someone who wants a little creepiness to their thrillers and please those looking to for a unique take to the thriller genre.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray for an ARC in exchange for a truthful review!
Genre: Supernatural Mystery / Thriller
Themes: Forgotten media, childhood trauma, 90s PBS nostalgia
We've all watched a show like "Mister Magic" - all about a cast of kids building world with their imagination and learning life lessons. It's the kind of show that lingers on the edges of your memory, only teased out now by a nostalgia-fueled YouTube compilation or an off-handed mention from a friend. But what happens when the nostalgia comes back to haunt you?
The five surviving cast members from the "Mister Magic" television show are all grown up now. Brought together for the 30th anniversary of the show's ending and wracked by the trauma they experienced as children, they must learn who they are, how their lives are intertwined, and who they can trust as adults in a world that seems determined to drag them back into the otherworldliness of the show.
It's a fascinating concept, perfect for this era of the recovered child star, the unnecessary reboot, the tell-all book/podcast/documentary. Kiersten White's imagination goes off the rails in a good way painting a picture of the titular fictional kids' show, the nostalgic populace who watched it, and the elements conspiring against our protagonists. The question of the tragic accident that resulted in the show's ending is a compelling, entertaining mystery that make it easy to pick up and finish in just a few settings.
On that, a note about genre... While I wouldn't necessarily agree that "Mister Magic" is a horror novel, I think it works well as a supernatural mystery-thriller. Don't go in expecting gore or exorcisms or demon animatronics - instead, keep an open mind for some interesting abstract anxiety about self and identity and a unique metaphor for the author's exit from Mormonism.
That said, this story isn't without its challenges. The book's pacing, and specifically the drip of relevant information that typically drives a mystery-thriller, was somewhat inconsistent. We spent a lot of time towards the middle rehashing what certain characters don't know and what no one would care to admit and a lot of time at the end getting a waterhose of information straight to the face. Despite one theme of the book being about imperfections and character development, the characters more often than not defaulted to their stereotypes, which seemed like a missed opportunity.
For fans of: At face value, this book is going to his a very specific subset of people directly in their feelings: If you grew up watching "The Big Comfy Couch," "Zoom" or even "Out of the Box" on TV and are now the kind of adult that falls asleep watching YouTube videos about lost media, this is the book you didn't know you needed. Seriously, perfect intersection of nostalgia and current interests.
On the literary side, fans of Edgar Cantero's "Meddling Kids" will appreciate the similar your-childhood-all-grown-up approach, while fans of books like Elizabeth Little's "Pretty as a Picture" will appreciate the mystery, if they're open to a supernatural twist. Overall though, this book will appeal to those looking for an interesting, not-too-dense mystery that digs into the recesses of your brain for all the things you've lived long enough to forget about.
The verdict: "Mister Magic" is a fun read that leverages the eerie nostalgia of early childhood afternoons watching PBS to build up to an interesting mystery with a surprising solution. While it's not necessarily as intense as a true horror book, it'll scratch the itch for someone who wants a little creepiness to their thrillers and please those looking to for a unique take to the thriller genre.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray for an ARC in exchange for a truthful review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Alcohol, Confinement, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Outing, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, and Infertility
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