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inkdrinkers's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Val has always had an inkling that there is something at the edges of her life, a shadow she can't shake, a darkness that doesn't quite move like it should. When she's suddenly thrust into a rediscovery of memories she thought she buried - she must decide if she's keeping the doors locked, or throwing them all open.
Let me be clear: If Kiersten White writes it, I'm reading it.
I loved Hide, White's first foray into adult thriller, because it tackled so many important layers of self under the guise of a very twisty amusement park. Mister Magic shows just how WEIRD White can manage to make a plot, and still make me utterly dissolve into tears by the end of it.
I can't talk about much of this book without spoiling it. It's an experience I feel like is unique to each reader. What I can say is - I loved each and every one of these characters like they were my own friends. I loved the movement of them and the slow unfurling of what I thought would happen - then the shock of what actually did. I just loved it.
If you enjoyed the fuckery that was Jordan Peele's Nope entire tv show side plot and a look into the dark side of Hollywood, you'll ADORE this book. Actually, if you enjoy anything that takes a long, hard look at childhood and the things we experience impacting us for life - you'll love this. White does her job incredibly well with writing a gutting story. (Side note, Jordan Peele? Could you please start working with Kiersten White and adapting her work? I love you both and I think it would go SO WELL. You're definitely not reading this review, but a woman can dream.)
I'll be reading whatever Kiersten White does until the day I embrace the darkness too. Mister Magic was everything I hoped it would be, everything I didn't expect, and everything I didn't know I needed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, Ballantine, and Del Rey for providing me a copy of this book for an honest review. I want to be clear that I bought my own physical copy because I loved this book so much! (And Kiersten, so much love for Kiersten)
Content warnings: Death of parent, Confinement, Abandonment, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Child death, Addiction, Emotional abuse
Let me be clear: If Kiersten White writes it, I'm reading it.
I loved Hide, White's first foray into adult thriller, because it tackled so many important layers of self under the guise of a very twisty amusement park. Mister Magic shows just how WEIRD White can manage to make a plot, and still make me utterly dissolve into tears by the end of it.
I can't talk about much of this book without spoiling it. It's an experience I feel like is unique to each reader. What I can say is - I loved each and every one of these characters like they were my own friends. I loved the movement of them and the slow unfurling of what I thought would happen - then the shock of what actually did. I just loved it.
If you enjoyed the fuckery that was Jordan Peele's Nope entire tv show side plot and a look into the dark side of Hollywood, you'll ADORE this book. Actually, if you enjoy anything that takes a long, hard look at childhood and the things we experience impacting us for life - you'll love this. White does her job incredibly well with writing a gutting story. (Side note, Jordan Peele? Could you please start working with Kiersten White and adapting her work? I love you both and I think it would go SO WELL. You're definitely not reading this review, but a woman can dream.)
I'll be reading whatever Kiersten White does until the day I embrace the darkness too. Mister Magic was everything I hoped it would be, everything I didn't expect, and everything I didn't know I needed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, Ballantine, and Del Rey for providing me a copy of this book for an honest review. I want to be clear that I bought my own physical copy because I loved this book so much! (And Kiersten, so much love for Kiersten)
Content warnings: Death of parent, Confinement, Abandonment, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Child death, Addiction, Emotional abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Confinement
Moderate: Kidnapping, Child abuse, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Child death, Emotional abuse, and Addiction
knightressx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I absolutely adored Mister Magic.
It is mostly the story of Val, a woman who lives a restricted existence on a horse ranch with her father. When her father passes away unexpectedly and she receives three unexpected visitors following his funeral, she is given a massive shock. Not only do the three men who came to find her know her well, but she had also starred with them on a once-popular television show that no one can find documented evidence of.
Val’s dealings with the men-Isaac, Marcus and Javi-and her eventual reunion with fellow cast-member Jenny are interspersed with snippets from obsessed Mister Magic fans collected from various type of forums, commentaries and fanfiction websites that help to foster that comfortable nostalgia that idealized memories of childhood can create. As Val tries to unravel the mysteries surrounding a past she can’t recall, she and the rest of her Circle of Friends remain isolated in an unusual house for the purpose of recording a podcast relating to Mister Magic.
But the more Val digs, the more she comes to realize that Mister Magic is more than a mere television show and that there are those who would do anything to have Mister Magic make his triumphant return to educate…and mold a new generation of children.
All for the benefit of the children, of course
Of course.
What could have been a simple story of an unusual television show and its five former stars trying to unravel its mystery became a study how the supposed “best” intentions of adults and parents could lead to trauma in their children. That an emphasis on what is considered “good,” could be irrevocably damaging when forcing children into roles that subsume their true selves for the sake of simplicity and conformity.
I’d rather not spoil too much, but Mister Magic was an engrossing and layered story that was very relatable and slightly bittersweet in its ending. It was not what I was initially expecting when I started reading it, but I am grateful that I was able to do so.
Thank you very much to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
It is mostly the story of Val, a woman who lives a restricted existence on a horse ranch with her father. When her father passes away unexpectedly and she receives three unexpected visitors following his funeral, she is given a massive shock. Not only do the three men who came to find her know her well, but she had also starred with them on a once-popular television show that no one can find documented evidence of.
Val’s dealings with the men-Isaac, Marcus and Javi-and her eventual reunion with fellow cast-member Jenny are interspersed with snippets from obsessed Mister Magic fans collected from various type of forums, commentaries and fanfiction websites that help to foster that comfortable nostalgia that idealized memories of childhood can create. As Val tries to unravel the mysteries surrounding a past she can’t recall, she and the rest of her Circle of Friends remain isolated in an unusual house for the purpose of recording a podcast relating to Mister Magic.
But the more Val digs, the more she comes to realize that Mister Magic is more than a mere television show and that there are those who would do anything to have Mister Magic make his triumphant return to educate…and mold a new generation of children.
All for the benefit of the children, of course
Of course.
I’d rather not spoil too much, but Mister Magic was an engrossing and layered story that was very relatable and slightly bittersweet in its ending. It was not what I was initially expecting when I started reading it, but I am grateful that I was able to do so.
Thank you very much to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Emotional abuse
ktdakotareads's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Toxic relationship
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