Scan barcode
A review by knightressx
Mister Magic by Kiersten White
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