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A review by inkdrinkers
Mister Magic by Kiersten White
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