A review by tinyhermione
Mister Magic by Kiersten White

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The cover and the premise were an instant yes from me. They're both directly up my alley, and I was kind of hoping for something akin to the kids show in Nope.

Mister Magic doesn't quite get there though. The mechanic of having the main character repress her whole childhood was an amazing way into the story, forcing the reader to discover what's happening (or what happened) alongside Val was very well done. Some of the horror bits were definitely there as well, and the eeriness of the whole situation was palpable.

I think what spoiled it for me was the ending.

With the whole thing turning out to be a Mormon cult thing, it lessened the horror I was getting before that. Cheapened it, for me, a bit.

It just wasn't for me, and I found myself skimming more after the reveal than I had before.