Mister Magic was a children’s program that everyone remembers, but no one can find any evidence of it actually existing. Every mention of it seems to get scrubbed from the internet. There was an accident, but no one remembers what actually happened. Was it a death? Was it a fire? Even the kids who were on the show – adults in their thirties now – don’t remember exactly what happened.
Mister Magic is a horror book made for Millennials. It’s an ode to internet forums, 90s nostalgia, creepypastas, and the Mandela effect. Past the surface, Mister Magic tells a story of child abuse, religious trauma, and defining one’s own future.
| Title: Mister Magic | Author: Kiersten White |
| Release Date: August 8, 2023 | Genre: Horror / Thriller |
| Publisher: Del Rey | Page Count: 295 |
Synopsis
Who is Mister Magic? Former child stars reunite to uncover the tragedy that ended their show—and discover the secret of its enigmatic host—in this dark supernatural thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hide.
Thirty years after a tragic accident shut down production of the classic children’s program Mister Magic, the five surviving cast members have done their best to move on. But just as generations of cultishly devoted fans still cling to the lessons they learned from the show, the cast, known as the Circle of Friends, have spent their lives searching for the happiness they felt while they were on it. The friendship. The feeling of belonging. And the protection of Mister Magic.
But with no surviving video of the show, no evidence of who directed or produced it, and no records of who—or what—the beloved host actually was, memories are all the former Circle of Friends has.
Then a twist of fate brings the castmates back together at the remote desert filming compound that feels like it’s been waiting for them all this time. Even though they haven’t seen each other for years, they understand one another better than anyone has since.
After all, they’re the only ones who hold the secret of that circle, the mystery of the magic man in his infinitely black cape, and, maybe, the answers to what really happened on that deadly last day. But as the Circle of Friends reclaim parts of their past, they begin to wonder: Are they here by choice, or have they been lured into a trap?
Because magic never forgets the taste of your friendship. . . .
Review:
Mister Magic tells the story of the five children from the canceled children’s program, Mister Magic, on the thirtieth anniversary of its cancellation. The kids from the last season of Mister Magic are now adults and have mostly lost touch. One of them has completely lost her memories from that time. As it’s the thirtieth anniversary of the last season, a podcast is being made to celebrate Mister Magic. When the five adults move into the studio’s house together to be interviewed for the podcast, weird things start to happen. Why is the podcast happening now, and who’s behind it all? Most importantly, why did the show go off the air?
While I loved the idea behind Mister Magic, it landed more as a thriller than a horror. I actually liked Mister Magic as a thriller, but when I go into a book expecting horror and it doesn’t hit as one, it feels like a bit of a letdown. As far as theming, Mister Magic had ups and downs for me. There are hidden and not-so-hidden religious themes in Mister Magic. Be prepared for a lot of religious unpacking. I didn’t mind this, but if that’s not your cup of tea, I’d stay away from this book. Other than the religious themes, there’s a lot of dark childhood trauma. If you’re looking for a book to keep you unsettled while also making you contemplate your childhood, Mister Magic is it.
I have a feeling the ending is also a bit divisive. It’s one you’ll either really like or really dislike. I think I liked the ending. Or rather, I’m not sure I would have liked another ending any better. I think I would have preferred Marcus or Javí as the focal character for the final epilogue, but as is the ending definitely worked.
Audiobook:
The narration of Mister Magic was quite good, though I think the audiobook could have benefitted from additional production elements. For a book with static televisions, creepy little tunes, and humming noises, none of those were present in the audiobook. Additional audio bits would have added to the creepiness and made it more atmospheric. They also might have helped it land closer towards the horror zone, rather than just a thriller.
Final Thoughts:
Mister Magic is a horror-adjacent thriller with a supernatural twist. This would be a great read for readers new to horror or who love psychological thrillers. I highly recommend reading the author’s afterward, as it answered some of my questions and gave me a new perspective on the novel.
Rating: 3.75/5 stars
Audiobook Challenge
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