Mister Magic by Kiersten White

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. . . .

Published by Del Rey
on August 8, 2023

Review:

This was an inventive and thought-provoking novel that had me hooked from the very beginning. The concept of the story immediately drew me in, reminding me of Channel Zero’s first season. This was a series that was on Shudder a few years ago. Each season was based on a Creepy Pasta, and the first season was about a children’s TV show that kids swear they used to watch, but adults have no memory of it existing. With its allegorical elements and social commentary, this book offers readers a captivating exploration of our society and the manipulation of children under the guise of protection.

The story revolves around the five surviving cast members of the beloved children’s program, Mister Magic. Decades after an accident ended the show’s production, the cast members are less than happy in their adult lives, longing for the happiness and sense of belonging they once felt.

A twist of fate reunites the five cast members – Jenny, the mother of six who is obviously unhappy with where she is in life, Javi who is now a lawyer, Marcus, a gay man who came out later in life, Isaac who is now a private investigator, and Val, a 30-something-year-old woman who now lives and works on a ranch. Many people believe Val is at fault for the series ending. The problem is that Val has no recollection of even being on the show, but after her father’s death and the emergence of Marcus, Isaac, and Javi in her life – all claiming to know her from when she was a kid – Val is desperate to reconnect to her past so she agrees to travel with them. The three men state that they are meeting Jenny in Utah and that they are going to be interviewed for a podcast that will focus on the final cast of Mister Magic. Val sees this as an opportunity to fill in the blanks of her lost childhood and agrees to travel with them.

The group finds themselves at a remote desert filming compound, a place that seems to have been waiting for them all these years. Memories begin to flood back, and they are reminded of their shared secret—the mystery of the enigmatic magic man in his black cape—but who was he really?

Peppered throughout the book are Reddit posts and other social media posts where people are talking about their memories of the show, but there’s no proof that the show actually existed. There’s also a group of people who claim to have seen the final episode and swear that one of the kids was killed during that episode, which is why production was shut down.

White’s descriptive writing style brings the world of “Mister Magic” vividly to life, and perfectly captures the unsettling atmosphere of the story. The remote desert location serves as the perfect backdrop, adding an extra layer of mystery and tension to the narrative.

One of the aspects that I truly appreciated about “Mister Magic” was the way it allegorically addresses important societal issues. It wasn’t lost on me that the author used this story to highlight how the far-right pushes dangerous ideologies under the pretext of protecting the innocence of kids. She explores the manipulation and brainwashing that can occur when those in power claim that their book burnings, villainizing of LGBTQIA+ community, and all the other things they push are all under the guise of “protecting the children” when in reality, it is nothing more than pushing fear and controlling the narrative, ensuring that things stay as straight, white and Christian as possible.

The characters in this novel are wonderfully developed, each with their own unique strengths and flaws. Their experiences and emotions are palpable, and I found myself emotionally invested in their journeys. The sense of camaraderie and shared history among the cast members adds depth to their relationships and makes their bond even more believable.

As the circle of friends begins to piece together their past, they start questioning whether they have willingly returned or if they have fallen into a trap. The theme of sacrifice and the inevitable consequences of seeking answers becomes increasingly prominent. White expertly weaves together suspense, mystery, and the supernatural, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

I didn’t find the book especially scary, but it is definitely creepy and has something important to say. This is a well-crafted novel with a wildly inventive plot, making this book a must-read for fans of dark and thought-provoking stories.