
*Note- this book is not rated with the ann-otated books grading scale as it was written prior to the grading scale creation
What if the most iconic, memorable shows of your childhood had no trace or proof of their existence at all? What if everyone remembered them, but no one could find even so much as a clip on YouTube or the listing of a production company?
This is the premise that Mister Magic presents – one that resonated particularly with me as a millennial and will resonate with millennials everywhere.
Val is living on a ranch, giving lessons to youth with her dad when she is sought out by three men who claim to know her from a kids' TV show they were on together. However, while Val finds the men familiar, she has no memories of this show or the time she spent on it. The entire cast is reuniting for a podcast and gala, and Val ends up returning to the former site of filming with the former cast members – Isaac, Marcus, Javi – and the podcast coordinator liaison, Jenny.
As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that Val is not the only cast member lacking memories from the show. Everyone begins questioning their own reliability and what actually happened during the time they filmed Mister Magic. As a reader, this definitely kept me turning the page. I wanted answers because the characters each desperately yearned for them. In addition to memories, it seems unclear what even was really happening on the show in the Mister Magic universe, to both the characters and viewers.
As I mentioned before, the coolest thing about this book is the premise, which I felt was executed very well. There have been times I've talked to friends about shows we mutually remember only to find minimal trace of their existence online. This leads to the question: What if there WAS no trace? What if The Big Comfy Couch was a shared hallucination between myself and other millennials?
Kiersten White's writing is clear and creepy, developing characters while also creating an unsettling atmosphere through setting and words. As a reader, there were times I found myself both metaphorically and literally yelling, 'Don't go in there!' while also wanting the characters to 'go in there' so I could get more answers. I also found the ending to be just the right amount of satisfying. Some may not, but as long as you can suspend your disbelief, you will enjoy the novel and the overarching plot.
I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially millennials and those who enjoy horror novels, psychological thrillers, or just weird books. This book is more suspenseful than scary and, in general, gives off unsettling vibes. It's a five-star read from me.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey and Netgalley for the ARC and giving me the chance to share my honest opinion.

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