Mister Magic - Kiersten White

Horror

Rating: 7/10

This tale of wonder and terror follows a creepy reunion, thirty years later, of the cast of a magical kids show that exists only in its viewers memories.

Even after thirty years, the cultishly devoted fans of the children’s show Mister Magic still cling to the lessons they learned from the show and the cast, who they thought of as their friends. They still feel the guiding hand of the hooded host, beaconing them into his magical world.

A twist of fate brings all the surviving cast members back together, and someone, or something wants them to recreate the magic. When it ended, the circle was broken, and they each left something behind. What will they have to do to mend what has been fragmented, to get back what was lost.

The way the author frames the story is brilliant, with the true horror of it all being off camera, in the background, out of focus. It builds the reader’s unease at an excruciating pace. To say anything more would ruin the fun.

Footnote: That book cover is as stunning as it is inspired. Bravo to the designer Scott Biel.

Book Pairing(s): Hide by Kiersten White, Burn The Negative by Josh Winning, The Troop by Nick Cutter