If you, like me, are a child of the 90’s or before, you are quite well-versed in the fact that some children’s programs meant to bring joy and comfort dredged up feelings less desirable, often inspiring regular nightmares and originating new deep-seeded fears. Even shows I adored when I was a kid I can watch today and there’s something unsettling about the characters, costumes, and plot points. Sometimes it’s not overt but just a vague sense that things aren’t quite right. Other times the nightmare fuel is quite in-your-face.

If you’re interested in going down this rabbit hole a bit further, see this quite creepy compilation from blameitonjorge:

In her novel, Mister Magic, Kiersten White taps into this nightmare world in a way that’s both clever and effective. This novel finds five members of the Circle of Friends reuniting thirty years after a tragic accident took one of their own, effectively ending the popular kids’ show, Mister Magic. One member, Val, has no memory of the events that transpired before her father secreted her away to a secluded ranch cut off from the outside world. When her four former friends turned strangers re-enter her life, she’ll follow them on a quest to discover her forgotten past, one that will prove to be painful and terrifying.

This novel is a slow burn, a deeply unsettling mystery that unravels just a bit at a time, keeping you on edge before reaching a dramatic conclusion that only heightens the tension. White plants doubts about the nature of reality, as well as doubts about who can and can’t be trusted in this world of secrets buried deep within Val’s memories. The thematic tie-in with children’s entertainment is merely surface-level, as there’s an even deeper metaphor about propaganda, religious dogma, and psychological grooming that resides even deeper beneath the surface. Frankly, this is an utterly brilliant concept, and it’s not one that’s unheard of in the actual world of children’s entertainment, as children’s programming has been used in the past for religious indoctrination and adolescent grooming. To follow another rabbit hole, merely google the cult-manufactured propaganda show from the 80’s titled Life With Grandpa. Don’t blame me when you lose hope in the future of humanity. And for a deep-dive into the show, Nick Crowley has done a fantastic documentary on the show that you can find here:

There’s very little I can say about this book without giving away key points that are pretty vital for the reading experience. It’s an engaging book that really picks up the further you delve into the mystery surrounding Mister Magic, who or what he was, and how the show has faded into merely the ether of vague memories without leaving physical traces of its former existence.

Overall, White is a skilled and succinct writer with a lot to say, and she easily wields her metaphor in a way that inspires both nostalgia and extreme anxiety. I know it’s only April, so it doesn’t carry much weight saying this is the best horror novel I’ve read all year, but it’s likely it could keep that place as my favorite, if only for White’s ingenuity in crafting such a unique story in a genre rife with old and tired tropes. If you do give this one a try, take it slow and savor the slow burn. It’s not a long book, but it’s a deep one.

Published August 8, 2023 by Del Rey. ISBN 9780593359266. 295 pages. Hardcover.