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alexhui Inner circle Hong Kong 1956 Posts |
REVIEW PHILOSOPHY
When I review a product, I’d like to judge the product by itself alone. I will try to put myself into readers’ shoes and give the most honest review. If the product is good, I say it out loud. At the same time, if there is bad about the product, I don’t hesitate to say it. I believe by giving you the most transparent information, you will have better knowledge to judge. Helping my readers is my biggest goal with this review. WHAT YOU GET You get a 121-page paperback book with 59 clear pictures. The pictures are well selected to aid the explanation. QUALITY OF THE BOOK The book is well written with a nice format which is easy to follow. There is no fancy layout or redundant parts. Everything is packed solidly which allow readers to get the core of the trick very quick. But I wish there were more pictures as some explanation of the moves are text-only. There is nothing much to praise or complain about the book quality in this case. HOW MANY TRICKS? WHAT ARE THEY? Number of ITEMS: 28 Number of Effects: 25 Number of Tricks Need Table: 20 Number of Tricks Done in Hands: 5 Number of Packet Tricks: 5 Number of Moves: 3 Number of Articles: 2 QUALITY OF THE TRICKS As the name implies, the book is a card book. If you are looking for a non-card item, you won’t find a single one in this book. Reading 'Card Magic For The Enthusiast' is like reading a card book in good old time. There is nothing fancy about the tricks, but if you read carefully, there are hidden gems for you to find out. All the tricks are solidly constructed and 100% practical. But as the name of the book implies, most of the tricks are for card enthusiasts, though I see many are strong enough in commercial setting. Most of the effects need working surface. However, many can be adapted in-hand if you spend time to reconstruct the tricks. When I went through the book, I have a strong feeling that most of the tricks are old tricks in new dressing. I didn’t mean it is a bad thing, instead I think it’s good in a sense. The reason is, by building upon a solid foundation of old tricks, the effects are somehow proved working. Many tricks are very strong while pretty easy to do. How fooling are the tricks? A couple of items are strong enough to fool knowledgable magicians. But what I like more is the tricks are very effective on lay audience. RATING OF TRICKS I usually rate a trick based on several factors: 1. Practical of Effect 2. Effectiveness (how magical the effect is) 3. Creativity Sometimes, even I rate a trick (5/10), that doesn’t mean it is a bad trick. Maybe I just think the method is not particularly new or interesting. The effect may still be ok. And even if an effect was very magical and creative in execution, I wouldn’t give high rating if it involves a lot of procedures or easy to mess up. This book comes with a few. As a general guideline, a trick rated 7 or above is good. A rating of 9-10 guarantees a great trick (even if you don’t do it, it contains a lot of new things you can learn). I will try to give a reason if I rate an effect low score. I hope this will give you a better idea of my reasoning. H = In-hand, T = Need Table G = Gaff, P = Packet Trick 1.Under Pressure (8/10, H): A very effective and easy trick. The performer locates 2 cards which represent the suit and number of the selection, then these cards are fused into the selection. I like the final card change very much. 2.Traveler in Time (8/10, T): A nice dressing on clock trick. Unlike many clock tricks which handling are unconvincing, this one is pretty neat. Not the best one but a nice variation. 3.Being in the Right Place (9/10, T): This is one of my favourite trick in the book. Very clever and looks impossible. Though there are some dealing involved, but the fact that the choice made in the trick is totally free makes it a magician fooler. 4.Up/Down Oil and Water (7/10, G, P, T): ESP oil and water trick. 5.Assembly Reverse (7/10, T): A pretty easy reverse assembly. But the explanation is unclear at one point, making it hard to follow. 6.Simple Addition (7/10, G, P, T): An interesting addition trick using 14S. 7.The Marriage (6/10, T): Simple and effective 2 card location trick. If you cannot multiple shift, you have to find your own methods to accomplish the control. This is not too good for enthusiasts who do not know many control. 8.Repeat Bluff Sandwich (4/10, T): A very standard bluff sandwich which probably you read enough variations. Not creative at all. 9.Foursome- Moresome (7/10, T): A very strong effect but too many procedures. 10.Before-Some (9/10, T): Gemini Twins effect. But this one is very easy and strong. I love it so much that I taught my daughter doing it. 11.Wouldn't Play Cards with You (8/10, T): The idea is not very original or creative, but I love the dressing of the effect. This is the kind of effect you want to casually perform and get the biggest reaction. I think I will add it to my repertoire. 12.Streamlined Jumbo (6/10, H): An effect inspired by the famous trick by Aldo Colombini. Fun effect but I think it’s hard to find a good presentation of it. 13.The Dudeney Coincidence (6/10, T): A very standard Dudeney folding procedure. 14.Soft Curve (7/10, T, G): A variation of the previous effect. But using ESP make it very effective. I like this one a lot. 15.The Center Cut Deal (7/10, T): This is a very old trick which was made popular by the Mark Wilson book. But the ending is pretty nice. 16.The Special Spectacles (G, T): 17.The Tree of Knowledge (5/10, P, G, T): A very standard trick with Elmsley Count. Gaff is used but the effect is not particularly strong. 18.Direct Gypsy (7/10, P, T): A wild card effect. Quite standard. 19.A Cato Named Klondyke (8/10, G, T): Alphabet deck is needed. But the method is quite clever (it’s CATO, of coz) 20.Pinky Ovette (10/10, H): A very nice variation on Kelly Bottom Replacement. I always love the move but hate the handling. This is not the best variation but a very unusual try to make the move look nice. 21.Center Double Control (10/10, H): A method of pulling out a double from center. I love the handling. It’s quite different from usual procedures. 22.Simple Double Card Control (10/10, T): A genius and easy control of 2 cards. You will put it into repertoire once finish reading it. 23.Thoughts on Multiple Card Revelation (9/10): A thought-provoking article 24.Fate or Fortune (5/10, T): A not-too-creative dressing for Down/Under deal trick 25.Squaring the Circle (6/10, P, H): ESP packet trick. 26.Dominant Arthur (7/10, T): A creative trick with surprise ending. I don’t like the forcing part but like the revelation part so much. 27.Combo (7/10): A discussion of combination of 2 effects. 28.Magic for Distant Friends (5/10): Discussion of remote magic. 29.The Last Word PROS ABOUT THE BOOK 1. It is well written. Very easy to read. 2. Most effects are practical. 3. Very clear credit and history of tricks/moves. 4. Most effects are easy enough for beginners. CONS ABOUT THE BOOK 1. Readers won’t find exciting ‘new' material. 2. Some effects require gaffs which have to be self-made. 3. Most effects require working surface to perform. FINAL VERDICT Paul Hallas is an accomplished creator/performer which material are worth studying. In modern time, magicians are always seeking ’new’ material but forgot how much great materials are already hidden in old books and videos. This book reminds me that great magic effects do not have to be new. Magic built on strong and solid foundation are always best for real-world spectators. With more than thousand book, I am very confident to inform you that the quality of material in this book is definitely well above average. I won’t say I am excited by the effects per se, but at the same time I am sure they are effective, practical, and easy-to-do. And if you are creator, you will find much inspiration. This book is good for beginner as well as experienced fellows. Anyone can find something useful in it. At the price of $25, this has my very high recommendation. Book Quality: 7/10 Effectiveness of Tricks: 9/10 Practical: 9/10 Creativity: 6/10 Cost Performance: 9/10 Final Score: 8/10 ONE MORE THING My daughter is my motivation to write magic reviews. If you would like to read/watch more in-depth reviews, please follow her Instagram for some nice magic performance https://instagram.com/themismagic Also, take a look at my daughter MAGIC YouTube channel, and subscribe to it. She is working to become a better magician. You help is much valuable to her! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnoQWVEADB5XyJeS22u2Flw Hope the review helpful to you all. If you love it, I would appreciate much you subscribe to my review channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCL4B7WHOVMGUCR79CmgF2A You are welcome to ask any question about the book. Thank you for reading this review. Alex Hui Hong Kong
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