I have recieved this book today and it's so great. BUT at the time I bought the book, I had a great impression that this book must include a pack of gaff cards (you can watch the trailer). I wait for a month and finally receive the book but it does not come along with gaff cards. I visit penguin website again and see the text "***Please note: Gaff cards are no longer included.". Why not put it near the title or even bold the text. The old trailer causes misunderstanding

If you only watch the trailer (every book comes with a pack of gaff cards) then dont buy this book. Please scroll down a little bit and read the text 'Gaff cards are no longer included'. After that, you can decide whether or not you should buy this book.

The price is worth it (if the book comes with a pack of gaff cards). But if it does not, the price is a little bit expensive

I bought this book at the Blackpool Convention 2019 and there are a few things I'd like to say:

1. Look and feel of the book
I love it. It feels different and it gives me a sense that inside this book there is something different from other card magic books.

2. The language
I find the language in this book easy and enjoyable to read and I enjoy how Harapan set it up like a research paper.

3. The routines
The routines are fresh and very interesting. I must agree with some of the other reviews that some techniques are used, which are not explained, rather referenced, which is fine. We should put some work into our magic and not expect everything to be handed to us on a silver platter.

BUT

I do think there are certain moves among the cardists that are more common than others and where a technique, which is not so common (like the SOC move or even to some degree a Jordan Count), should be explained (even briefly) and referenced. This for me caused my review to be 4/5 stars.

4. Video accompanying the book.
Well-filmed but I would have preferred to have seen more of the "out-of-the-box-thinking" tricks included. When we read the ones with the more creative gaffs, I wondered how they would actually look and hoped that H.O would have taken the time to perform them, even if they are only for camera. This is also why I give it 4/5 stars

5. Price
For what you are getting, I think the price of the book is fair.

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Overall, I am enjoying this book. It is not for the beginner but I think there is something in here for every level or experience, although I think the intermediate and expert card magician will find more value in the book.

The author does not let you off easy. You have to study like you were in college to achieve great miracles.

Sections of the book are very good. But other parts, at least for me, you need to need to know “John Dewy’s” one handed swing cut, but flip the the bottom card over. With the explanation found in a footnote, that says that it’s fond in Book of Card Magic Vol. 1. . Little help to me. I guess I will skip that and go to the next trick, only to find the same skill needed. I do know some skills in card handling, just not a pro.

Having only gone through the first five items in this book, I can say that this is material that professional magicians would be glad to use on a daily basis. This is especially impressive considering the author doesn’t perform magic for a living. From self working effects to knuckle busters, this has something for everyone. This is easily my favorite purchase this year.

Most of the information is good, entertaining, and useful. But some, actually quite abit requires moves that I did not know, I’m not a pro at handling cards. When it comes to do the (Frank Birch) one handed cut, but flip the bottom card over. The move in the footnotes states, “ found in the book “Card Handling For Pro’s”. OK, I guess I’ll move on to the next trick. It was a bit disappointing.

This is a great book, every page you open it to, has a great effect, sure, not for everyone, but great!!
It does include references to other tricks and moves, but if you know your way through a deck of cards, you shall be able to work it out. This is a great purchase and I advice you to buy it.

I’m very glad to buy this awesome piece of book. It has one of the coolest design that I’ve seen in magic books written as a science paper is very fun to read
Also the material that it has is well chosen, but I don’t give it 5 stars just becouse some of the ideas are not as high as the other pieces, but it’s a great book anyway
Do yourself a gift and get this, sure you’ll add more than one thing to your repertoire!!!

Principia is a book chock full of great card Magic. I will begin by saying that. However, even though I’ve been doing Magic for just about 40 years now, and can perform a few key card sketches VERY well, this is a wonderful book, if you are willing to put the work in and the time to learn all the material properly. The effects are fantastic; however, some of the slights and moves in the book will require a fair amount of work. This is definitely a book for the intermediate to the advanced card magician.

Seriously guys. Why do you ship it from New Jersey, to California to Quebec then to Western Canada? Wouldnt it be easier to ship it directly