I took notes on Ryan's effects as I worked my way through the book. I’m very technically minded so
little things like formatting are a big deal to me while they may not be as big of a deal to others.
Ryan gave me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I thought about
several ways to present my information including funny titles like “the good, the bad, and the ugly”
but I felt that would be a bit unfair since I really enjoyed Ryan’s work as a whole and there were
only a few real complaints.
So let me just forgo any cleverness, dive in and share some
details.
Admittedly, I wasn't familiar with Ryan's work before reading Card Delusions. I
liked his intro explaining his own personal growth over time. This book updates some of his previous
thinking. It also revises some older tricks he has published in the past. Apparently all but two are
published elsewhere - so if you own everything Ryan has put out previously, you may not get a lot of
new info from this volume. But if you don't know Ryan or don’t own much of his other work, this is
an excellent starting point.
Firstly, let me give some overall comments. My edition is the
second printing. The first was July 2015. The second was Oct 2015. Unfortunately, he reprinted the
book to “correct layout and typos” but the layout went awry about a third of the way through the
book. The titles were not printed on the correct pages, but the book got back on track towards the
final third. This is just one trouble with self-publication. While some consider it a little thing,
it gives any reader the impression of “oh well…too bad.”
Secondly, there were no page
numbers. This made finding effects very difficult if you were merely referencing the index.
As
far as “overall complaints” that about sums it up. But as far as “overall compliments,” I loved the
work. It often had the feel of self-working card tricks but some of them were certainly foolers. I
felt the effects generally got stronger as the book progressed. Perhaps it was simply my warming to
Ryan’s writing. But I plan to use some of these effects in some of my own work.
Whitechapel Solution - I love the line "this trick is not for every audience." I think when
magicians realize that some effects are not meant for every audience, it is freeing and empowering.
I believe that the intended audiences will especially appreciate the trick.
There are a
couple discrepancies in this effect. If the spectator places the Joker on the bottom of the packet
and not on the face, he cannot choose the number five or this trick will not work. The workaround is
to simply have the spectator place the joker INTO the packet and not ON or UNDER the packet. Ryan
says not to place it on the face, but doesn’t address what happens if you place it on the back. Just
an oversight.
Next, if one gets to a joker, he should turn it over just like the rest of
the cards. Ryan doesn't say what to do with it.
As far as an effect, I ADORED the story lines
and historical aspects of this illusion. I didn’t feel this particular trick was very strong on its
own. But the storyline more than makes up for this.
While the description could have been
slightly clearer with a check point along the way (such as stating the Jack of spades will be on the
face as you have the spectator insert the joker), it was relatively easy to follow as far as card
magic goes. An excellent opening effect for this volume.
The Court Card Murder Case - This
effect is a different presentation for the Whitechapel Solution. In this presentation, you cannot
turn over the dagger card prematurely. But at the same time, you must "count" it or the trick will
not work. For instance, say the Jacks are faceup as spades, clubs, hearts, diamonds where spades is
on the face. Spectator inserts the dagger under the club. He chooses number two. Proceeding as
written you would place the spade on the back and count one. You place the club on the back and
count two. Now Ryan gives you a line to use with the dagger. However, you cannot turn it over.
Similarly, you cannot simply move it to the back of the packet without counting or the trick doesn't
work. You must move it (without flipping) and count one. Then proceed as written. Basically this
amounts to a slight discrepancy in the effect. But it’s nothing major and no spectator would comment
on it.
Ryan doesn't mention combining the effects using a dagger with the Jack the Ripper
presentation, but I can imagine that the kicker ending provided by the dagger would be beneficial
within the Jack the Ripper routine.
I loved both of the first two effects and my comments
are simply nitpicking for those who wish to have perfectly executable instructions. Ryan's
instructions required just a little extra experimenting.
A-proxy-Mate - This is a great
trick for beginners to learn a four ace production. The trick allows one to work on presentation
while allowing the spectator do most of the work.
Discard Dating Service - Ryan uses
“Chased” order but doesn’t explain what it is. Be aware. Although later in the book he assumes it
again yet shows a picture accompanying the order. Still – it was never spelled out.
He
also refers to the Charlier shuffle but explains it in a later effect. This sort of practice is
quite common to many card books - but it’s baffling to me. Why don’t authors write more
sequentially? Explain the sleight as you come to it and then reference back to it later in the
volume. Ryan does this as well, but he’s not consistent. He does provide other options, however,
including simply cutting the deck. So it’s not a show-stopper.
Note: in this effect a
"couple" means King and Queen. I didn't quite realize this at first, and I tried the effect a couple
times before I figured it out. I was expecting a “mate” such as King of Spades having a mate of King
of Clubs. This effect felt almost like a self-working effect. Great idea.
Grifter's Game -
I didn't particularly care for this effect. It’s a gambling effect with a few switches involved.
Without a Clue - This effect has quite a fun feel. This could be used in a casual "jazz"
magic session with a very impromptu feel to it.
Harmony - This read like something from
Jim Steinmeyer's Impuzzlebilities series. I quite enjoyed trying it, but it probably won't be
something I perform regularly.
Primal Scheme - Another cute trick that was fun to read and
practice. I may teach my daughter a few of these as she's a beginning magician and these would be
perfect to help her work on presentation. I loved the idea Aldo Colombini added to this effect which
allowed the magician to hand out his business card at the end. Very clever and always a good idea.
Nepomuk - Once again Ryan gives a nod to those who’ve gone before. While he doesn’t always
describe older sleights in detail, he gives PLENTY of information for those who wish to go research
it further.
From this trick an onward, it felt like the book was just picking up steam. I
especially enjoyed the remainder of the book after this effect. It felt like a lot was happening in
this trick, but it's really not. It's a clear presentation and very straightforward. I especially
like the ending which brings to close the odd idea of having kings turn over one at a time. Ryan's
patter helps this make sense - "I still think they were trying to tell us something..."
Pallbearer's Aces - One of my fav tricks in the book. If I hadn't just read it, it would have
fooled me good. It's so good it's immediately going into my own Titanic themed close-up show as part
of a gambling story that I'm already telling involving a card cheat on board the ship. Ryan's
additions to Karl's original effect were a nice touch as well. In practice, I found the equivoque
worked well for this ending.
Penultimate Man - There were some excellent ideas here. Ryan
doesn't explain the Tenkai optical revolve, but it's possible to figure out from the photos alone,
in my opinion.
Psi-Caustic - This is another interesting idea. I love that it's impromptu.
It uses two spectators. It’s basically ACAAN between two people. There are many ways to play this.
One might consider adding a bit of patter for twice the effect saying "Not only am I an expert card
handler, but I'm also a mind reader. With a simple cut of the cards, I've placed YOUR selection
(pointing to first spectator) at YOUR secret number (pointing to second spectator)! Now, I don't
need you to tell me, but would you please tell her your secret number so that she can deal down to
it?" When she does, there is her selection.
The Conqueror Worm - I think the glide force
used here was discrepant. There are better forces available. The sleight by Ken Krenzel was
identical to a handling I use for Jumping Gemini. The effect was interesting and should be a fooler
for a lay audience. The “evil” theme was not my particular cup of tea, however.
Amara
Rises Again - This was another fun one. Great routine, handling, and ending. Solid stuff. The
cellophane ending is a fun one. Basically the magician allows the spectator to determine a selection
with a series of choices. A card is hidden in a card box and the spectator determines a Q of Spades
based on the choices she makes. As she opens the box, inside is the Q of Spades. There’s much more
to this to make it more interesting and fun. But that’s a barebones idea that sounds much more
boring than it really is.
Supremo Divinator - Another excellent effect! Very solid.
Similar in principal to Pallbearers Aces.
Now It's Now Again - A good effect to close the
book. Very simple and straightforward. It’s a time traveling effect that is easy to understand.
I was unfamiliar with the technique of catching a double card in a Riffle between two Kings. It
was easy to do and makes for a nice and simple display of a double because the Kings keep it trapped
quite well.
IN CLOSING - Ryan's work was quite fun to read. Some of the first few effects
were not particularly deceptive in my opinion, but the latter effects more than made up for it. That
being said, Ryan has some excellent presentational ideas and stories. I believe the presentations
are interesting enough to make each effect quite enjoyable for modern audiences. As a personal note
to Ryan, I believe he could benefit greatly by having his work proofread by a card technician to
verify accuracy of execution. Additionally, he should have his work proofread for accuracy of
presentation in regards to printed format. But the magic is great.
Clever ideas that are
easy to understand make this a 4/5 stars for me.
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