Well produced little magazine, however, generally not my cup of tea because I'm not much into card
magic and this small tome is usually mostly card magic based. That said, I did like the "Mastering
the Classics" section this time: Grant's Ring in Sealed Box. Even the "May I Take You Out To Lunch"
article wasn't too bad. Sight unseen, price of $10.00, and because I'm more of a coin/all around
magic worker, I typically avoid the Monthly.
When you say that it is mostly based in card magic you are mistaken. This issue had 9 tricks to my count, and 6 tricks without cards.
For those who might be confused by this review here is what is actually found in the magazine.
Grant's Ring in a sealed box is a clever solution to a classic plot you could use to close a professional stage show.
Kiss me you Fool and It's a Small World are 2 unique applications of the Out to Lunch Principle that anyone could use.
Opening the Black Door is a professional personal piece of magic that can be performed close-up or on stage.
The Magnetized Coin is a great piece of visual coin magic.
My Christmas List is a fun piece of casual mind reading that packs a huge punch.
Then we have the card tricks.
The first trick in the magazine is an entry from John Carey. He is among the most creative card magicians on earth, and has written several books on card magic. Any given month you can expect a real gem from John Carey, because he has a recurring column in the magazine. This month we got a great version of the ace assembly from John.
The second trick is a packet trick with blank cards. It has several surprises and a great kicker.
The third trick is a visual transposition of a playing card held by the spectator written by the extremely creative Ryan Schlutz. Again, this guy ranks among the best card magicians on the planet and this routine is out of this world. There's an odd visual moment here that is incredibly strong.
That's all the card magic you get. Three unique world-class pieces of card magic. No, pick a card tricks just 3 innovative card tricks. If you don't like card magic though, you can't complain about this issue because there is a ton of other great material!
So, if you don't like card magic you could take My Christmas List, Opening the Black Door, and Grant's Ring in a Sealed Box and make a mini professional show with just the magic in this magazine. This show could play for a small crowd or an entire theater.
If you did like card magic then you would have a full card set with the three tricks discussed as well.
Oh, and if you are a coin guy you learn an awesome coin levitation in this issue.
Everyone has different tastes, that's fine, we can't please everyone. That said, this issue of Penguin Magic Monthly was not mostly card based. In fact, in November 7 out of 9 tricks were tricks were not card effects, in October 7 out of 9 effects were not card tricks, and in October 7 out of 10 effects were not card tricks.
These magazines, are generally packed full of magic of all types, and while we include some card magic (because we have contributions from the best in the business and most magicians enjoy that) it is not all card magic.
Penguin Magic Monthly
Report this review
