Title: Card Devilry 
Creator: J.K. Hartman 
Publisher: Vanishing Inc
MSRP: $ 35
Skill Level: Intermediate
280 pages hardbound
Illustrations are by Tony Dunn

J.K. Hartman is back again with 60 brand-new effects in his latest book, Card Devilry. We invite you to revel in the wicked fun and mischief of these clever effects. 

Known for short, clever routines, this prolific magician has long been a mainstay in the libraries of card magicians, and this new volume should not be the exception. Hartman once again brings his signature style and clarity to new effects that you'll soon be testing on spectators. Included are sections on impromptu card magic, stacked effects, mental magic, and gaffed effects. In addition, Hartman provides new utility moves that you'll likely be incorporating into your existing routines. 

So, do yourself a favor and purchase yours today, and get ready to grab a deck and immerse yourself in a new round of wickedly clever and mischievous routines from the mind of Hartman!

Check out my more indepth video review here:
​
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdHkIbL4B0o

Title: The Gordon Diary Trick Complete Package
Creator: Paul Gordon
Publisher: Alakazam
MSRP: $ 46
Skill Level: All
DVD Run time: 58 minutes

Type of effect:  Diary prediction effect

Manufacturer's Write Up: The Gordon Diary Trick is, in our opinion, the best diary effect ever. The great news is you can perform it with absolutely no memory work at all! 

The Gordon Diary Trick has long been a favorite with the pros. It has gained recognition from some of magic's great performers.  The Gordon Diary Trick is an effect you will perform regularly. It's easy to do, yet gets amazing reactions! 

Your package comes complete with: 

Gorgeous custom-printed diary, full instructional DVD and custom-printed crib card that eliminates all the memory work!

How accurate is the ad copy? No deception
 
What's in the box?  DVD, the pre-printed diary, and a red backed crib card
 
How are the production values: Good, Alakazam makes good DVDs
 
Is it well made: Nice pre-printed diary, very professional looking and USPCC crib

Is it well taught: Peter Nardi and Paul Gordon go over everything, including multiple ways to perform to arrive at the solution
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  All you need is a deck of cards and the diary.
 
Does it "play big?" Mentalism can always have a huge effect
 
Difficulty / Skill level required:  This is taught so that you can use the diary provided OR make your own, of course you can make the trick "your own" by adding your favorite forces and equivocate. 
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? none (unless you want to make your own diary)
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Absolutely
 
Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
_____ Very Satisfied
__X___ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
_____ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
My thoughts I would have appreciated an option to purchase the diary without the entries, that way I could write it in my own handwriting or language.

+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review:  ​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxqoqo0-6cc

​Title: Self-Flipping Notepad
Creator: Victor Sanz 
Publisher: SansMinds
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: all
DVD Run time: 18 minutes

Type of effect:  Haunted Paper Pad

Manufacturer's Write Up: A mentalism effect combined with a very visual and ghostly display! 

Mind-reading routines are as old as magic itself. While there is no need to fix something that isn't broken, you can always push boundaries. That is exactly what Victor Sanz has done with his very own variation of an age-old classic. Introducing the Self-Flipping Notepad! 

Have your spectator write down the name of a deceased celebrity on your notepad, and use your mind-reading ability to tell them which person's name they wrote down. The spectator is stunned. Then contact that celebrity from beyond the grave, and get this other-wordly entity to flip through the notepad right to their name! The spectator's jaw will drop - be prepared for screams! 

An impactful routine that will make any crowd flip out with awe! 

How accurate is the ad copy? No deception
 
What's in the box? 
1 instructional DVD
1 notebook (you need to prep it)

Key points: None of that "special stuff" usually involved with haunted pack effects!​
 
How are the production values: Sans Minds always makes great DVDs, lots of angles, well mic’d. The background music is a little annoying, but not too distracting.
 
Is it well made: This is a standard “cheap” notebook that you prepare yourself with the tutorial.

Is it well taught: Taught by “Super Dave” – has both a few live action performances on the street and then Super Dave takes you back to the studio.
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  All you need is the notepad, no extras are needed.
 
Does it "play big?" Mentalism and haunted tricks have great potential if played well.
 
Difficulty / Skill level required:  very easy
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? Nothing too difficult could be done in 20 minutes with typical household materials.
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Very easily.
 
Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
_____ Very Satisfied
__X___ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
_____ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
My thoughts I actually like this idea “MORE” as a peek device and NOT as a haunted pack trick.

+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review:  ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT8LMtoZCiU

​Title: Vanishing Sharpie (DVD and Gimmicks) 
Creator: SansMinds Creative Lab 
Publisher: SansMinds Creative Lab 
MSRP: $55
Skill Level: All
DVD Run time: 25 minutes

Type of effect:  Vanishing Pen effect (but with a sharpie skin)

Manufacturer's Write Up: Years ago, we released the Vanishing Pen, an iconic effect that remains one of our top-sellers to date. Many asked for a Sharpie variation, and we at SansMinds listened! Due to popular demand and hundreds of requests, the SansMinds Creative Lab is excited to bring you a revolutionary prop that every professional magician needs. Introducing the newest staple item to our worker's series: Vanishing Sharpie. 

An extremely practical, quick-to-reset effect where you make a Sharpie vanish with the clap of your hands. Made from top quality materials, this Sharpie is guaranteed to take a beating. Just keep it in your pocket, and it will be ready to shine whenever you are. It is highly interactive, and never ceases to amaze! 

This ultimate worker's tool is the last vanishing prop you will ever need, so grab yourself the Vanishing Sharpie now! 

How accurate is the ad copy? No deception
 
What's in the box?   1 Instructional DVD and sharpie Gimmick

Key points: Looks way more “realistic” and believable than the previous vanishing pens gimmicks. 
 
How are the production values: SansMinds makes great DVDs. Jason out on the street performing the effect and Herman back in the studio going over the explanation.
 
Is it well made: The gimmick looks incredible.

Is it well taught: 25 minutes is MORE than enough information for this effect – Herman teaches the napkin vanish and the plastic bag version using the magician’s force (which I think was taught by Rick Lax at Penguin Magic first) Herman breaks down patter for you and even how to load the gimmick with real ink to prove that it can write.
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  same size as a normal sharpie
 
Does it "play big?" SansMinds gives you a great routine.
 
Difficulty / Skill level required:  Extremely easy
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? None
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Yes
 
Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
___X__ Very Satisfied
_____ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
_____ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
My thoughts this is such a better alternative over the vanishing pen prop  - is it expensive? Yes! But being a bigger prop – you’ll get a lot of mileage out of it.

+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review: