The effect

In essence, a prediction which is a page from a book, is left in full view. The spectator then makes several free choices about where to place 3 objects – and the text of the book is shown to perfectly match their decisions.

That’s a very bare-bones description – and Peter Nardi includes a very clever alternative presentational hook which possibly makes the effect even more convincing.

The page itself has several other features built in which enable you to do a book-test type revelation of a merely thought of word, and another aspect which ties in with another Alakazam release – the BIP test.

What do you get

You get several copies of the printed page from the book – you shouldn’t really need replacements but it is handy to have them. Also some envelopes which can be use in different versions of the effect and a DVD that runs to a little over an hour and explains all the routines and details of the effect. It’s a no frills video, but it clear and easy to follow.

In case you haven’t already picked up on this, I think this is a wonderful effect! Steve has worked out some brilliant subtleties which massively increase the effectiveness of the ‘Free Will’ aspect of the effect. I love the portability of the props and the premises of the presentations.

The base effect is itself very strong – but the extra possibilities are fantastic. The ‘book test’ reveal is incredible (and actually makes me want to buy the book test whose principle it incorporates). If you do own the BIP test then you can you use that to get another extra effect – and you have almost a complete act in one piece of paper!

I’m struggling to think of any negatives to this. I suppose it is English language only – but that wouldn’t be a problem to most of our readers! I’m not 100% sure I would use this in normal strolling – it is the sort of effect (especially if you use a couple of phases) that you might want to use in a setting where you had a little more time.

On the positive side, the props are well printed, take up no space, the effect is strong, there’s no reset – apart from putting the page back in the envelope. It even comes in very nice packaging! We love it – and it will definitely be going into our pocket for performance at the drop of a hat.

Will to Read is highly recommended and available from our friends at the Merchant of Magic for £34.99 (at the time of writing)

Review copy kindly provided by Murphys Magic to whom dealer enquiries should be directed.

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Lots to like

Magicians – you will simply love this – because the gimmick is SO clever. It is ingeniously engineered and works beautifully. The thing you will have to work hardest at is trying not to smile when you perform it! The gimmick looks very well made and is undetectable at very close range.

The DVD explains everything you need to know very clearly. I particularly appreciated some of the thought which had gone into Andrew Gerard’s bonus routine. It’s not really a new routine but has some clever subtleties – several of which I would incorporate into my own handling. And subtlety is the name of the game since selling this effect is all about presentation.

One of the major attractions of this effect for me is that it fits logically on your key ring – and takes up very little pocket space – and so is available to perform at a moment’s notice. The downside of this is that I probably shouldn’t continue to keep my wallet in that pocket – let the reader understand…

A few buts

If I was being really picky I would also question whether they’ve tried too hard to make the prediction look like it is on a piece of notepaper. There are possibly some design reasons why this was necessary – but it doesn’t quite work for me. The reset is also a tiny bit fiddly – but since I wouldn’t want to perform this twice in quick succession this may not be an issue.

Also many reviews have mentioned the language issue – in particular the original (US) version uses the word ‘bill’ which is not a common way of referring to currency in the UK at least. There is now a UK version which says ‘note’ – and I don’t think ‘bill’ is so unintelligible to the average person that this is a deal breaker for me. In fact, you could always use a receipt instead – saying that it is a ‘bill’ from a restaurant visit or something?

In conclusion

All in all, this is a superb little effect. A great prop, well-made, simple to perform, allowing plenty of scope for your own presentation. Very highly recommended.

£29.99 at the time of review for the Original (US) version or the UK version.

Review copy kindly supplied by Murphys Magic – to whom all dealer enquiries should be made.

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