Mind, Myth & Magick
The seminal text on mentalism is back in print. Find out why this is the go-to book for any serious student on the subject.
Reviews
Expert assessments of new tricks, books, gear, and performances.
Book Review
You Do Cards?!
This book contains material well within the reach of any intermediate close-up performer. The routines seem to be designed with the restaurant worker in mind.
Book Review
Calico
Calico is composed entirely of tricks using coins that look visibly different. The tricks shared here seem impossible even to someone who has read Bobo and Roth.
Show Review
More Than Slightly Superhuman
British heavyweight mentalist Derren Brown is back on another sold-out U.K. tour with his latest show, Only Human. This review is of a performance in Bromley in April 2025.
Book Review
Saving Magic: David Price & The Making of Egyptian Hall
This “expert” biography assumes that the pillars of 20th-century stage magic are known to you: Kellar, Thurston, Blackstone, Dante. But it tells the story of 20th-century magic from the less famous side—the Great Depression, World War II, live performance giving way to film and television.
Book Review
Saving Magic: David Price & The Making of Egyptian Hall
This “expert” biography assumes that the pillars of 20th-century stage magic are known to you: Kellar, Thurston, Blackstone, Dante. But it tells the story of 20th-century magic from the less famous side—the Great Depression, World War II, live performance giving way to film and television.
Trick Review
Knotted
The idea of having a piece of rope lasso a selected card has been around for many years, but this is a really nice updated handling and gimmick from Rubén Vilagrand.
Trick Review
Unplugged XLR
Rubén Vilagrand’s Unplugged XLR is an excellent take on the Walking Knot premise explored by Pavel and Paul Curry, but using an XLR cord.
Book Review
The Magic of Hope
The Magic of Hope is a humble, paperback collection of story- infused tricks, routines, and thoughts that mean to bring hope and inspiration to their viewers and performers alike.
Best In Show
Mila’s Sponge Creations
How real is real? Well, if you need something sculpted—from sushi to cute baby bunnies—Mila can make it.
Video Review
Piff the Magic Dragon Regularclass
“How many ‘masters’ do you actually know in the world?” Piff opens his “regularclass” by jumping down from the pedestal and modestly rebranding his sessions, recorded at his residency at the Flamingo Las Vegas.
Video Review
Gabriel Werlen Live
This will be brief because most of you have probably already heard the same buzz that I did. Gabriel Werlen’s mentalism and his Green Neck System have created such a stir in the community that I knew I had to see this lecture.
Video Review
Aaron Fisher Masterclass
This installment of Vanishing Inc.’s Masterclass series might be described as the beginner’s guide to advanced sleight of hand. To say this instruction is detailed would be an understatement.