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Nico Zottos Elite user 486 Posts |
Ben was kind enough to send a pre-release copy of his new book for review. It is Crossroads Revelations, an idea book for the Crossroads concept. I absolutely loved Crossroads when it was released and this book has really brought a whole new light on the Crossroads concept.
We first get a background of Crossroads, a brief recap of what the concept is, and just some info to familiarize the reader with what the concept does. Now to the good stuff. The first section of the book is labeled "FULL DECK" as the effects in this section, two to be exact, use a full, ungimmicked deck. While the tricks are ungimmicked, the deck requires some set up. Nothing too extreme, it can all be done in a corner somewhere but once youve set the deck, you don't need to reset unless you perform a different trick. I would use these as an opener because of the set up. The first trick is very cool. Instead of having a card selected and disappear, the card is revealed in the deck in a strange way. That way is different each time. This is a very clever approach to the principal as there are multiple ways to reveal and all are self working with no sleights at all. You could have the card be reversed in the center, be on the top/bottom of the pack, etc. I will definitely be using this. The second trick in the section has been contributed by Bernardo Rodriguez. His approach to the concept is just having the spectator mentally selecting a card, removing the deck and spelling down to their card and at that position is their mentally chosen card all without you touching the deck. I really think this a great version of the "Spell a card" trick as a card is never physically chosen, nor do you touch the deck. The setup for this is very minimal and can easily be reset at some point between sets. This is a powerful routine that definitely has some potential. The next section in the book is dedicated to the Double Faced CrossRoad set that you can purchase from your magic dealer. This is a specially printed set of cards printed by the USPCC. This set makes Crossroads so much easier, and also cuts down on pocket space. To be honest, I never really looked much into this set as I didn't know what to do with them but now that I see this book, I am purchasing them very soon. I am sure you will too as the benefits from this set are far beyond what I expected. The introduction to this section gives you different areas and ideas to where you may put the cards but really, it is only limited to your imagination. The idea given in this section is not just for the DF set but can be applied to the regular crossroads set that you have right now so don't let this section hold you back. The effect is that the spectator deals cards face up throughout the deck and stop whenever they like. You then reveal that the same card they stopped at is the same card sitting in your wallet that has been on the table the whole entire time. This is a very good idea using the principle. This cannot be done with a normal deck although to me, it doesn't seem that it matters. This is a powerful idea. This makes me really want to get the DF set. This trick is really just an idea started to what this set truly could live up to be. The next section of the book is dedicated to the Devil's Peek CrossRoads set. This is another specially printed set of cards by the USPCC. Again, upon reading the description of this set I had no idea what I would use this for. This section really shows the potential of this set. The introduction explains what the set is, what it does, and how to use the set. The instructions are detailed and easy to learn from. Ben gives you some presentational ideas for the DP set and also an idea to spark your creativity. The idea is nothing less than a great one. The effect is that the magician tells the spectator a story and spreads the deck to find one odd backed card. The card is left face down on the table without revealing the identity of the card. The spectator is asked to try and divine the card. The magician helps the spectator mentally chose a card and the card is peeked at and shown to match the card! Not only that, the magician now waves over the odd backed card which changes to a regular backed card to match the rest of the deck. The card can now be handed out to the spectator to keep. Just for this effect alone I want this set. I always was on the edge with this set because I didn't know how I would incorporate this with a regular deck due to the backs of the cards being "CrossRoads" design but now I see the design as a huge advantage because of the change that occurs, allowing the card to be examined. Very very cool effect. The next section is called the "Devil's Wallet". This is a section teaches you how to compress the CrossRoad's cards into 4 spots, simulating the DF set while still maintaining the examinable feature. This is an idea that has crossed my mind before but is useable, I myself will be purchasing the DF set as it has many more applications then this method does but this is a great method for people that don't want the DF set or are waiting for the DF set. The next section is called The Buddha! Way. This is a method using the DF set where their card is revealed in a set of buddha papers. Ben teaches you how to construct the Buddha Paper gimmick and also how to perform the effect. This is a really cool idea. Im not sure if I would use it but I can see this suiting other styles of magic that people may have. A really nice application that adds a lot more impossibility to the reveal. The final section of the book, The Silver Moment, is by far my favorite. It is an idea for an open prediction but it teaches you how to apply the CrossRoads concept to other open prediction effects on the market already. It is an extremely clever method as everything is motivated and is very clean. Imagine doing Paperclipped by Jay Sankey but with a thought of card. This is easy with the method taught in the Silver Moment. I see why this is the last in the book. This can be extremely powerful when used correctly and will really have an impact on the spectator. All in all, CrossRoads Revelations has been a wonderful book. The ideas given in this book are priceless and have been really well thought out. They will be sure to spark ideas for other uses and it will keep going on and on. I highly recommend this book, I am sure you will get something very valuable out of it. I would really give this book a 10/10 for creativity, cleverness and practicality, not to mention the wonderful and elegant design of the book itself. CrossRoads Revelations is released tomorrow, November 30. You can purchase it from http://www.wowbound.com/ I hope you guys look into this book, it is really worth it. |
Ben Harris V.I.P. The Land Down Under 2126 Posts |
Thanks Nico.
CrossRoads Revelations is available RIGHT NOW for instant download. The price rises by $5 tomorrow, so get in NOW to save. Our $500 Cash Giveaway is also about to close. With orders in the 100's and NOT 1000's this is a great chance to WIN $500.00. Cheers Ben
+Inventor of the world famous Floating Match+
+Author: Machinations (Vanishing Inc, 2020)+ EVERYTHING BEN HARRIS |
Bernardo Rodriguez Loyal user 233 Posts |
Very nice review...
Glad you liked my idea Nico. I will also have to agree with you that "Silver Moment" is very powerful. Bernardo Rodriguez |
Ben Harris V.I.P. The Land Down Under 2126 Posts |
CrossRoads Revelations is NOW AVAILABLE. My good friend Steve Shufton added the piece called "The Silver Moment" which is just sweet. THANKS STEVE! It's now 66 pages of material to expand the CrossRoads concept.
Available via instant download from the following suppliers: Lybrary.com Elmwood Magic Merchant of Magic Cheers Ben
+Inventor of the world famous Floating Match+
+Author: Machinations (Vanishing Inc, 2020)+ EVERYTHING BEN HARRIS |
Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Ben Harris graciously sent me this to look at right before he released it ( not to review it, just a friendly courtesy ) and having looked it over for awhile now, there's enough to keep us busy for years! I like the fact that the instructions sheets for the two gimmicked card sets are included. Just fantastic stuff. The self-contained "full-deck" versions, while a slight change in plot, would be great openers leaving us clean for any other card magic we want to perform.
Chris
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
tomcards Elite user San Francisco 403 Posts |
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