I was very lucky to get a sneak peek of this release when Kaleb Wade gave an ‘off the cuff’ performance of it in Blackpool this year. I was impressed!!

From the blurb in the foreword it’s clear that Wade set out to address certain points of dissatisfaction he had with previous versions of this effect. Having played with different variations myself in the past (most notably the one by Larry Hass, which builds on the work of UF Grant) I was very keen to see what this offering brought to the table.

In short this is a clever, well thought out, and well written project that I would absolutely recommend!!

As usual, Wade offers several variations based around his core routine, including a fully impromptu version. My personal favourite is ‘Dexter or Sinister’, which uses hand written billets rather than playing cards. That is just my preferred style, but I genuinely think that any magician or mentalist who has an interest in this plot will find something here.

The addition of videos demonstrating how Wade choreographs two key moments in the routine is an excellent addition to the ebook.

Overall, I think this is a thoroughly clever and streamlined approach to a classic plot, and I’m interested to hear other people’s thoughts on this.

Best wishes,

Steve

https://youtu.be/-_qISAF50Bs?si=VkqUBAsEmQa1rshB

https://www.kalebwade.co.uk/out-of-this-darkness

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Kaleb’s work, and I always eagerly anticipate his new routines. As a longtime admirer of Paul Curry’s Out of This World effect, I was thrilled when Kaleb shared his take on it—Out of This Darkness. Once again, I’m reminded of why I love his thinking so much.

Kaleb’s version of Out of This World addresses a common frustration of mine: the need to switch markers halfway through the routine. I’ve been using my own impromptu version for a while, but never fully explored ways to eliminate that step. Enter Out of This Darkness. It’s not entirely impromptu, but it can be, and it still works flawlessly that way (see: “Anytime Darkness”). The routine is snappy, concise, and completely guilt-free—no need to worry about the marker or pile switch.

I hate to sound cliché, but this is another one I’ll be using almost all the time, just like everything Kaleb creates. It’s clean, efficient, and packs a serious punch—while remaining streamlined. While you can use a full deck, I personally prefer a more minimalist approach, and that’s one of the many things I love about this routine.

Kaleb also includes some fantastic subtleties and tips that elevate the effect to another level. For me, the bonus effects—particularly Dexter or Sinister? and the variation Dark Prediction—are a big highlight. They’re perfect for my style, and I can’t wait to incorporate them into my performances.

All in all, Out of This Darkness is another winner from Kaleb. I’m eagerly looking forward to his upcoming book—his work is always a must-own.

Can this be done with something like photographs with "living" and "dead" written on the back? In other words, do the "cards" need to handle like cards? any playing card specific sleights?

I thinks you will be fine with photographs.

Many thanks,

Alfie

A wonderful purchase for me. I also bought his book.

I am also a fan and think Kaleb is a great thinker and creator. I was gifted a copy but I’m not a card guy at all so I don’t have a use for it. I can certainly appreciate the thinking that went into this and believe it’s a very usable and commercial effect that would resonate with most magicians. Using half a deck was a great idea not sure why it wasn’t thought of before.

It was thought of before..there are a few examples of less then a full deck OOTW effects in the big book 'Best of All Worlds'
But this looks good.I wonder if it is a little bit like 'Galaxy'which needs no change over of cards either.

I've always liked Kaleb's approach and his ability to think 'outside the box.' Seeing Out of the Darkness offers the chance to theme this effect in different ways as well as giving the option to use business cards, I'll definitely be picking this up.

OOTW isn't usually a big draw for me, but Kalebs work is, so I picked it up. Couldn't be happier.

Upfront: I know Kaleb and have proofread and edited a number of his books / ebooks. He’s a really clever chap and a lovely man. I always take something very usable from his work. Don’t tell him but I’d pay him to edit his work.

Kaleb sent this to me as a break from working on his upcoming book (yes, exciting). I'm so glad he did!

OOTW is a wonderful plot, but it often has some unsatisfying elements. Why switch the markers?

In ‘Out of This Darkness’, Kaleb Wade fixes the issues in the most satisfying way. It makes sense, it's fair, it's hands-off and clean. With a quick cull, you can do it with a borrowed deck, or forget cards and use one of the other great presentations, and now it's 'not a card trick'. Definitely do that. Now. ‘Out Of This Darkness’ is excellent, buy it.

Thom Chesser
—
The Magic Proofer
www.themagicproofer.com

Surprised you've not seen it before with smaller stacks. Almost all of the bizarre ones put out have been 20-30. And with bizarre magicians love of this effect that's probably a new version every other month. Interested to give this a read. Payday tomorrow.

I’m confused why people keep mentioning the “switching of the markers”. We have decades of card magic development where that specific point has been eliminated long time ago.

I’m not a “card” magician and have not seen it in bizarre with a “regular deck” of cards which effects are you referring to?

Obviously as you can imagine I’ve seen our versions but that’s not what I was referring to.


It was a quick comment off the top of my head, my opinion on this topic isn’t really important.

I'm a big fan of Kaleb Wade's material, and since I'm also a bit of an OOTW fanatic, purchased Out of This Darkness. I find it straightforward, simple to do, and well thought out. One of my pet peeves with some OOTW presentations is when the performer deals the cards and asks the participant ad nauseam "Red or black? Red or black? Red or black? I love the freedom the participant has in this routine when it comes to dealing the cards, and the versatility of the method, allowing me to apply it to more than just playing cards.

My all time favorite OOTW is Bruce Bernstein's Separation Anxiety, I've been doing it for years. It's a two phase routine that uses only 10 red cards and 10 black cards - but I'm enjoying learning Kaleb's routine and look forward to trying it out!


.

Thank you to everyone who has purchased and reviewed Out of This Darkness. I have been blown away by the feedback so far.

I want to address a few things regarding the handling, but I also don't want to say too much on an open forum to give away the method.

Firstly, I know I am not the first to have the idea of using less than a full deck of cards for OOTW. However, I believe how it transitions from a full deck into a half deck in performance is a unique approach.

Also, I don't claim that Out of This Darkness is the first version of OOTW that doesn't switch the markers. I reference/credit two versions in the eBook that also don’t implement a switch.

My favourite element of my handling is that you do not have to switch the markers and can reveal both piles simultaneously. Essentially, the participant is handed the cards and deals into two piles. Yet you can turn over the cards alternating between the piles. I have always believed this is how the reveal should look: revealing a red, followed by a black, and so forth.

I hope this information helps.

P.S. All pending orders will be sent out this evening directly to your email address

Cheers,
Kaleb

I just posted my full review. This will become my go-to method. If you have the product, send me a DM on Instagram (@themagicreview) with the password to Kaleb’s video tutorial from the book, and I’ll send you a few of my small touches that really elevate this IMO.

https://www.magicreview.org/out-of-this-darkness

Madison

Bought it. It's good. But again, he's missing a credit like in Hacked where he basically reinvented something from someone else. Look up Cosmos Duo by Greg Rostami.

And to be clear, like with Hacked, I'm not suggesting it was stolen.

I like Cosmos duo and have used it as my go-to method for years. I think this solves some of the problems I had with Cosmos Duo.

Madison

I'd be curious to hear what issues you were having and how OOTD solved them. Feel free to PM me

The counting of one packet, the possibility that the packets are equal and having to have them change certain cards to make it even.

Madison