Card magic is an art form that has captivated audiences for centuries. There are many different techniques and tricks that magicians use to create the illusion of magic with a deck of cards. One of the most well-known and influential books on card magic is "The Royal Road to Card Magic" by Jean Hugard and Frederick Braue. First published in 1949, "The Royal Road to Card Magic" has become a classic in the world of magic. It is often considered the go-to resource for anyone interested in learning card tricks. The book starts with the basics, teaching readers how to hold and shuffle a deck of cards.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for sharing an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Maybe it s just me, but I felt their personalities and voices often blended together, and the girls lacked the depth needed to truly resonate as fully developed characters. The shorter format allows readers to revisit some movies that already have their own novel-length treatments The Little Mermaid , Mulan , Hercules , The Princess and the Frog as well as others that often get less attention Robin Hood , Treasure Planet , Bambi , which is refreshing.
The book starts with the basics, teaching readers how to hold and shuffle a deck of cards. From there, it progresses to more advanced techniques such as false shuffles and cuts. The authors break down each trick into clear, step-by-step instructions, accompanied by illustrations to help readers understand the moves and mechanics involved.
THE WITCH AND THE VAMPIRE
Once best friends but now natural enemies, a witch and a vampire fight their way through a dangerous forest together as their romantic feelings rekindle.
Ava was turned into a vampire two years ago and has been locked in the attic of their towering home by her mother and stepfather ever since. She retained her Root witch powers, which her mother has been siphoning to hide the fact that she too is a vampire. Flame witch Kaye believes Ava, her former friend, is responsible for her mother’s death, and Kaye wants revenge. When Ava finally manages to escape and flee into the forest in search of the vampire queen, Kaye goes after her. The pair make an uneasy pact to travel together to a village deep in the forest, although Kaye secretly plans on betraying Ava. They soon learn the forest is even more threatening than expected, and they grow closer once more as they protect each other. This tale attempts a mashup of “Rapunzel,” paranormal creatures, queer romance, and a fantasy world. It falls flat, though, due to its repetitive writing and underdeveloped worldbuilding. Alternating first-person chapters give insight into the leads, but other characters are one-dimensional. There is a lot of infodumping and yet also too much that isn’t explained, which makes the reading experience more frustrating than exciting. Kaye has light beige skin, and Ava’s is tawny.
An ambitious premise let down by poor execution. (Fantasy. 12-18)
Pub Date: March 21, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-250-22051-6
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023
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They also provide helpful tips and advice on presentation and misdirection, which are crucial elements in performing card magic. "The Royal Road to Card Magic" covers a wide variety of tricks, ranging from simple and self-working tricks to more complex and skillful ones. It includes classic tricks such as the Four Aces, Triumph, and The Ambitious Card, among many others. Each trick is explained thoroughly, allowing readers to follow along and practice until they can perform the trick with confidence. What sets this book apart from others is its emphasis on technique. The authors provide detailed explanations of various sleights and maneuvers used in card magic, such as the double lift, which is a fundamental move in many tricks. By mastering these techniques, aspiring magicians can elevate their skills and create more impressive illusions. "The Royal Road to Card Magic" is not just a book for beginners. It is a valuable resource for magicians of all levels, as it offers a solid foundation in card magic and serves as a reference guide for more advanced tricks. It is a book that can be studied and revisited throughout a magician's career, as there is always more to learn and improve upon. In conclusion, "The Royal Road to Card Magic" is a timeless and essential book for anyone interested in learning and mastering the art of card magic. With its comprehensive coverage of techniques and tricks, it serves as a guide to help individuals develop their skills and create amazing illusions with a deck of cards..
Reviews for "The royal road to card magic: a journey into illusion and skill"
1. John - 2/5 stars - The Royal Road to Card Magic was a major disappointment to me. While it does cover the basics of card magic, I found the explanations to be unclear and the overall organization of the book to be confusing. The illustrations provided were also lacking in detail, making it difficult for me to follow along with the instructions. Overall, I did not feel like I learned much from this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I was not impressed with The Royal Road to Card Magic at all. The explanations were convoluted and hard to understand, even for someone with some experience in card magic. Additionally, the book focused too heavily on basic sleights and tricks, leaving out more advanced techniques that I was hoping to learn. It felt like a waste of money and time, and I would not recommend it to anyone serious about learning card magic.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - The Royal Road to Card Magic fell short of my expectations. While it did cover the foundational principles of card magic, I felt that the book lacked depth and failed to provide enough variations or advanced techniques. Some of the explanations were also confusing and left me with more questions than answers. Overall, I was left unsatisfied with this book and would suggest looking for other resources for learning card magic.