Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: The Thing That Should Not Be by Metallica

Bookworm by David Devlin Review:

Nine downloadable pages, one effect, $25 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Effect

This is a three book impromptu book test. It contains a prediction of one of the words that is written before the spectator's choose their words from the book. Take a moment to read the full product description before reading further. That is an accurate description of the effect.

Method

Nothing new here. However, Devlin has combined a few (well known) principles in such a way that the cliche is true: The whole is much greater than the sum of the parts. The effect takes some in advance preparation, but it's a one time thing. You learn this "thing" once and you can do this effect any time any where. You don't have to learn it each time you do the effect. You just learn it once. If you can memorize a few things, then you can do this effect. Again, the memorization happens in advance, before you ever attempt to do the effect. It's a one time memorization, and then you're set to go.

Ad Copy Integrity

The ad copy is almost perfect. There are a couple of things I take issue with. They both relate to the same thing. The first claim is that it's 120% impromptu. If you're gonna make a claim like that, then there really should be no prep work at all. Even though the prep work for this effect is a one-time-in-your-lifetime prep, it's still prep.

The second claim that I take issue with is the claim that there is no ". . . preparation (well, there is a teensy weensy bit of preparation, but it takes less than 5 seconds, and is done right under their noses)." While I applaud them for mentioning the five second prep that happens during the effect, they completely left out the fact that you will have to do the aforementioned once in a lifetime preparation.

Further, that once in a lifetime prep is not a quick thing. It will take several hours to master it. Think of it like learning The Aronson Stack or the Tamariz Stack . . . you have to spend hours and hours and hours mastering the stack, but you only have to do it once. From then on, you can just grab your stack and perform.

While the Devlin book test is not a Mem-Deck that you're mastering, the concept holds true. You have to memorize and master a little something. Once you've done that, then you can do this effect any time, any where with no additional prep other than the aforementioned 5 seconds.

Product Quality

Devlin's books, typically, aren't the most impressive looking products. This one lives up (down?) to that expectation. It's 9 pages of text with plenty of typos, etc. It's $25 bucks and it's a virtual product. That's a bit on the pricey side for a 9 page download. I bought the entire four volume set of the Vernon Chronicles for a total of $39.80. However, price is always relative, and if you think, you'll use this, then it's worth it.

Final Thoughts

This is one of the more clever combinations of concepts I've come across in a while. It'll take a little bit of up front work, and then you're set to do this trick any where that has three books, paper and a pen laying around.

Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem