Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: You Should've Said No by Taylor Swift
I just recently finished reading The Triskadequadra Principle by John Hostler. It's an excellent book and a serious "thinking" book. Rather than waiting the needed recovery time before reading another Hostler Hodge Podge, I dove right into Cryptical Envelopment. I'm now thinking to myself "You Should've Said No" (Thank you Taylor Swift).
However, unlike Ms. Swift's boyfriend #43, I am glad that I didn't say no. This book really tested my ability to translate directions into actions. Though Hostler's writing style tends to be a bit wordy, the material is (so far) always incredible. There are five effects in this sweet little PDF, and they are all worthy candidates for the repertoire of the performing magician and/or mentalist.
Let's look at each effect. Before we do, a brief reminder is in order. Whether I like the effect or not is irrelevant. What IS relevant is if the effect is worthy in regards to originality and workable method. In addition to being graded on worthiness, I also grade the author on his ability to convey the proper handling. With that said, as you'll recall, I mentioned that John is sometimes a bit wordy and could say things in a way that might be a bit simpler to understand. However, it's not enough of an issue to prevent you from learning the material. In every case, with deck in hand, you should have no problem following his instructions.
The Effects:
New Speedway Boogie (4 Stars):
You may notice that this is the weakest rated effect of the bunch, yet it's still a 4 star effect. John has added a bit of streamlining to the the relatively standard backfire assembly plot. His version is solid and worthy of study. However there's a bit of a trade off. You get a good presentational angle, and a couple of clean displays along with one display that's a bit too discrepant for my taste. I think there is one moment of lost clarity while there are several moments of gained clarity. All in all it's a net gain for clarity of effect.
Bertha (5 Stars):
Yet another deck with names written on the back of the cards. However. Bertha is a clever little girl. The effect is pure. The method is devious. The deck is examinable. Yet the spectator names any card they want (no force). Yet you still have predicted in advance (no multiple outs employed) that the name on the back of the named card is Bertha. It's the only one in the whole deck which is fully examinable. There is no sticky stuff, no rough/smooth . . . there is nothing to find.
The method is a simple method that is highly under used in magic. I'm glad that John is reminding us of this simple tool for our arsenals. It's powerful.
Alligator (4.5 Stars):
This is a good effect with an excellent premise. Essentially 20 cards are mixed and dealt out by a spectator, and you are able to divine, predict and "sense" various things about these cards that you can't possibly know. It's very cerebral and feels very real and is very powerful. This one will take a little bit of thinking and practice on your part and won't (thankfully) be added to your repertoire 20 minutes after reading it.
Estimated Prophet (4.5 Stars):
Take Aronson's Shuffle-Bored and make it doable with a borrowed and thoroughly shuffled deck. It's a simple prediction of how many cards will be face up and how many will be red . . . after 2 spectators shuffle the cards face up into face down several times. The effect and method are excellent, and the presentational premise is also very logical and gives the routine meaning.
Cryptical Envelopment (4.5 Stars):
Finally, we come to the title track which features the Slipknot Deck. This is a lot of work and practice and mental agility. But the effect is unbelievable. Any card that the spectator sees in the deck is thought of. You tell the spectator what card they're thinking of. Then you prove that you didn't really read their mind, but rather, you manipulated their memory of the events that transpired. You prove it by spreading through the cards (which have never left the spectator's sight - there is no deck switch) and showing that the card they named is not in the deck (even though they swear they saw it). You further prove your altered memory thesis by counting (or letting them count) the cards in the deck . . . 51. Yep one is missing. You further prove things by opening (or letting them open) an envelope that is sitting on the table. It has the one and only card in it that they named.
The envelope is not gimmicked, and you do not sneak anything into the envelope. The effect is pure and clean and powerful and hard, but doable.
For only $14 you get 5 4 plus star effects, and you get inside the head of John Hoslter and The Miraskill Principle (a very beautiful thing used in Alligator).
Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM!