The Effect
In this book, Sean details several of his best "bending" effects. Sean explains every effect from start to finish in perfect detail. Every explanation is accompanied by step by step illustrations that allow you to learn the effect faster and more effectively.
Cost
£29.49 from Alakazam (here)
Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
Ranging in difficulty, from around 3-5, depending on the effect.
Review
This is my first review, so please bear with me
I won't be going through each individual effect in this review as I don't think that it would be the best way to convey my feelings about this booklet. Anyway, on with the review!
The booklet starts with a short foreword by Kenton Knepper, and a short introduction by Sean himself, which both kind of set you in the right frame of mind for the rest of the book, which starts with a very detailed and carefully explained key bend. Following are several more key, coin and cutlery bending effects, along with a couple of "mind-reading" techniques, including a very visual and audible thought transferrence, and a couple of mind-over-matter demonstrations.
Firstly, I would like to say that Sean has taken great care in explaining every detail of each effect in the booklet. He has put a lot of time and effort into making sure that the explanations are clear and cover almost every possible point, and it shows in the enthusiasm and clarity of his writing. Every single effect in the booklet has a very clear explanation, usually aided by several photos showing each of the steps needed to perform the effect. Sean also adds personal comments on effects, regarding both the presentation and method behind each.
The effects themselves are excellent. Sean has obviously tested each effect with a live audience as the explanations cover many different aspects of the presentation and methods that would otherwise be absent. Many of the effects use very simple and easy sleights or moves, yet the both the presentation Sean provides and you own, individual presentation help to really sell the effects, resulting in wonderful performances.
Most of the effects included could easily be performed on their own, but all of them can be woven into existing acts and performances or could just as easily have certain aspects taken and used to produce or enhance your own effects. For example, The Tesla Experiment could be performed as an effect on its own, but the presentation is so brilliant that it would be a great shame to leave or miss out on using the same presentation as part of another effect, as it is an incredibly visual and audible thought transferrence.
The assorted bending teachniques taught in the booklet vary in their usability, in my eyes at least. I personally love The Omni Bender, which is actually a gimmick Sean put to use, but can't see myself ever performing The Callous Bend, for reasons that would become clear after reading the methodology and meeting me
Overall
I don't think I can give this booklet a rating out of ten, I don't feel that it is that kind of book. However, I do think that if you are interested in some very visual metal bending effects or would like to see the thinking behind some very clever effects then Sean's book is well worth a read. It is well worth reading up on or practicing mentalism for a time before attempting to read the book, as it would take a reasonable sound grounding in mentalism before you would not only be able to understand the effects included, but appreciate them.
I hope you enjoyed the review
