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Cataclysm Review

Difficulty - 1-2 / 5
Price - £24.99 Pounds
Includes – Deck of Bicycle Cards, a photo and a DVD with the trick.
Reset - 1 Min
Where to buy- http://www.unearthlymagic.com/

Effect: (I used some of the authors text for this)
You bring out a red-backed pack of bicycle cards. You explain that the deck has been numbered on the backs of the cards with all the numbers from one to fifty-two. You go through the deck showing the numbers. Three spectators select a card each and put them face up on the table.
A photo is then produced which has three face down cards on it with a number on the back each of card. The three spectator cards are then turned over to reveal matching numbers to the cards on the photo in exactly the same position.

My Review:
I was actually fortunate enough to see this done live about five months ago and was completely staggered by the effect. It was only recently I found it was for sale and purchased it without any hesitation.
I quickly received it in the post and wasn’t disappointed at all. I found it easy to do with only a bit of practice needed to perfect. The secret is remarkably simple, but for me that’s the hallmark of a good trick.
The general patter the author uses is interesting and easily adaptable to my personality and style in which I perform myself.
The trick is undetectable by laymen and extremely hard to figure out for magicians (well of my intermediate level anyway).
It’s a great trick for use in table hopping and private performances with a quick reset time and powerful impact.
I also came across another trick by the same author (Brian Caswell) called Trilogy which has similarities to Cataclysm but all the versions of Trilogy I've seen, use special cards. I like Cataclysm more because it uses just one pack of Bikes.

Overall
I give it 9/10
I am very impressed with the trick and method it uses. If you want something that really impresses then I recommend this. Oh and if you liked Trilogy then this will blow you away.

I used to use this all the time but had a little break as other effects made there way into my reportoire, tho i performed this again a couple of days ago and BANG i just forgot how strong this is.

Its gone straight back in the close up case.

Ken Ashburn performed this trick for me today... I was very impressed.....In my opinion good, clean, strong magic. He has ben working it quite a lot and has been getting a fantastic reaction. I do not own this trick (Yet) but would highly recommend it.

I recieved this this morning and have to say its a wonderful effect, the dvd is excellent quality and i am so looking forward to performing this. I did notice one slight problem which I wont mention so's not to reveal anything but it can be sorted out without any issues just make sure you study what you get and practise. ( I know that sounds strange so if your unsure please pm me )
Ian

As a stage worker this is not for me,however its a lovely bit of close up magic and if you are inro easy to do card stuff then you wont go wrong if you spend your hard earned cash on this.
MM

Not entirely necessary, but my face card is a short card so I can handle the deck very freely before the initial display of the number cards.

9 outta 10 for this effect!

If been using this trick for quite a while now and I really like this. It a really good effect just like you said. Iv recommended it to to of my magician freinds and they like it to. Spectators really like this trick.

Absolutely love this routine. I've been tinkering around with a few ideas to allow the photo to be in the specs hand from the very start. Very much a WiP.


G

This is fun and I recommend that you take photos of yourself holding the cards. With cheapness of printing it's even worth considering having photos taken outside venues you're performing in. Makes it very personal then.

Hi Guys,

Very interested in this!

Sounds awesome!

Are the cards examinable?

dgmagic

Only the ones they choose but in my experience no one wants to look at the deck after the revelation.

Cheers Steve!

Looks like I'll be ordering that one!

dgmagic

A really strong routine but I still prefer Trilogy

Hi Dave,

May I ask why you prefer Trilogy to Cataclysm?

Btw, really enjoyed the Leamington Day of Magic!

dgmagic

It's just a personal opinion dgmagic.

Both are very good routines and to a degree I suppose that it's a matter of what I'm used to. Different effects but basically the same, or similar result. I've always had great reactions from Trilogy so have not really needed to change. However, If I had been using Cataclysm first then it may well be the other way around. I've also never found the need to 'upgrade' to Trilogy Streamline for the very same reason.

I do think that Cataclism can have many different presentations because of the ability to personalise the photo's. You've really got to try both to find out which you prefer.