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Dracula Book Test by Ellusionist

Created by: Ellusionist

The Dracula Book Test is a mentalism trick designed for close-up or parlour magic, where the magician can predict a word a spectator is thinking of from a book. The spectator can open the book to any page, and the magician reveals the first word on that page. This trick is part of the 'How to Read Minds Kit for Kids' from Ellusionist, which is aimed at introducing mentalism to a younger audience or for magicians to perform for children. The kit includes various props and routines, with the Dracula Book Test being a standout item for its simplicity and effectiveness.

Key features

  • Part of the 'How to Read Minds Kit for Kids'

  • Designed for mentalism performances for children

  • Includes a professionally made impression pad for name, drawing, or number reveals

  • Features a Jungle Book test similar to the Dracula Book Test

  • Comes with well-made tutorials totaling around 1.5 hours of content

Pros

  • Engaging and accessible for kids

  • Well-made tutorials

  • Includes a variety of props for multiple tricks

  • Good foundation for a kid-friendly magic act

  • Professional quality impression pad

Cons

  • Some props are of low quality

  • Forcing pencil case is flawed in design

  • UV pen is cheap and may break easily

  • Deck of cards is small and not of high quality

Effect

The Dracula Book Test is a mentalism effect where a spectator opens a book to any page and thinks of the first word on that page. The performer, without any prior knowledge, reveals the exact word the spectator is thinking of. The effect appears as if the magician can read minds or has an uncanny ability to predict words from a freely chosen page.

Full Details

The Dracula Book Test is part of a larger kit designed for mentalism performances, particularly for children. The book used in the test is a modified version of Bram Stoker's Dracula, though the same principle can be applied to other books, such as the Jungle Book in the kids' version of the kit. The method allows the performer to know the first word on any page the spectator selects, making it a powerful and repeatable effect.

The book itself is not examinable, meaning spectators cannot freely flip through it without potentially exposing the method. However, the presentation is structured in a way that maintains the illusion of a free choice. The performer can also reveal words from adjacent pages with slight adjustments, adding versatility to the routine.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for:

  • Mentalists looking for a straightforward yet strong book test.
  • Magicians performing for children, as the Jungle Book variant makes it more engaging for younger audiences.
  • Performers who want a repeatable, self-contained mentalism effect without complex sleight of hand.

Difficulty

The Dracula Book Test is easy to perform, requiring no advanced sleight of hand or memorization. The method is based on a clever principle that allows the performer to consistently know the correct word. The main challenge lies in presentation—making the effect feel organic and impossible rather than mechanical.

What Magicians Say

Sebastian Toca, who reviewed the kids' version of the kit, praised the book test, stating:

  • "It's a very good book test, super easy to do, super simple... it does what it's supposed to do."
  • He also noted that while the book isn't examinable, the effect is strong enough for casual performances, especially for children.

The Dracula Book Test is a reliable and engaging mentalism tool, suitable for both beginners and experienced performers looking for a quick, impactful effect.

What people are saying about Dracula Book Test

sebastiantoca9208 says...

The kit is surprisingly good and could be a foundation for a kid-friendly magic act. [...] The Impression Pad is considered the best item in the kit, allowing for name, drawing, or number reveals.

Review videos