Light Year by Kyle Parnell

Effect

Light Year is a mentalism trick where a spectator freely names any two-digit number. The magician then uses a set of unique tiles with patterned holes to reveal the exact number the spectator chose. The tiles are shown to be completely fair, with no hidden moves or suspicious handling. When the tiles are aligned or held up to light, the spectator's number appears in the dots, creating a surprising and impossible moment.

Full details

The trick includes specially designed tiles with holes that, when combined, form numbers. The spectator can choose any two-digit number, and the magician does not need to know it beforehand. The tiles can be displayed in multiple ways—held up to light, placed on a phone screen, or even projected with a torch to reveal the number on a wall.

The method is intuitive and does not rely on sleight of hand, making it accessible to magicians of different skill levels. The props are durable and portable, roughly the size of playing cards, so they can be carried easily in a pocket or small bag.

Who should consider the trick

Light Year is ideal for magicians who enjoy mentalism and want a unique, non-card-based effect. It works well in close-up or casual settings where you have time to build a presentation around the reveal. If you like storytelling or psychological themes (such as star-gazing or confirmation bias), this trick offers room for creative presentations.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The method is straightforward and does not require advanced sleight of hand. However, the reset and handling of the tiles take some practice to ensure smooth performance. Steve Faulkner mentions that while the trick is easy to learn, performing it confidently requires rehearsal to avoid mistakes in aligning the tiles.

What magicians say

Steve Faulkner from RealMagicReview praises Light Year for its originality and intuitive method:

• "I love how intuitive it is—no sleight of hand, just clever thinking. It’s different, it’s fun, and it gets strong reactions."
• "The props are unusual, so you need a good presentation to justify them. But once you do, the effect is really strong."

He also notes that while the trick is easy to learn, performing it smoothly takes practice:

• "The reset isn’t instant at first, but once you get used to it, it becomes quick."

Overall, Light Year is a well-received mentalism trick that offers a fresh approach to number prediction. It’s best suited for magicians who enjoy interactive, presentation-heavy effects and don’t mind working with unconventional props.