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Prism by Max Maven

Created by: Max Maven

Prism by Max Maven is a seminal work in mentalism, offering a collection of powerful and direct effects that are both easy to perform and deeply impactful. The book includes routines like 'Desire U,' 'Kirami,' and 'Armchair Bowler,' which showcase Max Maven's genius in creating clear, methodical, and astonishing mentalism. Ideal for intermediate to advanced practitioners, this book is a must-have for anyone serious about mentalism, providing timeless material that continues to inspire magicians worldwide.

Key features

  • Focuses on mentalism with clear, direct methods

  • Includes classic routines like 'Desire U' and 'Kirami'

  • Suitable for intermediate to advanced magicians

  • Timeless material that remains relevant and powerful

  • Offers insights into Max Maven's creative process

Pros

  • Highly respected and influential in the mentalism community

  • Clear, methodical explanations for each effect

  • Effects are easy to perform yet deeply impactful

  • Includes a variety of routines for different performance contexts

Cons

  • May require prior knowledge of mentalism techniques

  • Not ideal for beginners due to the complexity of some effects

Effect

The audience sees a mentalism routine where the magician predicts a spectator's chosen geometric shape and a random coin selection. The spectator freely thinks of a shape (e.g., square, circle) and selects a coin through a series of eliminations. Despite the randomness, the magician reveals a written prediction matching the spectator's chosen shape and coin, creating a moment of apparent mind-reading.

Full Details

Prism by Max Maven is a book containing a collection of mentalism routines. One highlighted effect, Geometric Coin, demonstrates Maven's direct and powerful approach. The routine involves:

  • A spectator thinking of a geometric shape.
  • A random coin selection process (eliminating tails until one coin remains).
  • A prediction that matches both the shape and the final coin.

The method is straightforward, relying on psychological forces and clever structuring rather than complex sleight of hand. The book includes other notable routines like Desire U, Kirami, and Armchair Bowler, all emphasizing clear, impactful effects with minimal technical difficulty.

Who Should Consider the Trick

  • Mentalism Enthusiasts: Those interested in psychological magic and mind-reading effects will find Prism valuable.
  • Intermediate Magicians: While some routines are easy, others require familiarity with basic card or coin handling.
  • Performers Seeking Strong Material: The effects are audience-tested and focus on creating strong, memorable moments.

Difficulty

Most routines in Prism are low to moderate difficulty. Geometric Coin, for example, requires no advanced sleight of hand but benefits from smooth presentation. Some effects, like Roulette (a variation of Maven's Dangerous Game), involve more nuanced handling but remain accessible with practice.

What Magicians Say

  • AlakazamMagicUK calls Prism a "must-have for mentalism enthusiasts," praising its "straightforward yet powerful effects." They highlight Geometric Coin as an example of Maven's ability to create strong magic with simple methods.
  • MagicOrthodoxy mentions Roulette, a trick inspired by Prism, as a standout routine in their review of Jack Tighe’s bundle, noting its clever structure and audience impact.

The consensus is that Prism offers practical, performance-ready material with a focus on clear, impactful mentalism.

What people are saying about Prism

AlakazamMagicUK says...

Max Maven's 'Prism' is a must-have for mentalism enthusiasts, praised for its straightforward yet powerful effects.

magicorthodoxy says...

The 'Roulette' routine in the Jack Tighe Bundle is inspired by Max Maven's 'Dangerous Game' from his *Prism* book, showcasing the enduring influence of Maven's work.

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