Reaper by Peter Nardi

Effect

The Reaper is a tarot card routine where the spectator is tasked with avoiding the "Death" card. The magician presents a set of custom tarot cards, and the spectator freely mixes them before selecting a card they believe has a positive vibe. Despite their efforts to avoid the ominous Death card, the final reveal shows that all the remaining cards in their hand are Death cards—except the one they chose. The effect is both visually striking and emotionally engaging, blending elements of mentalism and bizarre magic.

Full Details

Reaper is a reimagined version of the earlier effect "ES Perfect," updated with custom tarot cards and a specially designed wallet. The routine is modular, allowing performers to adjust the presentation for different audiences—whether serious and mystical or streamlined and direct. The custom tarot cards feature high-quality artwork, maintaining the classic tarot aesthetic without appearing gimmicky. The included wallet is compact, made of genuine leather, and perfectly sized to hold the cards.

The trick comes with multiple handling options, including a version where all the spectator’s cards turn out to be Death cards at the end, contrasting with the magician’s matching selection. Additionally, a bonus "spooky color Monte" routine is included for added versatility.

Who Should Consider the Trick

• Mentalists and bizarre magicians will appreciate the thematic depth and psychological impact.
• Close-up performers looking for a compact, self-contained routine that plays strong in intimate settings.
• Tarot enthusiasts or performers who want to incorporate tarot into their acts without complex sleight of hand.
• Halloween or spooky-themed performers, though the effect is designed to work year-round.

Difficulty

Reaper is designed to be accessible to magicians of all skill levels. The method is straightforward, with no advanced sleight of hand required. The routine happens entirely in the spectator’s hands, making it highly deceptive and easy to perform convincingly. The instructional video covers multiple handlings and presentation tips, ensuring performers can adapt it to their style.

What Magicians Say

• AlakazamMagicUK describes it as "a phenomenal piece of kit" with a "killer ending" and praises the quality of the props. They highlight its modular nature, allowing for different presentations.
• Wayne Goodman calls it "so clean" and emphasizes that "everything happens in full view," making it impossible for spectators to suspect any hidden moves.
• Performers who owned the original ES Perfect note that this version improves upon it with better props and more flexible routining. One reviewer mentions, "The reactions are stronger because the tarot theme makes it feel less like a magic trick and more like a real moment of fate."

Reaper is a well-crafted, visually stunning effect that combines strong methodology with engaging presentation possibilities. Whether performed as a spooky piece or a psychological experiment, it leaves a lasting impression on audiences.