The Pages Are Blank by Michael Feldman

Effect

The Pages Are Blank by Michael Feldman presents a collection of card magic routines that create strong visual and mental illusions. The effects include cards rearranging themselves into perfect order after being mixed, signed cards appearing in impossible locations, and time-themed routines where cards seem to travel through time. The magic is designed to be so strong that even though the audience knows it's sleight of hand, the impossibility of what they see makes it compelling.

Full details

The book contains a variety of card tricks, from everyday carry routines to advanced sleight-heavy performances. Some highlights include:

• Full Style Cut: A deceptive routine where two spectators appear to see different cards, leading to a surprising reveal.
• Time One Hour: A time-travel-themed ace-cutting routine with a strong visual finish.
• Out with the Wash: A deceptive method for instantly restoring a shuffled deck to order.
• Signature-based tricks: Routines that use signed cards in impossible ways, including duplicates and transpositions.

The book also includes essays on performance philosophy, emphasizing that strong magic doesn’t require pretending it’s real—just that it’s impossible to explain.

Who should consider the trick

This book is best suited for intermediate to advanced card magicians. Beginners may find many of the techniques too challenging, but those with experience in sleight of hand will appreciate the depth and creativity. If you enjoy refining difficult moves and adapting routines to your style, this book will be valuable.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The difficulty level varies, but many routines require advanced techniques such as:

• Bottom deals
• One-handed and two-handed card palms
• Advanced false shuffles and cuts
• Unconventional grips and displays

Some moves, like the one-handed two-card palm, will take dedicated practice. However, the book encourages readers to modify methods if needed, making it adaptable to different skill levels.

What magicians say

Steve Faulkner from RealMagicReview praises the book for its polished production, engaging writing, and strong magic. He says:

"This is for people like me or people like you that will, even if you can't do it, go, 'That's a really good challenge, I want to really learn that.'"

He also appreciates the humor and personality in the writing, comparing it to Chris Kenner’s style. While he doesn’t always agree with the author’s strong opinions, he finds the content thought-provoking and valuable for improving card magic skills.

The main drawback is that some routines are very challenging, but the book provides alternative approaches for those who want to adapt the material. Overall, it’s a strong addition to any serious card magician’s library.