Card magic has been a popular form of entertainment for centuries. From simple tricks to mind-boggling illusions, card magic has fascinated audiences of all ages. But what sets apart the exalted way to card magic from the rest? The exalted way to card magic is not simply about performing tricks and fooling the audience. It is about creating an experience that transcends the ordinary. It involves a deep understanding of the art form and a dedication to perfecting one's craft. In the exalted way to card magic, the magician is not just a performer, but an artist.
Of course, it’s all fun and games until someone turns to stone, and that’s literally what happens on opening night when a spell aimed at Thorn hits the opponent next to her. Thorn was obviously the target, but the small minded in the crowd think that it must be the Spares doing this. Who else would be willing to use ancient, evil, forbidden magic to win a game if not the degenerate Spares?
The Olympics of the witch world, the Golden Frog Games encompass a week of magical competitions across the Twelve Towns and this year, Seven s coven is making history again. Of course, it s all fun and games until someone turns to stone, and that s literally what happens on opening night when a spell aimed at Thorn hits the opponent next to her.
In the exalted way to card magic, the magician is not just a performer, but an artist. They strive to create moments of wonder and awe, using the deck of cards as their medium. Every move is carefully choreographed, every trick meticulously practiced, to create a seamless and captivating performance.
Golden Frog Games, The
Since Witchlings, Seven and her friends Valley and Thorn have been forged into a coven. It’s a coven of Spares . . . but still. Their rise to power, completion of the impossible task, and unveiling of a horrible conspiracy have witches everywhere talking about Spare rights. Plus, Seven has now been named the Town Uncle and her powers will eventually be equal to the Gran. Perhaps things in the Twelve Towns are looking up for Spares?
Meanwhile, The Golden Frog Games are approaching. The Olympics of the witch world, the Golden Frog Games encompass a week of magical competitions across the Twelve Towns and this year, Seven’s coven is making history again. Thorn has joined as a fashion design competitor.
Of course, it’s all fun and games until someone turns to stone, and that’s literally what happens on opening night when a spell aimed at Thorn hits the opponent next to her. Thorn was obviously the target, but the small minded in the crowd think that it must be the Spares doing this. Who else would be willing to use ancient, evil, forbidden magic to win a game if not the degenerate Spares?
It’s now up to Seven and Valley to save Thorn from this enemy in the crowd. But a lot of other things are going on. Seven is hearing the Nightbeast calling to her, and her magic is becoming . . . well . . . monstrous. And Valley has a girlfriend and is suddenly unavailable for her friends. Could this be the end of the tight knit coven? Could this be the end of Thorn?
While the first in the series, Witchlings, started off with enough action and emotion to enthrall even adult audiences, the magic is weaker in this sequel. The investigative angle here takes a backseat to the themes of the story, leading to an eventual sloppy revelation that’s just not as tight nor as compelling as the first book.
First, we have themes of sexuality in this book, something arguably not appropriate for the young children to whom it is pitched. We have a drag witch (a fey who made a few guest appearances alongside our favorite ghost in the first book) narrating the games, some witches using they/them pronouns, and then Valley’s star-crossed lesbian love affair. Regardless of your stance on these items, it’s fair to say that they are polarizing and not appropriate for 12-year-olds. They, however, make up the thrust of the story. It’s preaching. Preaching that gets old and is heavy handed. As a Christian myself, these were all worldviews aimed at children that I also cannot support. If you’re interested in the whys and whereofs of that, I recommend a book called The Right to Be Christian in a Gay Rights America by Elreta Dodds.
Once we get past the book’s heavy-handed worldview pushing, the characters don’t feel as warm here. They are literarily floating away from one another, after all that tension and worldbuilding and overcoming trauma that came in the first book. Despite being in the games, Thorn is barely in the book. Seven is keeping some serious secrets, and Valley is too busy with her girlfriend to care that much about . . .you know . . . someone trying to kill her friend. The warmth and friendship that was so hard won is gone, and we’re stuck with a group of strangers again. A group we don’t like very much.
What is interesting is Seven’s new monster calling. It picks up the darkness from the first book, and leaves room for an interesting sequel. I appreciated the softening of the Nightbeast and the proclaimed kindness to animals. I mean, the Nightbeast rocks.
The who-dunnit here is also a bit rushed, and honestly, I couldn’t figure out who the end perpetrator was. I know it was someone we met earlier in the book, but this person seemed more like a side character. I also didn’t fully understand the person’s connection with the original villains from the first book. While I appreciated some of the subterfuge around the perp, the end reveal was nowhere near that of Witchlings and I left confused. Who did what? Why?? It still wasn’t clear.
The conclusion finally ends on a sad note; a very, very sad note. Obviously, it’s going to be picked up in a sequel, but this time it’s too much of a downer. I don’t read middle grade fiction much, but I admit I was looking forward to not being depressed and darn it if they didn’t go and depress me!!
I’ll probably read the next book in the series. The writing is good and there is some imaginativeness here, plus the Audible narrator has some series storytelling skills. However, I don’t think this is a good book for children, based on the reasons above about hardcore pushing of sexual agendas. At the very least, if you have a mature child who wants to read this, you’re going to need to read it with them and have some discussions. Parental discretion advised.
– Frances Carden
by chim_chay
One of the key aspects of the exalted way to card magic is the emphasis on skill. While tricks can be learned and replicated, true mastery comes from years of practice and dedication. The magician spends countless hours perfecting their technique, honing their skills to create a performance that is truly extraordinary. Another important element of the exalted way to card magic is creativity. The magician goes beyond the traditional tricks and explores new and innovative techniques. They constantly push the boundaries of what is possible, developing their own unique style and repertoire of tricks. Additionally, the exalted way to card magic values presentation. It is not just about the mechanics of the trick, but about the story that is being told. The magician engages the audience with their performance, using storytelling techniques to create a sense of mystery and suspense. They understand that it is not just about fooling the audience, but about creating an emotional connection. In conclusion, the exalted way to card magic is not about shortcuts or gimmicks. It is about the pursuit of excellence and the dedication to perfecting one's craft. It is about creating an experience that goes beyond the ordinary, using skill, creativity, and presentation to captivate and astonish the audience. The exalted way to card magic is a path that requires commitment and passion, but it is a journey that is truly rewarding for both the magician and the audience..
Reviews for "Elevating Your Card Magic Presentation: The Exalted Way"
1. John - 2 stars - I was expecting to learn some amazing card tricks from "The exalted way to card magic," but instead I found the instructions to be confusing and poorly explained. The author seemed to assume that readers already had a certain level of knowledge about card magic, leaving beginners like me feeling lost and frustrated. It's a shame because the book promised so much, but it failed to deliver on its promises.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I have been a fan of card magic for years, but I found "The exalted way to card magic" to be extremely underwhelming. The tricks presented were either too basic or overly complicated, without much balance in between. The author also lacked clarity in their explanations, making it difficult to follow along. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for quality card magic instruction.
3. David - 2 stars - As an intermediate magician, I was excited to dive into "The exalted way to card magic" and add some new tricks to my repertoire. However, I was left disappointed by the lack of originality in the tricks presented. Many of them felt like variations of classic card tricks that have been done countless times before. The material in the book felt stale and unexciting, and I struggled to find anything that stood out as unique or innovative. Overall, I would not recommend this book for magicians looking for fresh and exciting card magic.