Magic performances for adults in close proximity are a popular form of entertainment that allows spectators to experience incredible illusions up close. Unlike larger-scale magic shows that take place on stage, close-up magic involves a magician performing tricks in an intimate setting, often within arm's reach of the audience. One of the main draws of close-up magic is the ability to witness magic happening right in front of your eyes. The magician's interactions with the audience create a sense of astonishment and disbelief, as spectators struggle to comprehend how the tricks are performed. This element of mystery and wonder is what makes close-up magic so compelling and captivating. Close-up magic is highly interactive, as audience members are often chosen to participate in the tricks.
“Do you want to wear a beret after all?” Magnus asked. “Say the word. I happen to have several berets concealed on my person. In a variety of colors. I’m a beret cornucopia.”
As if it wasn t bad enough that their romantic getaway has been sidetracked, demons are now dogging their every step, and it is becoming harder to tell friend from foe. As their quest for answers becomes increasingly dire, Magnus and Alec will have to trust each other more than ever even if it means revealing the secrets they ve both been keeping.
Close-up magic is highly interactive, as audience members are often chosen to participate in the tricks. This level of involvement enhances the overall experience, as spectators become active participants in the magic. Whether it's selecting a card, examining an object, or simply observing closely, audience members are engaged in a unique way that adds to the enjoyment of the performance.
The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare Review *Spoilers!*
All Magnus Bane wanted was a vacation—a lavish trip across Europe with Alec Lightwood, the Shadowhunter who against all odds is finally his boyfriend. But as soon as the pair settles in Paris, an old friend arrives with news about a demon-worshipping cult called the Crimson Hand that is bent on causing chaos around the world. A cult that was apparently founded by Magnus himself. Years ago. As a joke.
Now Magnus and Alec must race across Europe to track down the Crimson Hand and its elusive new leader before the cult can cause any more damage. As if it wasn’t bad enough that their romantic getaway has been sidetracked, demons are now dogging their every step, and it is becoming harder to tell friend from foe. As their quest for answers becomes increasingly dire, Magnus and Alec will have to trust each other more than ever—even if it means revealing the secrets they’ve both been keeping.
My Rating: 3 Stars
Cassandra Clare is one of my favorite authors, specifically, her Infernal Devices trilogy are some of my all-time favorite books. That said, my expectations were fairly high going into this novel, but I was at the same time cautious because I knew that this book was co-authored. I’m going to break this review into what worked well for me, and what I thought could be improved.
What Could Improve:
For me, there was an element of tension missing from this novel because we know that it works out, at least for Alec and Magnus. This book takes place after City of Glass, and we’ve had so much content since then that we know they both would survive, or at least be okay at the end of this novel. It’s still possible to include tension when you know the outcome, but I felt that this book missed the mark on doing that.
Magnus’s humor in Cassie’s books is often the funniest out of her characters (other than Will Herondale’s), but it wasn’t on par to what I’ve seen in her other books. Magnus often makes me literally laugh out loud, but his jokes were more cringey than funny.
Alec and Magnus’s relationship insecurity doesn’t resonate with me the way it once did. We’ve already read about their concerns with their relationship working out, we’ve heard their concerns, and reading it again just felt old for me. I know Cassie couldn’t erase those concerns because then the book wouldn’t feel authentic, but it was frustrating to see them doubting themselves and each other again.
The character name-dropping seemed to be more of a nod to the reader than something to further the plot. As excited as I was when Tessa appeared, and I was, I wish she hadn’t just been thrown in at the beginning and end of the book. Also, Johnny, Kit, and Raphael’s names being dropped seemed a little random.
The book somehow assumes that the reader doesn’t know anything about the Shadowhunter universe, but I’m very skeptical that a reader would pick this up as their first Shadowhunter book. The authors review Idris as though we’d never heard of it, and the scene when Magnus went rune by rune on Alec felt tedious.
The book itself felt very slow-paced because there wasn’t much happening in it, which contributed to the tension issue I found. They jumped between partying, shopping, and there were a few demon attacks. It was a short novel, but it seemed like it took a long time for them to find any clues.
Shinyun’s betrayal was too predictable – I knew from the moment she showed up that she was going to betray them because we’d never seen her before, and if Magnus and Alec had made an important friend on this trip, we definitely would’ve known about her by now.
At the end of the novel, the characters decide to not tell anyone about their adventure and make a pact, which explains why none of the characters in the other books ever found about it. However, I couldn’t quite suspend my disbelief for this. Are we supposed to believe that Alec never tells even Jace, his parabatai? Or Izzy? Or that Izzy never followed up with Alec about the research he made her do? I find that hard to believe.
What I Liked:
I loved seeing Helen and Aline meet, and I really enjoyed their dynamic with Alec. However, I do feel that they fell in love way too fast. Still, one of my favorite scenes happened with the three of them, when they were trapped by the fire and had to work together to get out.
Another scene I really enjoyed was the hot air balloon rescue scene, when Alec and Magnus rescue two Shadowhunters, one of whom turns out to be Aline.
The third scene I loved was Mangnus’s flashbacks, both times, as he regained his memory. We learned so much about him through those flashbacks that we didn’t learn before, and I loved that! It would’ve been even better if that had been incorporated more throughout the novel instead of at the end, but I loved it nonetheless.
Tessa’s advice at the end about loving a Shadowhunter warmed my heart and made me smile, and I thought in general that was a nice moment in the book.
Also, the cliffhanger ending I thought was interesting. I wasn’t sure how the series would continue after the resolution, but I’m excited to see how Shinyun and Ragnor come into play in future books.
Although this book wasn’t my favorite of Cassie’s, and I was hard on it, but that’s just because my expectations for Cassandra Clare’s books are so high. I hope the next few books in this series continue to improve!
Let me know your thoughts on Red Scrolls in the comments! What’s your favorite Cassandra Clare book?
The crystalline glow of the Eiffel Tower receded. People had not expected it to last, either. Yet there it stood, the blazon of the city.
Another benefit of close-up magic is the opportunity for personal connection between the magician and the audience. In a small setting, the magician can establish rapport with individuals, creating a more personal and memorable experience for everyone involved. This intimate setting allows for moments of surprise and amazement that can't be replicated in a large-scale performance. Close-up magic is not limited to card tricks or simple illusions. Magicians who specialize in this type of performance often incorporate a variety of objects and techniques to create a diverse and captivating show. From coin manipulation to mind-reading tricks, there is a wide range of magic that can be performed in close proximity to the audience. In conclusion, magic performances for adults in close proximity offer a unique and engaging form of entertainment. The intimacy of the setting, the interactive nature of the tricks, and the element of mystery all combine to create a memorable experience for spectators. Whether it's watching a card disappear or witnessing an object levitate, close-up magic allows the audience to be part of the magic and marvel at its wonders..
Reviews for "Experience the Magic: Close-up Performances for Grown-up Audiences"
1. Ashley Smith - 1/5 stars - I was so disappointed with the magic performances for adults in close proximity. The tricks were underwhelming and predictable. I felt like I was watching a cheap magic show from the 90s. The magician lacked charisma and failed to engage the audience. It was just a series of generic card tricks and basic illusions that I've seen countless times before. I definitely won't be recommending this show to anyone.
2. Robert Johnson - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for the magic performances for adults in close proximity, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The magician's technical skills were commendable, but the overall presentation lacked innovation and excitement. The tricks seemed outdated and lacked the "wow" factor that I was anticipating. The show also lacked a cohesive narrative or theme, making it feel disjointed and random. Overall, I was left feeling unimpressed and uninspired.
3. Emily Thompson - 2/5 stars - The magic performances for adults in close proximity failed to captivate me. The magician seemed disinterested and was just going through the motions. The tricks were mediocre at best, and there was no sense of wonder or surprise. I've seen better magic shows on television. The stage setup also felt cramped, and I couldn't fully appreciate the tricks due to the limited visibility. The overall experience was lackluster and forgettable. I wouldn't recommend this show to anyone looking for an exciting and engaging magic performance.