Product description : This is a booktest which is built inside a « Word-Search » book and it will allow you, with minimal informations, to reveal the word a member of the audience has picked in the grid. There are others functions built in it such as the reveal of the first lines of a grid, you could even do it on a paperboard on stage thanks to the big book which is given to you.
Price and where to buy it : This is sold at $100 and you can find it in nearly every Murphys partner (so you can get it at your favorite magic shop) and directly from the creator (free shipping worldwide) : http://www.davidstonewords.com/.
What you get : You get a very nice package with inside 3 books, 2 smaller ones so you can perform the effect close-up but also a bigger one so you can completely do the routine on stage in front of 100/200 people. You also get written instruction which are very well made, it's easy to follow and to understand.
The pros and the cons : Here is the core of my review, let's begin with the cons, as I will usually be doing, I prefer to keep the good things for the end.
THE CONS :
The spectator may not find a word very easily while looking for one in the grid. Due to the nature of the trick, they may struggle before getting one. However, this could be used in your advantage, maybe make jokes but it won't be too hard to fill this instant.
You have to get some informations before revealing the word, it's how the majority of the booktest work but still, this could be seen as a negative point. Again, in the instructions, they teach you how to get those informations using various methods, some are clever and at the end, you will have got what you need without the audience remembering it so good point for that.
THE PROS :
The books are lovely made, they look and feel like real ones ! The fact they included multiple size books allow you to present the effect in nearly every situation wether you're on stage or close-up.
The working of the whole thing is a piece of genius, I just can't imagine how much time they have been developping this. They did produce it in 4 languages which is a huge work but having the ability of performing it in your own language is a very good point.
No memory work have to be done ! Really, when I saw how they disguised all the informations needed, I just went crazy. You don't have to remember anything (well maybe a little bit for the revelation of the first line of the grid but come on, a 5 year-old child could do it, really) and you can perform it just after having read the instructions.
Since no memory work is needed, you can completely focus on your presentation and build the routine however you want.
The reset is instant, you can do it again just after having performed it. However, I wouldn't do it on the same person (well, you could by asking them to flik one or two pages) because there is a very small chance to get to screw you. I don't want to say more about that since it would show the trick work but if you use the « flick one or two pages so you get a new grid », everything will be fine !
This gives a new fresh presentation to the booktest plot, with new book, you could built an act around those little guys.
Overall rating : I really enjoyed this product, I think it gives a new youth to booktest, or at least you different way to perform those kind of effect. Since the material is very well made, the price asked is fair and you won't be disappointed ! 4/4 hearts for me, I now use it as my little stage act.
As for the difficulty level, you don't have anything to remember so it's perfect, 1/5 stars.
Similar products : I think it's the only « Word-search » booktest on the market right now which makes it unique. You can find plenty of booktest at your favorite shop but this one is worth checking.