PROS

This is a really powerful effect that could be presented as magic OR mentalism.

It uses regular decks of cards that are prepared in advance. The instruction is excellent.

This can be performed at a very low level of difficulty or using a minor adjustment that will take minimal additional skill.

It can be performed fully surrounded and it resets easily or instantly depending upon how you perform it.

CONS

There are some downsides, but with a little creative thinking, I don’t think these are an issue.

First, you will need to use three decks to make two decks. However, you could make a second Juxtaposition deck with the discard cards, or, you might want to check out “Torched and Restored” by Brent Braun and use the discard cards to create the deck for that effect.

Second, the decks are not examinable. However, one of the decks could easily be used for other effects, with a relatively simple sleight. One of the decks will have just one card discrepancy that shouldn’t be an issue. In fact the discrepancy could be used for additional powerful effects.

VERDICT

The effect is very powerful, and it can be presented as magic or mentalism. It uses two decks, one of the decks will not likely be usable for other effects, but one of the decks could be used for other effects.

When it comes to reviewing magic products, to me, it's all about the integrity of the creator and what s/he is claiming vs. what you actually get. This effect's ad copy keeps it mostly black and white, but does brush up against some morally grey (Thank you Noah Bennet) areas.

The ad copy claims: No forcing, No R&S, No Misprinted Cards, No Deck Switch, No Sleight of Hand, No Memorizing, Nothin' At All (Thank you Heart). That's all true, 100%. The morally grey is the next claim: "No Gimmicks of ANY kind."

While it's true that every single card used for the effect is not gimmicked, you are working with two un-examinable decks. Without revealing the method, let me just say this. You will be required to get three decks of cards to create the two decks used for performance. From the video trailer and the ad copy, it could very easily be inferred that when the spectator takes the deck out of his pocket that he is the one who opens the deck and finds the only odd colored card. Though the ad copy does not make that claim, it's leads you right up to the point where it is very easily inferred. This is morally grey.

However, I also understand the need to protect the method when discussing effect in an advertisement. Further, it's a fair assumption to make that the spectator will feel as thought he did handle the deck a lot more than he really did, so I'm not too bothered by this. But for you who have put your trust in my words o' review, I just wanted to make sure you know exactly what you're getting.

As mentioned, the two decks are not examinable. I'll let you decide if that's good or bad. Further, the decks are one-trick wonders. The reset is instant which is good for strolling work, but having to carry around two extra decks that can only do one thing is less-good for strolling. For a set show, no problems.

Video quality, sound, etc.: All just fine. No issues there. Devonte is a good teacher, down to Earth and seems like a nice guy.

Finally, keep in mind that you're paying $30 for 1 trick that will require you to sacrifice 3 decks of cards. Not the best value for your money. That's for sure. On the other hand, if you like the effect, then maybe it's worth it to you. With the exception of the possible mistaken inference mentioned above, the effect is exactly as the ad copy says. The effect is pretty straight forward and pretty clean. The method, however, is a little more "dirty" than I prefer. Based on the demo and the added (hopefully) light I've shed on it, you have to decide for yourself if the effect is worth $30. For me . . . not so much.

2.5 Stars with a Stone Status of grubble

I was fully prepared to not like this product. It has all of the criteria for being “suspicious”: one-trick DVD with no props, hot demo videos, a list of all the “NO...”s, creator (and publisher) unknown to me. But that's what I love about preconceived notions: you learn more about yourself and the world when you're wrong, as I was with Juxtaposition.

Let's start with the demo video. While the video was shot in a “street magic” setting and has a few audience reaction shots, you really do get to see the whole effect from beginning to end with no cutaways. For once, the demo video isn't more deceptive than the effect!

Then we've got that pesky list of “NO this” and “NO that.” Well, they're all true. The selection is not forced; the cards are not gimmicked; there's no switching, memorization or sleight of hand to speak of. Surprisingly, they forgot to mention that the reset is basically automatic.

The effect is solid and easily understandable. I find that many two-deck routines can get muddy very quickly. Such is not the case here.

You know me... I always try to give both positive and negative points. I suppose I could think of a few things that might only matter if you're a dud of a performer and only performing for magicians. But they're not worth mentioning. I suppose there's no formal “credits” section. I'm no Max Maven, but I've never seen this method anywhere before. So maybe there just wasn't anything to credit.

In fact, I have one additional positive thing to point out. I'm not sure if Devonte does this naturally or made a conscious choice, but when he spreads the cards in his hands, he does in a way that all of the pips are right-side-up from the audience point of view. Well done!