Paul

I have been waiting for this book to be released for well over a year. It's finally here. The Particle Stack/System is just wonderful. I have been an Aronson Stack user since 1995 and am switching to the Particle Stack. Everything I did with Aronson (except my original story The Legend of Southside Johnny) can be done with the Particle Stack and more. Much of my thinking about incorporating non stack effects into your stack work are mirrored in this book and was a nice validation for me. I have already memorized the stack and am working through the effects now. It is an exciting new journey. Thank you for this book!

 

Mike

This is a sensational book. Absolutely worth 5 stars.To think I nearly dismissed it! My attitude was, “Do I really need another book on card magic?” Having previously made several attempts at learning a memorised stack I was not very keen on the idea of another one!! Well, how wrong I was. This is a veritable Book of Delights, accompanied by a substantial, high quality video package including three different shows, together with explanations and instruction on less common false cuts and shuffles, and yet more! There are good support mechanisms to help with learning the stack. Wow is too weak a word for it.

The focus is on three key aspects of a magic performance: Practicality, Spectacle and Artistic quality. These goals are achieved in Spades (forgive the pun). The stack system is very well designed and significantly much easier to learn than normal. The book plus video package gives excellent instruction on a variety of top notch effects with the Particle Stack. In addition, a number of strong non-stack effects are built in, including some that require a substantial set up. For example, a favourite effect is a handling of Oz Pearlman’s ‘Perfection’. This is a killer ending for a performance. These built in features are excellent for working performers who have limited space for carrying multiple decks. Highly recommended. I am absolutely delighted with this new acquisition, adding to my many other high quality products from Vanishing Inc.

 

Lawrence

Outstanding!

 

Daniel

I got the regular version at the beginning, but shortly after I started reading it I realized I had to switch to the deluxe version. Joshua jay is one of my favorite magician of all times and as soon as I started reading I realized all the effort he really has put in to this book and project, this is top quality magic Im loving it.

 

Brian

Great stuff, well worth the wait. Practical, audience tested material.

 

Rob

I just got through the download for the second time and should receive the deluxe edition tomorrow in the mail. I am excited about receiving the books and the cards especially since I have watched the download already. I realize that this will be a bit of work to memorize the stack but it will be worth the effort. Thanks to Joshua Jay’s work for making this Particle System available to me and I look forward to learning it.

 

EDMUNDO

Hi, this is a partial review for the next reason:
I still need to memorize the order(but this is on me)

Now, I read the first pages and it’s amazing, Joshua put a LOT of effort to this project.

I recommend 100 % this will be my goal for 2025 to master this book.

If you are serious about card magic, this is a MASTER WEAPON to always have.

What more can I say: it’s Joshua Jay work, do you really need a review ??? 😂😂😂. Just buy, study and practice, then you a no be admitted at Howard’s 🤣♥️🙈.


Good for VI for this master piece

 

Robert

I've only started working with this, but wow!! What a system. The ease of learning it, the "system" of multiple things going on - all come together to be something I'll definitely be using for years to come. The weekly emails are both helpful and encouraging. This is a comprehensive system that comes with some phenomenal routines! The included cards with the reveals are great!! Get this now while you can! The Deluxe edition, while pricey, is worth it for sure. And if nothing else, the box is amazing!! Well done guys!

 

Michael

The more I study The Particle System, the more I feel myself liking it. Having committed the deck to memory and now locking it in, I am really appreciating all of the built in effects like this first Act.

All of the interlocking elements make for a marvellous set performance of strong engaging magic. I made a point of having some strong effects I always perform when handed a brand new deck. All of my routines have joined The Particle System.

I consider The Particle System a great plug-in to my already existing data base of knowledge.

 

John

The Particle System is a phenomenal study which will advance your skills to endless potential in providing real miracles of magic with a deck of cards. This gets the highest recommendation available. Thanks Josh !!

 

Garry

Absolutely amazing. Before I received the book I was able to watch the videos that you received once the orders is made, Six videos and around Six hours plus of video play time, that's so awesome, with Joshua Jay plenty of demos, followed by lots of information first, followed by full tutorials too and a great teacher and very enjoyable to watch and learn from too, quality video production nice and clean, There's so much more than I expected on these videos. Then I received the book Wow, again so much better than I expected, it's a lovely quality hard back book, I have had a glimpse through the book and the format and design is so awesome and so much information with lots of Coloured photos too.The deck set up i absolutely love, this is right up my street as the saying goes. I just can't wait to get stuck in.and start learning from this book and from the videos too. This is Just so brilliant, So if you like card magic, for me if there was a choice of any card magic, I would say this is the one to have, And I've only just got started on this Particular one. Its a toolbox full of great card magic and plenty of great Routines. YeeeAaaaaa.

 

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Tony

I buy a lot of magic...and I mean A LOT and as I am in my 80's I have done so for a lot of years. Maybe a part of me is always looking for the "perfect" trick for me and my style. Very few effects I buy exceed my expectations. My passion is mostly cards and when I received Particle I got something that has won, hands down, the award for being something that is so much better than what I imagined it would be.. I even upgraded to the deluxe edition because I thought it was so good
So much love and attention seems to have gone into the project. I have Mnemonica and a lot of other mem deck books and ebooks, and as blown away as I was by Mnemonica..and I have the book and the videos.. I feel Particle has opened up so many more doors..I especially like the way it teaches routines, and routines that don't demand a really superior skill set with sleight of hand.. I almost feel I don't need to ever buy another book about card tricks.
It is truly amazing for me.....and I strongly recommend having this in your collection. I would gladly exchange almost my entire collection for Particle. I love everything about it. And I think you will also. Bravo Josh..I am having an extraordinary experience with what you have done.

 

Kalv

What an absolutely fantastic book,cards,e book,app etc.If you want to learn a mem deck system then I recommend this book whole heartedly.To me it’s a much easier system to learn.You have to put the work in but it’s all part of the fun and process.This book is a game changer for mem deck work and I predict it will be a go to system.Brilliant,just brilliant!Congratulations Josh and all the others behind the scenes that contributed to this superb work.

 

Steven

Writing a review at this point seems like overkill. I haven't read anything seriously negative and most reviews are overwhelmingly positive. I am tempted to use "instant classic", but I'm not really sure any of us are that prescient, despite what it says on our business card. At my advanced age, I seldom get excited by a new trick or book, but I'll make an exception here.

I'm sure there was some level of frustration with this long delayed project, but we've been presented with material that is truly tested and workable. Something very rare, except in those "lifetime of magic" books and even then it's not always true.

I genuinely think this will be around a long time.

I do hope the Facebook group remains viable for more that a couple of months. Only time will tell, I guess

This wouldn't be an honest review if I didn't mention packaging issues. My book arrived in one of those USPS plastic bags that generally means the contents have been mauled. In my case, the tape didn't cover the seam. Surprisingly, the deck and book were little the worse for wear.

 

Daniel

For anybody interested in card magic, there is a great deal in “The Particle System” to like. I will limit my comments to a few things that maybe should be getting more attention.

This is not just a book of very good tricks and routines. These are from the repertoire of a working professional, and they include complete sets for close-up and parlor. These include routines for all skill levels. If you prefer effects that don’t require a table, there are many here. Josh also teaches simple and practical false cuts and shuffles.

It may not be obvious to everybody but much of the system is presented in the manner of suggestions. If some parts do not appeal to you, there is still plenty in the manner of methods, effects, and presentations that you are likely to adopt.

Most impressive of all are the clarity with which Josh writes, how well motivated his discussions are, and how much he explains his thinking and choices that come from extensive performing experience.

 

Ryan

Where to start on this release by Vanishing Inc. and Josh Jay. There are too many amazing things about this to list them all but here are the main ones.
The explanations are incredibly in depth and easy to follow. Working with a new system, the last thing you want is to be struggling just to understand the mechanics. Josh eliminates all of that not only in his book but with the video instructions.
The live performances. Wow! This is so neat. It's so cool seeing the effects performed for a live audience and seeing their reactions. Please more of that! Compared to one performance on the street with many cuts that work well to push the trick, these are live performances of Josh doing the very tricks you'll learn. No camera edits that hide the moves and it's not needed. Knowing how they work, you're still captivated by the performance. Helps to really see how to present the tricks while learning them.
Simple. Powerful. Magic. You can really pick up the influence Josh had in carrere with this system. The effects are strong, simple to follow, and down right magical. Perfect for what we should be striving to entertain. Laypeople. Don't get me wrong, theres material here that will fool the best magician, but for a lay person, this will melt their minds while not being overly complicated to follow.
Pick this up now!

 

Bob

Of course, the magic is great, but what I found even more magical was Josh's interactions with the audience. Always light and fun, always respectful, never showoff-y (is that a word?), always warm and welcoming.

 

Gerhard

Oh wow this is just stunning. The book is a beaut. Started reading it a few days ago and the production values are fantastic and the book reads like a dream. Josh is a brilliant writer. I am sure Andi has made a significant contribution as well. This stack is just devious and learns pretty easily. Can't wait sink my teeth into it. Get this!

 

George

This is an awesome resource and something that provides value in so many different contexts. Not a one-trick pony by any means. The training (the tutorials and continuing online) are great too. Looking forward to growing with this. Well worth the price considering you get the book, the ebook, and the cards. One of the best purchases I have made in recent years.

 

Michael

What can I say? I was never moved to learn a memorized deck, and now I am thanks to Joshua Jay. Not only does The Particle System feel much more approachable to learn than many stacks out there, it also offers a number of unique benefits, including a suite of effects that require zero fumbling or awkward displacement to prepare for. Joshua also favours punchy worker's effects rather than the long-winded, formal card work that memorized deck magic often manifests as. The book is as well written and engaging as you'd come to expect from Joshua Jay, and the rewards are plentiful, including a series of clever false shuffles and cuts that you can use in your arsenal in general plus clever ideas like a low-tech way of making a prepared deck appear to be completely sealed in cellophane at the start of a performance. If you love mem deck work, get this book. If you love card magic in general, get this book.

 

VI Monthly
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John

Awesome performance of a memorized deck. John Chapman

 

Dylan

Joshua Jay’s Particle System is a must-have for anyone serious about card magic, especially if you’re interested in exploring the power of a memorized deck.

The entire system revolves around clever applications of a stacked deck, unlocking an impressive range of effects that are not only visual but also deeply fooling. If you’ve been curious about working with a memorized deck or are looking for new ways to use one, this system is a goldmine.

What makes Particle System stand out is how seamlessly the memorized deck integrates into the routines. Jay doesn’t just show you what’s possible; he explains the logic behind the effects, teaching you how to get the most out of the stack while keeping everything smooth and natural. His teaching style is super approachable, so even if you’re new to stack work, you’ll feel encouraged to dive in.

One of the coolest things about this system is its versatility. The techniques and principles are adaptable, whether you want quick, jaw-dropping moments or more complex routines. Jay also offers tips on transitioning into and out of a stack, so it’s practical for real-world performances.

While the system does require practice to get comfortable with the memorization and moves, the payoff is huge. It’s not just about learning tricks – it’s about opening up a whole new way to approach card magic. If you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, Particle System is worth every minute you spend with it.

 

Bryan

I love mem deck magic. I have been a student of the Aronson stack for 3 decades. I'm going to learn and use the Particle System from now on. This project is incredible. If this is your first look at memorized deck work or if you are looking to supercharge a previously learned setup, this checks all the boxes. 10/10

 

Luke

Excellent!!

 

Franklin

Really great mem deck book. I like the effects in the Particle System over the sort that are built in to the Aronson and Tamariz stacks. The stack doesn’t look like it’d withstand a lot of scrutiny with a prolonged face up spread, but the stack is better masked with just a cut of the cards (as shown in one the the book’s pictures). The benefits of the stack/ effects achievable outweigh the downside, IMO.

 

Scott

After waiting several years the book finally arrived. It was worth the wait. It’s a big, heavy and beautiful hard cover book. The contents of the book are very well organized and it’s easy to read and to understand. It’s also accompanied by full color photos making everything clear as day. So far the system/stack is easy to understand and I’ve began the process of memorizing them and I can’t wait to put this knowledge to use. It also comes with the playing cards and full video performances and explanations. And thanks to the special Black Friday deal I also got the ebook free, so I was already learning the stack before the book came. VI is the best! Thanks for tipping your work on the memorized deck Josh.

 

Shane

absolutely amazing!

 

Luca

I don’t normally post reviews but in this case I had to! This is absolutely the best mem system ever. Easy to understand and incredibly powerful. Take 20 min a day of your time and in a week you will memorize it. Joshua has given you his lifetime study and for me this project should be priced ten times more of the asking price. Well done Vanishing Ink for producing this instant-classic. Without a doubt this system will remain in the history of magic!

 

Abe

Wow. What can I say that hasn't already been said? Thoughtful. Practical. Artful. It's something I will absolutely be digging deeper into. For any serious card magic performer/enthusiast I can't recommend this enough. Thank you, Josh. I can tell the amount of time and love you've put into this. Worth every penny. Alright. That's enough time away from the book... I'll get back to it :)

 

VI Monthly
Member

Todd

Usually when someone says the have a "system", I think of the late night infomercials like: "I have a system where you can get rich by placing small classified ads in the newspaper. Buy my system to learn the secrets." I hear this and I immediately get suspicious.

Also, when you make a bold claim like you can memorize this deck in 1/2 the time, that sounds ridiculous. How do you know that for sure? As it turns out, it is just logic. because of the way this deck is structured, you only have to memorize 1/2 the deck and the other half you get if you can just add +2.

As for the system, well, that is a very accurate statement. I think it is selling this short by calling it a mem deck. In fact, the first tricks I looked at require no memorization, they just require use of the stack and some of the other clever commonly used tools that Josh included. So one of the great things about this is that you can get started with some great effects that require no memorization while you start memorizing the stack.

The only negative is that unlike some of the other stacks, you really can't have this one examined face up on a table. But there are lots of solutions to that one issue and Josh goes through a number of them. The upsides of this very well thought through system are tremendous.

Well worth the investment.

 

Steven

amazing

 

Kalv

That was brilliant!👏

 

Xi

The best ever!

 

VI Monthly
Member

Steven

Pretty impressive, Mr. Jay. Love the variety and reworking of several well-know plots (e.g. Cards Across, etc.).

Wish the quality of the audio was more consistent in the early part of this video...seems the intercutting of several performances betrayed inconsistent mic'ing or technical snafus. Hope the main material is more consistent.

 

Will

I cannot recommend this mem deck SYSTEM highly enough. It’s hands down one of the easiest and most intuitive systems I’ve ever come across. Josh has truly outdone himself, injecting his heart and soul into this project. From the moment you start using it, you’ll see how seamlessly the memory portion comes together—especially with the additional videos and the app set to release soon.

The thought and care Josh put into this system are evident in every detail. Beyond its simplicity and elegance, the tricks and routines included are absolutely incredible. Whether you’re new to mem-decks or an experienced pro, this system offers something for everyone. It not only opens the door to learning powerful new material but also enhances and greatly improves routines you may already have in your repertoire.

This isn’t just a tool—it’s a game changer. If you’ve ever been hesitant about using a memorized deck, now is the time to dive in. Josh has made the process effortless, fun, and incredibly rewarding. A must-have for any magician looking to elevate their craft!

 

Daniel

Wow. Just wow. This is spectacular. It truly is a system and not just a mem deck. Will you need to memorize the stack, yes. Is it worth it? 100%. The ability to chain effects together to create routines without fussing around and possibly breaking your stack is brilliant. And these aren’t just mediocre effects. These are killer tricks that you can tell have been road tested. It doesn’t hurt that that this is the type of card magic I like to perform.

The teaching and thought behind this is incredible.

if you want impromptu card tricks there are hundreds of books on those. If you want to come prepared to do some heavy hitting card magic then you should consider this. I know that I will be having a deck set up for this system as a part of my repertoire.

I’m excited to see what additional work will be thought of with this system in the years to come.

 

JUAN

The Paryicle System is amazing. It is incredible the things that you can do with it.

 

VI Monthly
Member

Tim

Bought the Particle System yesterday and started going through the videos and ebook.

I am absolutely blown away by the quality of teaching and the thoroughness of the material.

Plus the way it’s all presented makes it so EASY to digest and understand.

This might be the best product from Josh yet, and I own most of it.

I never thought I’d learn another stack after learning Mnemonica but, wow, now I want to.

Bravo Josh Jay… the magic community is lucky to have you!!

Tim Hannig

 

Mohammad

I ordered the regular Particle System as soon as it was released. After watching the performances, I couldn’t wait for the physical book to arrive, so I started reading the eBook right away. I must say, it’s absolutely fantastic for every close-up magician! If you have any doubts about its value, just consider the name behind it—Joshua Jay—who is always brimming with creative and practical ideas.

Is it challenging? Well, it’s a memorized stack, so naturally, it requires effort. But is it worth it? Definitely, YES.

Thank you, Joshua, and a huge thanks to the Vanishing Inc. team for such a valuable release!

 

Josh

I can't get over how good Josh Jay is in his shows. He just know have to have fun. It's about the magic yes, but it's more about him as well. Stories, magic, presentation, the works, and he delivers. Well done and definitely recommend this to anyone who needs close up material!

Community questions about Particle System

Have a question about this product? It's possible others do too. Ask here and other Vanishing Inc. Magic customers will be able to respond with assistance! Alternatively, email us and we can help too.

• Alejandro asks: Hello, I bought the book at Magic Live. How do we get the 6 week emails for training? Thanks

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: Please email us at Wizards@vanishingincmagic.com and we can look into this for you.

• Brian asks: Is it available as an ebook?

  • 1. Alexander answers: It is available as an ebook (like all VI books). I bought this book instantly (because I’ve been waiting for it for ages) and then realised that during this introductory Black Friday period, you get the ebook free with the physical copy. Thanks, Josh and Andi, you made a regular customer very happy.

  Post an answer to this question

• Stu asks: Hello, how many tricks are stack independent?

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: About 13 effects.

• Ed asks: I have already learnt Aronson stack, can this be applied to all the tricks in this book or do I need to learn a new stack? Thanks

  • 1. Proust answers: I got it already. To your question, I am afraid most of the tricks can not be applied to others’ deck. But you won’t regret buying it. The tricks here are so powerful.
  • 2. Proust answers: I was wrong. I think you can customize a lot of these tricks using others’ deck. Needs a lot of thinking and tweaking, thought. Coz Joshua thought really thoroughly about Particle System Deck. I won’t bother do the thinking.
  • 3. Ed answers: I’ve seen the answer in the ad copy. Sorry!
  • 4. Ed answers: Thanks. I guess I’m learning a new stack then! ??

  Post an answer to this question

• Oscar asks: Are the routines in the Deluxe Version notebook also designed for the stage and is there a listing of those routines in the notebook available somewhere?

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: They are mainly for close up.

• Chris asks: I bought the system and received the videos and the ebook but where is the training tool?

  • 1. Jim answers: Please contact customer service at Wizards@VanishingIncMagic.com

  Post an answer to this question

• Craig asks: The photos show pages with ‘Stacked follow the leader’ and ‘Beat the dealer’ yet neither are listed in the contents. Are these in the deluxe notebook only?

  • 1. Stephane answers: "Staked follow the leader" is in the Particle Notebook from the deluxe edition!

  Post an answer to this question

• John asks: Is this stack easier to learn and remember than the tamariz stack

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: Yes

• Durgy asks: Just watched an interview with Josh where he said the package contains marked cards designed for the system. Can buyers of the system buy additional decks of cards? Where and how much are the replenishments?

  • 1. Jim answers: https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/playing-cards/the-particle-pack-mandolin-back/

  Post an answer to this question

• Diego Ruben Cesar asks: No sé ingles y quisiera saber si, al menos, la versión E-Book/video instrucciones/App de Particle System está en castellano. Gracias por su tiempo.-

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: Desafortunadamente, los vídeos y libros no están en español.

• Jacob asks: Where is the “add to wishlist” button? (I must be blind or something)

  • 1. Jacob answers: Eres el hombre, ¡gracias! (Aún tuve problemas para encontrarlo, pero finalmente lo conseguí jajaja)
  • 2. Diego Ruben Cesar answers: A la derecha, abajo del metodo de pago y debajo de las estrellas :)

  Post an answer to this question

• Terry asks: Is there any way to view the show videos before purchasing? I assume they don't contain any explanations. I just want to see if this is right for me.

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: There's around four hours of performances that are a bonus for purchasers. We'll post a few of the routines on our social media, but access to all of content will be saved for people who buy the book.

• Stephen asks: Does the custom training tool work with both Android and iOS?

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: It's a web app, so works in any browser.

• Mark asks: Is the custom training tool and Josh emails come to those who only purchase the e-book?

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: Not at all. Everyone that buys from us gets access to that.

• Erik asks: would it be possible to buy spare decks without the book?

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: We sold out in a ridiculously short time! They're being reprinted now.

• Steve asks: Is there a way to perform things like mnemonicosis with this stack?

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: Absolutely!

• James asks: Does both the physical book and Ebook come with the particle system cards?

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: They do not.

• Heather asks: 2 Questions: 1) Just confirming this is Nmonica memorized deck, correct? (This is the stack I'm using, and if this all works from a simplified version, that could be confusing for my repertoire.) 2) Does this include effect Jay does where the deck on the table any anyone names any card and the magician picks up the deck and reveals the random card they named? Thanks.

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: 1. It is a totally different stack 2. Correct!

• Heather asks: If I were to purchase this, could I use my mnemonica stack, could I do the effect where a named card is immediately picked up out of a stack? Or does this effect require Josh's stack?

  • 1. Luke answers: I also use the tamariz stack. You can use a lot of the ideas in this book with your own stack. Although the particle system is very easy to memorize. I memorized it in a week and now I use both stacks. I’d urge you to purchase this and memorize it, you’ll still remember Mnemonica. This work is worth its weight in gold, the amount of knowledge you get with this is insane. I absolutely love it.

  Post an answer to this question

• David asks: Is the Notebook available also in eBook format?

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: It is not

• Doug asks: Will the Particle Notebook be available for purchase eventually if we missed out on purchasing the deluxe edition? Going to purchase the regular edition but would really like to have the additional routines in the notebook.

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: No, it will never be available I'm afraid.

• Jim asks: I just watched the free video of Josh performing and was amazing Are all of the routines he did explained in the particle system book????????

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: They sure are.

• Jim asks: particle system watched the video of josh performing all the routines. are they in the regular one or do I have to buy the deluxe to get all of the routines. I watched????? thx

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: All of the routines from the Performances are featured in the standard edition.

• Darren asks: Hi, can I please ask what skill level the routines in the book are once you have learnt the stack. Many thanks

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: The routines range from intermediate to advanced.