Another complete gem from this fantastic and creative duo. Along with the 78 card deck housed nicely in their traditional packaging, there is the very rich companion book. With any deck that has a companion book available, I would suggest investing in it rather than just having the “little white booklet” that comes with most decks.

This companion book is great all the way through the book you are given information about the Gothic era, vampires, gothic literature, golems and other very enriching information, which will help those not so familiar with the folklore and symbolism reach a better level of understanding. It may even remind or re-educate those who do know quite a bit.

Each card and suit is described traditionally and also had the shadow side represented, perfect to fit the theme. Each card also has additional information giving the reader/student/owner other ways of interacting and viewing the cards.

The cards themselves are not the thickest card stock but it is okay. They are Matte finished and the design on the back is silver, black and white with skulls and interconnecting beams that give the look of spider webs.

The imagery is stunning and one of the best (if not the best) in the gothic genre I have seen. The sheer interpretation of some of the cards is so incredibly insightful, take the card of the 3 of pentacles, conventionally meaning artistic mastery and perfection, being admired and regarded for your skills. What a great concept to have Frankenstein and his creator Dr Frankenstein looking at his new creation. Or the card of the Devil, meaning addition to the material world and all it has to offer, self sabotage, this deck shows a woman nestling up to a demon who is about to inject her with a drug with a syringe. One of my personal favourites is the Justice card with the main character on the card holding a copy of the Hammer of the Witches – http://www.malleusmaleficarum.org/ reminding us that justice is very interpretable to the persons involved and to ask, what is true justice?

This rich, dark, romantic deck can be upfront and may scare some people a little. I personally love the deck and think the art work is beautiful, but I would also choose my audience when reading with it, some people are not interested in the theme or ready to have a look at the shadow side of them selves or a situation. If you have an interest in anything gothic with a Victorian feel I would highly recommend this wonderful deck.