I remember when I got my US Games catalog, I didn't think this deck would be too impressive.  So I held off on getting a copy to review.  It didn't seem like anyone was really carrying it anyway.  I have yet to see it in any stores in my area.  I was, however, pleased with the deck when I first opened it, and I like it more and more every time I look at it.

The deck features a lot of -- you guessed it -- fantasy creatures and people shown who fit fantasy archetypes.  The art style is strong, similar to the Londa Tarot or the Karma Tarot.  In fact, if I had to describe it quickly I'd have to say it's like the Londa crossed with the Tarot of the Moon Garden, with touches of the Tarot of the Cat People thrown in for good measure.  It has vivid coloring, often against strongly colored backgrounds, and the people have that bony, whiplash look to them.  It's entirely likeable, though, in case that sounds negative.  The cards are all edged with a really attractive metallic gold colored border with black detailing.

The cards in the Major Arcana use traditional titles, numbering, and ordering.  None of the titles appear to have been changed, although many of the images take a radically fresh approach as to how to picture that title.  Strength is 8 and Justice 11.  I'd have to think this deck was inspired by the Rider-Waite, but it is by no means a clone of that deck.  The deck is wholly original all the way through.  I had a *very* hard time selecting the cards I did to scan; there are so many I wanted to show.

Getting to the Minor Arcana, once again this deck uses the traditional titles and correspondences when it comes to the suits, which are Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles.  What is used in the Pentacles suit, however, looks more like brushed gold dishes, that are very attractive but aren't really a pentacle.  If I were the artist I'd have renamed this suit Disks, borrowing from Thoth tradition, but she remained true to the Rider-Waite style. The court titles are King, Queen, Knight and Page.  I found a thrilling detail in that all the Knights are pictured outdoors at night under starry skies.  I can't explain why, but it just tickled me.  Perhaps it was the night/knight pun.  I like puns.  Or maybe it was just because it was so different.  Or so well drawn (I love starry nights).  The numbered cards in this deck are full scenes and not pips.

The cards themselves are standard in size and weight, with a good cardstock.  The edges are nicely smoothed and the corners are rounded off, making this deck comfortable to shuffle and handle.  The back design is a striking double-ended white dragon drawn against a dark blue background.  This is fully reversible so when the cards are reversed or upright you won't be able to tell from the backs. This deck has a very nice little white booklet that gives a lot of information without overwhelming the user.  Two spreads are given, including the Celtic Cross spread and one called the Venus Spread which I've seen variations of but never this exact one.

I recommend this deck for anyone who is a collector, but it is a useable, working deck that can be used by anyone who has learned with the Rider-Waite deck or any of its variations, at least as far as I can see.  It might be a little tricky for a beginner because it is so original, but there's no reason to say you need experience to use this deck.  And, it just looks cool.  Weird, but cool.

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Review Copyright 2000 by Gina M. Pace

Fantastical Tarot Deck by Nathalie Hertz, 1999
published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
ISBN 1-57281-202-8
retail price: $15.00