This tarot deck had me worried when I first learned about it.  After all, I wasn't a great fan of the Starter Tarot, and I have always dreaded the idea of putting the meanings right on the cards.  After all, if the cheat sheet is right in front of the reader, what's the point in *learning* tarot?  There's not really a lot of learning involved when you are given the answers to the tests up front.
 
However, I was really surprised and pleased when I actually got the deck and opened it up.  Right from the get-go, the deck's presentation is fabulous.  Everything that the Starter Tarot is not, this deck is.  The images used are from the lovely recolored version of the Rider-Waite tarot as done by Mary Hanson-Roberts, the Universal Waite; the cards are colored in a two-tone pattern that gives a light color to the upright position and a dark color to the reversed side.  The text is done in a contrasting black on the yellow side and a white on the blue side.  The deck is very professional looking overall.
 
Of course since the images are from the Universal Waite, you know they follow the Rider-Waite tradition *exactly* in terms of titling and order.  Strength is 8 and Justice 11.  There are no real surprises regarding this.  The images have had the Universal Waite borders and titles and whatnot removed from them for the most part, and are centered on the card.  Instead, the titles are now done in a navy blue bar across the top of the yellow half above the meaning for the upright side of the card.  The titles are spelled out including the numbers in the Minor Arcana.  This only contributes to the professional look of the deck.  The Roman Numerals are included in this bar in the Major Arcana.
 
I was most concerned with the quality of the meanings that are printed on the cards but almost without exception, the meanings here are extremely well-thought-out, explained in clear and concise terms, and are worded in such a way as to be just like getting a reading.  They are phrased so as to be talking to *you* directly.  I was pretty impressed with them; they are much better than a lot of the books I've seen on tarot.  Lytle has definitely got a good grasp of the meanings and applications of the tarot.
 
The cards themselves are standard sized and are printed on an excellent cardstock which was stiff at first but breaks in very nicely.  The edges are polished smooth and the corners are rounded nicely.  Shuffling and handling is pretty much the usual affair.  The back design is an elegant yellow jacquard pattern with a border of blue against it.  There is no little white booklet as one is not needed; the meanings are quite obviously provided right on the cards.  A two-sided navy blue card is printed with reading instructions and not one but *four* spreads.
 
I recommend this deck for a beginner with a clear conscience.  I can honestly say that the only drawback I can see to its use is that one would not want to use it when reading professionally for others, as it would make things difficult to explain if you saw something different from what the card said.  Also from where you would be sitting, the client would be reading the reversed meaning while you read the upright one.  Otherwise this deck is an excellent start for most people and I like the fact that it uses the common and traditional Waite symbolism, meaning other books can be used with this deck as well.  Even collectors will enjoy adding this deck because it is so well put together.
 
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Review Copyright 2000 by Gina M. Pace

Quick & EasyTarot Deck by Ellen Lytle, 1999
published by U.S. Games, Inc.
ISBN 1-57281-244-3