Tarot Malefic Time Review
The Tarot Malefic Time is a standard Tarot deck illustrated by Luis and Romulo Royo. The deck is published by Fournier. The cards measure 2 and 6/16 inches by 4 and 6/16 inches.
Quality:
Fournier produces decks with slick, pleasing cardstock and a quality finish. The Tarot Malefic Time is no exception. The cards are slightly smaller than many other mass market Tarots, which makes this deck a good choice for folks who want cards that are more manageable to shuffle. It comes in a standard tuckbox with a small multilingual booklet.
Extra Materials (booklet):
The booklet that comes with this deck is similar to other booklets that accompany Fournier decks. It includes a basic introduction describing a few origin myths and theories about Tarot, keywords for each card in the deck, and instructions for reading the cards. There are typos and what appear to be some copy/pasting errors in the English section (keep in mind that Fournier is a Spanish publisher), and the instructions for using the cards can be a bit difficult to follow if you’re not already familiar with reading cards.
Artwork:
I purchased this deck for the artwork. Luis Royo is one of my favorite artists, and I collect his decks and own a couple of his art books. As always, his figures are dramatic, detailed, and otherworldly. They meld strength with beauty, and the art style has a fierce and slightly gothic flare. Romulo Royo also did some of the art, and both artists’ styles are similar enough to create a cohesive gothic fantasy deck.
Aside from the aces, the pips in this deck are unillustrated. I compared the illustrated cards in this deck to The Labyrinth Tarot, I-Ching Dead Moon, and Royo Dark Tarot decks to look for any recycled artwork since I know that can happen with “art decks” like this from time to time. I discovered in my browsing that the Knave of Wands from Malefic Time appears to be a modified/updated version of the 9 of Swords from the Royo Dark Tarot, and the Queen of Wands is a modified/updated version of the 8 of Swords in the Royo Dark. It’s possible that another one or two of these cases slipped past me, but I didn’t see any exact duplicate artwork in Malefic Time from earlier decks.
Content:
I consider this to be a collectible art deck more than a reading deck. If you love gothic themed decks and/or Royo’s artwork, this deck, like his others, is a real treat. The unillustrated pips and artistic nature of this deck don’t offer much in the way of esoteric themes and symbolism, but the originality in the trumps and courts could provide some fresh insights for someone looking to break free from Rider Waite style decks. Several of the illustration choices are thoughtful and echo some classic Tarot themes, such as Judgment, while others have little to do with traditional Tarot meanings. Modern decks with non-scenic pips can be tough to find, so if you’re looking for something moody and contemporary to use with reading methods for pip cards, this deck could be an option.
Conclusion:
I’m eternally a fan of Royo, so I am pleased to add this deck to my collection. It’s a lovely artistic collectible. I encourage any fellow lovers of Royo or gothic style decks to give the Tarot Malefic Time a look!
More like this… The Labyrinth Tarot, I-Ching Dead Moon, Royo Dark Tarot, Ludy Lescot Tarot
Quality: ****
Extra Materials: **
Artwork: *****
Content: ***
Overall Score: 3.5 out of 5
Order the Tarot Malefic Time on Amazon here.
Purchasing this deck on Amazon via this link supports me and my ability to provide information and resources on this website. Thank you!