Well, for one thing, it would be nice to see a different deck used to illustrate Llewellyn's books besides the Universal.
Yeah, I've never been fond of the Universal. It's not bad, but it falls short of what it's trying to be - a viable alternative to the RWS. And while there's obviously some sort of agreement between Llewellyn and Lo Scarabeo, I'm sure Llewellyn would rather use its own images in its books than another company's images, no matter how close the relationship with that company.
lol they're not 'that' bad, surely? :/
When I had "more money than sense" as I'm sure my mother would've so lovingly told me had she still been alive when my collecting was in full swing, I would've bought the deck despite the backs. I have a lot less disposable income now so am more discerning with what I buy. And those backs are enough to make me not spend my limited tarot budget on that deck.
OK. But have you EVER met one by Barbara that wasn't worth it ? You can always pass the deck on !
It's been quite some time since I've read one of her books from cover to cover. I've thumbed through other books here and there though. So I personally don't have enough sense of her as a writer to buy something on faith that it'll be good.
From the cards shown here at Aeclectic, I like the addition of the rain in the 8 Swords. It gives the card an added air of "just when you thought it can't get any worse, it does!" I like the figure in the 7 Swords climbing down the mountain as that makes the theft even more extraordinary because he's risking life and limb in a fall, especially since he's only using one hand with that rope. I like the smiling Death stepping over the fallen King.
I think the Magician's table is way too small. I think the proportion of some of the elements in the Priestess is off. Especially with the 6 pointed star in the lantern, the Hermit immediately makes me think of Moses. There's something about the KnC's expression that I don't like, but I can't put my finger on it. None of those things is as bad as the card backs though.
Rodney