A few months ago, well maybe longer someone noted The Gothic Tarot of Vampires, I wanted to add to the discription of the Cards and a basic review. There is alot of beautiful artwork and once one can understand the symbolism of the cards(as someone else also noted) and has a basic idea of what the cards mean it is a great deck to work with. I would personally not suggest this deck to a beginner.
Each card is not labeled with a name of the card. The Major arcana, are listed simply via Roman Numerals. The Minor Arcana have a symbol and a number. To a beginner this can be very confusing.
In addition to this, the instruction booklet has a few errors which might also confuse a few individuals. Under the describtion of the Major arcana the numbers and the cards don't follow numerical order. XI and VIII (specifically the numbers themselves, not the meaning of the card) are mixed up. [in other words, the name and meaning are in the right order but those two numbers are reversed] I kept looking at VIII knowing it was supposed to be justice yet reading in the book it was Strength which made no damn sence to me at first. untill i realized what had happend. i felt like a goof.
Unlike many other decks this instruction booklet does not give reverse meanings. Granted using reverse meanings is up to the reader, but i have found it has helped to explain the situation a little better, rather then (in some cases) lead the questioner astray, but as I said it is up to the reader, and every one has there own personal opinion and adaptation. Sometimes it is good to know the reverse meanings even if you don't use them.
On a positive note the symbolizm of most of the cards are very beautiful and easy to understand or in some cases rationalize. I must admit XIII (death) is one of my favorite cards. For as many people know death isn't necessarily a bad card, merely the begining of new things. The picture deplicts the embrace of an individual. I think that qualifies as the begining of new things.
In relation to buying your first deck of tarot
My first Tarot deck was the Vampire Tarot by nathalie hertz. My mother bought them for me because i liked the name. (i have a vampire fetich can you tell)The cards worked and, the picture represented the name of the card(not specifically the symbolic meaning), which at the time was what i needed. I guess the point i am trying to make is this, grab what calls to you, follow your intuition.
I am sure I have probably just reiterated what many people have said. my appologies.