Secrets

by Luis Royo

An artist of the spectacular. Each collection sparkles with pieces seen on book covers from around the world. Fantasy, science fiction, eroticism, etc... Royo has devised a special personal mix of media that makes his work so uncannily real, so beguilingly engaging as to make him a best-selling star.

Genres: Art, Fantasy, Erotica, Science Fiction, Adult, Horror, Fiction

85 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Luis Royo (born 1954) is a Spanish artist, best known for his fantasy illustrations published in numerous art books, magazines, and various other media including book and music CD covers, video games and Tarot cards.

Beginning his career as a furniture designer, he was attracted to the comics industry in the late 1970s, and nine years later turned to art as a full time career. Within a few years, he was publishing art in many magazines as well as providing cover illustrations for a number of publishers.

Reviews

[kimberly_rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning heterosexual--and intensely sexual--beauty and the beast savage fantasy art. Love it.

I particularly appreciate how each full page drawing has a corresponding opposite page with the title of the piece as well as a little hint of story. Inspirational.

[Carina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luis Royo is certainly one of my favourite artists and I think this is my favourite of the two compilations which I own. One of my favourite pictures is in this volume (called 'The Hand of Three Circles' which depicts Persephone with Hades in the background) but there are some other wonderful pictures included here such as 'Diagonal of Dreams' and 'A Million Tears'.

The subject matter (for the majority of Royo's work) is certainly not for children and there are a large number of pictures within this book that are incredibly adult in nature. The writing which accompanies the pictures is not the most informative, it is only in the later stages of the book that it (at least in my opinion) ties in more with the pictures - and it is in these latter stages also where the artwork becomes more explicit.

If you like fantasy art and are not adverse to adult themes then I would certainly recommend checking out this book.

[Phillip Goodman]

perhaps the best Royo book i have devoured so far, his work needs no words, no explanation it stands up on its own, but when i read the little commentaries (so much wonderful terse poetry) in here i really felt they added to my appreciation of the work, they really show that he is much more than -just- a 'fantasy artist' his themes are not of the realm of comic books and magazines and pulp fictions, though they use them too, Royo's themes are much older, and beyond even the oft told stories of myth and legend, they are intensely primal and seem almost to tap into the parts of our collective unconscious, the workings of our brain, our minds our dreams even, that perhaps inspired such stories, but as always, pictures tell them more powerfully than words, for pictures were the first language, carved for prosperity.

[Sreevidhya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Actually "I just hate this one"...
And I never thought of giving such a bad review for this when I took the book in my hand....
But... I didn't like his way of saying about girls.. That was a bit bad...

[HapaDave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is typical Royo fare, which is to say, mostly fantastic. The images are accompanied by short sidestories combined with some exposition on the artistic and inspirational aspects for the subject matter shown. The pieces presented here are from an earlier part of Royo's endeavors (in relation to the other books) and so deal mostly with fantasy settings, but you see the style that comes in later works popping its head up to take a peek at the world. An eminently enjoyable romp.

[Ninja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than Malefic? Perhaps so! A lot of fantastic paintings here, my favourite is probably Red Swath, featuring what someone described as the ugliest man they've ever seen.

[Antonio Meridda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splendido libro illustrato del maestro del fantasy erotico Luis Royo.

[Morcys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could spend hours looking at Royo's works and I would never get bored

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wuao, the art is really really beautiful.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sword and sorcery at its very best. If you look at all those half clad women and fully muscled men the adventure truly begins. Fantastic pictures that hit you like a double sword. Really recommended!

[DoomFist7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very amazing.

[T.L. Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man’s artwork is wicked cool! As a true lover of fantasy art and being an artist, and an author of fantasy fiction, just seeing his artwork inspires me. Some of his work is so dark and creepy, but that is what makes it so great. I never grow tired of looking at his books. This is a great one to add to any fantasy art lover’s collection.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luis Royo is a phenomenal artist, especially the female form. Having said that, this is not a book for young readers. Most of the art in this book is of a fantasy nature, some I have even seen on book covers.