Aurelio Voltaire, hailed as the "Martha Stewart for Macabre Homemakers," invites readers to fully embrace their gothic flair in ‘Gothic Life’. With DIY projects, spooky decor ideas, and unique hosting tips, this guide offers a wealth of inspiration for those looking to bring an eerie atmosphere into their home. Voltaire's expertise as a gothic lifestyle guru shines through every page, making this a fun and immersive read for fans of the dark and whimsical.

Accuracy: ★★★★☆

Voltaire provides an accurate and detailed exploration of Gothic aesthetics and lifestyle. From historical influences to modern-day interpretations, the content is well-researched and thorough. While the emphasis is on creativity, some might find the historical context a bit surface-level for more seasoned goth aficionados.

Perspective: ★★★★☆

Voltaire's voice is distinct and playful, offering a lighthearted take on the macabre. His experience as a gothic homemaker and host shines through, giving readers a personal and practical perspective on transforming their living spaces. The focus on DIY and personalisation makes the book approachable, though it leans heavily into aesthetic aspects.

Relevance: ★★★★☆

For those interested in gothic culture or anyone seeking to add a dark twist to their home decor, this book is highly relevant. Its advice and tips are useful not only during Halloween but for year-round gothic living. However, it may have limited appeal to those outside of this niche.

Engagement: ★★★★☆

Voltaire keeps readers entertained with his signature humour and unique flair. The mix of practical DIY projects and whimsical commentary ensures the book maintains its engagement. While some may prefer more in-depth tutorials, the content is easy to follow and enjoyable.

Readability: ★★★★☆

The book is structured in a way that makes it accessible to readers with varying levels of gothic knowledge. Voltaire's writing is clear and concise, with step-by-step guides for design projects. Some areas may feel a little rushed, but overall, it’s a smooth and enjoyable read.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆

Readers looking for spooky decor tips, gothic lifestyle inspiration, and entertaining anecdotes will find plenty to enjoy here. Voltaire’s charming and enthusiastic approach makes the book both informative and delightful, though some may crave more depth in certain areas.


‘Gothic Life’ is a captivating guide for anyone looking to infuse their home with a dark, gothic charm. Voltaire’s humour, creativity, and love for all things macabre make this a highly enjoyable and practical resource for goth enthusiasts, offering everything from DIY tips to hosting spooky gatherings with flair.

Gothic life was a joy of a book to read. Aesthetically, it was beautiful from cover to cover. I thoroughly enjoyed the voice of Aurelio Voltaire, and I loved how he felt like a gothic Bob Ross of sorts. His insights into different ways to bring the gothic culture and aesthetic into one's life were fantastic, and even though I've been considered goth for most of my life, there were some things in here that even I may try. I loved how it covered every aspect from decor to food and it's something that I'll be referring to for years to come.

Gothic life - Aurelio Voltaire

Great book, I enjoyed reading this so much!

Voltaire shares some interesting historical facts of which I’ve taken some notes to read-up more about.
I went through a “Black clothing, black makeup” phase when I was younger and I don’t think the Pagan or goth loving vibe has ever really left. I have my beliefs and traditions as do many others and I quite like learning about them.

I’d totally recommend this book to anyone who loves the dark and spooky, you may be inspired or learn a thing or two. 🩸🖤🩸🐦‍⬛🩸🖤🩸

This was a fun little gothic diy decor flip through. Drool worthy photography and great Halloween 365 days a year tips for your home sweet haunted home. Thank you NetGalley for the privilege to review the ARC. This is one I wouldn’t mind picking up a copy of my own.

I really enjoyed this book which handled various aspects of living your own authentic goth life with humour and diversity. Ultimately, although the book obviously mainly focuses on Voltaire's preferred brand of the gothic, the author is very keen to point out frequently that there are other ways to express your best creepy self, and gives ideas for this. There are recipes for dark dinner parties as well as craft projects to help you to get the look that you're going for in your own goth home. I also particularly liked that the house is a normal sized apartment because in every other home improvement book I've read, the house is a six bedroomed mansion whose kitchen is the size of my entire two up two down house. This is far more relatable for the average person. And even if you're not planning to embrace the gothic aesthetic all year around, it's got some great decor ideas for halloween.

f you’re looking for some help when decorating for Halloween, Gothic Life: The Essential Guide to Macabre Style, by singer, entertainer, and YouTube star Aurelio Voltaire, has plenty of great ideas. Although this book is actually for those interesting in a full gothic lifestyle, most readers aren’t interested in that lifestyle. Some of the stuff is tongue and cheek, and it’s an entertaining book for everyone. But, those of us who love Halloween, will love this book with excellent ideas for decorating, dressing, cooking, and other things. The book is full of DIY projects to help set a mood in homes or at gatherings.

Since Halloween is a favorite holiday, the recipes are especially relevant to all those who want to set an eerie mood at their annual Halloween gatherings (mine is a Halloween BOO-ffet). There are recipes and ideas for black foods, as well as an edible roasted skeleton hand, and a bloody punch and black lemonade. The recipes are written in the traditional manner with good comments at the beginning, followed by step-by-step instructions for a gruesome, but mouthwatering dish. There is an excellent chapter on Halloween full of trivia about the holiday and fun information.

All told, this is a fun book for almost everyone. It has great decorating and entertaining ideas with a dark side. It’s fun and the personality of the author comes through.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

A cute little book with some interesting decor ideas for Goth people who like it romantic. Nicely done!

This was a great book. I’m excited to try out some of these recipes and diy’s. I would highly recommend this to anyone that wants to up their spooky decor, try out some recipes or crafts.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc.

I wouldn’t call myself goth, nor do I incorporate it into my daily life. Yet, something about the gothic aesthetic always draws me in, compelling me to pause and wonder. It fascinates, it charms, and it captivates.

In the book Gothic Life, Aurelio Voltaire invites readers into his world, offering a glimpse behind the gothic style and into his own home. The book is filled with lighter tips and tricks for crafting home decor and creating seasonal culinary delights—all with a gothic twist, of course. Towards the end, readers are treated to recommendations for visiting various themed locations and a list of other gothic icons who share their worlds with those interested. If you’re feeling stuck with your decorating, for example, this book offers plenty of fresh ideas and inspiration. The writing flows well, making it an enjoyable read. I found myself jotting down numerous places to explore further!

However, I felt that something was missing from the book. Or perhaps there was too much, which left the overall experience feeling a bit rushed. The choice to use standard square photos without any frames or decorations seemed out of place. Given how richly adorned gothic imagery typically is, the lack of ornamentation in the book's design was a bit disappointing. I had hoped for a stronger, more creative visual approach. But this is my only critique, and since art and design are subjective, my opinion might not align with that of the author or the book’s creators. So, take my critique with a grain of salt—was it truly necessary? 😊

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this wonderful reading experience and for the ARC copy!

Book Review: Gothic Life: The Essential Guide to Macabre Style by Aurelio Voltaire

Rating: 4 Stars

As a self-proclaimed lover of all things gothic, I couldn’t wait to dive into Gothic Life: The Essential Guide to Macabre Style by Aurelio Voltaire. Dubbed the “Martha Stewart for Macabre Homemakers” by The New York Times, Voltaire serves up a definitive guide for anyone looking to infuse their living space with a touch of the eerie and the beautiful. This beautifully crafted book is a treasure trove for those ready to embrace their dark side and transform their homes into enchanting sanctuaries that reflect their gothic spirit.

From the get-go, Voltaire takes us on an engaging journey through the world of goth culture. He shares insights drawn from years of experience as the founder and host of Gothic Homemaking, as well as his work in stop-motion animation. What I loved most was how he combines history and creativity to provide readers with an understanding of the goth mindset, showcasing iconic figures like Vincent Price, Tim Burton, and Wednesday Addams.

The book is packed with practical DIY projects, spooky décor ideas that extend beyond just black—who knew there were so many other hauntingly beautiful color palettes?—and even a gothic dinner party menu featuring intriguing dishes like squid ink linguini and charcoal ice cream. As someone who enjoys hosting, I found his tips for entertaining quite helpful. Whether you're prepping for Halloween or simply want to add a touch of the macabre to your everyday life, this book has something for everyone.

Aesthetically, Gothic Life is nothing short of stunning. The layout is visually pleasing, and the photos are gorgeous, providing plenty of inspiration for anyone looking to curate their own gothic space. You can tell that a lot of care and work went into creating this macabre masterpiece, and it shows. The DIY projects and recipes are detailed and easy to follow, making it accessible for both seasoned goth aficionados and newcomers alike.

Overall, I found Gothic Life to be an informative and delightful read that truly speaks to those of us who crave a creepy home. It’s a great resource for expressing your inner goth year-round while simultaneously providing brilliant ideas for your next Halloween bash. I’m giving it a solid four stars for its creativity, beautiful presentation, and practical advice. If you’re ready to unleash your inner goth and transform your space, this book is definitely worth checking out!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

I absolutely loved this! The photography is stunning. There are many clever tips and ideas. I personally love the gothic style, but I believe that many of these ideas can be adapted for those who wish. I highly recommend this for those who already enjoy gothic style and those just beginning to embrace it.

Gothic Life: The Essential Guide to Macabre Style by Aurelio Voltaire is an absolute gem! I can't wait to start crafting some of the incredible projects in this book, especially the lamp and the skull-and-book side table—perfect additions to my home library.

When I first picked up this book, I was drawn to it because of my daughter's aesthetic, thinking it might be a simple design guide. However, Gothic Life turned out to be a comprehensive exploration of Gothic culture. It delves into the history and mindset of goths, highlighting gothic icons from Vincent Price to Tim Burton to Wednesday Addams. The book also offers enchanting home décor ideas, utilizing spooky colour palettes and incorporating all the bats and gargoyles your gothic heart could desire.

Additionally, there's a gothic dinner party menu featuring unique dishes like squid ink linguini and charcoal ice cream, along with holiday and party prep tips to celebrate Halloween and beyond. This makes for a wonderfully immersive read.

I recommend this book to anyone looking to bring a little gothic vibe into their life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – becker & mayer – Epic Ink for gifting me the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

#GothicLife #NetGalley.

Whether you are full-on-goth, or just looking for some great Halloween decorating ideas, this book is packed with inspiration for turning your humble home into a dark fantasy world. From skulls to taxidermy to macabre party games - it's all here. There are recipes and creepy crafts, and even ways to turn your summery backyard into a gothic wonderland. (Why have pink flamingoes when you can have vultures?) Even Christmas decorations get that goth touch thanks to a visit from our old pal Krampus.

This is one home decorating guide I would turn to again and again.

Not what I was looking for but maybe a rec for when Halloween rolls around?

I wanted a design guide that used fewer plastic items from Spirit Halloween, and more vintage items to make a home that feels authentically macabre. I found that the book summary might have been a bit misleading but they did use the term "Martha Stewart for Macabre Homemakers" so maybe I had unrealistic expectations. I could see this book being used in October to create a themed house party or Halloween event but it did not provide any tips or tricks that I would want in my home year-round.

I just wanted something more vintage and authentic and this was not it.

aureliovoltaire created a nonfiction DIY book for all things gothic. Home decor, food, drinks, and even crafts (or sorts). I personally am not gothic; however, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I believe anyone (gothic or not) would enjoy this too. One of the things I love most is the beautiful photography. And, the overall spooky vibes are exactly what I need as fall is approaching! But that’s not all… the book has tips on how to have a gothic house in summer, Christmas, and all year round! I will definitely be using recipes out of this book for multiple occasions.

Everything gothic you could ever want is in here. History of goth, decor ideas, food ideas even travel ideas! Lots of easy inspiring suggestions of things to make. Whether you want to transform your home year round, or just for Halloween. Even ideas for summer gothic celebrations or a Halloween themed Christmas ( I personally loved the idea of the Christmas tree and decorations! Fascinating and fun!

This book was very aesthetically pleasing and there were lots of fun tips and tricks and recipes and ideas in there!

"Gothic Life" by Aurelio Voltaire is an absolute gem for anyone who has ever felt a connection to the eerie and enchanting aspects of the gothic lifestyle. Voltaire fully embraces this aesthetic, sharing a wealth of tips and tricks for those looking to immerse themselves in a world of shadows.

From the very beginning, I was captivated by his sources of inspiration, as he outlines the people and elements that have shaped his love for all things gothic. His journey of transforming his apartment into a gothic lair is fascinating, and he shares all his tips and tricks for interior design that can make any space feel both haunting and inviting.

The recipes included are delightfu. The chapter on Halloween celebrations is especially cool, and he even has a chapter on gothic Christmas (love that idea!).

If you appreciate Voltaire’s music or YouTube content, you will love "Gothic Life". This book is not merely a seasonal read; it encourages you to embrace the gothic aesthetic throughout the entire year. In summary, "Gothic Life" is a beautifully crafted book filled with inspiration and practical advice.

I've been a The Lair of Voltaire YouTube channel watcher for years, so I knew I needed to check this book out. If you're also a lover of the channel, you will greatly enjoy this book and find that it matches the online content perfectly. It's filled with ways to find and make gothic inspired decor for your home, and I actually found the instructions for the DIY projects and the gothic party recipes to be easy to follow. It's not usually within my skillset, but I feel confident I could really pull some of these off! Looking forward to showing off the Bloody Berry Punch and the Devil's Eggs at our Halloween party this year. I love how it extends beyond Halloween though into Christmas and summer festivities as well, it's truly a year round lifestyle type of book. It's also got fabulous photos, so it makes a great decor piece on its own to match your gothic style.

This was an amazing book with great how tos. If you live this kind of life style (which I do) then this will be a great book for you. It breaks down how to make goth food as well as goth decor with simplisity. I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to expand their food and decoration pallet.