Romantasy is such a saturated market, and it's rare that I read one that completely blows me away. Phantasma was that book! I was SO obsessed throughout this - the romance was perfection, the writing so compelling and the setting and premise of Phantasma was a really great device to eke out tension throughout.

A dark fantasy horror story that grabs the reader’s attention from the start and keeps the reader entertained until the very end. A well written Fantasy story, great character development and fantastic world building. It has a dash of spice and a smidge of horror. The author is a terrific storyteller. I rave to anyone that is within earshot how this is a must read! Beautiful cover too!

Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky/Forever for this review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As someone who is not a huge fan of fantasy romance, I really enjoyed this. I absolutely loved the main character Ophelia and the depiction of OCD in this novel. The author did a good job of keeping you engaged and wanting to keep turning the page to find out how it ends.

**A Thrilling, Dark Romance That Will Keep You Hooked Until the Last Page**

*Phantasma* is a breathtaking and chilling dark romantasy that pulls you into a dangerous world where every step is a perilous gamble, and the stakes are higher than ever. From the very first page, this book captivates with its blend of intense world-building, high-stakes competition, and forbidden romance.

Ophelia is a protagonist you can’t help but root for—her strength and determination to save her sister from the clutches of debt and death make her journey both heart-wrenching and thrilling. The high-risk game of *Phantasma*—a deadly competition set within a hauntingly gorgeous manor filled with demons, illusions, and cruel temptations—adds an extra layer of tension that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Each floor of the manor offers new, perilous challenges that push Ophelia to the brink, both physically and emotionally.

But the heart of this story lies in the complex relationship between Ophelia and Blackwell, a mysterious phantom with secrets of his own. Their sizzling, forbidden attraction is electric, but the tension between them is more than just physical—it’s a dance of trust, betrayal, and survival. Blackwell is the kind of morally grey character you can’t quite figure out, and his chemistry with Ophelia is palpable. But in *Phantasma*, love isn’t just dangerous—it’s deadly. As their partnership grows, so does the risk of breaking the most vital rule of the game: *don’t fall in love*.

The author masterfully weaves in themes of loss, sacrifice, and the consequences of choice, all while creating a world that is as beautiful as it is deadly. Every twist and turn in the competition, every new revelation about the cursed manor, keeps you guessing. *Phantasma* is a perfect blend of suspense, magic, and dark romance that leaves you craving more.

If you love high-stakes games, a fierce heroine, and a romance that feels as dangerous as it is inevitable, this is a must-read. With its twists, turns, and emotional depth, *Phantasma* will not only leave you breathless, but it will haunt you long after you’ve turned the final page.

I really like the concept of the book BUT felt the end was super rushed. A lot of missed opportunities in this one.

Come on, don’t you know by now that this is everything??! The Wicked Games in this book are AMAZING! If you like loads of smut a la Kerri Maniscalco’s newer books, then this is the one for you. The hellish vibes and the worldbuilding and characters WITH rep are everything you could ask for.

Thank you Forever for the review copy!

I really wanted to love this book, but it just wasn't for me. I really struggled to feel pulled into the story and feel invested in the characters. I really struggled to read this book and ended up putting it down many times. I could go weeks in between reading it and was picking it up more out of obligation than interest.

This one wasn't for me.
I thought that the MC and the writing felt way too immature for the ages of the characters and that this is Adult not YA. The New Orleans setting was intriguing but underused, and apart from a word here and there, I really couldn't have told you what time period we were in.
This is firmly on the romance side of romantasy, and I think that's the killer vote - if the romance clicks for a reader they're going to enjoy the book overall.
A safer bet for hardcore romantasy lovers, I'm sure, but too hit-and-miss for me.

Ophelia is sharp and tenacious, and her chemistry with Blackwell is electric. The spice? Chef’s kiss—intense without being over the top (yes, even when it starts raining blood). But what really stood out was the OCD representation—raw, real, and beautifully done.

The ending felt a bit rushed, but honestly? I loved every second of this book.

This book was such a fun time, it was as if Caraval had darker twists with more paranormal creatures. I really enjoyed the romance in this and all the twist and turns in this was so much fun to follow. I can't wait for the next book and to see what the author does with these characters. I really loved this new book from Kaylie and have come to enjoy the way she creates a world and the various relationships between the characters. The romance was just a really great fun part to read and I can't wait to read more of it in the second book! I would absolutely recommend this book to any fantasy readers who love a bit of a dark twist and some deadly games!

This book was spicy, and for me it reminded me of a spicy casper read. I LOVED it. The MFC stuck in the dark in many ways decides to make her own choice to save her sister from a deadly trial. I loved the atmosphere in this story, it's not a huge environment so you can feel better connected to the characters, and their situations. Such a good read. Read it in a single setting.

4.5☆

I really loved Phantasma! The characters were fantastic, the setting was dark and haunting but fun, the romance was top tier and the writing was gorgeous

I will post a more in depth review on my Goodreads, can't wait for the next book!

If Caraval + Squid game + Harry Potter and the goblet of fire + Hunger Games, had a baby it would = Phantasma!

I loved the light and dark side of the story and how despite everything love wins, no matter how hard they try to resist, it is what keeps Blackwell and Ophelia tethered. The spice was good and not overdone, and was perfect in the building chemistry between them. I thought the 9 trials were good and although they were all resolved relatively quickly it was fitting with the story otherwise it would be way too lengthy for wrong reasons. I loved the ending and the epilogue! I cant wait for the next book!!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc of Phantasma! It was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I can give Phantasma a very solid 4 stars. I enjoyed it the whole way through. It wasn’t groundbreaking, but it didn’t need to be! A wonderful blend of spooky and romantic. If a little predictable, it was still fine. I enjoyed the twist anyhow!

Definitely recommend to those looking for a fun and slightly spooky read.

This was wonderful! I loved the writing style, the characters, the world-building…everything about it was top-notch. I will definitely be recommending this book!

This book was SUCH a good time! I read it in a day! It was giving squid games meets haunted Mansion but make it a romance? And I was so here for it. I loved the vivid imagery that the author provided, the twist and turns in the Love story were super entertaining. I loved the trials and there was even a little hint of horror in there but not too much. I'm not normally a horror reader, but this was just the perfect amount in my opinion. Definitely recommend!

Phantasma isn't a literary wonder or anything but it sure was a fun read. I totally saw the twist at the end coming but it was satisfying and was what I wanted to happen so it I didn't really care. The OCD rep from the author(who has OCD) was great. I feel like it was a good fit for the story without being too over the top and didn't make Ophelia seem "crazy".

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for the ARC!

I do not think tiktok sounds should be in books. The book was fine. It was kind of unremarkable. I think the author could have done SO MUCH MORE with the world and the magic and the characters but focused so much on the romance. I got pretty bored when it became apparent that there wouldn't be much going on.

Phantasma felt like Caraval on steroids.

When you think steroids, you think stronger, bigger, but this was more in your face. . The romances and physical intimacy that followed was insta-lust/love and it was frustrating because there were moments for depth and emotional development that were missed.. The lady-lead's sister was so very reminiscent of Tella in Caraval, and I couldn't stand her, but I guess that's why she was the little sister.

I love romance and I love fantasy, but I'm not sure how excited I am about the growth of the romantasy genre. It tends to focus more on the romance (Which I truly love), but it's at the expense of plot. I want to see a better balance on romance and plot.

Amazing. Captivating. I never knew what twist was coming next. Chemistry was fantastic, and the love story wasn’t too rushed. I love a book that just pulls me in so good that I keep wanting to come back to it, and this book did that.
Just read it!!