Phantasma
By Kaylie Smith
4⭐️

This was a really cool dark gothic paranormal romance with a twisty mystery aspect to it! The Caraval vibes were really strong but with a paranormal setting and gothic/gory vibes. I was a little hesitant when I saw the horror tag but I think its more gore than actual horror. I can’t believe this sat in my kindle for almost a month before I started reading.

The first 40% was interesting but a little slow for me. After that hump the rest of the book was captivating and addicting. I loved Blackwell and Ophelia so much! I literally kept re-reading all their flirty scenes because it was magic ✨ I was really invested in their relationship, there’s just one part that I am not a fan of and will continue to pretend didn’t actually happen. I did not think there would be much spice but there’s a solid amount and it was gothic and amazing. I think the ending felt a little rushed and could have been developed a little bit more. I was not ready for it to end!

I hope this makes to the final published copy:
He gave her a devious grin. “You’re in luck that I enjoy biting, then.”
“This is a nightmare,” she muttered.
“Then your nightmares must be absolutely riveting,” he noted.

If you still aren’t sure about it then remember that the ghost boy has a ghost cat named Poe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky/Forever for this gifted arc!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6703758460

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review 😊. I was intrigued by the setting and the premise of this one. A haunted manor, trials the main character has to go through, and magic and paranormal elements mixed in. I felt this suffered from being more about the romance and steamy scenes and not the plot. I wish the trials had been a little more detailed, those were the bits I enjoyed most and they were really short sometimes. I guessed the big twist at the end a bit early on. This was a little darker than what I normally read, I enjoyed trying something new.

A perfect blend of spooky + spicy!

Before reading Phantasma, I had been in a bit of a rut with romantasy. It had been about a year since I’d found a new book/series that piqued my interest. (For context - I love ACOTAR/TOG/CC + The Serpent & The Wings of Night, and would put this book up there, although it doesn’t have the feeling of a full series….yet?) A friend (also a NetGalley user) strongly recommended this, so I gave it a shot, and I’m so glad I did! I’ve also told several friends and my fantasy book club to keep an eye out for this in September!

NOLA is the perfect spooky setting. I’ve visited it several times and also liked the haunted vibe that places within NOLA have. This book captures that well! Even before Ophelia enters Phantasma, the spooky scene is well set. I also thought the somewhat vague timeline helped the mystery move along - while it was clearly pre-modern, there is a feeling that maybe we’re in a different space, as women/their sexuality seem more empowered than one would expect from that time period (a plus, for sure).

While we’ve certainly seen fantasy stories with a competition at the center of its plot, Phantasma contained an added level of mystery that had me intrigued from the beginning (both in the overall story plot and the competition setting). The high stakes and unknown of the competition kept me hooked. The Phantasma challenges were a new twist on the fantasy competition and were creative, for sure. The spooky/horror level reaches 👻 👻👻👻 4/5 ghosts at times, and the challenges the characters face made me wonder at times if we were headed towards a HEA and how much the FMC might suffer first? (That being said, I think a well written story leaves breadcrumbs, which are certainly present).

Though I am not a mental health expert, and therefore cannot truly speak to OCD symptoms, this plot device felt realistic (while also being expertly intwined with the fantasy plot) and true to those who experience this condition.

The one criticism I have is that the ending comes quickly. Like any good mystery, there is a big reveal - at that moment, I felt there was an opening for one more challenge for the characters to overcome, but the resolution happens off-page, which disappointed me a bit.

Finally, like any Romantasy reader, I can’t forget the 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️! The chemistry between Ophelia and Blackwell is well-developed, leading to some perfect spicy scenes that we romantasy readers love. We love a MMC that believes in female pleasure + consent with a hint of possessiveness.

This will be a perfect read for Romantasy readers when it arrives in time for spooky season!

Overall: 4.5/5

I found this book whilst browsing @netgalley and loved the synopsis, it sounded like a really great gothic romance, with haunted mansion vibes. I love books with competitions / survival games, and this book really delivered!

Even though Ophelia wasn’t my favorite character, I loved the OCD trope representation! Blackwell on the other hand? Morally grey character at its best 😂 But I was missing the emotional connection, something just felt off and a little cringe… The ups and downs were very extreme and not really comprehensible.

Even though the plot twists were a little predictable, and there where a few things that just felt rushed, the book itself was pretty enjoyable and a great read! I’ve already preordered a copy for my shelf!

I. ATE. THIS. BOOK. UP. I was completely hooked from the very first chapter. This was an absolutely epic and dark adult version of Caraval and Kingdom of the Wicked- which are 2 series I adore. The writing is fantastic, the plot kept me guessing and the angst and romance were to die for. And that spice. Whew 🥵 I absolutely adored all of the characters, especially Ophelia and Blackwell, as well as gothic, spooky vibes of the setting. I truly had no idea how it was going to end and i was not disappointed. This is one of my favorite books I have read so far this year, hands down.

You need to add this book right now to the top of your TBR.

Oh man, I was blown away by this book. The twists and turns. The perfect paranormal romance for the spooky season. Also the spice... and the microtropes.

I loved watching Ophelia grow into herself and what legacy she wanted to have instead of following into her family's legacy. I found it intriguing to read about Ophelia's OCD and loved having this represented in the book.

Blackwell! swoons. I wish I could have a ghost that I could summon.

I didn't know how badly I was craving a great gothic romance until I started reading Phantasma by Kaylie Smith. This is my first time reading a book by this author and it definitely won't be the last.
The beginning of this book gave me big Caraval vibes in the best of ways... then it got darker and I was absolutely hooked. I loved the extremely dangerous haunted house mixed with deadly trials. Adding necromancers, devils, and ghosts made it even better. The plot was pretty solid even though some of the twists were easy to see coming. The middle of the book was a little slow but that was where the romance has a chance to shine. Ophelia and Blackwell might be one of my favorite fictional couples now. And there was just enough spice to enjoy but not overpower the story.
Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 stars! I truly enjoyed this one! I've never read a gothic romance before and this has definitely opened the door for me to explore this genre! The setting, the ghosts, the challenges... it was all enchanting. The romance between Blackwell and Ophelia was top tier. I was so invested in them and loved each character individually and together. The writer did such an excellent job building their chemistry! I was dying to know how it ended and the ending did not disappoint!

There were a few details that I wished had been a little more clear but overall I devoured this one! Couldn't put it down! All the romantasy lovers out there need to pick it up! Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this wonderful ARC!

Overall pretty good and really interesting. The ending fell a little flat for me and the plot twists were predictable. Still an enjoyable read.

Fantasy
Romance
Horror
Spicy


Absolutely exhilarating!
After the death of their mother, Ophelia Grimm, the eldest of the Grimm sisters, inherits the magic passed down from mother to eldest daughter in a very long line of necromancers. When her sister disappears, Ophelia enters a deadly competition at Phantasma to win a wish.
Ophelia has to survive 9 days of actual hell to win the competition. She forms a blood bond with a handsome as hell ghost in order to help them both escape this mansion of horrors.
This book is fast paced, spicy and the world building was incredible. If you enjoy books like Caravel mixed with a few sexy devils and ruthless competitors then this is an excellent book for you. Please note that the book is very graphic, it made me queasy on a few occasions and there is a lot of spice in this book.
This is definitely a must read.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Second Sky/Forever for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for this honest review.

5/5 stars! I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn’t put this book down. I finished reading this book in one sitting. I was thrilled to receive a copy of this arc because as soon as I read the synopsis I knew I had to read this book and it did not disappoint. This book is released September 3, 2024. Thank you to Second Sky/Forever Publishing, Kaylie Smith and netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

*Spoilers*

3.5/5

So I am not one to typically enjoy Caraval-style/killer gameshow type of novels, so I was a bit skeptical going into this. Overall, however, I did really like it! There were a lot of cliches (reincarnated long lost love, she holds the key to my heart i've been missing this whole time, "angel", etc.), but it still held my attention and I was glad to see it through till the end. The spice was excellent and i did really enjoy the dynamic between Blackwell and Ophelia. I absolutely LOVED Blackwell. Ophelia felt a little one-dimensional at first, but she grew on me as each night of Phantasma progressed.
I did feel like the reunion with Genevive was underrated, and I wish the sisters had had more time together after they both made it far enough through the levels (although I am also glad we had a happy ending for the both of them). I think more of the lore about the devils/hell would have been really interesting fleshed out.

Overall great story and characters! I enjoyed this one.

“Welcome to Phantasma. There are only two rules to the game. Stay alive. And don’t fall in love.”

Thank you Kaylie Smith, Second Sky/Forever and Netgalley, for this eARC. All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.

Phantasma is a captivating fantasy romance novel that blends seductive gothic elements with an engaging plot. This standalone revolves around a magical tournament inspired by the nine circles of Hell (set in a haunted mansion yay), creating a thrilling and atmospheric experience with mystery, action, gore galore and a generous dash of spice! Author managed to create a vivid imagery and kept overall great pace. Although, mid-way was mmm how can I say -meh? Something was irking me. Pacing, some repetitive moments and some character interactions.

Blurb says it all. Pick this up if you enjoy:
* Horror, Fantasy & Romance
* 'Magical New Orleans' vibe
* Deadly Trials
* Necromancer x Phantom
* OCD Representation
* Forbidden Romance
* Gore Galore

Dark, fun, and spicy! This book was intense and delicious and I absolutely ate it up. There's high stakes, forbidden love, OCD representation, and a steamy romance. Highly recommend! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

“Phantasma.
The Devil's Manor. A place often spoken about in whispered rumors and haunting cautionary tales in the dark.”

"A heart and a key would set me free," it said. "But you should hope we do not meet again, angel!"

"You came."
"You called," he answered.

“Fall in love within Phantasma at your own risk.”

This book was PERFECT !!! Exactly what I wanted and then some !!! A dark fantasy romance book perfect for fans of Caraval but with the Devil and demons and ghosts and Phantoms and a twisted, dangerous game where you truly have to be mindful about the deal you make. Ophelia our fmc is wonderful and so relatable and she is the perfect representation of that firstborn girl who is trying too look after her sister, even following her into a terrible and dangerous maze like Phantasma (so much like Scarlett and Donatella Dragna is Caraval). This book was magic, was hell, was darkness, was light, was mental health rep but in a magical way. It was family, sisterhood and love. It was enemies to allies to lovers. It was forced proximity, forbidden romance (because you can’t fall in love while in the game) and it was also “who did this to you”, and “you came, you called” … some absolutely wonderful trope. It was badass female main character and shadow daddy male main character. It had all the best vibes a book in this genre can give you. I felt absolutely hooked from the very first moment and I read it in one sitting because I could not put it down!!! Was the final plot twist unexpected? I could have figure it out … but I did gasp when I read it!!! Too much was I into the story that I was living it through Ophelia’s eyes so to me … it was all incredibly new and confusing and frustrating and sexy and complicated. In one word … it was perfect !!! I cannot wait for this book to be out !!! I need a physical copy !!!

"You don't need to fix yourself. You're not broken.
But it's okay to get outside help if it gets too loud."

“There is nothing I have seen yet that has made me look away. No atrocity you could commit to make me not want you like this. No matter how forbidden." He seared a kiss into the sensitive spot at the end of his trail. "I want to know everything. I want to see all the darkest corners of your mind." He tilted his face up to whisper his next words right into her ear. "I want to taste your sins."

"In a different life, in a fair one, I would've kept you until my eternal soul withered away to dust,"

Amazingly gripping!

I'm such a fan of trials and I just had to bite into Phantasma. With part mystery and part sweeping gothic romance, Phantasma intrigued me and held my attention untill the end.

I was a little bit more interested in Blackwell than I was in Ophelia, after all she remembered and he did not. It also made me wonder who's there to trust, what was a lie and what was the truth, and who was there to stir up trouble.

I absolutely loved this gothic fantasy with a dash of paranormal!

Wow! An epic adventure into the dark world of Phantasma, where all your worst fears come true for the chance to win your deepest fantasy.

This book started slow, building characters and the supernatural beings and goings in the setting of New Orleans where this year, the infamous haunted challenge of Phantasma has popped up in place of the Cathedral.
However, it wasn't slow for long! Once we enter into the world of the trials and hauntings, things get started at an alarming pace.
There is a mystery to solve, other participants to beat, and a sister to find alongside the death-defying levels and trying to avoid the ultimate sin - falling in love in this dark romantasy masterpiece.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book. This is an author I will definitely be looking out for in the future.

This book is dark, funny, and a little spicy. This was my fiist read by Kaylie Smith, but it will not be my last.
This book was a rode! You get lured in by phantasma, and told all your wishes will cone true. Only catch, you can't fall in love ans must stay alone. One lesson to learn is In Pbantasma, things aren't always what rhey seem

5✨✨✨ This is probably one of my favourite reads of the year.. I just couldn’t get enough of this story.. I am still thinking about it after weeks of finishing it.. I need there to be another 3 books of this world and story.

Thank you NetgGalley for this gem✨⭐️

this was dark, romantic, unique, fast-paced, and SO SO good!! seriously. the new orleans, vampy aesthetic was just incredible and i loved how each character was so unique and interesting, and they all added something to the story. the plot is really the drawing point here though - does it have elements of things that have been done before? sure. but this is also just a really unique story. if you like magic, games, and men who are absolutely whipped then this is the book for you.