First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Phantasma is the first book in a new romantasy series, set in New Orleans, in which we follow Ophelia Grimm, a young necromancer determined to save her sister by taking part in Phantasma, a deadly competition where the winner earns a wish.

This book is advertised as "Caraval meets Throne of the Fallen", and yes, I totally agree with that. I have not read Throne of the Fallen yet', but I have read Kingdom of the Wicked, and the vibes are really similar. And you know me, if it has Caraval vibes, I am here for it. And I was not disappointed at all.
The plot is awesome, full of plot twists and yet sometimes predictable, and truly perfect for the fall mood I was in. The OCD and anxiety representation adds to the haunting and dark ambience of the story. Ophelia is a character that I really liked, but Blackwell… he stole my heart. I was truly a fan of their relationship (although I had seen that plot twist coming). And can we talk about the ghost cat?? Loved the idea.

This is definitely one of my favourite reads of 2024!

The second book of the series, Enchantra, will be focused on Genevieve's side of the story (Ophelia's little sister) and I cannot wait to read it!

Oh my god! What did I just read. A perfect Halloween book of 2024. This was one of the best read and thank you netgallery and Second Sky for providing me with the eARC. I’m so glad I signed up. I’m in love with this book. Everything from character, vibes, quotes and storyline was amazing.

Ophelia is a necromancer who just suffered from her mother’s death and now the responsibility of continuing the legacy falls on her shoulder. When she finds out about the debt and possibly of loosing her house, she has no option than enter a deadly game happening in the city.

Blackwell is bound to Phantasma and for unknown reasons he can’t help but feel like helping Ophelia. Being a resident of Phantasma game, he can help her but she has to agree to his deal. He will provide help to win the whole game if she can find a way to help him free from Phantasma.

The game itself is deadly with each level associated with the seven sins. So while the contestants wait for the games they are harassed by the resident demons. If they win they get to name their price and will receive anything they wish for. With only one rule, don’t fall in love while in the game.

I recommend this amazing book to people who love spooky fantasy with dark manor and necromancy vibes.

I honestly dont know how to put into words how this book made me feel, I went into to it knowing little and I am now addicted to it and cannot wait for book 2.
This book honestly gave me everything I wanted and more, c

can't wait to read more from this author

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

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You know, I never did have a Danny Phantom phase, but I sure could get on the Blackwell boat cuz WHEW that man. Delectable. *chef's kiss*

Was this the most fantastic story I've ever read? No. But was it a super fun & spooky time? Absolutely. I'm always down for a good deal-with-a-devil (or phantom, in this case) story, and this fits the bill. I did call the twist at the end, but that made it all the more fun to kick my feet and do a little internal cheer when it did happen, and it made the resolution way more satisfying.

9/10 would haunt again.

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Phantasma was published on September 3, 2024. Thank you to Second Sky/Forever, NetGalley and the author for the digital advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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"I told you before that nothing would ever stop me from getting to you if you needed me, and that will remain true forevermore. I would tear the universe apart at its seams if I must."

3.5 stars. I can see why people are going absolutely feral for this book. I get it, I do, however it's just not quite it for me.
First off, the positives. I like the idea of the trials and the games, I thought the characters were fun and I liked the underlying mystery.
However. There were some gaping holes in logic that I just couldn't get passed. First off, Ophelia finds loads of research by Genevieve on Phantasma, she realises that's where Gen's gone and follows her, all the while berating that Genevieve always does things without thinking them through. The irony that Ophelia is not thinking about her consequences, or given more than 2 seconds thought on to how the house works is lost.
Then we have the romance, personally, I could never quite get on board with the love interest being a ghost, it gives necrophilia- but who am I to yuck on your yum. I did think that there were too many sex scenes, they became repetitive and I ended up skipping them.
This will be a huge hit.. However, for me, it needed more logic, more thought out plot and less gratuitous sex

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book. Phantasma took me on quite the dark adventure and journey. With each level in this mansion bringing even more danger than the last to the contestants in this devilish game. It was interesting getting to know Ophelia and seeing her character grow in confidence even when everything is so uncertain. I loved Blackwell, he was definitely a highlight for me. I really enjoyed Ophelia and Blackwell’s interactions. They start off flirty and then the chemistry just gets hotter and hotter!

The pacing of Phantasma was good and the plot line easily kept me invested. I couldn’t wait to see how it would all play out for Ophelia. The romance had a good combination of sizzling heat but also had a few sweet moments too. This all worked very well. Phantasma had intricate games, death and danger with a hint of a gothic feel thrown in too. It’s safe to say that it was a full on experience and I can’t wait for the second book in the series!

Forever coming into their Romantasy era was not on my BINGO card, but could be one of my favorite things to happen in 2024.

Demons, death magic, and nine floors of deadly trials wouldn't be half as terrifying as losing your heart in the cursed manor of Phantasma. This gothic romantasy gem throws us into nail-biting, high stakes trials with a side of forbidden romance to keep the heart racing for multiple reasons. I absolutely loved the chemistry between the MCs; Blackwell and Ophelia's snarky banter had me grinning even with the mystery and danger they were in. I was pleasantly surprised with some of the most authentic OCD representation I've seen in literature let alone the fantasy genre.

I don't know who I need to sell my soul to for book 2, but the offer stands.

Thank you publisher for the eGalley!

This was the perfect read for "spooky season"! I don't think I could have picked a better time to read it. The vibes were five stars, but I have to be honest that there were plot holes, the romance felt surface level. and there were times I couldn't picture the trails that took place. Otherwise, it was great! I am looking forward to the sequel!

Thank you so much Kaylie, Netgalley and @nerdfam for this early copy!

I absolutely devoured this book! It scratched every itch! Eventhough I read just about any genre, Gothic romance is my absolute favorite! Add a splash of paranormal and you get the perfect book for me. And this was exactly that!

I loved the writing and the plottwists had me sqealing and on the edge of my seat! The banter and spice was done really well and let's just say I got a new book boyfriend!

It starts off with sisters Ophelia and Genevieve finding their mother death on the floor. They are a family of necromancers with their powers being tranfered to the eldest daughter when the mother dies. Ophelia needs to preform a ritual for that to happen and to be able to carry on the family business.

Once the ritual is completed, Ophelia starts to find out her family has been keeping secrets from her. After Genevieve disappears, she finds herself at Phantasma, a deadly contest inside a haunted mansion.

Phantasma is a maze of twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, of demons, horrors and temptations. Ophelia will face nine challenges, that represent the nine circles of hell, each more dangerous than the last. There can only be one winner, and the other contestants will stop at nothing to eliminate their rivals for the ultimate prize—a single wish.

There are only two rules to the game. Stay alive. And don’t fall in love. Every day the house creates new monsters. But just as Ophelia’s fears threaten to overwhelm her, she meets a mysterious phantom named Blackwell, that offers her a bargain. Blackwell claims he can guide her through the lethal trials ahead. All he asks in return is ten years of her life.

Ophelia knows she shouldn’t trust him but she can't help but feel a dark and irresistible attraction drawing them closer and closer. Her life is on the line. But in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart…

I highly recommend this book and I desperately need a physical copy when this comes out!

Once again Kaylie has crafted a rich, imaginative world full of vivid characters that practically leap off the page! I absolutely love the OCD rep in this book. The romance felt forced (insta-love) & the pacing was a bit slow at times, but I’m interested enough to see where the next book leads.

I loved this book. I was sold at Caraval meets Throne of the Fallen, both books I adore. I am a huge fan of tropes and their patterning as it is familiar and I love when I am able to see how they might shake out in books (a true dopamine hit). I loved the gothic atmosphere and really enjoyed plotting of the tournament style escape room. While I did not completely fall for these characters, I was content with their development. I love that Blackwell is this millennial's grown up version of Danny Phantom.

I am obsessed! This book was so satisfying in so many ways and is perfect for spooky season. I was immediately enthralled in the story and it was so well written. I love a good Gothic romance story and this one delivers. It keeps you on your toes and is a page turner with a satisfying ending. This is a must read! I cannot wait until book two.

DNF @ 56%

I really tried with this one since so many people loved it but it wasn’t going to work for me. For a Romantasy I just couldn’t care about the relationship because the FMC was honestly the worst. She was genuinely unlikeable and mean to other female characters for no reason and that’s just a no for me. The plot also didn’t work for me because the trials seemed like an afterthought.

DNF 43%, why are they having sex so early one and out of nowhere?!? Let's start with how Blackwell had no personality except being hot, broody, mysterious and amnesic sometimes. His main purpose was to help and bang the main character. Ophelia was just as stupid as Emilia in Kingdom of the Wicked so I guess that's a good comp title for you there. The ideas were good but dear Lord was this book poorly written and just bad. It had good vibes but I can't read a book on vibes alone (technically yes, but not when the characters are so shallow). I have the author's debut novel so that's not very promising.

This was an interesting premise. A set a games based on hell. Absolutely brutal how some played out but I liked the way some were structured. There was one game that was a little confusing until close to the end of the game. Main characters were okay. i liked the twist at the end and how the ending was resolved. Would be interested in revisiting this universe although I don't see how these characters could have a sequel.

This book was a fantasy version of Hunger Games. Ophelia joins a competition to save her sister. She must beat each level to move on. There is graphic conflict as the levels move on. There is also significant OCD rep with repetitive behaviors and inner voices compelling them. It can get overwhelming. The author states in the afterward that many of these are based on her own experiences with OCD, but that not all people experience it the same way.

The story was good, with some twists and unexpected happenings. Ophelia learns her own strengths, and there is an HEA. Book 2 is about her sister.

Dark and twisty and definitely simmering to spicy. Action, mystery, secrets, curses, and demons - you won't be putting this one down until the very end.

This book was enthralling and kept me going back for more. I loved the setting of New Orleans, but once the competition started... Phantasma was a setting that immersive and all encompassing. I forgot about what existed outside of the mansion in the best way! I loved the storyline, but felt the romance was a bit of a stretch. I was more focused on the competition, and seeing if the sisters would be able to find each other while inside the competition. Overall, I loved the book and would recommend it. It is a great spooky read for fall but can be enjoyed year round!

WoW what a beautiful and eye catching book cover Phantasma by Kaylie Smith is and I am so glad it caught my eye.
It took a while for me to get into this book especially as its not a book gene I would read. I am so glad I stuck with it, I really enjoyed it and enjoyed reading Phantasma - between books. This was an Amazing spooky romance.....

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

When Ophelia’s sister disappears, there is only one way to save her. Ophelia must enter Phantasma, a deadly contest inside a haunted mansion, and claim its prize—a single wish.

Phantasma is a maze of twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, of demons and temptations. Ophelia will face nine challenges, each more dangerous than the last. There can only be one winner, and the other contestants will stop at nothing to eliminate their rivals.

Every day the house creates new monsters. But just as Ophelia’s fears threaten to overwhelm her, a mysterious stranger offers her a bargain.

Charming, arrogant and infuriatingly attractive, Blackwell claims he can guide her through the lethal trials ahead. All he asks in return is ten years of her life.

Ophelia knows she shouldn’t trust him. Blackwell doesn’t seem dangerous, but appearances can be deceptive. Worse still, she feels a dark and irresistible attraction drawing them closer and closer.

Her life is on the line. But in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier, than losing the main game is losing your heart . . . . . .

WoW! .

Oh my gosh! This book! I have no words to describe how amazing this book was! If you LOVE romantasy, paranormal romance, or gothic romance books pick this book up ASAP! The characters were so well developed and you rooted for all of them, well almost all of them! Such a fun and interesting story that made this book hard put down!