Phantasma has two rules: 1. Stay alive. 2. Don’t fall in love.

I’m UNWELL with how much I loved this book. I’m in deep, y’all. I don’t know if there’s anything out there currently that can cure the book hangover I’ve got after finishing this. Halfway through the book I found myself immediately signing up for the author’s newsletter, following her on Instagram (along with the publishers), and obsessively scouring the internet for fan art for a book that isn’t available to the general public for four more months. Good news, I found some. Bad news, I’m borderline feral for Blackwell.

*Deep breath*

I probably should wait longer to post a review, that way I can form coherent thoughts, make intellectual comments, and keep the fangirling to a professional level. But here I am. I’m just a girl, standing in front of the internet, begging everyone to read this book.
Phantasma is a collection of all the best things. We’ve got gothic vibes, necromancers, devils, deadly contests, A HOT ASS GHOST, amazing OCD rep, a steamy romance, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Also, as a treat, we’ve even got a “Who did this to you?”.
Friends. The scream I scrumpt.

Ophelia is an amazing FMC, her constant battle with her inner voice was heartbreaking and real. It was so rewarding to see her confidence grow as well as her magic. And Blackwell? If you’ve ever had a crush on a ghost in any form of media, this will hit home. It’s honestly everything you hoped for and more. The story is so rich and elaborate, I kept checking my progress to make sure there was more to read!

Now, if you’ll excuse me. I must go back and reread this while I count the days until I have a physical copy I can mount on my wall like a trophy.

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️.5

Hello angel...
WHAT A RIDE! My thoughts are all over the place but I will do my best to collect them before I forget them. This book had me in an absolute chokehold at the beginning. I scare (way too) easily, I hate horror and gore freaks me out BUT I was so excited to read this. This is like Caraval and A Court of Thorns and Roses but darker... and spicer (I'm just saying, we all deserve a Blackwell that knows his tongue is not just for talking 🥵). My rating to start was 5 stars, immediately, no questions asked. I was confused in the best kind of way. Literally nothing else mattered until I had answers.

The middle bit lost me. The story was good, it's there but I was bored. As someone who does not like gore and steers away from horror and any aspect of it, I found myself wanting more! It was sprinkled in during the first portion and I felt teased - this to say, I enjoyed the way Kaylie wrote these elements... The book centers around, what is essentially, a haunted house. A group of participants partake in a game that focuses on the Nine Circles of Hell. The players stay in the house until the game is over. During their stay, as an added element of terror, they can experience 'haunts'; again, supposed to add to the overall gothic horror vibes. We are giving a taste of what one could expect from a haunting two or three times BUT the handsome, mysterious phantom that our girl Ophelia makes a deal with, takes it upon himself to "take care of the haunts" so dear Ophelia NEVER HAS TO DEAL WITH THEM AGAIN.
“There’s another scheduled haunt going on right now,” he explained. “I took care of yours before you woke up.”
It felt anti-climatic. I want the drama, the chaos and the unexpected and unforeseeable elements that the hauntings brought. Alas, the plot felt predictable and a bit boring. By 60% I felt this was maaaaybe a 3.5 star read (unfortunately). BUT THE SPICE DURING THIS PORTION OF THE BOOK WAS HAWT... 🥵

“If there were ever a divine entity I’d worship,” he murmured, “it’d be you.” “My body, your altar,” she offered.

THE ENDING! Did I predict what was going to happen? Without a doubt. Absolutely (but this is also why I do not read a lot of mystery or thrillers because I have a knack for figure out what happens. Please take this with a grain of salt as it might not be an obvious conclusion for most!!) My jaw was still on the floor when the big reveal happened and the way that Kaylie delivered it was perfection. I said this in an update and I will say it again: I am a I'm a simple soul with simple wants and am entertained easily. I jumped, squealed and giggled from pure enjoyment reading the aftermath of these games. And for that, simple scene alone, my rating went up.

“In all the darkness, in all the loneliness, you have been my one source of light,” he lamented as she began to come undone. “My soul will go to its grave with your name echoing in my mind.”

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
I was a little nervous to start this one, due to the fact that I’m a scaredy cat and tend to not read horror that often, but this was such a beautiful read! I loved the lore and mysticism behind Ophelia’s family. The story was incredibly well written and hard to put down. I decided on four stars because some of the OCD rep was a little triggering for me and difficult to read; I also have OCD. But still would recommend it to everyone!

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for providing an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately this was a DNF at the 30% mark. Ophelia has a lot of potential as a protagonist and I loved the concept and setting, but the writing was repetitive and confusing and the pacing was really bizarre; too slow where action is needed and too quick where readers need more context to understand the scene.

Ultimately I just got frustrated trying to follow what was happening and felt that there was no tension or suspense as a result. We are expected to care about the characters from page one, before we know anything about them, and not enough work was done to build that connection before they are thrown into danger. I have decided to put this one down for now as I am not feeling invested.

The romance has potential and I think the gothic manor is a fun location for a tournament plot, but the writing was not for me.

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My rating system:
✧✧✧✧✧ - loved it, no complaints
✧✧✧✧ - loved it, some technical flaws
✧✧✧ - liked it
✧✧ - disappointing
✧ - unenjoyable

"Phantasma" offers a thrilling premise: dark fantasy featuring a deadly contest set in a haunted mansion. While the concept is captivating, I encountered some challenges when trying to articulate my thoughts on this book. On one hand, it's a quick read, which makes it accessible. However, the plot's simplicity and predictability diminish the stakes.

The story follows contestants of Phantasma - a deadly competition where participants are locked in a haunted house and must pass nine trials, each corresponding to one of the nine circles of hell. The winner can have a wish of their choice granted. The main character, Ophelia, enters the game under the pretext of searching for her sister, although she isn't even sure if her sister is there. This weak motivation might have been forgivable if the rest of the plot had rewarded it. Unfortunately for me, it did not. From the beginning, I didn't expect the story to revolve solely around nine increasingly gruesome contests, with the shock factor relying mostly on the increasingly gory deaths. I had hoped for a twist, but the overly linear nature of the story left me somewhat bored. It was obvious from the beginning that the main character would make it alive and well because of a bargain she made with Blackwell, a supernatural being who helped her pass the trials. The romance between the characters also failed to captivate me; a slower burn would have been more satisfying in my opinion.

However, it's not that I didn't like everything about this book. The idea itself is definitely praiseworthy. I appreciated the depiction of the variety of supernatural beings, from ghosts to devils to necromancers. The family mystery subplot and Ophelia's attempts to help Blackwell added some depth to the story. Additionally, the sole atmosphere of the haunted house was great in my opinion - despite the unnecessary brutality, "Phantasma" has a great gothic vibe.

All in all, I was not particularly captivated by this book, but I am aware that my opinions are subjective here, and issues that I disliked may appeal to other readers. Therefore, I encourage all fans of dark fantasy to give this book a chance and judge for themselves.

*Although I got a copy for free through the author my opinions are my own*

From the first page I fell in love with this book, throughout the book I saw myself reflected in Ophelia.

I fell in love with the world from the moment it was introduced, I love all things witchy and magical and Kaylie Smith did a beautiful job bringing it to life.

The Phantasma world had me hooked from the start and Blackwell, OMG Blackwell was so amazingly hot and seductive the whole book while also making me smile. While reading it I cried and laughed and overall it was a whole emotional roller coaster. I really loved how hypnotic this book is.

I really would just like to thank Kaylie Smith for writing this, it fed my soul and I can't say enough how much I loved this book

I am not a big fan of horror and gore, but I could not put this book down with the intensity. The story was captivating and I adored the main characters, especially Ophelia’s growth.

There were so many cliff hangers and twists with the trails and I loved it.

Growing up the daughter of New Orleans’ most infamous Necromancer, Ophelia was used to following the odd rule: Don’t make a deal with a Devil. Don’t stay out after dark. Carry on the family legacy with grace. Yet when her mother unexpectedly dies and her sister mysteriously disappears, Ophelia breaks all her mother’s carefully crafted rules to enter a deadly contest run by Devils and ultimately save her sister.

This story was fast-paced and left me eager to keep reading one more chapter. There were things I thought this book did really well and things that pulled me out of my reading experience.

My favorite part of the book was the vivid detail of Phantasma on the whole. The gory hauntings, the menacing Devils, the unsettling Apparitions, action-packed trials based on the nine circles of Hell. I was engrossed in the world once Ophelia entered the trials.

I struggled most with the immature dialogue, the lack of tension between the MCs building up to their inevitable romance, and an overwhelming feeling of wanting to be shown what happened, not told. The culmination of those things led me to feel disconnected from the story at times and wanting greater depth to the story.

All in all, I do recommend this book to romantasy fans, especially if you enjoy:
+ paranormal romance
+ deadly trials
+ gory hauntings
+ ghosts & magic
+ spice, spice, spice

Thank you to NetGalley, Second Sky, and Forever for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This book was so good for me. I rated it 5 star. The characters were perfectly built, the plot and storyline was amazing.

The premise seemed really cool and out my comfort zone but unfortunately, it didn't work for me to continue. It's a DNF.

I’m a horror fan, not much into romance, so I wasn’t sure I would like this book. I was so wrong. What an absolutely fun way to spend the weekend! The story revolves around a haunted mansion with two rules: Stay alive and don’t fall in love. I absolutely loved getting lost in the maze with the protagonist, Ophelia, who is searching for her sister. I’ll definitely be recommending this one. Thanks for the opportunity to read in advance!

☁️ if you ever had a crush on Danny Phantom and now like your romance with a little bit of darkness, this is for you!

📖 I had the pleasure of reading an early ARC for @kaylsmoon new Adult fantasy and I’ve got to say this was everything I’ve ever needed. Kaylie was like, what a perfect dark hot phantom should be like in a dark romance? And answered with Blackwell.

🤍 quick review:
- if you enjoy bloodied games to have any of your dark desires come true, Phantasma would be the perfect game for you to enter but beware, there might be extremely hot phantoms and the one dark rule of the game is: fall in love at your risk. Our perfect MMC, Ophelia, doesn’t particularly enjoy this type of game, but the darkness has always welcomed and hunted her. So when a time in need came and the answer was a dark mansion, she easily went in. There she meets a very witty and perfectly handsome Blackwell with a very mischievous cat, and to survive she might have to trust him. Between blood, death, and well, all kinds of spice Ophelia learns the price she’ll pay for love. For the she has for her family and herself, and maybe a love her heart desires above all else. This was a fast-paced, well-written, adult romance. I enjoyed all the games (please beware of the TWs) and the romance was just pure perfection. The angst, the push and pull, the desire was palpable! My favorite thing though is Ophelia herself and how she developed through the book. I love a heroine who is strong and learns that she doesn’t have to be alone to be a true hero.

🩸Phantasma has:
✨ OCD rep
✨ forced proximity
✨ forbidden romance
✨ Trials inspired by the nice circles of hell
✨ very hot people
✨ “Good girl”
✨ spicy and bloody

🤍 ANYWAY ID DIE FOR THESE PEOPLE, I NEED MORE, I NEED MORE CHARACTER STORIES, THIS CANNOT BE A STANDALONE KAYLIE SMITH. if I don’t get more, the least I deserve is a recipe to summon a phantom-like Blackwell, I mean, asking for a friend 👀

"Phantasma" by Kaylie Smith is a spellbinding read that blends romance, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural into a captivating tale. Set in a world of haunted houses and deadly competitions, this book is a must-read for fans of gothic romance and eerie thrills.

Follow Ophelia and her sister Genevieve as they navigate the challenges of Phantasma, a place where nightmares come to life. Along the way, they discover courage, love, and the power of embracing their true selves.

Smith's characters are wonderfully crafted, from Ophelia's relatable struggles to the enigmatic allure of Blackwell, the ghostly presence in Phantasma. The setting itself is hauntingly beautiful, with its dark secrets and seductive mysteries.

Beyond the spine-chilling excitement, "Phantasma" also delivers a heartwarming message about sisterhood, self-discovery, and acceptance. If you've ever been drawn to stories with a mix of romance and the supernatural, this book is sure to captivate you.

Get ready for a thrilling ride as you dive into the shadows with Ophelia and uncover the secrets of Phantasma. With its blend of suspense, passion, and gothic charm, "Phantasma" promises an unforgettable reading experience.

This is a very fun, fast-paced read that will grip you quickly. There is a reveal at the end that is fairly predicable that made the impact a little less effective; however, it is still a very entertaining and unique read.

As someone who’s not super into the horror genre, when I read this takes place in a haunted house, my dweeby, scary cat heart was a little worried about Phantasm. But as a lover of Kaylie’s other books A Ruinous Fate and A Reckless Oath, I knew I could trust her. Plus, the lure of a hot ghost romance was too strong to ignore. And LORDY am I glad I got to read this! It was exactly what my emo, romantasy-loving self needed and I can’t recommend it enough.

Set in old school New Orleans, everything about the world building set the mood for this creepy competition to the death right from the start. But once Phantasma—the haunted house where competitors fight to stay alive from their worst nightmares—comes into play, shadows dance with secrets and every corner holds a whisper of the mysterious. This gothic romantasy invites readers to embrace their love of the macabre and Kaylie does a fantastic job of bringing this chaotic death mansion to life.

For all my fellow emos who still feel the pull of black lace and the call of My Chemical Romance, Phantasma feels like a giant hug. Everything in this book from the decor, to the fashion called to my inner goth and I loved every second. Haunted house? Check. Magical murderous competition? Yep. Romance with a ghost? Heck yeah. Spicy scene in blood rain? 😈 The vibes were absolutely immaculate.

Underneath all the death and gore is a surprisingly wholesome story about self-discovery, love, and sisterly bonding. Both Ophelia and her sister Genevieve’s world is thrown sideways when their mother passes away at the beginning of the book. And through a series of truly crazy events, Ophelia ends up competing in Phantasma and discovering how strong she truly is.

I absolutely adored Ophelia, and watching her journey of self-love and acceptance gave me all the warm fuzzies. And Blackwell?!? I’ve never been so in love with a fictional ghost.

“Oh angel, you have not seen even a modicum of what I am capable of.”

This is such a niche reference that only a specific audience will appreciate, but anyone who loved Meg Cabot’s Mediator series growing up as much as me will absolutely eat this sh*t up. It’s the emo, adult version I didn’t know I needed.

From forbidden romances to hidden betrayals, every chapter of Phantasma holds a new, exciting twist that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. In a world where conformity reigns, Phantasma is a celebration of all things dark, weird, and mysterious while still giving the reader a ton of heart. So, if you're someone who never quite let go of their emo phase, dive into the shadows with Phantasma and let your inner darkness roam free.

I finished this book in one sitting last night, it had such a strong hold on me that I couldn’t sleep until I got to the end! The premise, the spooky vibes, the sexual tension, and the ending?! Immaculate. Can’t wait for more of my friends to read this so I have someone to scream about it with!!

If you love spooky things, ghosts and Halloween this book is for you! Ophelia and Blackwell have my heart forevermore. This is for everyone who’s ever wanted both spice and blood!!!

ALL THE STARS I LOVED THIS BOOK. I finished this in less than two days and I didn't want it to end! I seriously hope there will be spin-offs with some of the characters because I NEED more of this world, immediately.

Prepare to be swept into the whirlwind that is Kaylie Smith's Phantasma, a romance that doesn't just tick the boxes but explosively bursts through them with a fascinating blend of blood, passion, and a gothic ambiance that chills just as deeply as it entices. From the moment you dive into the shadowed streets of its haunted house setting, the story grabs you with a ferocity that is both gripping and gloriously paced.

Smith's characters are exquisitely crafted: sometimes irritating, sometimes untrustworthy, more than likely doing something slightly evil, yet undeniably lovable. The darkness perfectly matches the bloody undercurrents of the plot, creating a smutty, visceral experience that is both disturbing and delightful.

And let's talk about the house - Phantasma itself. It's a character in its own right, dripping with mystery, haunted hallucinations, and (hot) demons. Every description of the haunting corridors and eerie rooms contributes to an atmosphere thick with suspense and seduction, pulling you deeper into the story's thrilling embrace.

This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who’s ever had a deep My Chemical Romance phase, found their first crush in Casper, adored Danny Phantom, has a thing for white-haired hotties, or thought Matthew Lillard in Scream was peak crush material. It’s for the goth and emo souls who cherish a romance that makes their toes curl and their hearts scream with delight, and let's be honest, it's for everyone else too because it's just that good. It resonates with the echo of our darker, more passionate selves, making it a perfect blend of terror and allure. So, if you're looking to capture that thrill of gothic, emo romance—with a hefty dose of spine-chilling adventure—look no further. Phantasma promises all this and more, making it an unputdownable tribute to the darkly romantic soul in all of us.