One of the best books I've read this year. A stunning depiction of OCD in a tale that is as haunting as it is romantic. The writing is breathtaking, and I felt like I was beside Ophelia in Phantasma the whole time. I'm already itching to open the pages again--and I cannot wait for the sequel!

Did I just find my favorite book of 2024?? Holy. Crap. I can’t even explain how much I loved it. Every single thing was perfect. The plot, the pacing, the characters, the ✨vibes✨ It felt like a blend of Kerri Maniscalco, Stephanie Garber, and Erin A. Craig in all the best ways. I will now be trying to convince everyone I know to read this book.

If you love gothic fantasy romance with a touch of mystery, this is a must read.

4.5 stars!
Ok. I tried a new to me author and I really liked the book! I’ll admit there were parts that dragged a bit, which made it easy for me to put down, but once I got past them, I was flying. Super fun and sexy at times. Definitely a wild ride. I’m glad I took a chance.

Best part…..IT’S A STANDALONE. Technically it’s an interconnected standalone, since there’s a second book coming next year, but it’s not necessary.

But I will definitely be reading the next one.

Gothic, horror romance? Yes, please! 🫡

Ophelia Grimm is reeling from the death of her mother, a well known New Orleans Necromancer, and the responsibility of taking on the Grimm necromancy legacy when she discovers her sister has entered a dangerous and deadly game to save the family home. Only those willing to do anything enter through the gates of Phantasma, a dark game where devils and demons haunt your every moment and put you through deadly trials and bargains in order to win one wish. Ophelia enters the game in hopes of finding her sister, and makes a deal with a Phantom, Blackwell, to get through the various haunts and trials needed to survive.

I truly enjoyed this story. It was fresh and modern but still held on to its gothic romance roots. The world was lush and immersive and the OCD rep?! By far, the best rep I’ve read for OCD (Obvs, not everyone will agree, but I found it to be extremely realistic to the point I actually had to put the book down for a bit because of the anxiety it caused in me, so check TWs). The spice was spicing, I mean, hot ghost with a cat sidekick who calls you angel… does it get any better?? There was a bit of an issue for me with Ophelia going back and forth on her relationship with Blackwell, and I wish we’d gotten more of Ophelia and her sister, but I still loved it.

My one wish was that the ending was more fleshed out. I felt there were a few unanswered questions, but I know a second book (focused on a different character) is coming soon so I’m hopeful some of those questions will be answered in that one!

Truly an amazing debut from Smith. I can’t wait for the next installment. Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary arc. All opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐️

🌶️ 4.5 (pages listed in order: 160-164, 189-197, 231-234, 263-265, 282, 312-314)

⚔️ 4 (read trigger warnings beforehand)

🧠 4 (FMC has OCD)

One big problem I had was with the synopsis of this book. NOWHERE did it mention this was taking place in a devils mansion. It’s not a spoiler alert or anything, but I would have like to know what I was really getting into.

Also, the romance gave off insta love at the beginning, but I definitely think it was a me problem.

Now for the good stuff!

The “games” / levels were very creative and some of the most interesting parts of the book! Also, the FMC having OCD was something that was both hard to read (bc of my anxiety issues) and a really interesting representation to read. I appreciate the author taking such care in how she portrayed each character. Everyone was very well rounded and felt like they jumped off the page!

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky/Forever for an (e)ARC

This is my first book by Kaylie Smith and after reading it, the rest of her backlist is also going on my to-read list! With their mother’s death, Ophelia follows her sister into a cursed manor and a competition, as they try to solve what truly happened to their mother. I sure enjoy books that have competitions, so this book caught my attention quickly along with the comparison to "Caraval". In this book, there is also a budding romance with Blackwell but I will let you read and find out those details for yourself! There is also a high stakes element to this book that had me unable to put it down until complete! Thank you to Second Sky for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

This one gave me Rhapsodic + Caraval vibes, really enjoyed!

The plot had me hooked from the start with its unique twist on a haunted house competition, and the characters were so well written. I loved the chemistry between the determined Ophelia and the mysterious Blackwell. Their relationship had just the right balance of tension and warmth, and I was rooting for them the whole time. The gothic setting and eerie challenges kept me on edge, and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

I found myself completely immersed in this world. If you’re a fan of Caraval and looking for something a bit more adult & spicy, this is definitely one to pick up. I can't wait for the next book!

3.5 STARS
I share a birthday with this one, too, so obviously I had to read it, right?
Okay, okay, I am joking. I was curious about this one because it seemed something original. I wasn’t so sure it would be a good fit for me, mostly because it is tagged as “horror”, and this is not really my favorite genre, but I was curious because the premises were intriguing, and since this has a strong romance component I thought that it would somehow balance the horror element (it’s not that I am against it, but usually I am incredibly bored by it), and I was right. What’s more, we have a haunted mansion, and I am always intrigued by them, at least theoretically. And this seemed an interesting one, too. So I just had to try!

To me, this one didn’t read as a horror. Mind me, we have all the elements for it, a hunted mansion (and the author’s version of a hunted mansion is original! It’s not your “usual” hunted manor but it works incredibly well); demons, ghosts, and the such; some gore and a lot of blood around; trials that are inspired by the deadly sins; and some deaths. So yeah, I think that the elements are right, but the vibes are a tad different.
Mind me, the book is also quite atmospheric, so I should say that this book can be considered horror but the vibes were not right for it. Mind me, I am not complaining about it, I enjoyed this book quite a lot, I am simply saying that even if objectively it checks all the right elements, the vibes weren’t the “proper” one, and I think that this is why this book worked so well for me.

Another thing that worked pretty well for me was that, as I was saying before, the haunted mansion here is… an original one. And I loved to see how the author took a well-established trope and did something different with it! I also liked Ophelia, Blackwell, and Poe. And Genevieve, too, even if sisters in books tend to be my pet peeves. I was initially tempted to DNF this one because I wasn’t enjoying where things were going between the two sisters, but I am happy to have changed my mind and kept reading because later things get better and I would have missed out.

One thing that could have been developed a bit more, for me, was the trials. They are original and I enjoyed them, but I got the distinct feeling that they were there like an afterthought (but they are central to the plot), because they all were dramatic, yes, but, at the same time, they were a tad anti-climatic.
And the big twist wasn’t a twist, I saw that coming pretty soon (and if I saw it, everyone would see it, because usually I am the most oblivious reader ever!).

But that aside, I had fun with this book and it has some original elements that make it worth your time! Since spooky season is here (yay!!) I think this would be a good choice for it, and it came out at the right moment!

I absolutely ate this book up!! I loved the writing, I loved the story, the trails, the characters, everything! I really enjoyed Ophelia as a FMC, she was a nice breathe of fresh air since she was a strong and resilient FMC. Also, Blackwell?? I fell MADLY in love with him. Honestly, everything was great. The only reason I won't give this book 5 stars was because I felt like the ending was too rushed. Other than that, would highly recommend!!!

I absolutely adored this book! The characters the settings absolutely everything Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

Ohh, what a ride!
Phantasma was everything I nedded to read right now, and didn't even new what I was missing.
This amazing paranormal romance has a little bit of everything we need, from romance, friendship, sisterhood love, mystery, suspense, action, some horror, spicyness. All in a very well constructed story and world building, with characters that suck you right inn and you can't leave the book until you finish it a couple of hours later. I binged it compulsively.
I loved both main characters. Ophelia is a strong and fierce woman, that doen't even recognize her own strength until she is forced to enter Phantasma looking for her sister. After her mother's passing she is all she has and she will not give up on her.
While in this journey through the games and rules, she meets Blackwell, and starts to have several feelings for him: doubts, attraction, lust, frieendship and then, even if she can't admit it.. love? But love is forbidden in Phantasma, and she can't let herself feel. So she ties to believe it's just lust.
Blackwell is a phantom stuck in Phantasma and in every game tries to get help to break his inprisonement. He starts to help Ophelia and goes trough all the same emotions. It is quite funny to see the jealousy a few times..
We spend a lot of time wondering what and how can they break this curse due to the game, and rooting for them to find clues and for them to give into each other. We want her to win, but at the same time don't want the games to end so the story would continue.
The games have several gore moments, so beware of blood and violence and some horror in the descriptions. Those games were surely interesting and creative.

I think if you enjoyed Caraval and The hunger games combined, with a very good amount of amazing spice, you have this perfectly good book layed out for you!

**Plot Summary (No Spoilers):**

Ophelia Grimm, a determined necromancer, enters the treacherous game of Phantasma to rescue her missing sister and win the ultimate prize: a single wish. The haunted mansion, Phantasma, is a labyrinth of twisting corridors, lavish ballrooms, and deadly challenges. Ophelia must navigate nine trials, each more perilous than the last, while contending with other contestants who will stop at nothing to eliminate their rivals.

As Ophelia's fears and anxieties threaten to consume her, a mysterious and alluring stranger named Blackwell offers her a bargain. He claims he can guide her through the trials, but at a steep price: ten years of her life. Desperate to save her sister, Ophelia reluctantly agrees, embarking on a dangerous journey where survival and heartache intertwine.

**Writing Style and Effectiveness:**

Kaylie Smith's prose is both lyrical and chilling, painting a vivid picture of the gothic world of Phantasma. The descriptions are rich and evocative, immersing readers in the haunted mansion's dark and seductive atmosphere. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of heart-pounding action interspersed with quieter scenes of introspection and romance.

The author's portrayal of Ophelia's OCD is both sensitive and realistic, adding depth and authenticity to her character. The romantic tension between Ophelia and Blackwell is palpable, creating a slow-burn romance that simmers throughout the story.

**Themes and Messages:**

* **Sacrifice and Survival:** The novel explores the lengths one will go to protect those they love and the sacrifices made in the name of survival.
* **Love and Betrayal:** Ophelia's journey is fraught with both love and betrayal, as she navigates the complexities of her relationship with Blackwell and the other contestants.
* **Mental Health Representation:** The portrayal of Ophelia's OCD offers a nuanced and relatable depiction of mental health struggles.
* **The Power of Choice:** The story highlights the importance of choice and the consequences of our decisions, even in the face of seemingly impossible odds.

**Strengths:**

* Gripping storyline and well-developed characters
* Evocative writing style and immersive world-building
* Sensitive portrayal of mental health
* Satisfying blend of romance, fantasy, and suspense

**Weaknesses:**

* Some readers may find the graphic depictions of violence and gore unsettling
* The ending may leave some questions unanswered, potentially setting the stage for a sequel

**Target Audience:**

This book is recommended for fans of dark fantasy romance and gothic romance who enjoy stories with strong female protagonists, morally gray love interests, and a touch of the macabre. Due to its mature content, it is best suited for adult readers.

**Content Warnings:** Graphic violence, gore, death, suicide, depression, assault, OCD, intrusive thoughts, self-harm, explicit sexual content.

This book literally hooked me in from the very first page, and kept me completely hooked the entire time! I absolutely loved it!

If I were to look up the definition of “dark paranormal spicy,” I’m pretty sure I’d find the cover of this book.

Let’s start with the “spicy” part, the easiest to explain: a black heart and an empty one, both trying to fill the void, distract themselves, and feel alive. In these scenes, there’s sweetness, but also a lot of loneliness. A sadness that comes from knowing that every touch, every kiss, is meant to mean nothing. Better to have a black heart or an empty one than a broken one, right?

Now, on to the “dark paranormal” part. Calling it urban fantasy wouldn’t be quite right, because the story doesn’t take place in the present. I’d say it’s set around the 1800s, in a version of New Orleans inhabited by both humans and paranormal creatures.

In the world of Phantasma, vampires exist (though we don’t encounter that many), but the hierarchy places Devils at the top. Kings and Princes rule over the Devils, who in turn outrank Demons, and so on down the line. We’re talking about Phantoms, Poltergeists, Ghosts, and Ghouls.

What all these paranormal species have in common is their reliance, to varying degrees, on mortals. Their survival depends on possessing human bodies or striking deals in exchange for years of life. In the New Orleans of Phantasma, you’d definitely think twice before literally selling your soul to the devil.

And then there’s Phantasma itself. It’s like an annual competition that moves around like a circus, where contestants compete for the favor of a devil.

The catch is, to reach the reward, you have to survive the dreaded nine levels.

You know Dante’s circles of hell? Well, imagine a reality show version, with Jigsaw from Saw calling the shots. Needless to say, there’s a lot of murder along the way.

That’s where the "dark" part comes in. It borders on horror and splatter, elements that fit perfectly with the Phantasma universe created by the author. I was captivated by it, and the reading experience was unique, smooth, and enjoyable. The characters won me over right away, especially Ophelia, a young and inexperienced necromancer with obsessive-compulsive tendencies. And then there’s Blackwell, the mysterious and intriguing Phantom who roams Phantasma endlessly, waiting to be set free.

Phantasma was one of my best discoveries of 2024. The author masterfully captured every emotion, giving the right weight to the details and crafting a macabre atmosphere, with the occasional hint of sinful pleasure. In a setting like this, that pleasure had a distinct taste of transgression.

I didn’t even mind the single third-person POV—which usually isn’t my favorite—because it fit so well with the story and the perspective the author intended to convey.

In short, I highly recommend it to fans of the genre who aren’t fazed by scenes full of blood, death, and destruction.

Enter the world of Phantasma at your own risk.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Dark but light; an entertainer

New Orleans
Ophelia has just taken over the family role as a Necromancer after her mother’s death. Less than a few hours later, she realizes their ancestral home is under debt and at risk of being taken from her. Her younger sister, Genevieve, decides to participate in the dangerous Phantasma challenge by entering the Devil Manor. The one who clears the nine levels gets huge prize money.
Ophelia follows her sister into the manor intending to take her back home. However, there are rules to follow and deals to make before it can happen. When Blackwell, a long-lasting resident of the manor offers help (for a bargain, of course), Ophelia wonders what it would cost her. With the attraction between them getting stronger, there’s a lot more at stake for Ophelia.
The story comes in Ophelia’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts:
Well, I don’t often take big books (anything over 400 pages is a big book). This one combines horror, gothic house, and romance, so I thought, why not?
I don’t bother with the tags and comparison, so can’t say if this is like the other books or not. I prefer to read a book for what it is.
This is historical fiction set sometime when women still wore cumbersome corsets while the mode of transport included horse carriages and automobiles. A mention of the timeline would have helped.
The premise is highly intriguing. The book starts on a high, establishing that this will be a dark read. Not for the squeamish! The main characters seem interesting too.
Ophelia takes time to get used to. TBH, it’s a miracle she managed to survive so far. Since this is openly discussed by the characters, I can see it is a deliberate character arc (can’t complain). Let’s just say there is a loooot of blood.
Blackwell is your typical handsome and quirky hero with enough darkness inside. However, he manages to endear himself (faster than the FMC).
The banter between the two is fun, despite the deadpanning (more on this next). Though the love story is on a fast track, it doesn’t feel that way due to the page count and the multiple interactions between the couple.
Now, the steam is high here. 4.5+ (or more) and a fully open door. That means we have more than a handful of such scenes, with many in the middle of the book. It messes with the pacing.
While the beginning is not fast, it is not slow either. The middle, however, drags. The % doesn’t just move between 40 and 70%. After that, it picks up a steady momentum until the end. I wouldn’t mind if a couple of steamy scenes were edited out to tighten the middle.
I know some dialogue tags have to be reused but some tend to grab my attention more than others and it becomes a nuisance. The characters deadpanned seven times, which even in a 460-page book feels excessive. Unfortunately, the word caught my eye the second time, so I noticed it every damn time after that. The same with insidious which was used seventeen times (yeah, I checked). It’s not a problem if my brain misses the recurring words but it does become an issue when I spot things. Since my book is an uncorrected proof, I hope the final copy is better.
There’s a bit of mystery but the focus is mainly on steam and the horror house game. Some levels were cool!
There is an array of characters (other participants and Devils). They do their job to advance the plot and bring a change in the FMC’s arc.
The FMC’s character development is a bit wobbly but still aligns with the plot. I wish we got to see her in her actual role as a Necromancer. The MMC’s arc doesn’t have much, TBH. Once we feel who he is, nothing really changes (not even the big reveal).
Anyway, this isn’t a book to read if you want proper character development or an intricate plot. It’s what I call a masala read but with an extra dose of chili.
Did I enjoy it? Oh, yes! And don’t forget to read the author’s note.

To summarize, Phantasma is a steamy romance-filled set in a gothic house. It had quite a few triggers and descriptions of gore. However, it is not an intense read or even scary (at least for me). I intend to read the next book in the series.
Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for a copy of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Excuse me, that was SO damn good!

From the minute I started reading Phantasma, I swept away into the heart of the French Quarter where witches, demons and necromancers are just a part of the daily living.

When their Mother dies, Ophelia inherits her mothers necromancing magic, along with her debt which threatens to leave Ophelia and her sister homeless. Seeing no way out, Ophelia follows her sister into Phantasma, a deadly game with only 2 rules.. stay alive and don't fall in love.

Whilst the romance itself isn't dark (not for me, personally) the themes are. There's plenty of action, violence and gore to go hand in hand with the overwhelming tension between Ophelia and Blackwell, the phantom who seems to be helping her in the games.

The banter between Ophelia and Blackwell had me kicking my feet and the tension was off the charts. Not me shouting "KISS HIM YOU FOOL!" at my kindle. I kind of figured where it was going towards the end so that didn't surprise me, but I absolutely adored the ending.

I feel like if Caraval met Squid Games but set it in old New Orleans, you'd have Phantasma. When I finished I simply had no words. It was simply phenomenal and even though I read it a few weeks ago, I've thought about it every day since.

If you're looking for high-stakes, action packed, spicy, horror themed romantasy then 100% you need to check out Phantasma!

Tropes:
● he falls first
● she's Grumpy x he's Sunshine
● forced proximity
● OCD representation
● gothic mansion
● "who did this to you?"

Rating 3.5

A gothic paranormal romance, Phantasma is a deadly game of who can survive its many levels of hell. It takes a bit for the romances to come into play, but once it does PHEW! Set in a gothic New Orleans mansion, the spooky vibes oozed from the pages as each chapter was a level in the competition. Then the author gave the readers a romance with a Phantom.

Blackwell, the Phantom, was surprsingly naughty with his dirty talk. He definitely fits the book boyfriend ladies will enjoy in a romantasy.

Thank you, Second Sky/Forever

⭐️4/5
🌶3/5

“A heart and a key would set me free,” it said. “But you should hope we do not meet again, angel.”
~ Blackwell

Blackwell is tangible ghost daddy... aka a Phantom. I loved this concept and found it really intriguing. Ophelia is a necromancer with a bleeding heart and taste for 'fictional men', haha.... aka Ghost Daddy.

This was like a gothic paranormal romantasy escape room. I was definitely here for it.

🩸Deadly Competition
🩸Morally Grey Ghost Daddy
🩸Memory Loss
🩸Forced Proximity
🩸Forbidden Romance
🩸Blood Bargain
🩸Problem Solving
🩸Escape room from Hell vibes
🩸Spice
🩸Banter

”I wanted to offer you my bargain then and there, but I knew I had to be patient. So, I made myself leave you, determined to give you space for the rest of the night - and then you found me. Because it seems that’s what we do. We find each other.”

In Phantasma, we enter a magical New Orleans where Ophelia Grimm must enter a deadly competition in pursuit of her younger sister and face nine trials based on the levels of Hell. It’s a compelling and bloody addition to the deadly game trope, with romance mixed in.

I think I’ll probably read whatever Kaylie Smith writes, because she has such unique ideas and there’s always something for me to relate to when it comes to all her characters. Her writing style is simple but detailed (and it reminds me a lot of my own, actually), and none of it felt superfluous. The pacing of this story was very good, and in particular I loved seeing what challenge each new trial put forward. Throughout the book, there was an undercurrent of “nothing is as it seems,” and that continued all the way to the end. I enjoyed the paranormal aspects, along with all the unsavory creatures Ophelia ran into. I couldn’t wait to read the end and figure out what was actually happening!

The reason my rating isn’t a 5 star is because of the romance, and this might just be me being really picky. This book would classify as a romantasy, and along with that genre comes a certain amount of expectations. Some of the tropes were a little on the nose, and I thought that a more slow burn between Ophelia and Blackwell would have worked better for me, letting their little moments add up until a climax. I also would have liked for the ending to be a bit more stretched out.

Now, for the OCD rep…the author states in a note that OCD is different for everyone, and that what Ophelia experiences is based on her own dealings with the condition, as well as that from friends. As someone who is undiagnosed currently but definitely has all the tells of OCD, the version depicted in the book wasn’t exactly like my own, but there were certainly things to relate to. Also, the fact that it wasn’t like my own experience isn’t a bad thing! These things contain multitudes. I really like even numbers, and Ophelia likes to tap things in counts of three, so whenever she did it, I was thinking to myself Add one more, make it square!! But I digress.

The way OCD was incorporated into this world, without any formal diagnosis, was well done, and I appreciate how open the author has been in her own experience and in portraying the condition in her novels. I’m looking forward to reading Genevieve’s own book, Enchantra, in April 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. This review reflects my honest opinions.

I was conflicted on how I felt about this book for about half of it. While I really liked practically everything going on and the characters, I somehow still felt bored reading it. But then the games really began, the sexy times kicked in, and I was finally really drawn into the story. I absolutely loved the banter and the real times between Ophelia and Blackwell. They were a great couple to read about. The author's imagination for the various levels was vivid and crazy, so that was fun too.

Ophelia takes on the role of necromancer the night her mother unexpectedly dies. It's not the life she wants but her mother has raised her her whole life to be this and she feels like she has no choice. Ophelia has a younger sister who never had the same pressure and expectations. Who has been free to live her life as she wanted. She also knew a lot more about their life than Ophelia did, and it's that knowledge that has her going to this traveling demon mansion that if you can win, you will have any wish granted. Of course Ophelia freaks out when she figures this out, and goes to join as well hoping for nothing more than to save her sister. But she gets a lot more than that in this house. Ophelia ends up learning so many secrets of her parents, so much more about her own powers, and even finds love where she never expected.

This mansion was amazing and terrifying at the same time. The contestants aren't safe anywhere and not even from each other. Each level was completely different and often so very violent. But I guess that's to be expected when they're controlled by actual devils. I liked how Ophelia was singled out by some of the devils because of her contract with Blackwell and how she would always still stand up to them. Like I said, once we get about half way thru, this story got REALLY good.

The ending was a great twist. It wasn't even something I thought of, so that was a nice treat. And it connected everything from the beginning perfectly and had this story really come full circle. I was very happy with how everything ended. The only thing that left me unsatisfied was that we never learn what that evil voice in Ophelia's head actually is. I thought for sure, by then, we would have gotten a definite answer.

If given the chance, I would probably read the next book as well with how much I ended up getting into this one.