I am so utterly obsessed with this book and them.
That ending had me gagged. I loved the progression of the story, the characters and the couple as well as the world and setting of the story.
I do feel that the ending was somewhat rushed as I had to listen to the last few chapter a couple of times as I was quite confused on what was happening.
The narration was very well done and have no criticism.

This was such a fantastic book! The synopsis sounded really interesting, and the book delivered on that promise. I had such a great time reading Ophelia's story! The idea of a house of devils, and a competition with levels of sins, yeah, so interesting!

One thing that I don't really mention on audiobooks, is the narrators. On this book, I'm glad that I noticed, because I've seen some of her short form videos and they were always hilarious so listen to a full length piece of her performance was top notch, I'm going to have to look into other books she's done and see if I'm interested in any of them.

I don't have OCD, an intense voice that says if you don't do this thing, like knocking three times, disaster is going to strike. So I can't say how well done it was, just that it's there, and was a vibrant part of the story, and I'm so glad that it was a part, from an author that does deal with OCD.

Watching as she was navigating these levels, dealing with Blackwell, searching for the key, worrying about her sister, she had a lot on her plate. That there were a few personal mysteries, well, I loved how the story came together and ended!

Loved reading the book, and I can't wait for the sequel!

You need to hold out and have patience with this audiobook. The narration style started very slowly for me. It was almost over-dramatized in the first chapters before she enters the mansion. I can appreciate that there's a gothic and eerie vibe before the excitement of the Phantasma competition, but it was too much. I almost DNF.

But once the hauntings/trials start, the pace picks up and the narration feels more casual and approachable. I really enjoyed the banter between the female lead Ophelia and the phantom Blackwell.

She has entered a magical competition hosted by a mansion of devils called Phantasma. Each night, the competitors enter a game based on one of the 7 deadly sins. The variety in tests was really creative - chess board puzzles (where people die), pulling yourself up a cliff (where people die), navigating a orgy (where people die). You get the drift. In between each level, Ophelia and the others are contained within a haunted mansion where their greatest fear are brought to life. Whoever survives all the haunting and levels will win the Devil's promise to grant any wish. Everyone else either dies or sell their soul to the Devil to be spared. If you've watched Supernatural (tv), it's like that. More haunted mansion that demonic possession.

Ophelia is only there to find her impulsive sister and escape. She makes a bargain with a Phantom to help him escape this purgatory in exchange for helping her cheat through the levels. But he is not Casper, the friendly ghost. Blackwell is hot as hell, and as tensions rise the pair become far more familiar with each other than anticipated. Explicit spice after the 50% mark, HEA.

Phantasma is hands down the best book I’ve read this year! I binged the audiobook because I literally could not stop—it was so gripping. The dark, sexy romance between Ophelia and Blackwell had me hooked from the start. Their chemistry was off the charts, and the spice? Absolutely perfect! As someone with OCD, I was blown away by the amazing representation of Ophelia’s struggle with the shadow voice, which added so much depth to her character.

Set in the cursed world of Phantasma, where not all is as it seems, the stakes are as high as the twists are wild. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story pulls you deeper. “The only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart,” and I lost mine to this book. Hold on for the ride of your life—this romantasy is achingly beautiful, sexy, and full of surprises!

Yes, yes, 100% yes! Just chef’s 💋 Absolutely unique take on the whole trials type genre. A paranormal house with a game each level representing the 9 levels of hell run by devils. Cutthroat contestants, wicked scheming devils. Strong FMC. I’ve never seen a necromancer character presented in this way. Plenty of angsty hot spice & a jaw dropping ending that had me kicking my legs and pounding my chair like WHAT! This is a darker romantasy, so as always check your triggers. As for me I can’t wait to see what else is in store for this series! Hat’s off to the narrator…. Ma’am that was a performance.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

OK I DEVOURED THIS!

Spicy fantasy lovers: Phantasma is a dark fantasy romance with trials, secrets, and deadly costs. Think Caraval, mixed with Squid Games, PLUS spice! And the spice was spicing omg. Blackwell…the man that you are 🥵

I was immediately hooked with this one, readers are thrown right into the deep end. Ophelia is tasked with taking over her mother’s legacy after her death and found out that debts her mother accrued may lead to her losing the house if they aren’t repaid. Her sister enters Phantasma in secret in an attempt to pay off this debt; Ophelia finds out and enters herself, hoping to find her sister and protect her.

I loved the romance in this, it’s SO forbidden! Falling in love during Phantasma has consequences, but when Ophelia makes a deal with Blackwell, who is trapped within Phantasma and desperate to be free (and is super hot obviously) they are forced to work together as Ophelia progresses through the trials and maybe they start caring for each other more than they should 👀

This was a SUPER enjoyable read! Very fast paced and packed with twists that had me on the edge of my seat. I will absolutely be reading everything Kallie ever writes.

I actually listened to the audiobook whilst following along with my physical copy and I’d highly recommend the audiobook!! Super engaging!

I need a few minutes to calm down from this book, it needs a HUGE spice warning - colour me flustered. I devoured this book the same way Ophelia was devoured! I LOVED everything about this book, from the gorgeous cover to the words that flowed inside. It had me hooked line and sinker.

Don't be thinking this was just a spicy book with romance thrown in, no no no no no no, as we travel through the Nine circles of hell, there are some brutal and I do mean brutal deaths! Some were so deserved, there were so many awful creatures (I can't even think of them as humans) who were trying to win the prize in Phantasma. They made the devils look almost friendly! One word = Cade The descriptions were detailed and the deaths were so creative, I have to say!

This book gave me Big Brother feels, mixed in with Survivor, and Squid Games to say the least, in how the levels progressed. The "tasks" they had to complete, obviously were not in the same capacity - unless we suddenly see people running from swinging axes, or stone columns dropping by. (Well maybe Squid Games) Ophelia mesmerised me, with her backstory, how she ended up in Phantasma, her sister, and the chapter we learn about the "Creator" too.

The narrator was just fantastic, although, how she narrated those scenes - hats off to her!

I was here for all of it! I can't tell you enough how much I loved this book!

These characters will definitely make you squirm, cheer, and get a little hot under the collar. It is such a wild ride and I was obsessed - I just want to read the next book now!

Oh my gods. Oh my gods. This was so good. The absolute perfect gothic spooky vibes but not too horror/scary for all the paranormal romance lovers out there. The vibes are impeccable, world building is fun, magic is cool, and the banter and romance evolution is *chefs kiss*. thank you so much for this ALC opportunity Narrator Laura is master at her craft and nails it every time. This was so so so good.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. It felt like it was too close to a Caraval type world. I liked the darker piece which made it different but it was too similar for me.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞.

𝑨 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒍

When Ophelia's mother dies and sister goes missing, there is only one way to save her. Ophelia enters Phantasma, which holds a deadly contest inside a haunted mansion. Multiple people undergo nine challenges, where there will only be one winner. Each challenge/day will be more dangerous than the last.

Temptations, demons; monsters reside in the mansion. Bargains are made. Ophelia meets Blackwell, who acts as her guide in exchange for 10 years of her life. Ophelia can't turn him away, with her sister's life on the line.

𝑰𝒏 𝑷𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒎𝒂, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆, 𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕.
_________________________________________

This is an ARC review, a big thank you to Netgalley! I highly recommend the audiobook, @laura_horowitz_narrator did an amazing job narrating this book!

I absolutely 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 this book. This is a standalone, although the following book will be about Genevieve (Ophelia's sister).

The OCD representation was done so beautifully in this book, I feel Kaylie did an excellent job with how it can look and feel. This is a forbidden romance, and I was not expecting to cry- but I found myself sobbing in the car while listening to a specific chapter. This book took me by surprise, I had high expectations from the description, and it did not disappoint. From the banter to the cute ghost cat, the challenges, twists & turns, and heartbreak, this was a 5-star read for me. I will be reading the next book about her sister, and at this point anything Kaylie writes.

Please read this book, it is officially out today!

✨Tropes✨
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Haunted House Competition
▶ Forbidden Romance
▶ OCD representation
▶ Trials inspired by the nine circles of hell
▶ Who did this to you?

There were definitely aspects of this book I enjoyed but it also felt a little disjointed at times. There were some decent elements of dark fantasy and the romantic storyline was mildly believable. There were a few spicy moments as well. I wish it was darker.

Welcome to Phantasma, where the stakes are high, the dangers are real, and the only thing scarier than the monsters lurking in the shadows is the possibility of losing your heart.

WOW what a ride this was! Think of Caraval.. but a more mature, action filled story.Kayla Smith takes us on a wild, pulse-pounding ride through a haunted mansion where nothing is as it seems, and the only way out is to win a deadly game.

Ophelia is on a mission—her sister has vanished, and the only way to save her is to enter the sinister contest known as Phantasma. However not everything is what it seems, as secrets unfold and the sisterly bond threatening to break.. Ophelia must do the impossible to survive.

Phantasma isn’t an ordinary competition. It’s a labyrinth of perilous trials, filled with dark magic, treacherous rivals, a mansion that seems alive with malicious intent and the threat of death around every corner. Each of the nine challenges is more dangerous than the last, and Ophelia quickly learns that survival isn’t guaranteed, especially when the other contestants will do anything to win.

Enter Blackwell, the mysterious and dangerously charming stranger who offers Ophelia a deal: his guidance through the treacherous trials in exchange for ten years of her life. Blackwell is a walking enigma—arrogant, alluring, and maybe just a little too good to be true. Ophelia knows she shouldn’t trust him, but as the trials grow deadlier, she finds herself drawn to him in ways she never expected and let me tell you, the chemistry is sizzling and the spice scenes are so hot that you can’t help but root for these two.Their banter is sharp, their connection deep, and the stakes of their relationship are as high as the game they’re playing.

Smith’s writing is as atmospheric as it gets, plunging readers into a world where every twist of the corridor and flicker of candlelight could spell disaster. You can feel the tension , with each challenge pushing Ophelia closer to the edge—both physically and emotionally. And just when you think you’ve got the story figured out, Phantasma throws in another twist that leaves you breathless. I will be honest, at the beginning I did suspect that ending twist, but slowly throughout the story, I forgot about this suspicion… to then be left gobsmacked!

Smith masterfully balances the romance with the horror, creating a story that’s angsty, nerve wracking as well as heart warming.

Phantasma is a hauntingly addictive read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. I had to finish this as soon as I started, but felt so sad when I did finish it…what am I going to do with my life now? I need more Phantasma!!! I would love to see a spin off of the other side characters, such as Sinclair.. his character had me intrigued.

With its blend of dark fantasy, romance, and nail-biting suspense, it’s perfect for fans of twisted fairy tales and gothic love stories.

Just remember the rules: stay alive and don’t fall in love. But where’s the fun in that?

Ophelia and her sister are shocked when their mother is killed. Not only do they have to deal with the debt that is left, but Ophelia has inherited her powers. She doesn’t know her sister has entered a game called Phantasma in hopes of winning to pay off their newly acquired debts. Now a necromancer, Ophelia needs the help of a phantom in order to win the dangerous game. But there’s one thing-you need to follow the most important rule of Phantasma. DON’T FALL IN LOVE.

To say I’m obsessed is an understatement. I have not read a romantasy that has had me t this excited in a long time! I absolutely loved the story and loved that it was similar to an adult Caraval (which I also loved) but also had a unique twist and storyline. The characters were amazing, the writing flowed so nicely and the world was easy to understand. There was also an underlying feeling of suspense throughout and my mouth was hanging open at several parts. This book with phenomenal!

This audiobook was narrated by Laura Horowitz and the performance was amazing. I was so engaged and loved every second.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Kaylie Smith, and Bookoutre Audio for providing this free ARC. This is my honest review! This publishes on September 3rd.

I have posted my review on Goodreads, my Facebook book club, and will make a TikTok to post before the pub date raving about this book!

I absolutely devoured this book! I started and finished on the same day, and was absolutely enthralled. I kept trying to guess what Phantasma would throw at the characters next, and was constantly surprised. Fans of Caraval should definitely check this out!

Come with me as I step far outside my comfort zone into a world of dark romantasy filled with demons of every kind where a sheltered necromancer battles for her life while searching for her missing sister. Oh, my, what an intense and satisfying adventure this was!

Set in spooky, sultry New Orleans, PHANTASMA is a non-stop thrill ride with surprises in every chapter. Ophelia enters a contest (Phantasma) where there can only be one winner and the price of losing is death. The contestants must complete challenges based on the nine circles of hell. Along the way she meets Blackwell, a morally gray, but charming stranger who offers to help her in exchange for a very steep price. In Phantasma the only thing more dangerous than the deadly challenges is falling in love.

I alternated between the print and audio versions of this book and literally hung on every word. The production value of the audiobook was exceptional and Laura Horowitz‘s narration perfectly captured Ophelia’s fear and longing as she navigated the challenges and her growing attraction to Blackwell.

Kaylie Smith has written a heart pounding dark fantasy with an interesting premise and plenty of spice. This is a perfect read (or listen) for those who like their romance hot as the weather cools down.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Second Sky/Forever for the opportunity to review an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Ok, I have to be honest this one didn't really grab me as I hoped it would.
Narration was fine, no problems there at all. My issues all come from the story itself.

The book starts with a bang, with Ophelia and her sister both having to cope with the bizarre death of their mother, a famous necromancer, with all it entails: the investigation, the visit to the morgue and complete the rites their family performs. All that and Ophelia having to deal with the talent being passed down to her, as she was raised by her mother to take her place while her wild sister could be carefree and bubbly.
All this spelled a compelling story for me, but it gently fizzled out as I could not really connect to any of the sisters, although I did connect with the brief aspect of grief.
Now they get divided by the looming threat of loosing their home and everything as the bank officials visit them to let them know their mother took a loan Ophelia knew nothing about.
So of course the sisters fight and the only solution to all their problems comes in the form of Phantasma, a deadly game that grants a wish to its winner… And death to every other participant.

I can definitely see where the Caraval part comes from, that is evident from moment one as it has:
— Two sisters who's dynamic spot on to Scarlett and Tella.
— A game with a prize that could change your life, but it could also take it.
— A mystery man involved in all this.

But, this plot also shares the setting similarities with the manhwa American Ghost Jack, and that really surprised me since I really didn't remember much at all and the moment our protagonist enter the manor I was reminded of it instantly.

Aside from that I have to say that I was not very intrigued by the mystery nor enthused by the romance. Can't talk about the representation of OCD since I have no personal experience, but I still felt it was very “how Hollywood portraits it” rep.

5/5 stars
3/5 spice

Tropes:
Paranormal romance
Necromancer FMC
Ghosts & Devils
Soulmates
Deadly trials
Single POV

I really loved this book. I was completely immersed in the trials and the storyline. I didn't see the plot twist coming and was on the edge of my seat. The spice was spicing, but it also fit in with the character arcs and plot. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did an amazing job with all the voices. She was animated and delivered with each personality.

Overall, it was a great dark fantasy/paranormal romance that I highly recommend for fans of spooky vibes and deadly games/trials. There is graphic violence and gore in this book, so please be aware before starting.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

Demons. Devils. Phantoms. Necromancy. Magic. All in a game of life or death. A Romantasy to make your toes curl and your mind reel. An adventure unlike any I’ve read before and I am here for it. I enjoyed the mystery of each character as they learned their histories and their abilities.

The only tiny annoyance was the abrupt about-face the FMC would have a few times. I guess sometimes your body takes over before the mind realizes what is happening!

The audiobook read by Laura Horowitz was well-done with accents based on the setting. She is easily heard at faster speeds. She’s also a great follow on Instagram!

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and author Kaylie Smith for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

🎧 ALC Review

Phantasma (Wicked Games 1) by Kaylie Smith
Bookouture Audio / Second Sky Books, 03.09.24

A deadly game taking place inside a haunted mansion, Phantasma has just two rules: don't die, and don't fall in love.
Ophelia's sister has entered the game, and as she struggles through the nine increasingly deadly levels to find her, she encounters a mysterious stranger who offers her a deal: his help in return for a decade of her life. Blackwell seems friendly, but can Ophelia trust him?

Review:
With Phantasma, Kaylie Smith has created a wealth of hauntingly memorable characters inside a multi-layered story that beguiles and fascinates throughout. The games are complex and exciting, and Ophelia and Blackwell's banter and relationship arc beautifully infuriating.

There is a real adventure to be had between these pages, embodied in spectacular style by Laura Horowitz; voicing characters to both adore and to detest with passion.
Tumbling through the chapters, so many emotions are experienced, unforseen twists coming at breakneck speed around corners that appear overnight.

The ending of Phantasma was something I could not have predicted, and it absolutely broke me. I'm so ready for the second book in the Wicked Games series; roll on April 2025!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture Audio and Kaylie Smith for providing an ALC via NetGalley; this is my honest review.

This. Book. Was. PHENOMENAL. 💀
It’s absolutely everything I crave in a dark, Gothic, borderline horror romance. It was gory, deranged, suspenseful as hell, and filled with luscious, toe curling spice. And if you love deadly magical trials, and sentient manors (which I very much do), you will absolutely DEVOUR this!!
Plus It takes place in New Orleans, and is filled with dark magic, devils, ghosts, ghouls, phantoms- you name it. It’s really the perfect book to dive into as we head into spooky season.
🎧And the narration was absolute perfection. As always, Laura Horowitz absolutely killed it, delivering one of her best performances yet. And that’s really saying something. She’s proven once again why she is my all-time favorite, and I would literally listen to ANYTHING that she narrates.

Thank you to NetGalley, Second Sky Books & Bookouture Audio for the advanced reader copy and audiobook!