I am Obsessed. OBSESSED! This book was so good and I need more IMMEDIATELY!! Like genuinely how am I supposed to move on from this?

I truly enjoyed this audio book. It reminded me of Caravel, but with dark dangerous games and lots of Spice. The narrators did an amazing job projecting the excitement and energy of each game. The ending brought it all together and left me wanting to know more.

ARC Review


Phantasma
By Kaylie Smith
Publish date: Sept 2, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Kaylie Smith for allowing me to review this book.

Make sure to read the trigger warnings before reading.

Phantasma is a deadly contest with two rules stay alive and don’t fall in love. The prize being a single wish from the prince of the devil. Ophelia must face 9 challenges and be the last contestant standing. When a mysterious stranger offers her a blood deal to help her win in exchange for 10 years of her life. The challenges will be the easiest part for Ophelia protecting her heart from Blackwell will be the challenge.

I absolutely fell in love with Ophelia. She was sarcastic, funny and determined. The portrayal of the OCD was done fantastically. I absolutely loved the Shadow voice too.

Blackwell is my new fave shadow daddy!! He’s charming, dark, sarcastic, flirty and I loved it all.

The plot was fast paced and full of action and intrigue. The world building was amazing.

I was not expecting that ending at all! I’m still in shock. Phantasma will be a book I will constantly think about and I need more!! Kaylie Smith is officially on my auto buy author list!!


Read if you enjoy:

😈 Smut
😈 OCD representation
😈 Steamy Romance
😈 Morally Grey love interest
😈 Ghost Cat

Thank you to Kaylie Smith, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I got such Kingdom of the Wicked vibes from this. The devils, the sins, the sex. I'd describe this as Kingdom of the Wicked meets any YA trials/competition fantasy. I didn't get into it right away, but I did enjoy it overall. Ophelia was likeable enough, though I'm not sure I completely understood her power set. And having Blackwell help her so much hampered my respect for her some; what was the point of a competition plot if she, and her sister for that matter, could just coast through? Lowered the stakes, the tension. Blackwell didn't make much of an impression on me; because of the mystery surrounding him, he couldn't be properly developed, so his personality amounted to "sexy" and "jealous." The world building was a bit murky; I didn't entirely understand the relationship between normal humans and the paranormal/fantasy. Some people seemed to know necromancers were a thing, others didn't. Phantasma had been around for 500 years, and must happen pretty frequently, yet people thought it was a myth? Yeah, I was left with some questions. Overall, though, this book was entertaining, if not enthralling.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this ALC!

This book! Wow! I freaking loved it! It was as if “Rose Red”, “Lucifer”, and “Hunger Games” had a baby and it’s the most perfect specimen ever.

Laura Horowitz… I finally got to hear her narrate! She’s super fantastic!

I received an advanced audio copy for review. This is my own opinion.

I really appreciate the OCD representation in this book, as it’s not something I’ve seen much of with ND rep.

If I had to compare Phantasma to something, it would be like a spicy version of Belladonna crossed with…I haven’t read Caraval, but based on my understanding, probably that.

The Grimm family are necromancers and to save her family and their home, Ophelia must enter Phantasma and survive the nine circles of hell in the form of a contest. She meets a phantom who can help her if she offers him a decade of her life.

I will be honest, I went into this a little hesitant because it’s described as gothic and gruesome, but it was no worse than Belladonna for me, so if you can handle that, you’re good! It’s more fantasy than horror. I saw the twist at the end coming from a mile away, but honestly if you’ve read this sort of book, you will too, so it probably won’t be a problem! I really enjoyed the audiobook; the narrator was excellent.

4.5stars rounded up.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kaylie Smith for the ALC!

I started this the other night, and I was in love with New Orleans, Phantasma, and the necromancer FMC.

Laura Horowitz narrated perfectly, and her New Orleans accent reminded me so much of AHS. Phantasma itself took me back to Hotel Cortez, and all the ghouls, trials, and creepy rooms were to die for.

Had it just been that, I think this would've been a 5 star read, but the romance is a main part of the plot, and I didn't love it. I felt it was very convenient for Blackwell to help Ophelia through all of the trials (except one, I think), and the instalove and declarations of love made me cringe.

The ending did help to make up for it a bit, but it all still felt a bit too far-fetched, so I would've preferred the story without it.

Overall, it is a very atmospheric read and one I would reread for that reason.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ALC.

Tropes:
Paranormal romance
Phantom/Necromancer
Haunted house with deadly trials
Fated lovers
“Good girl”
Set in a paranormal/fantasy version of New Orleans

4⭐️
3🌶️

I found this book whilst browsing 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!

Thank you #NetGalley for an advanced audiobook of #Phantasma in exchange for an honest review!
4⭐️
3🌶️
A fantastic fantasy romance! For fans of gothic romance like One Dark Window with a shadow voice, handsome devils and underworld lords of kingdom of the wicked, and trials like the serpent and the wings of night and fourth wing, then this is your next read. I breezed through this audiobook and immediately preordered the book so I can reread it. Not a huge fan of audiobooks typically, however I was desperate to get my hands on this one. I felt like the narrator of the audiobook was able to embody the different characters and keep the suspense/mystery going. She keeps the story flowing pretty seamlessly and easily paints a picture of each scene. I really enjoyed the book, and it’s easy to be swept into the world of Phantasma. I would absolutely recommend any fantasy romance readers to get a hold of this when it comes out.
A twisted sister relationship, a mystery within a budding love story, trials of grit and determination from our heroine, and a wicked twist at the end. 4 stars ⭐️

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.

Laura Horowitz did an epic job with the narration! She nailed the southern accents and truly brought these characters to life. I highly highly highly recommend this audiobook!

The absolute PERFECT Gothic Romance for spooky season! Blackwell and Ophelia are at the very top of my favorite book couples ever, I cannot believe how great this book was. And the OCD representation? Spot on, phenomenal, I have never ever felt more seen!

I enjoyed the narrator but the book itself I found to be quite boring. The writing felt very tryhard and cliché. The atmosphere was nonexistent. And I can't even with the instlove/lust, mmc calling fmc good girl already during their first interaction without any chemistry whatsoever.
I also have very mixed, mostly negative feelings about the OCD portrayal in this book.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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. And the narrator did a wonderful job at bringing the characters and story to life.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.