5/5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️.75

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

This book was an absolute masterpiece. The magical aspect of this was brilliantly done and had me sucked in everytime i opened this book up. Ophelia being a fmc with a difficult mental illness made her character very interesting to see develop throughout the book and seeing her stop allowing it to win every single time. Blackwell? my god that man 😮‍💨 I absolutely loved him from the very beginning and it never waivered. This is one of those books that's perfect for the fall season or even just for those who love a good game the fmc has to compete in and try not to die but she gets some good sexy time in.

Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky/Forever Pub for the e-arc in exchange for my thoughts!

A Dark, gothic romantasy perfect for lovers of Caraval and the macabre

A game only one can win, there are 9 parts to the games, which reflects the 9 circles of hell. The winner gets one wish.

Our main female character, Ophelia, who has inherited Necromancy from her late mother, has no interest in competing in these games. But after finding out her younger sister wishes to compete, she finds herself thrust into the competition herself.

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I enjoyed this first book of the series so much. It blended a lot of the things I enjoy about different genres of book together to make a well written and unique gothic fantasy.

What pulled me into this was the cover, which made me think more horror, but it did not disappoint.

If you love demons, ghosts and hell you will love this!



Thank you to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC

This was such a great adult dark fantasy romance debut from Kaylie Smith! I enjoyed her previous YA work, and was excited to see her delve into a more gothic fantasy world. I really enjoyed following Ophelia and Blackwell through the horrors of Phantasma. Each of the trials had me on the edge of my seat, and the romance between Ophelia and Blackwell was so captivating! I adore how protective and loving Blackwell was throughout the novel. The way he cared for Ophelia and was so gentle with her as she dealt with her OCD was everything. Speaking of which, I though Kaylie Smith did an excellent job of portraying OCD in a fantasy setting. The connection as to which Ophelia calls Blackwell and the tics she has because of her OCD was also perfect! My only qualm was that the ending was a bit predictable, but I still enjoyed this novel very much. I'm sad that it's a standalone, because I'd truly love to read more about these characters, but I'm super excited for Kaylie Smith's next adult fantasy standalone that she announced! I'd rate this book 4.5 stars.

Adult | If this were a movie it’d be rated: X

This spooky gothic book is DRIPPING WET 🩸 with BANTER 🤬, TENSION 😶‍🌫️, and world building 🧟‍♂️

I just finished Phantasma, and I’m hooked! Guard your heart to be the last one standing 👀. Set in Louisiana, the book followed a necromancer making tough choices in a world where paranormal beings make deals. I enjoyed the main characters and their interactions around the house. The games where given enough detail that I could understand what was happening without just being told X, Y, and Z were going on. I'm always a fan of third person limited stories and this one absolutely did not disappoint.

Thanks for the early copy— this comes out tomorrow. It’s also been announced that in 2025 there’s going to be an another book released in this universe!

Just finished *Phantasma* by Kaylie Smith, and wow—what a ride! Imagine *Hunger Games* colliding with dark romance and horror. The MMC is deliciously wicked, but his true nature shines through as the story unfolds. The FMC’s journey of discovering her strength is so powerful, especially as the trials expose the grimmest sides of human nature. Each trial is a sin-filled, twisted masterpiece, and the plot twist? Completely unexpected. The spice? 🔥🔥🔥 It’s perfectly blended into the dark, sinful atmosphere. Highly recommend if you love dark romance with an edge!

My sincerest apologies for not finishing this one in time for pub. day but oh my gosh I am OBSESSED. Life has been hectic and stressful and this was the perfect escape and a fantastic read I can’t wait to recommend to everyone and work into all the fall/Halloween displays at the bookstore I work at. This is perfect for fans of Carval and dark/gothic romances filled with incredible characters, a great magic system, and compelling plot. 10/10 no notes this is one of my best reads of 2024.

This was like an adult, horror version of Caraval with a much less annoying main character. Phantasma is a competition of sorts, where many people enter to play but only one can win. There are 9 levels (compared to the Nine Circles of Hell), and in each level you either beat it, make a bargain with a devil to escape, or you die. Last person standing basically gets a wish.

Ophelia has no interest in Phantasma, seeing how her mother has just died and she has inherited her necromancer powers. All Ophelia wants it to figure out how to keep the family business going. But when she discovers that her younger sister Genevieve has run off to join the game, she feels like she has to follow and convince her to leave. Maybe she *should* accept the help of the mysterious Blackwell....

I enjoyed this much more than I expected to. I liked how their family history was used, and the different competitions they had to do were creative. There are good gothic vibes, and the push and pull between Ophelia and Blackwell was nice. It might have been nice to have spent more time with Genevieve before she disappears into Phantasma, but then we get to learn things about her along with Ophelia. I look forward to picking up the next book!

This Romantasy book is everything!!

This is book 1 in a series but this book is a stand alone that has an HEA. This book was fast paced and full of action, tension, chemistry, and a story that had me on the edge of my seat from page one to the very last page. I devoured this book. I didn't want to put it down because I had to find out what was going to happen next.

Ophelia finds her mom's body and immediately has to take on the family's necromancy powers. Then things get worse when she learns her and her sister are about to lose the house because of a loan her mom took out and never told them about. When Ophelia realizes her sister went to Phantasma (A spooky manor full of devils and ghouls that is set up like the circles of hell), she decides she has to enter the competition to the death to try and protect her sister. Once inside Phantasma, Ophelia has a run in with Blackwell who wants to help her with the tasks and challenges in exchange for her finding the key that will release Blackwell from the prison that is Phantasma.

Book 2 of this series is Ophelia's littler sister, Genevieve's story and I can't wait. The writing was phenomenal. I also did a tandem read with the audiobook (Purchased myself) and the e-book (ARC provided by Second Sky Publishing and NetGalley) and I highly recommend the audiobook as well. The performances by the narrators was phenomenal!

If you like dark fantasy, fantasy romance, tension, and books that include deadly trials, I highly highly highly recommend this book!!!

I loved two big elements of this book but they just didn't connect together to bring home a 4th star. The atmosphere created and the spicy relationship was excellent, but the plot of the Phantasma games fell through.

Ophelia 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. 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.

Ophelia is only there to find her impulsive sister and escape. She makes a bargain with a Phantom to help him escape this purgatory if he helps her cheat through the levels. But this is no Casper, the friendly ghost. Blackwell is hot as hell, and as tensions rise the pair become far more familiar with each other than anticipated.

There is a lot of lore: necromancy (similar to Ghost Whisperer), ghosts and devils. The variety in tests was really creative. I also loved the characters. Ophelia and Blackwell have very well developed personalities. Their interactions were snarky, filled with lust and felt very much like true love.

Unfortunately, these great elements felt very disconnected. The first part is written like a horror novel, then it switches into a romantasy style. And the ending was softer than I expected.

Because Blackwell is helping Ophelia, most of the plot development is him explaining things to her. He's not a mansplainer, but it made the story more passive.

All in all, a fun romantasy-esque read with a horror-inspired ambience. I would like to see the next book be more solidly in the soft or edgy side of romance and maintain that level of angst throughout.

Phantasma had me from the cover, stunning! We follow Ophelia immediately after the death of her mother, her sister disappears. Immediately Ophelia seeks to find her any way possible. She quickly finds her way to a cursed manor, in which she must compete in order to find her sister. What will happen in this deadly competition, if you dare to enter.

This story had me from the first page. I highly recommend going in this story blind, as I did. This story had such a fast pace that had me turning pages and not wanting to put this book down. Such a great atmospheric spooky vibe with mysteries and terror on all sides. I was drawn in with the high stakes and deadly competition. I was immediately drawn into Ophelia’s personality and her dark shadow, dare I say relatable. The relationships in this were relatable and very cut throat while others were bleeding heart enthralling. This story had it all and found it to be such a fun ride. I squealed, laughed, gasped, and cried. I immediately bought a copy for myself and pre-ordered the next in the series. Thank you to Netgalley and Forever publisher.

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

4.5 STARS

This one is PERFECT for spooky time, aka right now, it’s got ghosts, a gothic mansion and the levels of Hell. And the plot! Who doesn’t love a deadly game…?

SIGN ME UP!!

I really enjoyed the writing and story that Kaylie told. It gave me everything that I didn’t know I wanted and I was EATING it up. Perfect for those paranormal lovers with ghosts and demons. And if you want a standalone with a HEA this one is it! I do wish that it was a series but only because I want more but at least a character in this one gets their own story in the next one.

AND I CANT WAIT FOR APRIL!!

(arc review)

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!

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!

DNF at 10%

I’ve read so many fantasy books over the years (and quite frankly, books in general) that I know what voices I like on writing. I know what does and doesn’t work for me, and can tell within mere chapters if something will not work with me. I only made it about 4 chapters into this book because the writing style was not clicking with me. This is totally a me situation! I also didn’t find myself gripped by the story or having any interest in our main character, Ophelia. I could already tell that I would likely not connect with her for the majority of the book.
I’m unsure if I would ever read a book by Kaylie Smith again if her writing style is the same in her future novels.
As it is, this is more of a me issue, and I didn’t read enough of the novel to talk about anything else.

Soon after the unexpected death of their mother, necromancer Ophelia Grimm’s sister disappears & to save her, Ophelia must enter & win Phantasma, a deadly contest held inside a haunted mansion. Nine levels of the players' worst fears have to faced alongside deadly temptations offered by the resident devils. Ophelia is offered help by a Phantom named Blackwell - he will help her pass the trials if she will help him escape from Phantasma for good. Can Ophelia trust him? Can she save her sister or will she lose her forever?

Great concept - I absolutely loved the idea of the creepy mansion & the trials being linked to the seven deadly sins. I also liked the descriptions of the fashion although I'm not sure what time this is set as the clothes suggested 19th century, but the language & behaviour seemed more modern. I didn't like that the trials soon became a backdrop to the romance & feel there should have been a better balance.

For me, there wasn't enough build-up to feel the chemistry between Ophelia & Blackwell, it was very much instalove, or I should say, instalust. Now, a well-written spicy scene can complement a romance plot but for me this was too much. After the third or fourth very graphic sex scene, it all became just a bit tedious. I felt like the kid in 'The Princess Bride' complaining "They're kissing again!" - I just wanted to get back to the trials but then it all just fizzles out with no real "ta-da" ending & the twist was obvious to me from the start.

The author can write & the trials plot could have been perfection, but I felt short-changed with how it took such a backseat to the romance. I seem to be an outlier though & most readers really enjoyed the book so if you don't mind spicy scenes then don't let me put you off. 3.5 stars (rounded up).

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Second Sky/Forever, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

✨ Dark Gothic Paranormal Romance
✨ Necromancer x Ghost
✨ Close Proximity
✨ Forbidden Spicy Romance
✨ Deadly Competition
✨ Similar to Squid Games and Saw level of competition and gore
✨ Mental Health Rep

This was a dark fantasy ride that I couldn’t get enough of! It’s such a unique concept with the nine levels of hell competition that’s run by Devils themselves in a haunted house full of ghosts and fears. This was a bloody and cutthroat good time with a hot and heavy forbidden romance thrown in! I loved the mental health rep also, with Ophelia dealing with an obsessive compulsive disorder and a manipulative voice in her head. It was interesting how her mental health played a huge part in the book and gave you insight to why she did things they way she did.

And Ophelia and Blackwell together were straight fire! 🔥 Their relationship was magnetic and a little volatile but I enjoyed every interaction! I’d say this book was 3.5-4 🌶️ and a 5⭐️ read

Thank you so much to Forever Pub for the advanced copy! 🖤

This book was absolutely incredible!! It had everything I could want in a dark, Gothic, almost horror-like romance. It was gruesome, twisted, intensely suspenseful, and packed with steamy, spine-tingling moments.
If you’re into deadly magical trials and haunted mansions you’re going to eat this up!

And the setting? New Orleans, steeped in dark magic, devils, ghosts, ghouls, basically all the spooky vibes you could ask for. It’s the perfect read as we move into the Halloween season.

The story wraps up with a happy ending, and can be read as a standalone but it also sets the stage for the next book, which will focus on a different couple.

A freaking five Star Read!!!
What's better than starting the month with a 5 star read?!!

I'm obsessed with Blackwell and Ophelia <3
I STARTED THIS YESTERDAY AND JUST COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!! It was THAT GOOD
From the start to the very end it was amazing. I loved it so much. It was a perfect Romantasy book. And I need Blackwell rn.

Thank you nerd fam, second sky books and Netgalley for the E-arc.

A necromancer who enters a “rumored” competition to find her sister and ends up in an alliance with a hot phantom, makes a great story! The setting of an old gothic manor in New Orleans made the scenes so spooky. The twists were perfect and I hate to admit that I did fall in love with some of the princes of hell… like how could you not?!