Thanks to NetGalley and Second Sky Books for this free copy of "Phantasma."

I wanted to read some romantasy and this looked so intriguing with its New Orleans, almost voodoo, deadly contest vibe. And fair warning, it is pretty spicy.

Ophelia has been tutored since she was small to continue the family lineage of necromancy. Her younger sister Genevieve wants nothing to do with magic.

But when their mother dies and Genevieve disappears, Ophelia finds her sister's diaries and read that she was obsessed with Phantasma - the contest that grants the winner any wish.

Ophelia thought it was just a rumor but she enters the competition, trying to find her sister. She has to survive seven levels before she can hunt for Genevieve. And each level has only three outcomes: forfeit, die, or win.

411...

╰☆☆ “𝙸𝚗 𝚊 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎, 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚏𝚊𝚒𝚛 𝚘𝚗𝚎, 𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍'𝚟𝚎 𝚔𝚎𝚙𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚕 𝚖𝚢 𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚞𝚜𝚝” ☆☆╮

The opening scene in Phantasma introduces us to Necromancer Ophelia Grimm and her sister as they've just discovered the body of their deceased mother. Ophelia realizes this now makes her the head of their manor and their home run family business with all things related to the dead. She's been trained and prepared for this role by her mother since she was a very little girl and now the day has come where she must take over. Before she can get any of their matters in order however, her sister disappears without a word of her whereabouts. Ophelia searches for answers and while doing so discovers the debt the manor has incurred and that they may be losing the manor very soon. She has now inherited her family's death magic as well as the financial burden of the manor that has been left behind. Her sister Genevieve Grimm has left the manor it seems to enter a competition that may give them the opportunity to win the cash needed to save their manor. Phantasma is a competition set inside a Gothic haunted manor made up of nine floors each with a challenge designed to fatally take out those who sign up. Only one will make it out alive and to that person, a wish will be granted. Demons, Ghouls, Poltergeists, and Phantoms are only some of the entities the contestants will come across as they race to beat each other to the prize. These challenges are NOT for the feint of heart, they tap into your deepest darkest fears and then use them against you. Ophelia's entrance into Phantasma doesn't go unnoticed by the ghosts of the manor, she is an enigma they will go after if only to see what makes her different.

THOUGHTS...

The TiK Tok Girlies got this one right Book Lovers! OBSESSED is putting it lightly, I am sitting here counting down the days until April 8th for the release of ENCHANTRA! all other books will be paused while I dive back into the world of all things the Grimm sisters. If you're looking for a read that will suck you right in and make you a front row spectator to a high stakes adrenaline inducing competition, then treat yourself to the experience that is this book! Hella descriptive, I found myself squirming at some of the deaths and yet still anticipating the next challenge...not sure what that says about me. Atmosphere is a 10/10, characters 10/10, plot and intrigue also are a 10/10. What I wasn't expecting? the OCD representation to also be 10/10, as a person with OCD I have never read any character experience thoughts/compulsions I've also had. I had one of those moments while reading where I just nodded and smiled at feeling seen. Anyways, if you're here to find out about the romance and spice levels fret not! Ophelia and Blackwell will have you asking yourself if a paranormal tryst is what's missing in your life. The spice is a 10/10 between these two who found a minute between challenges and in spare rooms to get it on. Phantasma was a 5 star read for me and I just can't wait to get my hands on Enchantra to see what Genevieve gets up to in her story arc.

I was drawn into this book based on all the hype it’s getting, I was a little hesitant at first because it’s not really the genre I go for, but I had such a fun time! I loved the plot of the games and the setting was so atmospheric. Also, I loved the romance between Ophelia and Blackwell. & I can’t write a review without mentioning Poe!

I cannot wait for Enchantra!

I enjoyed this story with all the characters that were within. The main two characters were Ophelia and Blackwell.

Ophelia's sister has disappeared, and she must find her. When Ophelia finds some clue information about where her sister might have gone. She decides to go see if her sister is there. But all she finds at the place is a cat and a person named Blackwell.

Blackwell is stuck with a curse and wants to find a way to break it. So when he meets Ophelia, he decides to ask her to help him break it.

This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure, and suspense throughout. There is a bit of a mystery within. It was fun trying to guess. This is the first in a series. The story twists and turns throughout.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest, unbiased opinion.

I’ve absolutely loved it! It was a fun , atmospheric, and engaging read that kept me hooked from the start to the end! And Blackwell? I think that I have a liiiitle crush on him!

I am such a fan of Kaylie’s books! This was such a fun read and I really loved the premise. Honestly, I had no idea Blackwell was going to be the prince of devils but that was such a good way to bring the story back around. I think I would have liked to experience more of Ophelia’s necromancer side of things, it didn’t really feel like she was one, more so that she just had powers. I really loved that Genevieve had their dads powers too though. I throughly enjoyed this story and I can’t wait to read more!

I really enjoyed this book. The first few chapter setting the scene. The paranormal beings. The twists and turns within the pages. The bond of sisterhood, the tales of romance. The trials that made you sit on the edge of your seat. The ending. I felt connected to some of the characters. Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity.

The story was compelling with an easy worldbuilding and wonderful characters. I kept hearing it was like Danny Phantom and that is everything to me because I had a huge crush on Danny Phantom as a kid. It definitely lived up to expectations!!

This was DELIGHTFUL! Was such a fun dark spin on “life or death” games. Definitely not the for the faint of heart. But I loved the premise of entering into a house to play a game to win a deal with a devil.

Felt like a fun house full of horrors! The romantic spin on it kept me invested the whole time.

Dark, fun, and spicy! This book was intense and delicious and I absolutely ate it up. I thought the storyline was one of the more unique and interesting concepts that I've ever read about. There's high stakes, forbidden love, OCD representation, and steamy romance. Ophelia and Blackwell might be one of my favorite book couples ever. Highly recommend! I'm so ready for book 2! Thank you Netgalley and Second Sky for the ARC!

I anm completely obsessed with this book , I was hooked from the very start , enthralled is probably the best word for it and I just didn’t want to leave the story. Kayleigh Smiths wring is wonderful , I am a huge fan of a good Gothic romance and Kayleigh has more than delivered on that. This is a must read for fans of Gothic romance and one that I thoroughly recommend

Romantasy is such a saturated market, and it's rare that I read one that completely blows me away. Phantasma was that book! I was SO obsessed throughout this - the romance was perfection, the writing so compelling and the setting and premise of Phantasma was a really great device to eke out tension throughout.

A dark fantasy horror story that grabs the reader’s attention from the start and keeps the reader entertained until the very end. A well written Fantasy story, great character development and fantastic world building. It has a dash of spice and a smidge of horror. The author is a terrific storyteller. I rave to anyone that is within earshot how this is a must read! Beautiful cover too!

Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky/Forever for this review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As someone who is not a huge fan of fantasy romance, I really enjoyed this. I absolutely loved the main character Ophelia and the depiction of OCD in this novel. The author did a good job of keeping you engaged and wanting to keep turning the page to find out how it ends.

**A Thrilling, Dark Romance That Will Keep You Hooked Until the Last Page**

*Phantasma* is a breathtaking and chilling dark romantasy that pulls you into a dangerous world where every step is a perilous gamble, and the stakes are higher than ever. From the very first page, this book captivates with its blend of intense world-building, high-stakes competition, and forbidden romance.

Ophelia is a protagonist you can’t help but root for—her strength and determination to save her sister from the clutches of debt and death make her journey both heart-wrenching and thrilling. The high-risk game of *Phantasma*—a deadly competition set within a hauntingly gorgeous manor filled with demons, illusions, and cruel temptations—adds an extra layer of tension that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Each floor of the manor offers new, perilous challenges that push Ophelia to the brink, both physically and emotionally.

But the heart of this story lies in the complex relationship between Ophelia and Blackwell, a mysterious phantom with secrets of his own. Their sizzling, forbidden attraction is electric, but the tension between them is more than just physical—it’s a dance of trust, betrayal, and survival. Blackwell is the kind of morally grey character you can’t quite figure out, and his chemistry with Ophelia is palpable. But in *Phantasma*, love isn’t just dangerous—it’s deadly. As their partnership grows, so does the risk of breaking the most vital rule of the game: *don’t fall in love*.

The author masterfully weaves in themes of loss, sacrifice, and the consequences of choice, all while creating a world that is as beautiful as it is deadly. Every twist and turn in the competition, every new revelation about the cursed manor, keeps you guessing. *Phantasma* is a perfect blend of suspense, magic, and dark romance that leaves you craving more.

If you love high-stakes games, a fierce heroine, and a romance that feels as dangerous as it is inevitable, this is a must-read. With its twists, turns, and emotional depth, *Phantasma* will not only leave you breathless, but it will haunt you long after you’ve turned the final page.

I really like the concept of the book BUT felt the end was super rushed. A lot of missed opportunities in this one.

Come on, don’t you know by now that this is everything??! The Wicked Games in this book are AMAZING! If you like loads of smut a la Kerri Maniscalco’s newer books, then this is the one for you. The hellish vibes and the worldbuilding and characters WITH rep are everything you could ask for.

Thank you Forever for the review copy!

I really wanted to love this book, but it just wasn't for me. I really struggled to feel pulled into the story and feel invested in the characters. I really struggled to read this book and ended up putting it down many times. I could go weeks in between reading it and was picking it up more out of obligation than interest.

This one wasn't for me.
I thought that the MC and the writing felt way too immature for the ages of the characters and that this is Adult not YA. The New Orleans setting was intriguing but underused, and apart from a word here and there, I really couldn't have told you what time period we were in.
This is firmly on the romance side of romantasy, and I think that's the killer vote - if the romance clicks for a reader they're going to enjoy the book overall.
A safer bet for hardcore romantasy lovers, I'm sure, but too hit-and-miss for me.

Ophelia is sharp and tenacious, and her chemistry with Blackwell is electric. The spice? Chef’s kiss—intense without being over the top (yes, even when it starts raining blood). But what really stood out was the OCD representation—raw, real, and beautifully done.

The ending felt a bit rushed, but honestly? I loved every second of this book.