4.5 stars

In most of my five-star or four-and-a-half-star reads, they hook me in right from the start, and it’s a whirlwind of emotions from there. But my experience with Phantasma was different. My curiosity in the story gradually built chapter by chapter, as did the paranormal elements. I expected there to be a darker, more looming feel to the plot, but it instead felt cozy to me, and it’s because of the writing style. I love macabre and morbid prose in gothic romance, and this was more whimsical and fanciful. Still, Phantasma did not disappoint in the slightest.

One of my favorite tropes is The Nine Circles of Hell, and I love how Kaylie interpreted and built each trial. I wish those scenes were longer, but the amount of trials is a great deal to include in one story, especially when there are other side plots. With an amusing set of characters, riddles, and life-threatening consequences, the trials were a thrilling part of the story.

There are so many great things about Ophelia, but the first that comes to mind is how perfect and comical her biting remarks are. The comment that had me laughing the hardest was, “I say this sincerely. You need an exorcism.” She stands her ground and won’t let anyone belittle her. Seeing an FMC vocal about her opinions and sassy with it was invigorating. I can only hope to have the tiniest bit of her in me one day.

Blackwell was utterly a delight. If I had to count how frequently something he said made me weak in the knees, it’d probably be over twenty. I always felt safe with him, which says a lot in the world of Phantasma. Death lurks in every corner, and you never know when a character will brush alongside it, but Blackwell’s presence alone always made me feel less afraid.

The romance between Ophelia and Blackwell was all-consuming. Despite the rule against falling in love in Phantasma, it’s difficult for them to avoid succumbing to their growing lust and affection for one another. It was gripping to see where this kind of relationship would leave them.

My only protest is that I wish Ophelia spent more time trying to solve what the heart and key meant. She agrees to the bargain with Blackwell, and Blackwell carries out his side of the agreement, but there’s barely any mention of the heart and key afterward. Again, there was plenty of story to tell without it, with the trials and trying to find Vivi, but I was really excited for this plot line.

Lastly, can I mention the microtropes/quotes that made me feral? “You came.” “You called.”, the pet name “clever little Necromancer,” “reach up and grab the headboard,” “Who did that to you?” and him unlacing her corset??? Yeah, I ate that all up. If you enjoy dark fantasy romance, forbidden romance, deadly trials/competitions, and creepy mansions, I can’t recommend this one enough.

Thank you, Netgalley and SecondSky, for an e-ARC of this book!

If you love dark, gothic reads then this is the book for you. The plot was pretty good, and I easily binged this is one sitting.

When I first started reading Phantasma , I had no clue that I was going to find the gothic romantasy of my dreams. Set in a ghostly (gothic) version of New Orleans, Phantasma tells the story of Ophelia Grimm, who in a quest to save her sister, finds herself part of a deadly game inside a mansion full of darkness and secrets. This book is so very atmospheric; drawing on lush description of the haunted mansion, full of all kinds of devils, demons and ghosts, including the mysterious Blackwell. There were so many scenes in the book that actually felt spine-chilling (and not just because I was reading this at night). The descriptions are immersive, making you feel like you are a part of the game, experiencing everything that these characters go through. There are some incredibly intense moments, and honestly in terms of the pacing, I found it to be just right for the plot of the story. Things move fast, but not too fast either. The explanation of the world and its magic was also done incredibly, allowing you to grasp information without being like what is going on.

If I were to describe Phantasma , I would describe it as the perfect blend of gothic horror and the romantasy genre, with great characters, own-voices OCD representation and a plot that leaves you wanting more and more. Kaylie Smith thank you for writing and I cannot wait to check out your other series!!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶🌶

- hunger games meeting caraval
- paranormal
- eerie, horror, gore
- based on circle of hell

Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky/Forever for the ARC, here I leave my honest review!

THIS IS SO GOOD! I really like this book. The claim that this is hunger games meets caraval is true, it's just darker, more sadistic and spicier in my opinion.

The game is described as really good, each level gets scarier, more sadistic, not to mention beyond the level they are still haunted by their nightmares, the competition between the players is also really strong. Every time I read the game section, I'm curious about what it's about and I'm nervous because if they make a wrong move, it's a good bye to the world... the explanation is sadistic.

The romance is also really good. I like Blackwell who is annoying, nosy but actually cares and is really worried about Ophie. The dynamics of their relationship, which suddenly seemed like enemies and then couldn't be separated, became really exciting. Why are they so hot please I love this couple!

Even though I can actually guess where the book is going and can shoot the plot twists including the identity of Blackwell himself, I still really like to following it until the end, I can't stop reading. The book is also standalone so it's finished until the end without a cliffhanger. Everything is explained very clearly, it's very clear in this book.

Holy Hell, this is a bloody good book!!! I loved Kaylie Smith's writing, the vivid and detailed descriptions, the world building, the fabulous group of characters, the gothic vibe, the steamy scenes, and the element of danger. I am usually hit or miss with books in the fantasy genre, but Phantasma cast it's spell on me. I was addicted to this book and the characters from the very first page.

Phantasma is a game held inside a haunted mansion. As with all games there are rules and in Phantasma, not following the rules can have deadly consequences. But don't worry, the rules are simple enough: stay alive and don't fall in love. If you can make it to the end, you win a prize! The prize - you get to make a wish! It had better be a good one!

When Ophelia’s sister goes missing, Ophelia, a necromancer, enters Phantasma to find her. Once in Phantasma, Ophelia must complete 9 levels (like the 9 circles of hell), each one more dangerous and deadly than the last. The contestants will be up against each other, demons, various temptations, and deadly challenges. There will be only one winner. It is not for the faint of heart!

Blackwell, a mysterious, charismatic, sexy and handsome man/ghost/? offers her a bargain, Ophelia decides to take him up on it. But everything is not as it seems in Phantasma!

I had the pleasure of having both the physical book and the audiobook which made for pure bliss. Laura Horowitz, the narrator of the audiobook, did an amazing job. Seriously she nailed it! It was pure listening bliss. I highly recommend the audiobook if you enjoy listening to books. I am so happy that I decided to take a chance on this book, and it paid off big time! I absolutely loved this dark, fantasy romance!

The characters are fantastic, as were their names. Plus, there is some great dialogue and banter in this book. Some characters are likeable, some are creepy, some sinister, some are vile, and some grew on me like a weed. Plus, Phantasma has a devilishly wonderful gothic vibe to it.

Addictive, sexy, sinister, fun, entertaining and hard to put down!

Highly Recommend this devilishly delightful book!

What a brilliantly written book!

Following the story of Ophelia on the hunt for her sister Genevive who has joined Phantasma, complete with a gruelling ten levels of challenges with only one winner. Each competitor goes against each other to beat the level, they comprise of the seven deadly sins, complete with devils, phantoms and lies.

This is so well written, you feel you are with Ophelia as she searches for her sister. She meets Blackwell on the way and their connection is a passionate one to say the least! Each stage Ophie has to complete are harder than the last, not least because she knows others lose their place in the competition. Would you rather die in the hands of Phantasma or forfeit but be cursed? What a choice!

Fans of Caraval and The Hunger Games would also love this book!

I'm a sucker for books with some sort of trials/ competition involved, so when I read the description of this, it sounded like my kind of story.

It revolves around the Grimm sisters Ophelia and Genivive, although mostly Ophelia. In New Orelans, where there are all sorts lingering in the darkness of the witching hour, we meet Necromancers, devils, and phantoms.
Ophelia enters Phantasma to find her sister and has to navigate through 9 trials based around the circles of he'll with secrets, twists, and puzzles along the way.
I'm not going to lie, I struggled at first to get into this story a little bit at first and sometimes had to read parts more than once to fully take all the information in. However, once the trials started and the pace started to ramp up, I was pulled in and couldn't put it down. I had an inkling at some of the twists coming towards the end, but that didn't really take away from my enjoyment.

Thank you the Netgalley and Second Sky, for the arc of this book for my honest review!

DNF at 45%

I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately, it wasn’t for me. It wasn’t a bad book by any means, but I personally had a hard time getting into the story and connecting with the characters.

There was a lot happening, but for some reason, I kept zoning out and had to read some parts multiple times to understand what was going on.

The premise was interesting, it gave me Caraval vibes but a little darker (similar magical/mystical feel, one sister enters a game to find her sister, the events take place at night, etc).

The world seemed intriguing, with different beings like necromancers, ghosts, phantoms, etc. I would have loved to learn more about them at the beginning of the story.

Of course, I can’t comment on how the book ends, if the FMC finds her sister (probably yes), how the rest of the nights unfold, etc..

Take Caraval, mix it with Squid Games but then make it a gothic, spooky, haunted house setting, add OCD rep and spice…. you get Phantasma.
And i enjoyed every single second of it. So much, that i will be ordering a physical copy.

Phantasma is the perfect “spooky season” read!!
I genuinely can’t think (right now) of something that i didn’t enjoy in this book. Even the parts that were somewhat predictable, i still had fun reading.
I adored Ophelia, she was so well written and i loved the OCD rep.
Blackwell…don’t get me started on him. He can have my soul for free.
Also shoutout to Vivi and Poe.
Overall, i had so much fun reading this. It got me out of my reading slump!
To Kaylie Smith, thank you for sharing your story with OCD at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC!

In Phantasma, Kaylie Smith weaves a dark, thrilling tale of necromancy, sisterhood, and a deadly contest that challenges both the body and the heart. The novel introduces readers to Ophelia Grimm, a young woman faced with the impossible—saving her sister, Genevieve, by entering Phantasma, a haunted mansion where danger lurks around every corner and survival depends on wit, courage, and a willingness to face demons both literal and figurative.

The book opens with tragedy—Ophelia and Genevieve discover their mother’s death, leaving them with a crumbling legacy and an uncertain future. As the daughters of Tessie Grimm, the sisters have grown up in Grimm Manor, a historic landmark in New Orleans steeped in magic and mystery. With the manor on the brink of foreclosure, Ophelia is torn between continuing her family’s necromantic traditions or finding a way to move forward. However, everything changes when Genevieve disappears into Phantasma, a shadowy, gothic estate that appears where an old cathedral once stood.

Phantasma is no ordinary mansion. It’s a living maze of nightmares, with nine deadly challenges awaiting those who dare to enter. The prize? A single wish that can change fate. To save her sister and reclaim their home, Ophelia must survive the contest and face the twisted perils within. But Phantasma is more than just a house filled with dangers—it’s a place that tests the limits of one’s mind and heart.

Smith skillfully builds the tension as Ophelia encounters Blackwell, a mysterious and magnetic stranger who offers her a way through the trials. His bargain is simple but costly: he will help her navigate the deadly mansion in exchange for ten years of her life if she fails to keep her end of the deal. The chemistry between Ophelia and Blackwell is undeniable, even as their growing bond complicates the already perilous situation.

Blackwell, with his brooding charm and hidden motives, is one of the novel’s most captivating characters. His connection with Ophelia adds a layer of emotional complexity to the story as they both grapple with trust, survival, and the inevitable feelings that arise in such high-stakes circumstances.

Phantasma itself is a character within the story, filled with lush ballrooms and eerie corridors that twist and change, bringing demons and temptations to the fore. Each of the nine challenges is unique and progressively more dangerous, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. But what Ophelia doesn’t expect is that the challenges aren’t only physical—they force her to confront her deepest fears, desires, and even her own heart.

Kaylie Smith keeps readers guessing throughout the story. Just when you think you’ve figured out the next move, another twist comes hurtling at you. The world inside Phantasma is both enchanting and terrifying, a place where nothing is as it seems.

Phantasma is an enthralling blend of horror, romance, and dark fantasy. Kaylie Smith creates a world filled with high-stakes suspense, beautifully haunting settings, and an irresistible push-pull between Ophelia and Blackwell that will have readers hooked from the first page to the last. Although the plot keeps twisting, the core of the story remains grounded in Ophelia’s journey—her quest to save her sister, her inheritance, and perhaps even herself.

For fans of dark fantasy and romance, Phantasma delivers a gripping, gothic adventure full of demons, bargains, and unexpected love. As readers follow Ophelia through her trials, they will find themselves lost in the pages of a beautifully dangerous world—just be careful not to lose your heart along the way.

4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley, Forever, and Second Sky for this advanced copy! You can pick up Phantasma on September 3, 2024.

The vibes in this book are IMMACULATE. Perfect Gothic, spooky, haunted house with a magical competition and a sexy, bargain-making ghost. Phantasma was deliciously spicy without being too much, the banter was great, and the romance fun. I'd definitely pick this one up in the fall and prepare for a fun ride.

There's also great OCD rep in this book, making Ophelia's character feel realistic and understandable. I loved her growth throughout this story and how everything wrapped up in the end.

If you're looking for a sexy, aged-up Caraval set in a Gothic haunted house, this is your book!

Phantasma is a romantasy gothic romance and OMG this book was so unbelievably good, it has so many of my favorites tropes and I loved every second I spent reading it!

After the death of her mother, Ophelia follows her sister into Phantasma, a deadly competition with 9 trials resembling the 9 circles of Hell. All she wants is to find her sister which proves to be harder than she expected when staying alive becomes more and more difficult and the attraction she feels to the handsome but secretive Phantom Blackwell becomes dangerous, because the only thing forbidden in Phantasma is falling in love.

So many people say Phantasma is like an adult and dark version of Caraval and I definitely agree but I loved it so much more. The setting in a haunted manor with deadly trials was so interesting and the plot was fast paced, I was so captivated from the very first page that I read the whole book in one night. Ophelia was a really great and strong FMC, I liked how she never gave up and was willing to do anything for her sister, her struggles were written in a realistic way and she was by no means perfect but I loved her and her character development. Blackwell is the kind of morally grey, full of secrets MMC we all love and he was the perfect MMC and partner to Ophelia, I loved them together so much and was rooting for them to be together despite all the dangers their forbidden romance promised. They had such an amazing banter and their vulnerable scenes and love confessions made me swoon and the spicy scenes were *chief’s kiss*, I love them so much. I also must admit I figured out the plot twist pretty quickly on but it didn’t make the read any more enjoyable and made me even more curious how everything led to it and see some foreshadowing.

Phantasma is an amazing book that I absolutely loved and recommend to everyone. I can’t wait for more books from this author!

"My soul will go to its grave with your name echoing in my mind."

Wow, I loved this book! If you wanted a darker, spicier version of Caraval, that's what you get here. The FMC Ophelia entered a dangerous competition to find her sister who went first to save their family home.

The trials aren't for the faint of heart. Determined to succeed, Ophelia entered into a blood bargain with a powerful phantom - he helps her win, and she finds his key to free him of Phantasma or else he claims a decade of her lifespan.

This book fulfilled all of my dark, gothic dreams and I loved every second of it. Ophelia is forced to face hard truths about her family, and she has to let go of all she knew about herself in order to survive.

If you like:
- Dark, gothic settings
- Deadly competitions
- Flirty phantoms
- Unique magic systems
- A strong FMC

You'll love this one! This was a very solid 4-4.5 star read for me. The only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is that I predicted a good portion of what would happen at the end in the very beginning of the book. There were some elements that did surprise me though! Overall I loved the book and highly recommend it (especially for the upcoming fall season).

Thanks so much for the eARC opportunity for netgalley, the publisher and the author. As always this is an honest, voluntary review.

Can I give more than 5 stars??? Maybe 5 million???? Am I a fan of gothic horror paranormal romance or am I just smitten by the amazing talent of Kaylie Smith? Maybe both?

I hardly ever read horror books because books simply don't scare me or even make me remotely anxious so the point is kind of missing in my case. But I decided to give this a shot because well, I really liked the cover and the blurb sounded interesting. It's taken me month to finally get around reading it but I'd read this again immediately.

This was so freaking amazing! I admired the New Orleans setting to start with and then add Phantasma, this gothic haunted mention what was sort of like a haunted castle from the fairs mixed with escape rooms? I was so sold! I devoured this books the same way the manor devoured the players.

I'm so in love with the characters! Where to even start? Ophelia was perfect. She's my kinda girl who might be scared, who might have doubts and anxiety but she's gonna look any literal or figurative devils (or any other threatening creature) straight in the eye and tell them to f*ck right off. Her sarcasm is top notch, she's bold, she's much more than what she thinks of herself and I adore her.

Blackwell... I can't even... he has my heart. He can have my soul, too, I offer it freely to him.

This was such an epic romance, I just want to go back and read this for the first time.

The side characters were great, too, even the bad ones I loved to hate.

Special mention to Vivi and Ophelia's sibling bond. The girls were freaking adorable and I loved every interaction between them, that even at the verge of death, they could banter with each other. Loved, loved, loved.

Gory. Funny. Smart. Thrilling. Sexy. Heart wrenching.

I squealed, I screamed, I laughed and yes, I cried, too.

One of my favourite reads in 2024.

This book was such a cool concept that left you totally in the dark about what each trial was going to hold. Each level of hell had so many interpretations and so many ways it could have played out.
I wish we had gotten to see a bit more of each level and the fears everyone had to give up to enter into the challenge but what we did get to see was very well executed.
I’ve loved her YA writing and that stands true to her NA writing. Just enough smut with a thriller/horror plot to have me eating it up.

Short Synopsis:
Ophelia enters Phantasma - a deadly contest inside a haunted house - to save her sister and her family home. She’s faces challenge after challenge with the help of Blackwell, a phantom and a deal they’ve struck.

My Thoughts:
The premise is super fun - definitely heavy Caraval vibes with paranormal romance and totally my kinda vibes. It’s perfect for fall spooky vibes.

As a big fantasy reader, I was hoping for more character development and rich backstory + world building though. Instead we got a lot of unnecessary spice. And some of the choices the characters made had me making this face: 🥴

The narrator, Laura Horowitz, was phenomenal though. I’ve been following her for awhile as she posts funny reels, and she killed it.

What You’ll Find:
🥀 Caraval meets Rhaspodic vibes
🥀Forbidden love
🥀Forced proximity
🥀Phantom/Necromancer
🥀Haunted House
🥀Gothic fantasy
🥀OCD rep

Thanks to Second Sky Books for the advance copy of this book!

PHANTASMA is a dark fantasy romance with a gothic mansion, forbidden romance with a morally grey MMC, necromancy, ghosts, bargains, OCD representation, and trials based on the nine circles of hell. Note that it's dark FANTASY and not dark ROMANCE, so there are some horror elements strewn throughout related to the magic system and trials. A lot of these elements are very much favorites of mine and this book reminded me a lot of CARAVAL x RHAPSODIC. That being said, I did think this was lacking quite a bit of depth. I really didn't feel the connection between Ophelia and Blackwell and thought there was too much of a reliance on spice, making this more of a "fine" read for me.

4.75 ⭐️s. I am so grateful to have gotten both the e-arc and advanced listener copies of Phantasma. This gave me Kingdom of the Wicked vibes, and I was absolutely here for it.

I’ve seen TikTok’s of @laura_horowitz_narrator and was so excited to have my first audiobook with her narrating. It was amazing to say the least. I immediately purchased Worthy of Fate because she narrated it also.

Ophelia’s mother has died, and now she must take over the family business as a necromancer. When her sister goes missing, she must put the Grimm house and the horrible debt behind to find her. She learns that her sister has entered Phantasma. Ophelia must now enter the deadly contest for the one wish she must have granted. Save her sister. In order to win Phantasma, she must make a bargain. Blackwell is a phantom and claims he can help her but Ophelia must give something in return. 10 years of her life. She shouldn’t trust him but there’s something that keeps drawing her to him. Read to find out if Ophelia finds her sister, discover more about Blackwell, and whether or not she lives through Phantasma.

Thank you to @netgalley @kaylsmoon @bookouture @secondskybooks for the advanced listener and reader copy of Phantasma.
#netgalley #phantasma #kayliesmithauthor #audiobook #advancedreaderscopy #advancedlistenercopy #bookstagram

"Every single second I've spent with you has reminded me what it's like to be alive. And I would trade every other soul in the world if it meant I would get to keep you forever."

This book was kind of like Caraval but paranormal and dark (and more enjoyable...) 🎪

It managed to stay fun and interesting all throughout the trials (or levels), which in themselves were really creative. The other contestants and devils played their part and had their own personalities so nothing felt like it was added just for the plot.

The smut was super good 🙌 and the jealousy too ☺️ I liked their relationship and how it evolved, it almost makes you forget it all happens in like two weeks (I still found it a bit too intense and unrealistic sometimes but oh well)

Finally a last word for the OCD representation which felt incredibly real. I don't suffer from it myself but from reading the author's note I deeply feel for anyone who does. It made Ophelia's character so much stronger and helps the reader understand her imo

[Review posted on Goodreads and a short one on Instagram]

Phantasma will trap you inside its twisted walls and a manor full of secrets, where bargains with the devil might be the only way to survive. A necromancer joins a deadly competition to save her sister, where the rules are clear:

“Welcome to Phantasma. There are only two rules to the game: Stay alive. And don’t fall in love.”

This is one of the first books by Kaylie Smith that I’ve read, and the story was captivating, with lovable characters, especially Blackwell, the charming, egotistical, unapologetically flirty, and sarcastic man.

“He grasped her face in his hands: ‘In a different life, in a fair one, I would've kept you until my eternal soul withered away to dust,’ he vowed to her.” This line made me want to cry in a corner.

Ophelia Grimm confronts both the seen and the unseen, unraveling secrets about her family. Her character development is strong, sassy, funny, and determined to save her sister.

Ophie & Vivi - I adored them. Two sisters: one who pushed too hard, and one who had gone unnoticed. Their bond is unbreakable, each trying to save the other.

Blackwell & Ophelia - their dynamic is incredible. They reminded me of grumpy -sunshine couples, often at each other's throats yet always drawn to each other

“I don’t believe in coincidences. You claim you weren’t supposed to be out that night. But you were. And you found me.”

If you enjoy dark fantasy romance, forbidden love, forced proximity, phantom x necromancer dynamics, trials inspired by the nine circles of hell, and haunted/gothic mansions, this book is for you.