Phantasma is an insanely addictive read full of magic, gore and spice. A must-have read for any dark romance lover and the perfect pick for spooky season.

Set in the heart of New Orleans, in a haunted gothic manor, Phantasma is a series of trials based around each of the nine circles of hell with the ultimate prize of a Devil's Grant. Ophelia Grimm, a necromancer, enters to save her sister. With the help of a phantom, Blackwell, she navigates each obstacle whilst learning to control her own magic. But things aren't as they seem within the walls of Phantasma and secrets don't stay hidden...

I loved this book! Quite fittingly, I read the majority of it late into the night, unable to tear myself away from it's pages and the high stakes of the game. Ophelia is a great FMC and I loved seeing her becoming more confident in herself and her magic with each level and it was great to see OCD representation woven into her character. Blackwell is the hottest ghost about! The banter between him and Ophelia was electric! The chemistry off the charts, especially when his heart doesn't even beat. And dear devils, the spice!! Including a very hot blood shower scene 🥵

If you love a haunted house, deals with devils, deadly trials, blood and gore, sexy as sin spice and a (ph)anastically fuckable phantom then you need to enter the doors of Phantasma.

Thank you to Second Sky Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this stunning dark romance book 🩸👹✨

*OCD rep* horror lite* trials* ghosts, devils, phantoms* 🌶️ 🌶️ spicy * deal with a devil* necromancer * haunted mansion *set in N’awlins

Did you enjoy Caraval but wished it had ANY spice? Do you like the concept of haunted mansions and the nine circles of hell as trials for the main character to work through.

Enter Phantasma.

The spicy romance doesn’t kick in for awhile but once it does it’s nearly every other chapter. The spookiness is spookin. The gore is gory. The horror is hitting. I don’t even typically read horror so this is probably horror lite for those that get into the darker stuff.

Overall, there was decent balance between plot and spice. The banter was good between the FMC and love interest.

Only downside was that I did find the ending somewhat predictable around halfway through. Otherwise I truly enjoyed this book and for a breakout author it was pretty solid and fun to read.

I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.

I loved this book! It was spooky and sweet, gory and intriguing and Ophelia and Blackwell were an absolute delight.

I loved Phantasma’s setting as a gothic haunted house with terrifying trials. It set the stakes high and I was concerned who would make it out of trial and honestly hoping some wouldn’t 😅

The plot was full of mysteries, why Phantasma exists, who runs it? Where’d all these Devils come from and why are they all so attractive?? Will there really be a winner, or is it a game within a game? I was left guessing the whole time with tiny reveals and breadcrumbs along the way that led to a very satisfying end ❤️‍🔥

Ophelia was such a relatable character (I mean apart from the necromancy 😂) but seeing the inside of an OCD brain bought a real human aspect to her character. Blackwell was everything, I love him, he’s everything you need.

Go on, face your fears and lose yourself in to Phantasma’s gothic fantasy world 🥀

This book was so many things that I didn’t know that I needed to come together. Fantasy but set in a mostly modern (I think turn of the century) version of our world.

I will fully admit that I was able to guess the way that it would end about halfway through the book, but that was because all of the breadcrumbs to get you there were so skillfully scattered.

The novel combines trials, forbidden romance, a realistic non-idealized depiction of neurodivergence (FMC with OCD), A+ banter, and a wonderful Gothic aesthetic to create a beautiful capital R Romantic fever dream.

Anyone who reads the novel should walk away, thinking about for what they might be willing to bargain their soul to a devil.

ARC Book Review!

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith


4.5 / 5⭐️

4 / 5 🔥


HOLYYYYY SHIT! 🤯

This books vibes immediately hooked me! It gives the feeling of the originals in a new Orleans mixed with caraval but better!

When I read caraval I was a bit confused by the order of things however Kaylie Smith has completely irradiated that issue by fully outlining phantasma before our FMC enters.
Each of the levels are well thought out and creatively moves the story forward.

The story reads very YA with a few snippets of excellently executed smut scenes. I personally would describe it as more of a gothic romance than a dark romance. Although there were themes of BDSM, captivity, and violence they all read pretty light (more of a touch on them) then previous dark romances I have read. This may be a good trial book for someone who’s interested in dark romances but isn’t sure if they can handle a heavier novel.

The twist at the end had my jaw dropping! I did not see it coming in the slightest. This is without a doubt one of the best books I’ve read this year!

This book is for you if you like :

Paranormal beings
Magic contest
OCD rep

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Thank you to Second Sky/Forever and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith is an amazing new romantasy that is sure to become to next, big bestseller. The story revolves around Ophelia, who, on a missing to save her sister, enters a mysterious and magical contest inside a mansion named Phantasma, She must go through deadly trials in order to win the ultimate prize: a wish for anything in the world. Along the way, she will have to deal with backstabbing competitors, Devils who try to trick her into failing, and one very handsome man named Blackwell who offers her a proposal that she can't refuse. Will Ophelia succeed in winning the competition and saving her sister, or will she succumb to the Devils and dangers of Phantasma?

Here is a beautiful excerpt from Chapter 1:

"Moonlight glinted off the gilded locket clasped around the corpse’s cold neck.
Ophelia Grimm unfastened her mother’s heart-shaped necklace with fervor before stepping clear of the spell circle and reaching beneath her loose, umber curls to secure the familiar bauble around her own throat. A shiver ran down her spine when the chilled metal settled against her skin, and her flesh prickled beneath it.
Ophelia sank to her knees on the left of her mother’s pale corpse, her sister, Genevieve, watching a few feet away in rapt silence. Tightening her grip around the silver blade in her hand, Ophelia pressed its sharp tip into the soft, ivory flesh of her inner arm. The slice was deep but precise, drawing enough blood that it dripped and pooled onto the ground before her and dyed the delicate white material of her nightgown a macabre shade of vermilion."

Overall, Phantasma is an amazing new standalone romantasy that will appeal to fans of Cavaral and Death Note. One highlight is just how overall amazing the concept was! When I read the description of the book, I knew that this book had the potential of being the next big thing, and after reading it, I'm so happy with how well-executed the story was. I love stories that are located in haunted mansions, and when you add in magic and mysteries, the story becomes so good. I could not put this book down. I had to keep reading until I finally reached the end.

Another highlight of this book is how beautiful the writing is. The prose was truly well-done, and I felt like I was transported into the world of the book, with all of its dangers and desires. One final highlight of this book is how action-packed it was. I was on the edge of my seats as I read about how Ophelia survived each of the perilous trials. Also, the ending was simply mind-blowing. My jaw dropped to the floor. That's how good it was. If the author writes any more books in the future, I will definitely add them to my TBR list. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of romantasy in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in September!

THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD.

I finished this and then immediately told everyone I knew who would be interested to read this book, I need someone to talk about it with. To write a romantasy that has worldbuilding and competition, internal and external conflict, and equal weight to the romance all in a single standalone?! Impressive work by this author (this is a first for me by her).

The FMC's mother dies suddenly making her the new head of household and her inheriting their family magic. Her and her sister are super close but maybe not as close as Ophelia thought because her sister enters a competition for an ultimate wish granted from a demon without telling her. So Ophelia joins in an effort to find her.

The setting is so eerie in a gothic mansion with the intent to expose your worst fears to you around every corner. There are rounds of challenges as the competition thins and Ophelia is stuck in a cohort without her sister. Some competitors make deals with greedy demons who assist with the competition and the stakes are so high. That's where Ophelia meets the MMC, a phantom with no memories trapped in the house and they absolutely canNOT fall in love (hehe).

I know this has CW for horror and gore, etc. If you've read the likes of Fourth Wing or the serpent and the wings of night it's comparable in that this is an adult fantasy where yes people die on page, I didn't find it gratuitous. CW for OCD including intrusive thoughts.

This has so many twists and turns and the last 20% was just so excellent. Thank you to Forever for the eARC!

"You came"
"You called"

Blackwell is i think everything you want in a morally grey character. i loved the banter between him and ophelia. I thought that theit love story was believable. i liked how we werent just thrown into it. i also appreciated that the trials werent rushed. i felt like each one really got a good description which i was worried they wouldnt.

i think she also did a good job talking about OCD and how it was written about in the book made the story better.

the beginning was a little slow for me to get into but once we hit the first trial i finished this book in 1 day. A great read! would definitley recommend

I know it is said a lot, but there is something about a book that yanks you right out of a reading slump that just showcases how magical that book is. Phantasma was one of those books for me. I would say it is very similar to Caraval in theme, being that there is this magical event with different tests and it’s full of surprises. Phantasma is also similar in that the main character gets involved in things that are technical outside of the event itself and related to the production as a whole. That being said - I loved that Phantasma offered a more grown up version of this type of vibe with some spookier elements. The trials based off the rings of hell were interesting, and the romantic element was *chefs kiss*. So much tension, and push and pull. I had a hard time putting this book down, because every chapter was so engaging.

When the description of this book says its similar to Caraval & The Hunger Games it really means it. Sprinkle in some dark fantasy and an adult setting and thats basically the first book in the series. That being said, it isn't the most original storyline ever and can be predictable at times. But as long as that's not an issue for you this book definitely fulfills on the dark, epic supernatural storytelling.

Ophelia is the main character and I found her way more likable and relatable then either of the sisters from the Caraval series. I cannot wait for the next book to come out. I would reread this one, especially with a audiobook pairing. I would also recommend it to anyone who likes dark romance.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 of 5 overall (rounded up)
🌶🌶 of 5 for spice

3.25 ⭐️ I didn't love it as much as I thought I would but it was still good. The idea is super cool (think about Caraval but with ghosts) but >for me< the main problem was Ophelia, ughhh I couldn't like her at all (and I tried!!!) ((a lot!!!!)). The rest of the book was very good but she completely ruined the experience for me. In return, Blackwell was EVERYTHING!!! Seriously, he would easily be in my top 5 book boyfriends. The plot was ok, a little predictable so it didn't make my rating go up but it was ok.

I love a good dark fantasy and this didn’t let me down. I had a fantastic time reading this! Definitely enjoyed the flow of this book and felt that it was very thought out.

4⭐️

Phantasma, by indie author Kaylie Smith, is a dark fantasy that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story revolves around a deadly game where survival is paramount, and falling in love is forbidden. Ophelia’s sister goes missing, prompting her to enter Phantasma—a sinister maze with nine treacherous challenges. Contestants must battle monsters, outwit rivals, and even make deals with the devil to win. Ophelia faces an offer from Blackwell, a charming yet potentially dangerous figure, who promises to help her if she calls his name three times, in exchange for ten years of her life.

This book was a thrilling read, especially for a debut adult novel from a newer indie author. Initially, I was cautious but ended up pleasantly surprised by the fast-paced, action-packed plot. Despite a rough start and an overuse of the word “macabre,” the story quickly captivated me. The ending felt a bit rushed, leaving some unanswered questions, but it neatly tied up the main plot.

Phantasma is not just a game; it’s a haunted house that appears in different cities, mimicking the nine circles of hell. The winner, if they survive, gets their wish granted by a devil. Ophelia’s quest to find her sister leads her through a hellish experience where she uncovers long-hidden truths. Will she save her sister and her family from debt, or fall victim to the devils and their bargains?

The book features devils, demons, phantoms, necromancers, and a compelling love story, making it a captivating romantasy. It also thoughtfully addresses mental health, depicting Ophelia’s struggle with OCD and intrusive thoughts, adding depth to her character.

Overall, I’d give this book 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it when it releases on September 3rd. It’s a promising start to a series that I look forward to following.

I had the best time reading this oh my god!!!!
This is such a great book to read if you want something like caraval but 18+
The story was very thought out and the characters were so so good and had perfect chemestry

Thank you Netgalley and the publsiher for the arc

3.5 stars.

The story follows contestants of Phantasma - a competition where you're locked in a haunted house and must pass 9 trials (nine circles of hell). The winner gets a wish of their choice granted...
Ophelia enters the game claiming to search for her sister, although she isn't even sure if her sister is there... this might have been fine if the rest of the book echoed this... Unfortunately for me, it did not. I had hoped for a twist... but besides all the gory deaths and spice, I found myself bored. As we all know, instalust/instalove isn't for me, and I just feel like that's kind of all we got... the family subplot and Ophelia's attempts to help Blackwell added some depth to the story.

I did love the gothic/haunted house vibes and the darker themes, and it was fun to read this type of darker twist on the overdone trial genre. It was just REALLY similar to Caraval for me, in a way that was a little too obvious.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC. All thoughts are my own!

If it's labeled as dark or gothic fantasy I will definitely read it. This book has some of my favorite fantasy elements, necromancy, magic, a steamy romance with a devilishly handsome man, and a cutthroat deadly competition. The setting for the competition, aka phantasma, is creepy and unsettling, making it the perfect backdrop to this story. This book was also really steamy and had some great spicy scenes.

Things I did not love as much
The beginning of the story was a little boring and didn't pull me in quite as much as I normally like, but once we get to the actual games (about 15% in) the story really picks up and I am glad I stuck with it.
I wish the story would have been in first person instead of third person .I think it would have helped me to become even more immersed in the story and would have made the scarier moments more unsettling.
I was able to see the “surprise twist” that's revealed towards the end, coming a mile away. It didn't bother me, but it might bother some people.
I also felt like some parts were a bit rushed, and I wanted them to be more fleshed out, like finding out about her parentage, her honing her magic skills, and then the very last ending bit about her finding the key and everything working out.

I can't wait to read more from this author in the future, and I definitely recommend this book!

Wow this was incredible the darkest fantasy I have read and I loved it. A great idea with wonderful characters, I liked the main protagonists very much. I don’t think there are enough descriptive words to convey how much I enjoyed this book. A well deserved five star read.

5/5 ⭐ WHERE DO I BEGIN? this paranormal dark gothic romance has my heart forever & we need book 2!!

Kaylie.. how dare you leave us on such a cliffhanger! (Plus a thousand thank you's for giving me the opportunity to not only read the ARC, but listen to it too!)

I absolutely devoured this book & audiobook. From the beginning I loved the characters, Ophelia ofc being my favorite. It reminded me of Adams family themed hunger games a little!

When Ophelia meets Blackwell I had no idea that the relationship would develop the way it did - plenty of spice and full of passionate, intense moments that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, I was hanging onto every word that came out of that man's mouth.

Phantasma is such a great enemies to lovers romantasy - I was completely taken back with the ending & unable to control my emotions. I was sobbing!!

The side characters and levels throughout the game were written perfectly. A mixture of frustration, pain and anger throughout the 9 days..
It was a complete rollercoaster!

The backstory which we find out was just a full 360 from what I expected to have happened, insane.

You could never predict anything in this book!
👏🏻 Kaylie Smith, I will be reading each and every one of your books that you publish & recommend to everyone I know!

If you love gothic romances full of vampires, ghouls, ghosts and creatures from the dark, deals with the devil, haunted houses, dangerous trials - all intertwined within a beautiful and epic romance? Then Phantasma is for you!

Oh & we need exclusive editions in the UK, that would make my year🖤

I could go on forever about Phantasma, but I'm trying to not give away any spoilers... 👀

Screamin’ good time, emphasis on the screamin’! (No really, I had to sleep with a light on after those first few chapters! But I am a huge fan of the romantic haunted house.) I honestly feel like I just went through my own Lust trial and enjoyed every second of losing.

Unfortunately no matter how many times you say Blackwell, Blackwell, Blackwell, he still only exists in these pages.

This was excellent and I absolutely loved it. Dark fantasy romance with spice, action, magic, twists and turns, what a ride. They said if I liked ACOTAR and Caraval and Throne of the Fallen I would like this --- and that was a perfect pitch. I did, and highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.