"Phantasma" by Kaylie Smith is a spellbinding read that blends romance, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural into a captivating tale. Set in a world of haunted houses and deadly competitions, this book is a must-read for fans of gothic romance and eerie thrills.

Follow Ophelia and her sister Genevieve as they navigate the challenges of Phantasma, a place where nightmares come to life. Along the way, they discover courage, love, and the power of embracing their true selves.

Smith's characters are wonderfully crafted, from Ophelia's relatable struggles to the enigmatic allure of Blackwell, the ghostly presence in Phantasma. The setting itself is hauntingly beautiful, with its dark secrets and seductive mysteries.

Beyond the spine-chilling excitement, "Phantasma" also delivers a heartwarming message about sisterhood, self-discovery, and acceptance. If you've ever been drawn to stories with a mix of romance and the supernatural, this book is sure to captivate you.

Get ready for a thrilling ride as you dive into the shadows with Ophelia and uncover the secrets of Phantasma. With its blend of suspense, passion, and gothic charm, "Phantasma" promises an unforgettable reading experience.

This is a very fun, fast-paced read that will grip you quickly. There is a reveal at the end that is fairly predicable that made the impact a little less effective; however, it is still a very entertaining and unique read.

As someone who’s not super into the horror genre, when I read this takes place in a haunted house, my dweeby, scary cat heart was a little worried about Phantasm. But as a lover of Kaylie’s other books A Ruinous Fate and A Reckless Oath, I knew I could trust her. Plus, the lure of a hot ghost romance was too strong to ignore. And LORDY am I glad I got to read this! It was exactly what my emo, romantasy-loving self needed and I can’t recommend it enough.

Set in old school New Orleans, everything about the world building set the mood for this creepy competition to the death right from the start. But once Phantasma—the haunted house where competitors fight to stay alive from their worst nightmares—comes into play, shadows dance with secrets and every corner holds a whisper of the mysterious. This gothic romantasy invites readers to embrace their love of the macabre and Kaylie does a fantastic job of bringing this chaotic death mansion to life.

For all my fellow emos who still feel the pull of black lace and the call of My Chemical Romance, Phantasma feels like a giant hug. Everything in this book from the decor, to the fashion called to my inner goth and I loved every second. Haunted house? Check. Magical murderous competition? Yep. Romance with a ghost? Heck yeah. Spicy scene in blood rain? 😈 The vibes were absolutely immaculate.

Underneath all the death and gore is a surprisingly wholesome story about self-discovery, love, and sisterly bonding. Both Ophelia and her sister Genevieve’s world is thrown sideways when their mother passes away at the beginning of the book. And through a series of truly crazy events, Ophelia ends up competing in Phantasma and discovering how strong she truly is.

I absolutely adored Ophelia, and watching her journey of self-love and acceptance gave me all the warm fuzzies. And Blackwell?!? I’ve never been so in love with a fictional ghost.

“Oh angel, you have not seen even a modicum of what I am capable of.”

This is such a niche reference that only a specific audience will appreciate, but anyone who loved Meg Cabot’s Mediator series growing up as much as me will absolutely eat this sh*t up. It’s the emo, adult version I didn’t know I needed.

From forbidden romances to hidden betrayals, every chapter of Phantasma holds a new, exciting twist that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. In a world where conformity reigns, Phantasma is a celebration of all things dark, weird, and mysterious while still giving the reader a ton of heart. So, if you're someone who never quite let go of their emo phase, dive into the shadows with Phantasma and let your inner darkness roam free.

I finished this book in one sitting last night, it had such a strong hold on me that I couldn’t sleep until I got to the end! The premise, the spooky vibes, the sexual tension, and the ending?! Immaculate. Can’t wait for more of my friends to read this so I have someone to scream about it with!!

If you love spooky things, ghosts and Halloween this book is for you! Ophelia and Blackwell have my heart forevermore. This is for everyone who’s ever wanted both spice and blood!!!

ALL THE STARS I LOVED THIS BOOK. I finished this in less than two days and I didn't want it to end! I seriously hope there will be spin-offs with some of the characters because I NEED more of this world, immediately.

Prepare to be swept into the whirlwind that is Kaylie Smith's Phantasma, a romance that doesn't just tick the boxes but explosively bursts through them with a fascinating blend of blood, passion, and a gothic ambiance that chills just as deeply as it entices. From the moment you dive into the shadowed streets of its haunted house setting, the story grabs you with a ferocity that is both gripping and gloriously paced.

Smith's characters are exquisitely crafted: sometimes irritating, sometimes untrustworthy, more than likely doing something slightly evil, yet undeniably lovable. The darkness perfectly matches the bloody undercurrents of the plot, creating a smutty, visceral experience that is both disturbing and delightful.

And let's talk about the house - Phantasma itself. It's a character in its own right, dripping with mystery, haunted hallucinations, and (hot) demons. Every description of the haunting corridors and eerie rooms contributes to an atmosphere thick with suspense and seduction, pulling you deeper into the story's thrilling embrace.

This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who’s ever had a deep My Chemical Romance phase, found their first crush in Casper, adored Danny Phantom, has a thing for white-haired hotties, or thought Matthew Lillard in Scream was peak crush material. It’s for the goth and emo souls who cherish a romance that makes their toes curl and their hearts scream with delight, and let's be honest, it's for everyone else too because it's just that good. It resonates with the echo of our darker, more passionate selves, making it a perfect blend of terror and allure. So, if you're looking to capture that thrill of gothic, emo romance—with a hefty dose of spine-chilling adventure—look no further. Phantasma promises all this and more, making it an unputdownable tribute to the darkly romantic soul in all of us.