I simply cannot say enough good things about this book. It had everything I wanted and more. Ghosts, phantoms, ghouls, a ghost cat, deadly games and riddles, apparitions, romance, spice, and so much more. I loved the dark and eerie setting in New Orleans and the tie to dark magic, devils, vampires and necromancy. The twists and turns were ones that I never saw coming and when I placed myself in Ophelia's shoes (the FMC) I knew I would have been doomed in these deadly games. I want, no need, more stories in this world and with these characters! The banter between Blackwell and Ophelia (phantom and FMC) was perfect. There was tension and funny moments and the spice was SPICY! PHEW! I cannot recommend this book enough. It is the perfect book for dark romantasy lovers who want a book that keeps them on the edge of their seat with what will happen next and/or who will come looking for Ophelia next!

This was Caraval for all the dark romance girlies and I’m officially obsessed with these characters. The beginning felt a little slow to me, but once Phantasma kicked in, I couldn’t catch my breath. The peril Ophelia found herself facing again and again ratcheted up the tension and the evolution of her relationship with Blackwell made me vibrate with suppressed emotion. I think I did squeal a time of two. The imagery was so vivid that it made it easy to imagine moving around in the haunted mansion. I also found Ophelia to be relatable in her vulnerabilities and really appreciated the way that her character was written. Once the action really kicked in and Ophelia began moving through the levels, it became impossible for me to put this book down. The plot increased its tempo and remained perfectly paced to keep my attention. Then there was the Phantom. Blackwell might very well be a new favorite book boyfriend for me because the way he spoke to and dominated Ophelia made me feel things few books have. Their interactions frustrated me to no end, then drew me back like a moth to the flame. The ending of Phantasma was exactly what I wanted from a story like this one and I will be shouting about this book from the rooftops. Ophelia and Blackwell deserve all the hype and I intend to give it to them. The narrators also did an amazing job with expressing the emotions throughout the story. The shadow voice within Ophelia was heart-stopping and really facilitated the feelings of danger and fear that had dominated her life. I couldn’t have imagined a better audio experience.

Thank you Kaylie Smith and Second Sky/Forever for the ARC audiobook

The only way I can describe this book is that I can 100% visualise it as a season of American Horror Story and that is absolutely high praise.

What I loved about this book:
- The sisterly bond between Ophelia and her little sister Genevieve (I think that's how you spell it but as an audiobook reader.. I don't know 🤣)
- The constant internal conflict Ophelia faces feels real and relatable
- A fresh take on the trials aspect. It actually felt high-stakes throughout
- The beautiful and respectful representation of OCD and how is feels to live with it both internally and externally. I loved seeing how it manifests in Ophelia's life and how people respond to it
- The visual feast that are the trials of Phantasma; the way Kaylie writes is as if she is painting a visual scene
- DO NOT GET ME STARTED ON HOW IN LOVE I AM WITH BLACKWELL OMG. He sets a new standard of men!
- The CONSENT in all the spicy scenes (and omg the spicy scenes were 🥵🔥💯)
- I 1000% need a short story of Blackwell and YOU KNOW WHO... their origins and that story.. I NEED IT
- I'm disappointed in myself that it took me so long to realise it was the one and only Laura Horowitz performing this book. She is one of the BEST female narrators and brought a layer of seductiveness to this book that I can't really describe! 10/10 performance!

What I didn't like:
- Taking turns to end things. I'm not a fan of the "breaking-up because we shouldn't be together" trope and it happened twice I think?
- That's it, that's the only thing I didn't like.


Honestly, Kaylie is an insta-buy author for me now. I love her writing voice and how it always feels like I'm watching a vivid movie inside my head (which I often struggle with when reading).

Phantasma was absolutely incredible! I was immediately enthralled and stayed hooked throughout the entirety of the story. To add some context, I don't often listen to audiobooks since I tend to become easily distracted by other things while listening and they often seem a bit slow to me. Not Phantasma, though. Kaylie Smith's writing combined with Laura Horowitz's narration was absolute perfection.

Phantasma is dazzling but deadly, reminding me very much of Caraval and Throne of the Fallen, albeit with darker themes. Surrounded with mystery and intrigue, the world of Phantasma drew me in with its rich descriptions and lush, magical vibes. I love a good alternative reality fantasy and the setting of an alternate New Orleans - home of necromancers, demons, and more - hit the spot.

In terms of the characters, I loved Ophelia. From the jump, she had a chip on her shoulder and I loved watching as she went through the trials of Phantasma while simultaneously going through her own mental trials to battle the invasive voices within her head. I don't have personal experience with OCD, so I can't speak very well to the authenticity of the representation of Ophelia's OCD, however it certainly was a core part of Ophelia's story and its effects on her were definitely portrayed through her internal struggles. Blackwell, on the other hand, was a classic tortured hero type with a fantastical twist and it was so easy to fall in love with him as he fell for Ophelia. I loved Blackwell from the moment he and Ophelia met and, though he was often shrouded in mystery as the story is from Ophelia's POV, I was (and still am) intrigued to discover more about him. And all of the other characters, from Ophelia's mother and sister, to Blackwell's... associates... to those that Ophelia meets in Phantasma. are all so distinctive and I felt so much empathy and hope - as well as disdain and hatred - for the supportive characters.

Phastasma was my introduction to Kaylie Smith's books and I will be reading through their backlist as I eagerly wait for the next book!

Audio Review Thank you to netgalley!
4.5 Stars

Gothic Setting
Necromance FML
Set in New Orleans(Helllllllo I loved this so much)
Trials
Tall FMC (this is important to me okay, we love a 5'11 queen)
Dramonie coded (Look at the authors insta fanart, ugh Blackwell is everything)
Spicy!!!

I really liked this but I felt like Ophelia was a bit wishy washy when it came to Blackwell and it was pretty annoying at some points. But otherwise this was such a good read. I can't wait to preorder so that I can have a physical edition to tab. Also there is amazing art for preorder goodies that I need asap. I loved this gothic setting and the trials are so different then any other book with this trope. There is also this one haunting scene that was soooo good and spicyyyyyy. Lives rent free in my brain.

This book was so good! I absolutely loved it! Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC of the audio. This book is definitely a new favorite of mine! This book follows Ophelia Grimm's journey in Phantasma. Phantasma is a competition of mazes and puzzles put together by Devils with the winner being allowed a single wish. Ophelia's mom has recently passed leaving Ophelia and her sister in major debt and her sister wants to fix it for them so she runs away and joins the competition to save their house and get out of debt. Ophelia worried for her sister joins the competition to save her. Ophelia in the competition meets a phantom named Blackwell who will help her survive and find her sister if she helps free him from being trapped at Phantasma. They work together to get through each trial together. Their slowburn romance and banter as they work together to save and protect each other was perfect! I adored their relationship! This book is super addictive and has so many good twists and turns especially the ending that I did not see coming! I absolutely would recommend this book! I also loved the narrator for the audiobook, it was so well done and would recommend the audiobook version as well! Thanks again for the ARC!

A gothic fantasy with romance, deadly competition, magic, devils, ghosts, and phantoms.. this book is it! It definitely gives Caraval vibes, however, taken to the next level!
In this romantasy, we follow a necromancer, Ophelia, as she follows her sister to a deadly competition based on the 9 levels of Hell. The devils who put on the show (based on the 9 levels of Hell) find pleasure in watching humans compete, and as you can probably guess, with each level, the stakes are higher. One of Phantasma's rules- do not fall in love while in Phantasma. One of Ophelia's mother's rules- never make a deal with a devil.. however, when Ophelia meets Blackwell, she can not help her heart. There are dark secrets that slowly come to light, & Ophelia finds herself facing battles she'd never thought she'd face.

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. It is dark, it is haunted, is it suspenseful, and of course, I couldn't get enough of Ophelia and Blackwell. Just think Scarlett and Jax, but make it spicy.. and make Jax a phantom! Wonderfully captivating, with an enthralling plot! Laura Horowitz did a fantastic job capturing the characters and bringing them to life through her narration! 5 stars all the way. I can't wait for the next book!

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, Kaylie Smith, and Laura Horowitz for this captivating read!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith is the grown up, darker love child of Caraval and Kingdom of the Wicked and I am here for it! It is truly a spellbinding tale that mixes mystery with magic
The plot will keep readers at the edge of their seat. I really enjoyed the twists and turns. Smith’s worldbuilding is interesting as it makes the familiar unfamiliar, and her prose paints a world that is as beautiful as it is dangerous.
While some readers might write Phantasma off as purely spice, It deals with themes of courage, sisterhood, and self-discovery that make this book so much more than just a romantasy. The protagonist suffers from OCD (although they don’t have the words to describe it as such) and it is handled with sensitivity and depth.
Smith has created a masterpiece that will linger on my mind long after I have finished it.

Just wow! I listened to the audiobook and the narrator deserves ten stars. She really captured the characters and atmosphere.

Think Caraval but much much darker. There are multiple levels within the games. Each game is created by a devil based on a sin. The other way to leave the level is by passing the round and leaving through a door, forfeiting the game or death. The rounds are something out of the Saw movies. Contestants live in a house between rounds.

The chemistry between Ophelia and Blackwell was 🔥🔥🔥🔥 there was the right balance between their chemistry and the actual games.

My only negative was the ending felt too rushed. I would have liked it a bit longer with more closure. It's the sort of ending that could mean it's an only book but it could also be open to a sequel.

I think this book is going to be big within the fantasy book community. Or I hope it is! It deserves all the love!

I received this arc via Netgalley for an honest review.

I was pleasantly surprised with this book as it seamlessly combines two genres that are my least read (fantasy and paranormal) for a captivating read. The plot centered around Ophelia, having just lost her only parent and struggling financially, competes in a reality tv-ish survival game competition that is set in a fantasy world with demons and ghosts. She receives unexpected assistance from Blackwell, a ghost, and must not fall in love with him. There were unexpected steamy scenes between the main characters, great descriptions of the paranormal beings and magic, and a great underlying message of what one does to keep their family intact. Plus, the cover is absolutely stunning…that alone draws one in.

To win a magical wish and save her missing sister, Ophelia must survive Phantasma's nine perilous challenges in a maze-like haunted mansion and outlast the ruthless rivals aiming to be the sole victor. But in Phantasma, the final rule is: Don’t fall in love. As Ophelia battles monsters and her own fears, she encounters Blackwell, a charismatic and alluring stranger who offers his help in exchange for ten years of her life. Torn between mistrust and an undeniable attraction, Ophelia risks not only her life but also her heart.

Fantasy books with trials/competitions are like heaven to me, and this one was really well done. I liked how the trials were themed around the nine circles of Hell. Each trial is original and not just a rehash of challenges from other books, and they were well-paced with the other plot points. There was always something interesting happening - whether it was the Blackwell mystery, the mystery of Ophelia's sister and mother, a trial, or the romance propelling the story forward. I only got an inkling about the ending at around 70/75%, and even then it was just one plot point that I thought I'd figured out. I loved how original and unpredictable it was, which really sucked me into the story and allowed me to enjoy the ride without knowing exactly where it was going.

I loved the instant tension and chemistry between Ophelia and Blackwell, and I was completely invested in their relationship. The back-and-forth between them made sense within the story and wasn't frustrating like it can be when it's just done for drama without adding anything else. Even their setbacks were appropriate given the plot points and made sense for the characters.

The tension of the romance and the gothic/horror elements was perfect, further heightened by the audiobook format and the amazing narrator. She did a great job differentiating the characters and portraying Ophelia's reactions to the trials and her relationship with Blackwell.

I've given quite a few 3-star ratings this past year to YA gothics/dark fantasies because they never really hit hard enough for me. This book has all but confirmed it for me - I need my gothic/dark romantasies to be adult because they aren't afraid to properly dive into mental anguish, gore, or horror! It's not even about the spice (which was excellent, by the way!); it's just that when they have an adult audience in mind, they can lean more into the gothic elements so that they're not just surface-level topics.

I absolutely loved this book, and the audiobook format was perfect for it. It's a dark fantasy book with trials, mystery, and romance, and I definitely recommend it!

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.

This was by far one of the best books I've read this year! I don't even know where to begin. Imagine if Throne of the Fallen and One Dark Window had a baby. It would be this book.

We have a necromancer named Ophelia who has crippling anxiety and a voice inside her head that won't leave her alone and a phantom named Blackwell who has no memories as to who he is and why he's trapped inside a hell house called Phantasma which is run by devils. In Phantasma, all your worse fears become real, and in order to get out, you either win, forfeit, or die. Oh, and don't fall in love within Phantasma's walls, or you'll be forever cursed.
When Ophelia discovers that her sister has entered Phantasma, she has no other choice but to go after her. There, she runs into the sexiest phantom she's ever seen and makes a deal with him. He helps her get to her sister, and in return, she helps him break free from Phantasma. But the only problem is they are falling for each other, hard.

I would also like to point out that the author did a great job portraying what it is like to live with OCD and the things you do to get rid of those intrusive thoughts.

This book is filled with a great plot, some really great spicy scenes 🥵🌶
I will definitely be adding this to my re-read pile!

Ophelia’s sister has entered Phantasma, so she must follow to save her. Inside the haunted mansion she will undertake trials and try to win and claim a single wish. Demons will tempt and torture her. She desperately needs help to survive and Blackwell offers her a bargain she has no option but to accept.

Very enjoyable, fast paced novel. Well written and well narrated (I listened to the audiobook). Great characters will take us through the horrors Ophelia must face as well as her romantic encounters. Can she win her prize, her sister? Read to find out.

Well that was friggin awesome. Phantasma is a gothic romantasy, with trials, paranormal activity and an amazing ending. It is a standalone, so it's the perfect fit between your series hopping.

Your FMC is on a mission and nothing can stop her. She's strong but not arrogant, caring but not soft. The MC is the exact morally grey figure desired in Romantasy, I don't wanna say to much about him and ruin anything.

Tropes:
⚔️Trials
😵Touch Her and Unalive
😏Forced Proximity
🩸Gothic Horror
🔥Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ - oh she's spicy yall.
🎧Audiobook: about 13 hours on 1x.
••Narrator: Laura Horowitz - Literally amazing. I actually follow her on TickTock but I didn't realize she was the narrator. She's gives Megara vibes and did a fabulous job on this. 5/5 Stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Let's start with a massive trigger warning: If you have experience with intrusive thoughts, their depiction here is absolutely terrifying. Avoid this book if you think this may be an issue for you.


A note about the audiobook: The narrator, Laura Horowitz, is fantastic, and the voice she uses for the intrusive thoughts is much, much creepier than just reading it on the page, which is already horrifying as it is. 


Onto Phantasma, the New Orleans, 1920s Hunger Games version of Caraval. Reeling from the unexpected death of her mother, new-to-her-magic Necromancer, Ophelia, joins a deadly game through the nine circles of hell to win a prize of the winner's choosing. The Caraval vibes are strong in that there's a very clear Trust No One and Nothing instruction, yet Ophelia does trust despite her constant protests that she really doesn't. I wonder if anyone ever taught Ophelia about Guy Lies because she doesn't seem very adept at sorting through them or she would have been less surprised by a lot of things. 

I really enjoyed this book overall. It was a fun read, and I appreciate that it is a standalone Romantasy. No cliffhangers here! 

Romantasy can tend to be more about the spice than the plot, but this is not the case here. Plot and characterization was excellent. Dark atmosphere was on point. The romance was swoon-worthy. 

Thanks to NetGalley, Second Sky, and Bookouture Audio for this ARC!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ All day.

This book was so fun! The New Orleans setting was perfect for the gothic vibes this book had going on. The characters were interesting and witty, from the humans to the supernatural residents of the house - the banter was great fun! I loved the chemistry between the FMC and MMC and rooted for them all the way through. The extra-dimensional, travelling house the competition takes place in was interesting; Smith’s descriptions were so well-written that I felt like I could picture the house around me. If you enjoy a book wherein the house is its own character, you’ll like this book. I loved the game the book revolves around - based upon the nine circles of hell, each game is high-stakes and bloody good fun (I described this to a bookish friend as a ghosty Hunger Games, although perhaps Squid Games is more apt).

This spooky, gothic, paranormal romantasy would be a fantastic October read ahead of Halloween. I couldn’t put it down, and will be recommending this to all of my romantasy-loving friends. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the advance copy of this book in audio format, I’m so glad I got to check this one out!

3.5⭐️Thank you Netgalley and Kaylie Smith for this ALC in exchange for a review.

I was intrigued by this as it said it was for fans of Caraval... I saw the themes but no one really died in Caraval 😱

🥀3rd person pov (from Ophelia's POV, with one from Blackwell)
🥀necromancer / phantom romance
🥀SPICE
🥀OCD rep
🥀plot twists
🥀a little horror

Some of the action and riddles in the middle of the story kind of lost me, there was a lot of gore in this.

But the premise of this is enough to keep you hooked.

The narrator did a great job ! I will admit, not a fan of 3rd person writing, I find it hard to get into the character's mindset, especially when there are multiple side characters. Maybe try adding a male narrator for the male characters?

The ending was a little predictable, I won't lie. And I did feel she used Blackwell, but I could see that she really cared and loved him, and he for her. I need a story on her parents now.

I honestly thought this was going end on a cliffhanger. Maybe we get a little novella on what they're life is like.

✨️"If there were ever a divine entity I'd worship," he murmured, "it'd be you." "My body, your altar," she offered.✨️

❌️WHAT I DISLIKED ❌️

Only bit I HATED!! Was the scene that Ophelia had with St Claire... not a fan of cheating

Well. One of my best reading friends ever told me I needed to read this. So as you do when someone thinks you'll love a book like they did and you twin in most everything else, you immediately request.

I dived right in once and approved and couldn't finish it fast enough. I started unraveling some of the details throughout, figuring stuff being said or hinted at. But still. Those last chapters were crushing my heart and soul. There's not a whole lot to say that won't be a spoiler.

But why is the trend to make devils so sexy and adoring? I guess I'll be ready for my spot in hell.

I was blessed with both the audio-arc and the e-arc which was amazing because I did not want to put this book down from the moment I started listening. I stayed up late into the night several nights in a row both desperate to see what happened next while also wanting to hold onto the story as long as possible. I can confidently say this is my favorite read of the year thus far and can’t wait to see where Kaylie Smith goes next in the adult romance realm. This narrator was an excellent choice for the voice of Ophelia and I absolutely loved her ability to differentiate between characters of varying genders and identities. It’s sometimes rare to come across such incredible audiobook talent and only added to my love of this story.

This story is a mixture of The Haunted Mansion/Hunger Games/Caraval (Book Series).
Plot: A girl in New Orleans inherits her mothers powers. Then she must enter a tournament to save her sister and family estate. When she enters the devil's tournament she must discover her powers, fears, and desires to win the competition. The contestants must compete in a tournament in a haunted mansion with multiple levels that are based on the circles of hell and their worst fears.

It's a very very slow book, but spicy book. The writing style is extremely fluffy. There are details and side stories that go every way that gives off the perception that it's messy writing. If the story had been cleaned up a bit then I would have given the story 5 stars.

Spice 3.5/5