𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨
Wow, what a book! I just had to share my thoughts. This was my first time reading anything by this author, and it certainly won't be the last. I was completely hooked and couldn't stop reading (or listening, thanks to the amazing audiobook narration). The plot was so unique and kept me captivated - and definitely had some spicy moments! The characters, like Blackwell (Chef kissed) and Ophelia Marie Grimm (a cool name for a necromancer), were so well-written. The ending totally surprised me with all those twists, and the epilogue gave me hope, but I really just wanted more! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for future books in this world and to read more of these characters. I loved it so much that I preordered the physical copy as well.

Also, I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ARC - it was such a great time. Do yourself a favor and read this book - you won't be disappointed!

𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜 -
🖤 Gothic vibes
🖤 Ghosts, demons, and the devil
🖤 Necromancy
🖤 Spice - 🌶️🌶️.5
🖤 Haunted House Competition, only one wins
🖤 A twist
🖤 Set in a Fantasy New Orleans
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Forbidden Romance

When I see a boat load of 5 star reviews on a freshly released book(or an unreleased ARC) I usually assume the ARC readers are just being kind.

LET. ME. TELL. YOU. These stars were EARNED.
⭐️5.5/5 🌶️3.5/5

Just wow, incredible, exhilarating, phenomenal! This is my new Roman Empire. I didn’t know how much I needed this gothic romantasy, but it’s now my favorite genre.
This books follows Ophelia, a necromancer, that finds herself in a devils game in pursuit of her sister. She has to watch her back not just from the fellow contestants, but also devils and other apparitions to win a favor of any magnitude from the creator of the game. Thankfully, she meets a mysterious being who offers to help her through the trials, but at what cost?
There is suspense, gore, banter, thrills, mystery, twists(OMG), desire, lust, and so much more. Everything is well thought out and planned. No loose ends left for me to ponder. The writing was exquisite, and I cannot praise the author enough. And the level of depth the OCD and intrusive thoughts added to Ophelia’s character were out of this world. It reminded me of a more sinister Nightmare from One Dark Window.

If you’re on the fence, buy the book, read the book, and then immediately re-read it- it’s THAT good.

Triggers: Death, corpses, blood, dubious consent(doesn’t go too far), OCD, intrusive thoughts.

I listened to the audiobook version, so here’s my thoughts specifically about the narration.
WOW. I’m hard to impress with audiobooks, and I typically loathe female narration as their male voices just sound awful. That is not the case here. The narrators voice is smooth as silk, and as smokey and sultry as they come. Her range of voices, accents, and inflections for the different characters were superb. It brought this book to life. Her timing was impeccable, and I’ll now be listening to everything she’s ever read. Even if gothic fantasy isn’t your thing, it’s worth it for the voice performance alone.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

I enjoyed the crap out of this audiobook. It feels like a haunted house trial with a hot Beetlejuice and I was LIVING for Blackwell. I loved how creepy crawly the descriptions were and I couldn't stop listening once I started. Thank you so much Netgalley for allowing me to enjoy this beauty early! I can't wait to purchase and put it on my shelf. Right next to my print of Beetlejuice 😍

4.5 rounded up
This is one of the best demon romance books I've read. The audiobook is top tier and I flew through it in a handful of sittings. The dark vibes are so atmospheric, moody, and such a vibe. Also, 10/10 with Blackwell's morally grey character. I need more stories like this ASAP, plz n thx.

The gothic, eerie vibe that this book gave off was exactly what I needed! The trials, the steam, the tension, the flirty MMC, I absolutely adored this book!! It's cemented itself as one of my favourites of the year. I LOVED Ophelia and Blackwell, and their dynamic. The whole world building was dark but whimsical, unique and just addicting to listen to. The concept of the trials being based off the nine circles of hell was EXCELLENT.

As someone who has suffered from severe OCD for over a decade, I usually avoid books/media with OCD rep in it because I feel it usually makes it into a quirk or something funny, or just doesn't depict it well. But listening to Phantasma, I nearly cried because I felt understood. Kaylie's portrayal of OCD as a dark, intrusive voice in her head is spot on and I hope it brings awareness to others how debilitating and cruel the disorder can be. Thank you Kaylie for giving me a voice.

I cannot wait to buy this as a physical copy and read it all over again!

This book is great for fans of Hotel Magnifique and Caraval but wanted more spice. The main character after losing her mother and finding out that her and her sister are completely broke due to some dealings that her mother had done, and they must figure out how to save their home before the bank takes it. Her sister signs up for Phantasma, where she must endures horrors like she couldn’t imagine to beat the other contestants and receive a wish. After learning that her sister signed up for the contest she signs up herself, and meets a ghost that becomes her partner in the contest. After surviving multiple trials and learning more of her family history than she ever thought that she would and discovering love in a place that warns of people falling in love. I love this book and found that I had a hard time putting the book down, and I know that have been multiple books in this same theme but for me it doesn’t get old for me. The narrator did an amazing job with this book, and bringing the characters to life. I highly recommend this audiobook to everyone

Wow wow wow!! 😍🤩🤌🏻 this book felt like Halloween. It was deliciously haunting and devilishly spicy 🌶️— while also being the warm cozy hug for anyone whose inner voice is ever the bully. The characters were so lovable, the plot intriguing, and overall just an excellent read!

The narration was also incredible, it absolutely brought the story to life! Additionally, she was able to differentiate her voice enough to make clear distinctions for each character. Her shadow voice narration may have been my favorite 🤩

An absolute masterpiece by all accounts. I will be shouting my recommendations for this book from the rooftops.

Phantasma is a wickedly dark delight that will hook you and not let you go until you’ve explored all its sinful depths. Be ready to be completely obsessed with this bingeworthy read. To start, this is definitely a dark read, so make sure you’ve checked trigger warnings before starting because it’s not for the faint of heart. Ophelia and Blackwell will capture your heart and mind as you try to decipher the truth of Phantasma’s trials. I am a complete sucker for character banter and these two had some of the best banter I’ve read in a long time. I also really loved the whole premise of the different challenges presented to the participants based on the nine circles of hell and the different skills it took to survive. This is everything I never knew I wanted in a dark romantasy and managed to elicit an extreme range of emotions while I read. I also felt the plot moved along very well with the change in challenges. This also brought forth plenty of absolutely shocking scenes and plot twists to keep you fully invested. I combo read this with the ebook and audiobook and let me tell you that audio is the way to go. Laura Horowitz will lull you in with her expert narration. You’ll tune out the outside world to listen as she takes you through the various levels of Phantasma while really bringing forth the fear, anxiety, and heart pulsing adrenaline that accompanied the story. I was so invested in her narration, that I finished Phantasma in one day. I highly encourage you to check out this story, but especially the audiobook as long as you’re okay with the trigger warnings.

Five of the HUGEST Stars times INFINITY!

Welcome to Phantasma.

There are only two rules to the game. Stay alive. And don’t fall in love.

From the start I was HOOKED on this book and it kept me the entire way through! I do not have a single complaint or wish for anything to be different.

Our FMC Ophelia's sister has disappeared just after the death of their mother and to save her Ophelia has to enter Phantasma. Phantasma is a haunted mansion and a deadly contest to reach the end and be granted a single wish.

Our MMC Blackwell is seriously HOT and SERIOUSLY arrogant and claims for the low low price of 10 years of Ophelia's life can help her win.

These freaking two!!! OMG I love them! The twists and turns and the little bits of backstory slipped in during each competition will have you not wanting to put this book down. The gasp I gasped when that 93% mark hit was LOUD! Ophelia is a strong fmc, which we obviously love! The OCD rep is honest and eye opening for someone who may not have first hand knowledge. The way it just takes over and makes you believe the most wild things. Blackwell is mysterious and gorgeous and frustrating as the mmc, also love!

Kaylie Smith NAILED this book and Laura Horowitz was the PERFECT choice to bring it to audio life.

What else can I even say that isn't spoilerish? I just want to gush about this book forever. I'm absolutely going to push it on my reader bestie. I'm coming for your time, Michelle!!!

HUGE thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Kaylie Smith for the opportunity to read and review this story. All opinions are my own.

#Phantasma #KaylieSmithAuthor #LauraHorowitzNarrator
#DarkFantasyRomance #HauntedHouse #Competition
#OneWish #Gothic #Adult #Horor #FantasyRomance
#ParanormalRomance #AdultRomance #Spicy
#Audiobook #ALCReview #ReadThisBook #ReadAllTheBooks
#ReadingGoals #September2024Release #AddThisToYourTBR
#OCDRepresentation #IntrusiveThoughts

I liked this. I started reading first and then finished with the audiobook. I thought Laura Horowitz did a great job with it. It was a different kind of romantasy but in a good way. I liked the way the author told the story but parts felt a little immature like that miscommunication trope was going on and I loathe that. I’d say it was told like YA novel.
Thanks Bookouture via NetGalley.

OH MY GOD. IM OBSESSED!!!
i loved everything about this! the story the romance😭 and Genevieve!!! in love with the story and the characters and i need more immediately!! this is absolutely my favorite read this year and i will make it my mission to convince everyone to read this book!!!

ARC 5/5 ⭐️ This was a great dark romantasy/PNR, and the audiobook was narrated by Laura Horowitz. She did such an amazing job with the voicing of all the characters. And I loved what she did with the pacing and tones.

When Ophelia’s sister disappears, there is only one way to save her. Ophelia enters Phantasma, a deadly contest to claim its prize—a single wish. This is a fast-paced and adventure-packed romance, with a contest and deadly trials.

I also loved the OCD representation & necromancer vibes.

Thank you, NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Kaylie Smith, Laura Horowitz, for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own.

A big thanks to Bookouture Audio and Net-galley for providing this audiobook arc!

It's been a hot minute since I've enjoyed a fantasy/pnr romance lately but colour me surprised that this book was able to get me out of my romantasy/pnr funk.

Phantasma follows Ophelia, a necromancer from a generation of Necromancer's, who finds herself in a bit of a financial crunch and needs to pay off a debt that her mother had taken or lose her home, Grimm Manor, to the bank. Ophelia and her sister Genevive are not sure what can be done to ensure the Manor stays in the family. The solution to this problem comes in the form of Phantasma, an event that is designed by the devil himself where participants compete for nine days in nine challenges and the winner gets their wish granted. The event is held in an abandoned locality and the participants also need to face the different entities haunting that place. Phantasma also resorts to trickery by bringing your hidden fears and nightmares to life, either to discourage you from playing the game or by forcing you to make deals with the devils overseeing the game.

Genevive enters the game so that they can save the manor and Ophelia unwillingly participates to save Genevive. But fear and temptations run amok in the Phantasma. Can Ophelia save her sister and her heart and come out unscathed?

I loved the narration in the Audiobook. It was well done. The narrator did a good job in voicing the different characters. The pacing of the book was also moderate. The events in the book span across nine days and entirely revolves around the game and Ophelia's development as a character. We also meet Blackwell, the MMC who has also a certain charm to him, who intrigues and infuriates Ophelia to no end. The banter and romance provided a nice built up to the spice and boy was it good!

Kaylie Smith is a new to me author, so I do not have a benchmark to compare her with. But let me tell you, I liked what I read! The world building outside of Phantasma was not very elaborate but Phantasma, the event, definitely cooked. The challenges could've been a bit more enticing, and the stakes could've been a bit higher. The revelation or should I say the twist was also predictable, and I wished we could've spent more time with events that led to the origin of Phantasma.

To sum up the experience, Phantasma is a good read for readers who enjoy a gothic atmospheric setting, with trials and tribulations as the main trope.

I am Obsessed. OBSESSED! This book was so good and I need more IMMEDIATELY!! Like genuinely how am I supposed to move on from this?

I truly enjoyed this audio book. It reminded me of Caravel, but with dark dangerous games and lots of Spice. The narrators did an amazing job projecting the excitement and energy of each game. The ending brought it all together and left me wanting to know more.

ARC Review


Phantasma
By Kaylie Smith
Publish date: Sept 2, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Kaylie Smith for allowing me to review this book.

Make sure to read the trigger warnings before reading.

Phantasma is a deadly contest with two rules stay alive and don’t fall in love. The prize being a single wish from the prince of the devil. Ophelia must face 9 challenges and be the last contestant standing. When a mysterious stranger offers her a blood deal to help her win in exchange for 10 years of her life. The challenges will be the easiest part for Ophelia protecting her heart from Blackwell will be the challenge.

I absolutely fell in love with Ophelia. She was sarcastic, funny and determined. The portrayal of the OCD was done fantastically. I absolutely loved the Shadow voice too.

Blackwell is my new fave shadow daddy!! He’s charming, dark, sarcastic, flirty and I loved it all.

The plot was fast paced and full of action and intrigue. The world building was amazing.

I was not expecting that ending at all! I’m still in shock. Phantasma will be a book I will constantly think about and I need more!! Kaylie Smith is officially on my auto buy author list!!


Read if you enjoy:

😈 Smut
😈 OCD representation
😈 Steamy Romance
😈 Morally Grey love interest
😈 Ghost Cat

Thank you to Kaylie Smith, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I got such Kingdom of the Wicked vibes from this. The devils, the sins, the sex. I'd describe this as Kingdom of the Wicked meets any YA trials/competition fantasy. I didn't get into it right away, but I did enjoy it overall. Ophelia was likeable enough, though I'm not sure I completely understood her power set. And having Blackwell help her so much hampered my respect for her some; what was the point of a competition plot if she, and her sister for that matter, could just coast through? Lowered the stakes, the tension. Blackwell didn't make much of an impression on me; because of the mystery surrounding him, he couldn't be properly developed, so his personality amounted to "sexy" and "jealous." The world building was a bit murky; I didn't entirely understand the relationship between normal humans and the paranormal/fantasy. Some people seemed to know necromancers were a thing, others didn't. Phantasma had been around for 500 years, and must happen pretty frequently, yet people thought it was a myth? Yeah, I was left with some questions. Overall, though, this book was entertaining, if not enthralling.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this ALC!

This book! Wow! I freaking loved it! It was as if “Rose Red”, “Lucifer”, and “Hunger Games” had a baby and it’s the most perfect specimen ever.

Laura Horowitz… I finally got to hear her narrate! She’s super fantastic!

I received an advanced audio copy for review. This is my own opinion.

I really appreciate the OCD representation in this book, as it’s not something I’ve seen much of with ND rep.

If I had to compare Phantasma to something, it would be like a spicy version of Belladonna crossed with…I haven’t read Caraval, but based on my understanding, probably that.

The Grimm family are necromancers and to save her family and their home, Ophelia must enter Phantasma and survive the nine circles of hell in the form of a contest. She meets a phantom who can help her if she offers him a decade of her life.

I will be honest, I went into this a little hesitant because it’s described as gothic and gruesome, but it was no worse than Belladonna for me, so if you can handle that, you’re good! It’s more fantasy than horror. I saw the twist at the end coming from a mile away, but honestly if you’ve read this sort of book, you will too, so it probably won’t be a problem! I really enjoyed the audiobook; the narrator was excellent.

4.5stars rounded up.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kaylie Smith for the ALC!

I started this the other night, and I was in love with New Orleans, Phantasma, and the necromancer FMC.

Laura Horowitz narrated perfectly, and her New Orleans accent reminded me so much of AHS. Phantasma itself took me back to Hotel Cortez, and all the ghouls, trials, and creepy rooms were to die for.

Had it just been that, I think this would've been a 5 star read, but the romance is a main part of the plot, and I didn't love it. I felt it was very convenient for Blackwell to help Ophelia through all of the trials (except one, I think), and the instalove and declarations of love made me cringe.

The ending did help to make up for it a bit, but it all still felt a bit too far-fetched, so I would've preferred the story without it.

Overall, it is a very atmospheric read and one I would reread for that reason.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ALC.