Phantasma
Kaylie Smith
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Phantasma follows Ophelia Grimm, whose sister has mysteriously disappeared. To save her, Ophelia enters the dangerous game of Phantasma, where she faces nine perilous challenges. The prize for the winner is a single wish, but there can only be one victor, and every contestant is determined to survive at all costs. The game is hosted in a haunted mansion filled with demons, apparitions, and shifting dangers, where new monsters are born daily. Along the way, Ophelia meets the charismatic and charming phantom, Blackwell, who offers his help in guiding her through the challenges—at the cost of ten years of her life. Although she knows she shouldn’t trust him, an intense attraction blossoms, threatening not only her survival in the competition but also her heart.

Phantasma sucked me in from start to finish! This book is the perfect blend of dark romantasy with a gothic twist- combined with the seductive romance and vivid horror this book really had it all! The plot was absolutely riveting- I loved how creative each of the games inspired by sins were and reading them was always so tense! There was also another plot line in between the games which kept things interesting- even outside of the game stakes were high and there were horrors around every corner. Also, don’t even get me started on the romance aspect of this book! The relationship between Ophelia and Blackwell was just EVERYTHING- there was banter, tension and some of the best spice and tension I’ve read in forever! I loved them both individually as characters- particularly Ophelia. I thought her OCD rep was written wonderfully into the story in a way that added to the horror. Overall, Phantasma was an enthralling read from start to finish- I can’t recommend it enough!

I wish I could say this writing style gripped me, but sadly it didn’t.

I feel bad when a writing style is what doesn’t hook me, because in the end I think that falls on the reader and our individual tastes. Sadly, this was a DNF for me.

This Book ATE!!!! In my romantasy era!!! This one kept me on my toes. The Phantom, the different levels. I just couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to enter this world again in Enchantra.

Thank you to Forever and netgalley for an arc.

blackwell blackwell blackwell. that's it; that's the review!

PS - it’s always the sister venturing off to do something questionable and the FMC has to go save her and the entire plot revolves around a selfish sister who’s not in the story but is very annoying! but Genevieve you do deserve rights after all.

Blackwell may be the Shadow Daddy of my dreams. This book was so much fun!

Phantasma was the perfect blend of suspense and romance. The author didn’t sacrifice one for the other, which I don’t imagine is easy to do, Ophelia has been kept in the dark about so many things in her life, but she was never a meek character by any means. She really does come into her own and grow as a character all throughout the levels of Phantasma. With every twist and new reveal, she adapts quickly and without difficulty. It really made her stand out as a main character and she was easy to root for throughout the challenges.

The romance between Ophelia and Blackwell was *chef’s kiss* perfection. Their connection is immediate, even before they meet, and once the full story is revealed it all circles back and makes sense.

Also, shoutout to Poe. My forever favorite character.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for a review copy.

Gothic Desire, Grief, and the Kind of Love That Burns Through Bone

The FMC is grief incarnate—lonely, angry, unraveling. She isn’t looking for a savior. She’s looking for meaning in the aftermath of everything she’s lost. And she finds it—not in safety—but in the dark. In the forbidden. In the arms of someone (or something) she was warned against.

The love interest is mystery wrapped in mourning. The kind of man who doesn’t say much but when he does, it wrecks you. He doesn’t ask for trust—he commands it. Their connection isn’t sweet. It’s sacrificial. It says: If I burn, you burn with me. And you’ll say yes. Every damn time.

Then there’s the setting—practically a character on its own. The crumbling manor. The halls that echo with memory. The veil between the worlds so thin, you breathe in the dead with every step. You don’t read Phantasma. You wander through it, lost in its shadows, aching to be found.

So here’s the truth:

If you want structure, predictability, or happily ever afters wrapped in sunlight—walk away.
But if you crave stories that bite, that moan with emotion, that drape you in velvet only to pierce you with glass—then Phantasma is your altar.

I seriously don’t know what took me so long to start this book. I devoured it in no time. Fantasy usually isn’t my thing, but this completely pulled me in. Like… am I actually a romantasy girl now?? Because wow.

Ophelia Grim completely owns my heart. She’s sharp, hilarious, and unapologetically herself. Her sarcasm? Top-tier. I was legit cracking up every few pages. Experiencing the story through her perspective made everything hit harder, every joke, every heartbreak, every moment. She’s fierce, layered, and impossible not to root for. I felt everything with her like I was right there.

Blackwell completely swept me off my feet. He’s got that perfect mix of confidence and charm, always saying just the right thing with a smirk that could melt anyone. He’s witty, a little cocky, but in the best possible way. Every time he spoke, I found myself grinning like a fool. He’s the kind of guy you can’t help but notice, and honestly, I’m here for it. Kaylie Smith really knew what she was doing with him he’s definitely my new fictional crush.

Ophie and Vivi? Heartfelt doesn’t even begin to cover it. Two sisters, one always expected to be more, the other quietly fading into the background. Despite everything, their bond was unshakeable, and watching it unfold was emotional in the best way. Their moments together had me tearing up. I loved their dynamic so much, it was raw, real, and so beautifully complicated.

The trials were incredible! I love it when challenges actually feel like they have consequences, and these definitely did. The true or false trial? Yeah, that’s going to haunt me for a while. I can’t even begin to imagine the fear those characters were feeling. I would’ve been a mess. The stakes were so high, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!

If you haven’t read this yet, stop what you’re doing and add it to your TBR! Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Thank you so much to @secondskybooks, @readforeverpub, and @netgalley for the copy of this eARC!

#phantasma #wickedgames #kayliesmith #romantasy #darkfantasy #spicybooks #darkromance #bookstagrammer

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. Phantasma was exceptional. As a reader of fantasy, witches are my least favourite. But with the first chapter I was hooked. The darkness did not bother me. I almost finished the book in a day..
The writing was so to the point, no info dumps, no dragging. The world building and characters were excellent. This is a professional writing and I enjoyed immensely.
Thank you!

Omg where to start with this book!
I absolutely adored this book, from the whole premise of the sentient house and the romance.
I definitely will be recommending this to everyone I know!

5 stars from me!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

👻 Phantasma 👻
By: Kaylie Smith

Pages: 368
Rating: 5️⃣.0️⃣
Book Goal 2025: 40/130

✨Could you have a relationship with a ghost if we lived in a world where that wasn’t weird?✨

WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO READ THIS BOOK?! Yall… I had an arc copy sitting on my kindle since.. forever ago!

I just kept putting it off because she’s a little thick and sometimes I have to be in a romantasy mood! Then everyone kept raving about how much they love it… so now I have finally read it and the second one is already out. Thankfully… because PHANTASMA HAS ME IN BOOK HANGOVER. Like if I was a young single woman and I lived in this world… Blackwell could get it.

Why was every single character in this book amazing? Even if I freaking hated them… they just FIT in the story. Kaylie smith writes relatable characters and a spicy 🌶️🥵 book with PLOT.

She’s going to be an autobuy for me after this one. 😍

This was so delightful that I'm kicking myself for not reading it sooner. Kaylie Smith does such a good job of balancing the intrigue of a deadly game with the excitement of the MCs falling in love. I'm forever a fan now. I can't wait to read Enchantra.

Thanks to Forever and Netgalley for my ARC.

Such an amazingly well crafted and interesting book. Definitely Smith’s best so far. Ophelia felt so genuine as a character, and her connection with Blackwell was was captivating. The entire book had me on edge trying to guess what was going on and how things were going to pan out. Can’t wait to read the sequel.

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith will immerse readers in a dark fantasy world. A world that is atmospheric and gothic and that forces one into high stake game of survival. A game where one needs to stay alive and most of all do not fall in love.

Phantasma is a game with two outcomes, survival or death. A game that takes place in a haunted mansion and uses your greatest fear against you.  Winning requires surviving the nine levels of the game centered around the seven deadly sins. Upon completion of the nine levels, the lucky winner's wish is granted.  Ophelia Grimm wished to find her sister and so began her journey in the high stakes game of Phantasma.


After the sudden death of their mother, Ophelia and Genevieve faced eviction from the only home they knew. As the eldest, Ophelia inherited her mother's necromancy magic which worsened her current situation. While grappling with the changes in her life her sister went missing. While trying to figure out where she could have gone, Ophelia learned that she went to take part in Phantasma. Therefore, finding her sister meant her participation in this high-stake game where survival is not guaranteed.


Prepare for a world where magic and danger abound. A world where only the mentally strong and fittest stands the chance of survival. The trials Ophelia faced tested her physical and mental capacity. Despite the dangers she faced her venture into this world brought out her inner strength and helped in honing her magical powers. She did have help though. Help that came from a phantom, (Blackwell) a resident of the haunted mansion.   Despite her initial distrust of him, Ophelia depended on his protection. This dependence would later lead to her breaking the rule of not falling in love.

The story was captivating from the intense trials faced by the participants to the romance between the main characters. Ophelia and Blackwell were an interesting pair. Their interactions delivered some interesting and intense moments. I loved the world building and how the rules of Phantasma worked. I found it unique and engaging. The secondary characters, from the mortals to the supernatural beings added to the excitement. Phantasma ended on a high and surprising note. While unexpected it left this reader happy with the outcome

This one wasn't for me. I have tried reading it several times, and I'm just not getting into it, which I'm bummed about. As a girl who loved Danny Phantom growing up, and is a big fan of ghost and ghost adjacent things, this one just hasn't hit for me. It's okay, art is art, I'm just bummed.

Thanks to NetGalley and Second Sky Books for this free copy of "Phantasma."

I wanted to read some romantasy and this looked so intriguing with its New Orleans, almost voodoo, deadly contest vibe. And fair warning, it is pretty spicy.

Ophelia has been tutored since she was small to continue the family lineage of necromancy. Her younger sister Genevieve wants nothing to do with magic.

But when their mother dies and Genevieve disappears, Ophelia finds her sister's diaries and read that she was obsessed with Phantasma - the contest that grants the winner any wish.

Ophelia thought it was just a rumor but she enters the competition, trying to find her sister. She has to survive seven levels before she can hunt for Genevieve. And each level has only three outcomes: forfeit, die, or win.

411...

╰☆☆ “𝙸𝚗 𝚊 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎, 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚏𝚊𝚒𝚛 𝚘𝚗𝚎, 𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍'𝚟𝚎 𝚔𝚎𝚙𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚕 𝚖𝚢 𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚞𝚜𝚝” ☆☆╮

The opening scene in Phantasma introduces us to Necromancer Ophelia Grimm and her sister as they've just discovered the body of their deceased mother. Ophelia realizes this now makes her the head of their manor and their home run family business with all things related to the dead. She's been trained and prepared for this role by her mother since she was a very little girl and now the day has come where she must take over. Before she can get any of their matters in order however, her sister disappears without a word of her whereabouts. Ophelia searches for answers and while doing so discovers the debt the manor has incurred and that they may be losing the manor very soon. She has now inherited her family's death magic as well as the financial burden of the manor that has been left behind. Her sister Genevieve Grimm has left the manor it seems to enter a competition that may give them the opportunity to win the cash needed to save their manor. Phantasma is a competition set inside a Gothic haunted manor made up of nine floors each with a challenge designed to fatally take out those who sign up. Only one will make it out alive and to that person, a wish will be granted. Demons, Ghouls, Poltergeists, and Phantoms are only some of the entities the contestants will come across as they race to beat each other to the prize. These challenges are NOT for the feint of heart, they tap into your deepest darkest fears and then use them against you. Ophelia's entrance into Phantasma doesn't go unnoticed by the ghosts of the manor, she is an enigma they will go after if only to see what makes her different.

THOUGHTS...

The TiK Tok Girlies got this one right Book Lovers! OBSESSED is putting it lightly, I am sitting here counting down the days until April 8th for the release of ENCHANTRA! all other books will be paused while I dive back into the world of all things the Grimm sisters. If you're looking for a read that will suck you right in and make you a front row spectator to a high stakes adrenaline inducing competition, then treat yourself to the experience that is this book! Hella descriptive, I found myself squirming at some of the deaths and yet still anticipating the next challenge...not sure what that says about me. Atmosphere is a 10/10, characters 10/10, plot and intrigue also are a 10/10. What I wasn't expecting? the OCD representation to also be 10/10, as a person with OCD I have never read any character experience thoughts/compulsions I've also had. I had one of those moments while reading where I just nodded and smiled at feeling seen. Anyways, if you're here to find out about the romance and spice levels fret not! Ophelia and Blackwell will have you asking yourself if a paranormal tryst is what's missing in your life. The spice is a 10/10 between these two who found a minute between challenges and in spare rooms to get it on. Phantasma was a 5 star read for me and I just can't wait to get my hands on Enchantra to see what Genevieve gets up to in her story arc.

I was drawn into this book based on all the hype it’s getting, I was a little hesitant at first because it’s not really the genre I go for, but I had such a fun time! I loved the plot of the games and the setting was so atmospheric. Also, I loved the romance between Ophelia and Blackwell. & I can’t write a review without mentioning Poe!

I cannot wait for Enchantra!

I enjoyed this story with all the characters that were within. The main two characters were Ophelia and Blackwell.

Ophelia's sister has disappeared, and she must find her. When Ophelia finds some clue information about where her sister might have gone. She decides to go see if her sister is there. But all she finds at the place is a cat and a person named Blackwell.

Blackwell is stuck with a curse and wants to find a way to break it. So when he meets Ophelia, he decides to ask her to help him break it.

This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure, and suspense throughout. There is a bit of a mystery within. It was fun trying to guess. This is the first in a series. The story twists and turns throughout.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest, unbiased opinion.

I’ve absolutely loved it! It was a fun , atmospheric, and engaging read that kept me hooked from the start to the end! And Blackwell? I think that I have a liiiitle crush on him!

I am such a fan of Kaylie’s books! This was such a fun read and I really loved the premise. Honestly, I had no idea Blackwell was going to be the prince of devils but that was such a good way to bring the story back around. I think I would have liked to experience more of Ophelia’s necromancer side of things, it didn’t really feel like she was one, more so that she just had powers. I really loved that Genevieve had their dads powers too though. I throughly enjoyed this story and I can’t wait to read more!