Phantasma: A dark fantasy romance (Wicked Games, 1)

“𝐈𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝’𝐯𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭” 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕, 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒍. 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍. All the way through I said this was going to be a strong 4 star book, but given the ending it just pushed in the 5 star region. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I couldn’t put it down, my jaw hit the floor in the last 20% of the book and I honestly could not put it down. This book gave me all the feels, jaw dropping, shocking, hot, and also laughs throughout. This would be a great spooky season book. I loved Phantasma and what lurked between the walls, it had a great storyline, very gothic, paranormal (my fave), devils, phantoms, necromancers and more. This has been my first book with OCD brought to attention and I think it was shown well in Ophelia’s character. Blackwell has my heart and he’s officially my new book boyfriend 😍 he had it bad for her and the scenes were just 👌🏽 🌶️ he definitely knows how to please his lady. -Forbidden romance -Forced Proximity -Necromancer/Phantom Romance -Dark Fantasy -Haunted House -Trials -OCD

So, Phantasma—the book everyone’s raving about. I’ll admit, I was curious. Turns out, Phantasma is a pretty good read, but it might feel familiar to anyone who’s read Caraval. Imagine Caraval with a darker, spicier twist, and that’s Phantasma. It’s got a magical, morbid competition, two sisters separated in a dangerous game, and a sinister love interest. Phantasma does feel like it borrows heavily from Caraval: a mysterious, magical competition, two sisters, one of whom sneaks away, and a whole lot of life-or-death stakes. Ophelia, the older and more responsible sister, enters the competition to save her younger, rebellious sister, and soon finds herself entangled with the sinister and mysterious Blackwell. There are plot beats here that will feel predictable, but the spicy, morbid twist keeps it engaging. Phantasma felt like a YA book with an adult edge—more mature themes, gore, and all the heat, but still rooted in that adventurous, whimsical atmosphere you get in young adult fantasy. The story kicks off strong, drawing readers into a world of necromancy and dark magic.I did loved the main character, Ophelia, who’s not your typical fantasy heroine. As a newly-minted necromancer, she’s grappling with powers she inherited after her mother’s death. This dark twist on magical abilities felt refreshing. Usually, we get witches or fae, but Phantasma brings in the undead and a side of danger that kept things interesting. BUT then the whole necromancy theme is gotten abandoned pretty quickly, which was pretty disappointing for me. Either way, Ophelia’s character was well done—sassy, headstrong, and uniquely flawed, with OCD quirks that made her feel real. I loved how her OCD came alive, it was a great touch! Her dynamic with Blackwell, the dark, brooding MMC, was a highlight. I only wish we’d had Blackwell’s perspective as well. It wasn’t hard to see through his mysterious facade, but getting inside his head would have added depth. Their chemistry was a nice balance of banter and heat, though Ophelia’s impulsive choices sometimes made me want to shake her. Hard. The supporting cast, though, could’ve used more attention… I would’ve loved to see more development or snarky interactions with the other contestants. The competition setting was ripe for more fun and conflict, and it felt like a missed opportunity. The story’s finale was exactly what I expected, but that didn’t make it any less enjoyable. The epilogue gave away hints pretty early on, but it still packed a punch, and I couldn’t get enough. For all the hype, Phantasma may not be groundbreaking, but it was still a captivating ride. If I had to describe it, I’d call it a spiced-up YA fantasy, and I’m definitely intrigued enough to pick up the next book. While Phantasma didn’t quite reach “dark fantasy romance” status for me, it’s a solid romantasy that leans YA in style but packs enough edge for adult readers. I’ll definitely be back for book two!

Phantasma is an entertaining dark fantasy romance filled with high-stakes trials, seductive danger, and an irresistible morally gray love interest. The haunted mansion setting is beautifully atmospheric, and the premise—a deadly contest with a wish as the prize—is the perfect setup for tension and intrigue. The chemistry between Ophelia and Blackwell is definitely a highlight, delivering plenty of spice and swoon-worthy moments. The pacing keeps things moving, and the challenges within Phantasma provide some exciting action. However, despite the life-or-death nature of the game, I never truly felt the stakes. Some of the tension was undercut by the predictability of the twists, and there were moments where characters acted out of character, pulling me out of the story. That said, Phantasma is still a fun, addictive read, especially for fans of dark romance with a gothic fantasy edge. If you're looking for an intense, steamy adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this one delivers—just be prepared for some familiar tropes along the way.

I LOVED Kaylie's Smith writing. It was so immersive and the FMC felt real, flawed and painfully relatable. Her struggle to understand herself and this entity constantly living in her head were beatifully written. I absolutely devoured this book and I enjoyed how the author explained the games the FMC needed to win in order to find her sister. Last but not least the MMCC!!! I don't have words to describe how I LOVED Blackwell! Overall, Phantasma is a dark, emotional and thoughtfully written fantasy that lingers even after the last page!

Purely heavenly The plot is twisted and sexy enough for smut readers but also romantic and action packed. I totally recommend

Loved the book from the beginning to the end! Absolutely my top-favorite so far! :)

Loved it, almost like enemies to lovers and mostly about creatures, yes the challenge has humans in them but the necromancers, phantoms, ghosts are whole vibe 10/10

A gothic romance set in NEW ORLEANS? Say no more—take my money! From the first page to the last, I was hooked. Dark, mysterious, and dripping with gothic vibes—absolute perfection! This dark gothic romantic fantasy follows Ophelia and Blackwell, and wow—their chemistry had me giggling and kicking my feet every time they shared the page! The setting and vibe were so immersive and intoxicating, I couldn’t get enough Ophelia—I adore this girl! She’s such a breath of fresh air as a main character—resilient, strong, and incredibly dynamic. The close sibling bond between her and Genevieve was everything, adding so much depth to the story. The journey through the different "circles of hell" was gripping, and her facetious personality kept me hooked. Plus, the OCD representation was so beautifully done and so important. Blackwell. Let me tell you something—one thing’s certain, two things are for damn sure—I will always be weak for a sneaky, sarcastic man. He was an absolute vibe—refreshing, hilarious, and his tension-filled banter with Ophelia? It had me screaming. The comedic timing? Impeccable. And when that who did this to you moment hit, I was DONE. Sat down, shut up, and emotionally ruined. The games were the perfect mix of tension and just the right amount of gruesome—Kaylie nailed it! And that ending? SCREAMING. I’m usually pretty good at guessing twists, but this one actually caught me off guard, and I loved every second of it! That said, I need more answers about the voice in Ophelia’s head—I was fully convinced there was more to it, and now I’m dying for closure. Can’t wait to dive headfirst into the second book!