Blog Tour Review: Phantasma

Posted 7th September 2024 by Emma in Blog Tours, Reviews / 0 Comments

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
Narrator: Laura Horowitz
Series: Wicked Games #1
Published by Second Sky on 3rd September 2024
Genres: Erotica, Fantasy, Love & Romance, Magic, Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 462
Format: eARC
Source: from Netgalley
Goodreads
Amazon Kindle, Audible

Welcome to Phantasma.There are only two rules to the game. Stay alive. And don’t fall in love.
When Ophelia’s sister disappears, there is only one way to save her. Ophelia must enter Phantasma, a deadly contest inside a haunted mansion, and claim its prize—a single wish.
Phantasma is a maze of twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, of demons and temptations. Ophelia will face nine challenges, each more dangerous than the last. There can only be one winner, and the other contestants will stop at nothing to eliminate their rivals.
Every day the house creates new monsters. But just as Ophelia’s fears threaten to overwhelm her, a mysterious stranger offers her a bargain.
Charming, arrogant and infuriatingly attractive, Blackwell claims he can guide her through the lethal trials ahead. All he asks in return is ten years of her life.
Ophelia knows she shouldn’t trust him. Blackwell doesn’t seem dangerous, but appearances can be deceptive. Worse still, she feels a dark and irresistible attraction drawing them closer and closer.
Her life is on the line. But in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart…

Thank you to Second Sky for my copies of this book and for letting me take part in this tour. I was lucky enough to be sent multiple copies of this book. I switched between the e-book and audiobook versions of this book. I am a sucker for a dark romance/fantasy book. I haven’t read one like this in a while and I absolutely loved it.

This book is a gothic romance with a fight to the death. Think Hunger Games in New Orleans but with ghosts, devils, magic and a side of steamy romance.

This is my first book by Kaylie and I love her style. Her world-building is so vivid and detailed. I could easily imagine the mansion and each of the levels. I was easily immersed in the world.

The narrator, Laura had the perfect voice to convey the gothic element of this book. Her voice was effortless to listen to. I found the pace and tone of voice were excellent.

Every moment I had I was eager to return to this book. I was so glad to have the audio version of the book so I could listen to this book while also doing my chores, driving to work and shopping. I just wanted to return to this story. I needed to know what was going to happen next.

Addictive and sexy it’s perfect for fans of Stephanie Garber, Sarah J Maas and Leigh Bardugo, An excellent start to the series. I can’t wait to read the next book.

About Kaylie Smith

Kaylie Smith is a writer and lover of all things magical and fantasy. She grew up in Louisiana where she frequently haunted bookstores and practiced her writing craft. After getting her degree in graphic design, she decided to fully pursue her dream of being an author, and the first book in her YA fantasy series, A RUINOUS FATE, debuts in January 2023 from Disney Hyperion. When she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found at home with her menagerie of animals, fussing over her houseplants, or annoying people about astrology.