Phantasma: (Wicked Games Book 1) by Kaylie Smith

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…

My Review

This story is a twisted, sizzling-hot fantasy with a gothic vibe, ghosts, and phantoms set around a game of life and death. The book is filled with mature concepts and smutty scenes. All of this story’s twisted fantasy and dark, macabre stuff has kept me on the edge of my seat. I love the ending of this story; you get a little touch of romance. 

The hierarchy explained in the book is great. 

Ophelia is now the eldest Grimm sister, having successfully transferred her family’s magic after her mother met an untimely end.  She is ocd and filled with apprehension. This book is dark and gritty, with dark practices of magic and ghosts already, and I’m only in the first chapter. Apparently, her family is proflic in the witch community as necromancers. It starts with a countdown to Phantasma. 

The shadow voice in Ophelia’s head, as well as her compulsive habits, are exciting. This book almost has a historical vibe to it, but its top is perfect as an October read. 

Her talent and gifts get her in trouble as she meets something she can’t identify.  Ah, that’s how she gets involved with this aptly-named book. 

Like a haunted horror movie, this movie starts out well but is spine-tingling. This book’s weird encounters with ghosts, ghouls, and phantoms are spooky, like in “The Haunted Mansion. “Blackwell ” is particularly intriguing but seems to speak in riddles. 

Oh, a bargain. I know she is smart to never take one, but after the first set of trials, why not have help? Blackwell strikes quite the deal.  Things get steamy between this Phantom and necromancer as they seem to have chemistry.

This story’s trials, action, and adventure will keep you at the edge of your seat.
Will Ophelia survive? I love the ghost cat in this story. 

The trials based on the nine circles of hell are exciting occurrences.  Oh, this gets more twisted as she finds new information and gets closer to this Phantom. 
Steamy is still surprising in this story as I wasn’t expecting it, and with a ghost no less, the author doesn’t stop there, going as far as to stretch your mind a little more. Is he corporeal for the intimacy? 

Despite the life-of-death situations, the book gets sizzling hot in the intimacy area of the story. Every chance the Blackwell and Ophelia get, they get very new adult intimacy.

We have gone from precarious situations to actual violence in the book. This story is definitely for a mature audience. Also, it is very smutty.  The sisterly reunion is fantastic, but I’m still waiting for the shoe to drop on this story. I know the key and heart, but I’m not positive yet. I like that this has some suspense to go with the trails and smutty scenes. 

Oh, twisted omg, I didn’t see that coming at all. This book is the perfect October read with the twisted storyline, gothic vibes, and paranormal elements. I absolutely love Ophelia’s growth and sass in the story. And the ending of this book is a total mind-boggling experience.

The ending of this is really romantic despite the conditions and circumstances the characters face. This book was so good; it’s definitely one to read again.

If you want to read Phantasma by Kaylie Smith, you can find it on Amazon. As an Amazon Assocaite, I earn on qualifying purchases.

If you like this book, you may also enjoy books with these tags and categories: Romantasy, Dark Themes, and Ghosts.