Name: Phantasma
ISBN: 9781538769256

Kaylie Smith

Kaylie Smith makes her adult debut with an enthralling gothic romantasy set in a haunted New Orleans mansion, perfect for readers of Rachel Gillig and Kerri Maniscalco!

Phantasma

lily

Every day of Ophelia's childhood had consisted of corpses being dragged in and out of Grimm Manor, trips to the cemetery, listening to her mother complain about yet another possible Demon-inflicted virus sweeping through New Orleans, or spending hours reciting lessons on each type of paranormal being she might one day encounter. Shapeshifters, Vampires, Witches.

Handsome Devils, and Wraiths and Demons, that might sweep you into their magical, dangerous world. Like one of the dark romance novels she'd read in Grimm Manor's library when she couldn't sleep. And maybe danger shouldn't be as appealing to Ophelia as it was, but most of her life had been spent sequestered within the dusty walls of Grimm Manor and she craved something to make her heart race. Something other than the unfamiliar magic now thrumming in her veins.

The things in her mind were never supposed to be real. The voice in her head had conjured so many deceitful, horrifying scenarios over the years, but she had always known, on some level, that's where they would stay. But here... An overwhelming sense of terror washed over her.

"That's the point of this place. It's desperate to make you question your sanity. That trial is set up the way it is to make you paranoid the remainder of the time you're here. It's a mind game."

I never let pain get the better of me, Genevieve's voice pierced through her panic. I'd much rather let it bring me clarity.

Romi

“I think you might be the closest to heaven I’ll ever get,” he whispered

Sophia

There was a whisper of breath suddenly next to her right ear. "

Ophelia jumped as she felt the stranger's energy now pressing along the front of her body, making her flush even deeper.

Blackwell spun Cade around to face him now, Cade dropping the knife to the ground in shock.

Then Blackwell solidified himself completely. "Call her a name one more time," he threatened, his tone bored but his eyes alight with mischief. "I dare you."

Before she could take them, however, she heard something thud in front of her and then a pair of arms scooped her up off her feet and carried her through the shadows.

"You're going to be such trouble," a velvet voice whispered abover her in the dark.

He blinked out suddenly and reappeared right in front of her, making her startle.

She buried her face into the crook of his throat. "You came."

"I was pleasing my inner demons," she finally said, only half joking.

"Anything I can do to vanquish them, so you can go to sleep?" he offered.

The genuineness in his tone made her chest tighten with an emotion she had never felt before and couldn't quite name.

"If only," she whispered. "Besides, if all of my inner demons were destroyed, there wouldn't be much left of me."

He was silent for a long moment. Then, "Nothing is going to hurt you while I'm here, Ophelia. Rest."

"Ophelia." His tone was firm now. "You don't need to 

 yourself. You're not broken. But it's okay to get outside help if it gets too loud."

Her mother's grave was probably nearing seven feet deep with how many times she'd made the woman roll over in the past week.

Then the knives came into play. Whatever muscle she used to turn parts of her body invisible growing stronger, and if it weren't for the fact that she thought Blackwell was having a little too much fun launching blades at her, she might have thanked him for discovering how to help her develop this new ability.

"You're only doing this because of what happened in that trial. You only ever want me after near-death experiences."

He leaned down until their eyes were level. "

, maybe I don't want to just be a distraction to you."

She curled up beside the words and let herself cry. Shedding tears of her mother's untimely death. Too sudden, too soon. Tears for the relationship with her sister she wondered if she'd ever get the chance to mend. Tears for the father she never got to know.

But most of all she shed tears for herself. And the soft heart she would never have again.

"Where's the fun in that?" Cade sneered. "After all, we all picked 

"I say this sincerely," Ophelia spoke, curling a lip in disgust at Cade. "You need an exorcism."

"I need you to know if I had heard you, there would have been 

 that could've stopped me from getting to you. Hell, nothing did stop me from getting to you. I went looking for you because I got the strangest feeling that something was wrong. I had every intention of respecting your request for space until then.

"I know I should have enough self-control to just stay the fuck away, but you are the only thing that's ever made me feel even a semblence of hope in this eternity of Hell. The dream I've been looking for - the one to wake me up. The thought of wasting another second when I will lose you forever in only three days has 

 me. You are the closest thing I will ever get to experiencing heaven, and I'm not ready to let it go."

I did like it, but at some point felt to cliclé and repetitive.

Oriana Avila

This was basically Caraval but make it explicit and way darker.

Katya Vinokurova

So a fun read! Perfect for spooky season!

Ella Williams

Katie Roberts

The first like 3/4 had me locked tf in but it took a bit of a nosedive after that. HOWEVER!!! I had the time of my life 

Anna Oeltjenbruns

I did not expect for this to be a 5 star read but it was!! There are so many things I loved about this book...

Edna Aviles

I did not expect for this to be a 5 star read but it was!! There are so many things I loved about this book...

The romance🥵 The spice was spicing! And the two main characters had such good chemistry and banter.

The plot! I loveee a good competition in a book. This one felt very Caraval vibes with this magical competition but the creepy hellish challenges made it really unique.

the ending! Um woah🤯 & that's all I'll say

Wtf was that ending? Just like that a happy ending? I have so many questions… 

Roxanne Ramirez

I was up and down with this book.

Wtf was that ending? Just like that a happy ending? I have so many questions… 

This was giving spicy Caraval mixed with Kingdom of the Cursed... and that's speaking my language. 

I loved every second of this, while fully knowing that I would've never entered the building myself.

Sarah Campbell

This was giving spicy Caraval mixed with Kingdom of the Cursed... and that's speaking my language. 
Say less!
I loved every second of this, while fully knowing that I would've never entered the building myself.

I like the gothic story with paranormal beings. However, the trials (levels) could have been more creative and addictive. The world building was not enough, I couldn’t picture the mansion, the time the story took place, at all. I liked the characters, it was interesting to read a character with OCD, it created awareness and insight. I also liked reading a morally grey FMC. 

ovgun

Essence

abi a

Omg!!, it's been a while since I read a book with such good banter!!!, I loved every single second of this masterpiece 

Malak Mazen

Samantha Waterson

This story was honestly insane. Maybe I’m just naive but I didnt expect even half of the twists and turns. Ive read many fantasy “trial” novels, but was glad to find that the trials in Phantasma were very unique and unexpected. Ill definitely need to check out more novels by the same author.

Anna

It was fine? i liked the premise of trials in a haunted house but it got predictable and laid into the romance more than the plot | ghosts and demons | trials | spice but just too much and too romantic | wished the MMC was more morally grey 

callie

Really enjoyed both of the main characters teasing and chemistry. Gotta rate that spice 10/10 because woah…

 The way OCD was presented as a dark entity really added to the eeriness the whole book universe revolves around. Overall, enjoyed the way each level was designed along with the games and though not super gruesome, the details of deaths of other contestants and the haunts were pretty insane. 

Really enjoyed both of the main characters teasing and chemistry. Gotta rate that spice 10/10 because woah…

 The way OCD was presented as a dark entity really added to the eeriness the whole book universe revolves around. Overall, enjoyed the way each level was designed along with the games and though not super gruesome, the details of deaths of other contestants and the haunts were pretty insane. 

FINALLY a good OCD rep! I am in love with this book for SO many reasons but as someone who lives with OCD I must acknowledge how well it was represented in this novel. I also love the authors note at the end. It is extremely rare for OCD to be properly represented in the media and the stereotypes are very damaging to the community. It’s refreshing to see someone depict it so perfectly. I related so much to Ophelia and it made the novel even more enjoyable. I must say this is one of the best fantasy books I’ve read. I’m so excited for book 2 to release in 2025

Amanda Autumn Berrey

I guessed the twist but it was fun getting there, and as someone who doesn’t usually read smut, it was pretty well written. The portrayal of OCD was beautifully done, and I think that the portrayal as a “shadow voice” added to the ambiance of the setting.

My only gripe is that for being set in New Orleans with a necromancer as the main character, there was an overwhelming lack of black characters, especially when New Orleans is known for Black spiritual practices.

Alex

I think it was a fun read.

I guessed the twist but it was fun getting there, and as someone who doesn’t usually read smut, it was pretty well written. The portrayal of OCD was beautifully done, and I think that the portrayal as a “shadow voice” added to the ambiance of the setting.

My only gripe is that for being set in New Orleans with a necromancer as the main character, there was an overwhelming lack of black characters, especially when New Orleans is known for Black spiritual practices.

A step away from my normal paranormal/fantasy type books.  This was a darker romance with a Gothic vibe.

Take a family who make their living dealing with death magic, add in a murdered mother, a financial struggle  and a mysterious but very dangerous game.  One with a prize worth risking everything for.  When Ophelia's sister enters the game ahead of her, Ophelia feels the need to go in after her and save her from herself (and the game).

Necromancers, deals with devils in disguise, Phantoms, secrets and amnesia like memory lapses all combine into a fantastic fantasy romance.  Who can you trust in a haunted mansion when anyone could be out to get you?  Who do you make a protection pact with?

I loved the world building and the FMC dealing with OCD so thoughtfully handled and really helps to tie the entire storyline together.  This was definitely darker than my usual reads and there was plenty of danger and unaliving but it wasn't a straight-forward horror like story either.

Blackwell was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome with a mind with more holes than Swiss cheese!  He exuded "Who did this to you" vibes and you're never really sure where he stands - he does take morally grey and runs with it!

Spicy without being over the top and a great paced romance.

Nicola Sarah Brooks

A step away from my normal paranormal/fantasy type books.  This was a darker romance with a Gothic vibe.

Take a family who make their living dealing with death magic, add in a murdered mother, a financial struggle  and a mysterious but very dangerous game.  One with a prize worth risking everything for.  When Ophelia's sister enters the game ahead of her, Ophelia feels the need to go in after her and save her from herself (and the game).

Necromancers, deals with devils in disguise, Phantoms, secrets and amnesia like memory lapses all combine into a fantastic fantasy romance.  Who can you trust in a haunted mansion when anyone could be out to get you?  Who do you make a protection pact with?

I loved the world building and the FMC dealing with OCD so thoughtfully handled and really helps to tie the entire storyline together.  This was definitely darker than my usual reads and there was plenty of danger and unaliving but it wasn't a straight-forward horror like story either.

Blackwell was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome with a mind with more holes than Swiss cheese!  He exuded "Who did this to you" vibes and you're never really sure where he stands - he does take morally grey and runs with it!

Spicy without being over the top and a great paced romance.