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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Loved it! A must-own book!
Looking for deadly trials in a haunted magical house, complete with ghosts, demons, and high-stakes competition? Phantasma by Kaylie Smith will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Summary:
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…
📖 What’s Inside:
- 👻 Ghosts
- Disability rep ♿️
- Witches
- Single POV
- On-page intimacy 🔴
- Haunted house 🏚️
- Explicit language
- 🩸 Blood and gore
✨ Vibes:
Losing Wendy with the Shadow Voice whispers meets Caraval with escape-room thrills
💭 My Thoughts:
This was so fun! The spooky, immersive atmosphere hooked me instantly, and the New Orleans setting adds such a cool layer. It feels like magical realism, like this story could be real. Ghosts, demons, and deadly trials turn every page into a thrill, with cliffhanger chapter endings that make it impossible to stop reading. The MMC? Total Draco Malfoy energy—icy blonde and sharp-edged—and his connection with Ophelia goes deeper than just attraction (the way he picked up on her OCD? Chef’s kiss).
I loved the escape-room vibe of the side quests, the eerie haunted house, and the intricate, layered plotting. The spice felt a little extra at times (I started to get bored of them and skimmed those bits), but the story itself more than made up for it. And that ending?! Standalones just hit different. The final 20% was mind-blowing! There was jaw-dropping twists, shocking reveals, and then everything wrapped up in a neat bow that left me both gasping and satisfied. Honestly, I’m convinced standalones might be the secret sauce of fantasy because wow, this one delivered big.
Should you add Phantasma to your TBR?
A thousand times yes! Surrender your soul to Phantasma and enjoy the ride!
👉 Want more recs like this? You can also find Phantasma featured on my Ultimate Fall Fantasy book list—the perfect place to load up your TBR!
Get your game face on
If you found yourself within the spooky halls of the Phantasma estate, are you playing on your own or making deals with hot ghosts to win? 👀 Drop your strategy in the comments fellow book babes!
Want to remember this book for your next reading binge? Save this review on Pinterest so you’ll have it handy when you’re ready to dive in! 📚
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