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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
I like the premise- spending two nights in a very haunted house to win enough money to save your own house. But, the story has been written...many times....in many YA books. Ophelia is a strong main character who struggles to believe in herself, a great character motivation for the YA reader. I didn't care for the continual use of 'they' as a singular pronoun- sounds too much like Legion. No thanks.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the romance and spice and characters were soooo
good and the goth vibe was perfect although i just don’t like trials in books but i can appreciate how well it was !!
good and the goth vibe was perfect although i just don’t like trials in books but i can appreciate how well it was !!
4.25 ⭐
This was so much fun!!
I loved the concept of it, and the spooky vibes - I kind wished I’d read it in October for the atmosphere but I enjoyed it so much, I’d be tempted to pick up Enchantra sooner rather than later.
Ophelia was such a cool combination of being a strong, mouthy, FMC but we saw her struggle with her inner demons through the representation of OCD.
Blackwell was a fun combination of golden retriever energy, in emo style package, he was so considerate and funny and down baaaad for this girl.
I really enjoyed the games & trials and the premise of Phantasma, and even though there were a few too many spicy scenes for me personally, I could not stop reading this book!
AND the audiobook narrator sounded like Meg from Hercules, so I loved that
This was so much fun!!
I loved the concept of it, and the spooky vibes - I kind wished I’d read it in October for the atmosphere but I enjoyed it so much, I’d be tempted to pick up Enchantra sooner rather than later.
Ophelia was such a cool combination of being a strong, mouthy, FMC but we saw her struggle with her inner demons through the representation of OCD.
Blackwell was a fun combination of golden retriever energy, in emo style package, he was so considerate and funny and down baaaad for this girl.
I really enjoyed the games & trials and the premise of Phantasma, and even though there were a few too many spicy scenes for me personally, I could not stop reading this book!
AND the audiobook narrator sounded like Meg from Hercules, so I loved that
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Oh man, did I want to love this book more than I did. On the surface, it gives everything I want from a romantasy novel. A kickass FMC, a dark-brooding love interest, some spice, and a good plot to boot.
Underneath the surface, I had some struggles.
Before I talk about those struggles, I will give props to the author for one thing first and foremost, and that's the OCD representation.
While I don't personally live with OCD, I appreciated the way it was included in this book. The author managed to highlight the everyday reality of living with OCD, without detracting from the magical, fantasy elements of the book. Seriously, hats off.
Now, let's get back to those struggles I previously mentioned...
This entire book takes place within the span of about a week, and you are reminded of that several times. I've read a lot of romance that has developed quickly, but this one almost harkened back to the days when I was constantly getting frustrated with YA insta-love.
This book is definitely not YA - or at least it's not meant to be. Personally, however, it felt like if you took away the spice and had those scenes "fade to black" instead, nothing much else about the book would have to change in order to market it as YA.
That wouldn't normally bother me, but when a book is advertised as a dark fantasy romance, I expect more than a slightly broody MMC, and some horror elements that felt like they could have been pulled straight from a Saw movie.
I'd say this book is basically Caraval meets Kingdom Of The Wicked, with some generic romantasy tropes thrown in for good measure. As much as I loved both of those series', this one just fell a bit flat for me.
I will say that the dark, eerie vibes at the start of the book really sucked me in, but the writing just seemed to get messy and repetitive the more I read. I also don't think the stakes felt high enough for me to really believe anything terrible was going to happen.
This book had so much potential, but it just fell a bit flat. The twist was predictable, and the characters were fairly generic. Will I read the sequel? One day, maybe, but I'm in no rush.
Underneath the surface, I had some struggles.
Before I talk about those struggles, I will give props to the author for one thing first and foremost, and that's the OCD representation.
While I don't personally live with OCD, I appreciated the way it was included in this book. The author managed to highlight the everyday reality of living with OCD, without detracting from the magical, fantasy elements of the book. Seriously, hats off.
Now, let's get back to those struggles I previously mentioned...
This entire book takes place within the span of about a week, and you are reminded of that several times. I've read a lot of romance that has developed quickly, but this one almost harkened back to the days when I was constantly getting frustrated with YA insta-love.
This book is definitely not YA - or at least it's not meant to be. Personally, however, it felt like if you took away the spice and had those scenes "fade to black" instead, nothing much else about the book would have to change in order to market it as YA.
That wouldn't normally bother me, but when a book is advertised as a dark fantasy romance, I expect more than a slightly broody MMC, and some horror elements that felt like they could have been pulled straight from a Saw movie.
I'd say this book is basically Caraval meets Kingdom Of The Wicked, with some generic romantasy tropes thrown in for good measure. As much as I loved both of those series', this one just fell a bit flat for me.
I will say that the dark, eerie vibes at the start of the book really sucked me in, but the writing just seemed to get messy and repetitive the more I read. I also don't think the stakes felt high enough for me to really believe anything terrible was going to happen.
This book had so much potential, but it just fell a bit flat. The twist was predictable, and the characters were fairly generic. Will I read the sequel? One day, maybe, but I'm in no rush.
dark
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Absolute perfection!
I put off finishing this book because I didn’t want it to end. It was so fun and I don’t even care that I figured out the plot twist. Now that I’m finished, I can say that my literary appetite for trials, forbidden romance, and witches have been satiated for the time being.
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith is a thrilling, atmospheric read that kept me hooked from start to finish! If you’re a fan of dark fantasy with a touch of mystery and a hint of romance, this book is definitely worth picking up.
The world-building in Phantasma is fantastic. Smith has created this eerie, haunting world that blends the supernatural with reality in a way that feels fresh and immersive. The setting is richly described, and you can almost feel the tension in the air, especially as the protagonist, Evie, unravels the mysteries surrounding her. I love how the author doesn’t rush the explanations but lets the details unfold gradually, building a sense of intrigue as you go.
Evie, the main character, is someone I really connected with. She’s strong but vulnerable, smart yet often unsure of herself, which made her feel really relatable. One of the things I really appreciated was how her struggle with OCD was portrayed. It wasn’t just a side note or something briefly mentioned; it was a key part of who Evie is, shaping how she interacts with the world around her. Watching her try to manage her intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors while dealing with the supernatural chaos happening in her life added so much depth to her character. It also made her journey feel even more personal and inspiring. As someone who has dealt with mental health challenges, it was refreshing to see a protagonist who grapples with OCD in a realistic and compassionate way, showing both the frustration and strength that comes with it.
There’s also a slow-burning romance that I found really compelling. It wasn’t over-the-top, which made it feel more real and grounded, and the chemistry between Evie and her love interest had me rooting for them the whole time. Their relationship develops in such a natural way, providing a bit of relief in the midst of the tension surrounding Evie’s struggles and the mysteries she’s trying to solve.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the relationship dynamics. The friendships and alliances Evie forms were so layered and complex. There’s a sense of trust and betrayal that keeps you guessing, and I loved how the characters’ motivations weren’t always clear-cut. Everyone has their secrets, and that kept me on edge, wondering who could be trusted and who might be hiding something.
The plot itself had a nice pace, although I did feel like some parts dragged a little in the middle. There were moments when the story slowed down, and I wanted it to pick up a bit more, especially as the stakes were so high. That said, the suspense definitely built up in the latter half of the book, and the ending left me eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
Phantasma does a great job balancing mystery, danger, and a touch of romance while maintaining an air of suspense and surprise. Kaylie Smith has a way of weaving tension into every page, and I found myself really invested in the characters’ fates. The ghostly elements, combined with the twists and turns of the plot, kept me hooked all the way through.
Overall, I really enjoyed Phantasma and can’t wait to see where the series goes next! It’s a solid four-star read that I’d highly recommend to anyone who loves a good supernatural thriller with well-developed characters and a gripping storyline. I especially recommend it to readers who want to see a protagonist’s mental health struggles treated with depth and empathy — it’s an important part of Evie’s journey that adds so much to the heart of the story.
The world-building in Phantasma is fantastic. Smith has created this eerie, haunting world that blends the supernatural with reality in a way that feels fresh and immersive. The setting is richly described, and you can almost feel the tension in the air, especially as the protagonist, Evie, unravels the mysteries surrounding her. I love how the author doesn’t rush the explanations but lets the details unfold gradually, building a sense of intrigue as you go.
Evie, the main character, is someone I really connected with. She’s strong but vulnerable, smart yet often unsure of herself, which made her feel really relatable. One of the things I really appreciated was how her struggle with OCD was portrayed. It wasn’t just a side note or something briefly mentioned; it was a key part of who Evie is, shaping how she interacts with the world around her. Watching her try to manage her intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors while dealing with the supernatural chaos happening in her life added so much depth to her character. It also made her journey feel even more personal and inspiring. As someone who has dealt with mental health challenges, it was refreshing to see a protagonist who grapples with OCD in a realistic and compassionate way, showing both the frustration and strength that comes with it.
There’s also a slow-burning romance that I found really compelling. It wasn’t over-the-top, which made it feel more real and grounded, and the chemistry between Evie and her love interest had me rooting for them the whole time. Their relationship develops in such a natural way, providing a bit of relief in the midst of the tension surrounding Evie’s struggles and the mysteries she’s trying to solve.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the relationship dynamics. The friendships and alliances Evie forms were so layered and complex. There’s a sense of trust and betrayal that keeps you guessing, and I loved how the characters’ motivations weren’t always clear-cut. Everyone has their secrets, and that kept me on edge, wondering who could be trusted and who might be hiding something.
The plot itself had a nice pace, although I did feel like some parts dragged a little in the middle. There were moments when the story slowed down, and I wanted it to pick up a bit more, especially as the stakes were so high. That said, the suspense definitely built up in the latter half of the book, and the ending left me eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
Phantasma does a great job balancing mystery, danger, and a touch of romance while maintaining an air of suspense and surprise. Kaylie Smith has a way of weaving tension into every page, and I found myself really invested in the characters’ fates. The ghostly elements, combined with the twists and turns of the plot, kept me hooked all the way through.
Overall, I really enjoyed Phantasma and can’t wait to see where the series goes next! It’s a solid four-star read that I’d highly recommend to anyone who loves a good supernatural thriller with well-developed characters and a gripping storyline. I especially recommend it to readers who want to see a protagonist’s mental health struggles treated with depth and empathy — it’s an important part of Evie’s journey that adds so much to the heart of the story.