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I got nothing, dude.
I noticed a handful of really egregious typos and inconsistencies, and I found that annoying. The plot doesn't make sense, and neither does the pacing of the romance.
This gets 2 stars because the author has OCD and it's awesome to see OCD rep in books. I think it was approached very well, and I liked the personification of intrusive thoughts.
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend unless you really need a predictable brain break.
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, Fire/Fire injury
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
BUT WHEN I TELL YOU THE GASP I GASPED WHEN I CAME TO "THAT" CHAPTER AT THE END..... y'all! not once, not ever, did I even consider the twist. I did guess part of it, especially looking back on all my annotations (there is A LOT OF PINK).
but even that didn't hit me the way the authors note did. as someone who has dealt with OCD all my life, and as a mother who sees it vapidly in both my daughters --- I felt seen. I felt loved. The damn authors note itself is why I had to give this 5 stars because of how it made me FEEL. That's pretty much how I rate all the books I read -- how they make me feel at the end (another cute little "curse" I acquired in this life: extreme empathy and emotions... jk, I wouldn't want to have any other type of soul and heart - truly). So thank you, Kaylie Smith, for writing this book for all of us who don't feel seen or understood due to a condition we can't control and a condition that 50% of the time takes over all thoughts and feelings, taking all the energy we have just to climb back out of that darkness.... just thank you.
I can't wait to jump into the next book, once my eyes stop leaking... but soon, very, very soon. And to repeat what Kaylie states in her notes: you are worthy of love, no matter what darkness follows you daily, and those you surround yourself with should never offer anything other than all their love and understanding when it comes to your relationship with them.
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
The book start with a bang, a death of a parent that make our heroine, Ophelia Grimm become the sole head of Grimm family line who famous with their Necromancy magic. She enter Phantasma in order to save her sister, Genevieve and also Grimm Manor from its debt. In her journey, she meet this rakish and charming Phantom (a kind of ghost) called Blackwell who strike a bargain, in order to help Ophelia to successfully win all 9 level in Phantasma, Blackwell will have 10 years of Ophelia's life span. The rule of Phantasma is simple and one of them is to not fall in love, a fact that Ophelia will soon find that she hardly resist her growing feeling for Blackwell and vice versa.
From the world building itself, the setting is pretty simple although the timeline can be a little bit confusing. Phantasma set in New Orleans but at what century, I have no slightest idea. Since this book have some gothic vibes and based on the characters art from the author's Insta, I presumed that Phantasma happen in Victorian era or maybe in the late 19th or early 20th century. For first 50% mark, I have difficulty to connect with the story and character, especially because Ophelia's characterization. It's not that she is hard to connect with or annoying, I quite sympathize with her OCD's symptom. It's just she seems aloof and cold and only seems to okay when she finally meet Blackwell. Their banter is okay and I kinda enjoy it. For a morally grey character, Blackwell is an entire Amazon forest, a sign that men character written by woman is an absolute delight. His act of service is delish and he seems caring to Ophelia despite the warning for not falling in love in Phantasma.
The dark setting actually pretty tame for my taste (heh), although there are two or three grotesque, bloody and gory scene (did my sense for this kind of violence become dull?). I like the games that presented in each level although the last level kinda a little bit down. Ophelia might be cheating in the games because of Blackwell's assistance but if I'm in her shoes, I will do the same in order to ensure my survival odds. The mystery surrounding Ophelia's origin, her family and the beginning of the Phantasma also explained in this book, so Phantasma can be considered as a standalone. What make me surprised is the level of heat this book have. Wow. Just wow. The first scene when Ophelia and Blackwell consummated their desire to each other in a room with haunts that currently pouring blood while they do the deeds will always live rent free in my mind. Yes, I know it's a kind of "yuck" moment, but I found the scene to be sexy. Sue me, heh. The amount of sexual tension and the sex scenes as well is plentyyyy, so if that's your preference you will be delighted to read. But if not, ah well, you can always skipped it, tho.
I enjoy Phantasma despite its rough beginning and confusing timeline. I also like how Smith portrayed Ophelia's OCD based on their own OCD's experience and I like the message that Smith convey through Blackwell that help always come when you need it so Ophelia didn't need to face her fears alone. Phantasma might be stand alone but Smith will continue her story in her gothic world featuring Genevieve in Enchantra. Personality wise, I prefer the sunny and didn't give a damn attitude that Genevieva has, so I looking forward for her story in Echantra. I think if you like your fantasy romance slightly darker in nature and also very steamy, Phantasma might be right up your alley.
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Stalking, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Torture
It’s hard to tell exactly what time period that this book is set in around the 1900 ish era.
And it’s a cute forbidden love/romance.
The way booktok made it sound much darker and sexier then I feel it was. The sexy scenes were definitely 🌶️ and interesting.
However I feel like the end was a bit rushed and everything was just very easily (and conveniently) explained away (for sure some plot devices) to just have everything tied off to the end of the book. Hence why I can only give it 3.5 ⭐️
I enjoyed it enough that I look forward to reading the authors other work.
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent, Abandonment
- strangers to lovers
- "touch her & i'll kill you"
- nicknames
- redundant word choice
- unrealistic dialogue
- cliché
- reads like fan fiction
- addicting, hard to put down
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Abandonment
Minor: Torture, Grief, Alcohol