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makena_reads 's review for:
Phantasma
by Kaylie Smith
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
Was this book written well? Not necessarily. Was the foundation clearly established? Not really. Did the plot points happen naturally without feeling rushed or forced? Absolutely not.
BUT. This book was SO. MUCH. FUN. I haven’t been so encapsulated by a story in a long time. The vision of what the author was trying to accomplish was definitely there. This was such a unique and interesting magic system, story line, combination of tropes I just couldn’t help but keep reading despite the flaws.
Paranormal creatures, a haunted moving mansion, angels and devils, magic and blood oaths, a competition with deadly consequences, mental health representation, and fated lovers? This checked almost all of my boxes. I wish the author would’ve spent more time focusing on the minor details and really ironed out the world building/magic system a little more. A lot of time was wasted on the romance and not enough time explaining WHY things are able to happen the way they did. It felt like so much crammed into one book that by the end, you’re just forced to the conclusion. I actually thought I had skipped ahead several chapters when the final acts started happening.
Overall, very fun, very sexy and even though it had its problems, I cannot wait to read book 2!
BUT. This book was SO. MUCH. FUN. I haven’t been so encapsulated by a story in a long time. The vision of what the author was trying to accomplish was definitely there. This was such a unique and interesting magic system, story line, combination of tropes I just couldn’t help but keep reading despite the flaws.
Paranormal creatures, a haunted moving mansion, angels and devils, magic and blood oaths, a competition with deadly consequences, mental health representation, and fated lovers? This checked almost all of my boxes. I wish the author would’ve spent more time focusing on the minor details and really ironed out the world building/magic system a little more. A lot of time was wasted on the romance and not enough time explaining WHY things are able to happen the way they did. It felt like so much crammed into one book that by the end, you’re just forced to the conclusion. I actually thought I had skipped ahead several chapters when the final acts started happening.
Overall, very fun, very sexy and even though it had its problems, I cannot wait to read book 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder
Graphic and persistent depictions of OCD