Review by shelfcarewithjess - Phantasma

shelfcarewithjess 's review for:

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

4.25

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

📚 Synopsis (Spoiler-Free):

The first in the Wicked Games series, Phantasma follows Ophie — a girl who finds herself thrust into a world of magic, secrets, and slow-burning romance after arriving at the mysterious Phantasma House. With magic tied to emotion and trauma, the story explores identity, mental health, and connection against a backdrop of hidden powers and dark forces. It’s a blend of magical academia, slow-burn tension, and emotional introspection.

🧠 My Thoughts:

This one started off a bit slow for me — I wasn’t really hooked until Ophie reached the Phantasma house. But once the setting shifted, I started to settle into it. The magic system is interesting and tied to deeper themes like OCD and emotional trauma, which I really appreciated. The book has a strong focus on consent, which stood out in a really positive way. There’s a fairly infamous “blood shower sex scene” that I definitely wasn’t expecting, but definitely appreciated. The ending did feel a bit rushed, like it was racing the word count, but overall it was enjoyable.
Not a groundbreaker, but a decent first entry into the series.

🗣️ Favourite Quotes:

“In all the darkness, in all the loneliness, you have been my one source of light.”

“Life is not measured in good or bad thoughts — it’s how you treat the world around you despite them.”

“You don’t need to fix yourself. You’re not broken. But it’s okay to get outside help if it gets too loud.”

“You’re doing such a good job,” he encouraged. “Eyes up for me, angel.”

Content Warnings