Take a photo of a barcode or cover
and_im_ash 's review for:
Phantasma
by Kaylie Smith
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was so good. Well-written, fantastic plot, beautiful romance, intense chemistry, reflections on girlhood and sisterhood, intriguing setting, OCD rep, enjoyable world building and characters I got attached to so quickly.
I was so, so impressed. After a lot of tiktok recommendations and a lot of duds (unedited writing, flimsy plots, characters flatter than cardboard), I feel like I have struck gold with this book. This was dark and suspenseful and sexy and entertaining and clever and also very beautiful. Ophelia's relationship with her sister, and her experience with OCD, really made this story stand out for me. The way Ophelia and Blackwell's relationship progressed felt realistic and their chemistry was palpable. Best of all, every central character had depth and feeling and the author made me care about them and what happened to them. They felt like fully realised humans (or not humans) and their motivations were understandable and exciting.
This book starts with a bang. The first chapter had me hooked immediately and then I really couldn't put this book down. I was drawn into this world and Ophelia's life, and the game of Phantasma. The way all the different plotlines and mysteries tied into one another was delectable. The plot was so well constructed and the reveals were so satisfying.
I loved every second of this and cannot wait for the sequel, because I need to read Genevieve's story like yesterday.
If you've got the itch for a gripping fantasy that dips into horror, delivers a beautiful romance and has a cracking plot, this book is for you. It was a great time and had me smiling at my kindle like a silly little girl.
Edit: It is very unclear what time period this is set in, with some conflicting elements, however I had such a good time reading it I truly looked past it.
I was so, so impressed. After a lot of tiktok recommendations and a lot of duds (unedited writing, flimsy plots, characters flatter than cardboard), I feel like I have struck gold with this book. This was dark and suspenseful and sexy and entertaining and clever and also very beautiful. Ophelia's relationship with her sister, and her experience with OCD, really made this story stand out for me. The way Ophelia and Blackwell's relationship progressed felt realistic and their chemistry was palpable. Best of all, every central character had depth and feeling and the author made me care about them and what happened to them. They felt like fully realised humans (or not humans) and their motivations were understandable and exciting.
This book starts with a bang. The first chapter had me hooked immediately and then I really couldn't put this book down. I was drawn into this world and Ophelia's life, and the game of Phantasma. The way all the different plotlines and mysteries tied into one another was delectable. The plot was so well constructed and the reveals were so satisfying.
I loved every second of this and cannot wait for the sequel, because I need to read Genevieve's story like yesterday.
If you've got the itch for a gripping fantasy that dips into horror, delivers a beautiful romance and has a cracking plot, this book is for you. It was a great time and had me smiling at my kindle like a silly little girl.
Edit: It is very unclear what time period this is set in, with some conflicting elements, however I had such a good time reading it I truly looked past it.