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A review by hollyblack56
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Very enjoyable read and really good for it's genre! A lot better than I expected given the trendy romantasy books refered in the blurb. Story here is a lot more original, characters are richer and not just stereotypes and tropes of themselves, mystery/plot is well paced and constructed. The foreshadowing was subtle enough that you weren't surprised by the turn of events but neither was everythign given to you on page 12.
Lack of secondary characters imo, just a whole lot of Ophelia and Blackwell when there were other characters I was curious about. Felt like there was enough material to build a continuation to Ophelia's story. Dissapointed to learn that book 2 isn't centered on her anymore.
Sinclair going back to Hell and maybe having to chase Blackwell?, papa King of the Devils being all unhappy by his son's freedom, papa Gabriel trying to mend a relationship after the death of mama Grimm, Luci who's trying to build herself back despite her family's demise, Ophelia living with herself (and her new found friend the Shadow Voice since he isn't scary or anything of interest anymore) after having spent 9 nights in Phantasma, killing men, facing fears, torturing herself... there's trauma and growth there. So many avenues to explore, but instead we have a HEA that feels too easy.
Another thing that was a bit borderline, if the MFC finally gets to the point where she can get what she came to Phantasma for, but instead chooses to get frisky, that bothers me. It's the one reason for all those events to take place, she has a chance to secure it, but no, her libido called first. Choices were made there, to veer into the spice rather than the plot. I don't mind spice, but not at the detriment of the plot or character logic.
Otherwise, writing was good, editing was good, pacing was also good (hence why it was better than the other books mentioned as part of the blurb). A bit frustrated by the repeated will they won't they. Author pulled that trick once too many times, especially when we consider that the story takes place across 2 weeks max.
But this is me being difficult, I enjoyed reading this book a lot and I appreciated the lore and darkness of it all. Very graphic with the gore and the angst, which is good to put us in that manor and raise the stakes.
Side note, hygiene during sex scenes has to be better. If you have blood on your hands, don't touch or insert anything anywhere. Wash your hands mister.
Lack of secondary characters imo, just a whole lot of Ophelia and Blackwell when there were other characters I was curious about. Felt like there was enough material to build a continuation to Ophelia's story. Dissapointed to learn that book 2 isn't centered on her anymore.
Another thing that was a bit borderline, if the MFC finally gets to the point where she can get what she came to Phantasma for, but instead chooses to get frisky, that bothers me. It's the one reason for all those events to take place, she has a chance to secure it, but no, her libido called first. Choices were made there, to veer into the spice rather than the plot. I don't mind spice, but not at the detriment of the plot or character logic.
Otherwise, writing was good, editing was good, pacing was also good (hence why it was better than the other books mentioned as part of the blurb). A bit frustrated by the repeated will they won't they. Author pulled that trick once too many times, especially when we consider that the story takes place across 2 weeks max.
But this is me being difficult, I enjoyed reading this book a lot and I appreciated the lore and darkness of it all. Very graphic with the gore and the angst, which is good to put us in that manor and raise the stakes.
Side note, hygiene during sex scenes has to be better. If you have blood on your hands, don't touch or insert anything anywhere. Wash your hands mister.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse, Grief, Death of parent