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Cover of Phantasma

Phantasma

by Kaylie Smith

🌶️🌶️🌶️moderate·Wicked Games #1
4.2 on MoodReads (9 ratings)4.0 on Goodreads (324,650)

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Ending

reveal ending

Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?

A haunted-mansion death game with nine hell-inspired trials, a necromancer FMC with on-page OCD rep, and a phantom love interest who feels like a sin you'd commit twice. High-heat, high-stakes, impossible to put down.

Synopsis

Welcome to Phantasma. There are only two rules to the game: Stay alive. And don’t fall in love. When Ophelia’s sister disappears, there is only one way to save her. Ophelia must enter Phantasma, a deadly contest inside a haunted mansion, and claim its prize—a single wish. Phantasma is a maze of twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, of demons and temptations. Ophelia will face nine challenges, each more dangerous than the last. There can only be one winner, and the other contestants will stop at nothing to eliminate their rivals. Every day the house creates new monsters. But just as Ophelia’s fears threaten to overwhelm her, a mysterious stranger offers her a bargain. Charming, arrogant and infuriatingly attractive, Blackwell claims he can guide her through the lethal trials ahead. All he asks in return is ten years of her life. Ophelia knows she shouldn’t trust him. Blackwell doesn’t seem dangerous, but appearances can be deceptive. Worse still, she feels a dark and irresistible attraction drawing them closer and closer. Her life is on the line. But in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart . . .

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

Dark romantasy wrapped in a haunted-mansion deathmatch—nine trials inspired by the circles of hell, a necromancer heroine whose OCD is rendered with unusual care, and a phantom named Blackwell who trades her ten years of her life for safe passage. The spice lands in the steamy-moderate range with possessive/claiming energy and dirty-talk heat. Gothic New Orleans atmosphere, fast pacing, and a doomed-love hook that made this a 2024 Goodreads Choice romantasy nominee.

trope onetrope twotrope threetrope four

Book Details

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.

4.05 ★ (324.6k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

497 pages

PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.

2024

Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?

Romantasy

PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.

M/F

POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).

First Person

Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.

Instant Attraction

CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.

reveal ending

AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

Yes

FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.

Single Narrator (unspecified)

NarratorThe voice in your ears.

Laura Horowitz

Narrator Count

Single

TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
forbidden lovecompetition romancegames/trials romancedemon romancedark romancesurvival romancesoulmate/destined bondvirgin x experiencedwho hurt you
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.

darkgothicatmosphericseductiveintensesteamydangerousthrillingmysteriousunhingedsensual

Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.

atmosphericcinematicimmersivedarkdramaticseductiveedgysuspenseful

Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.

fast

Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.

moderate

Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.

high

VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'

nine circles of hell inspired trialshaunted mansion competitionCaraval meets Throne of GlassNew Orleans gothicdeal with a phantomOCD rep on pagedoomed love

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?

witch/magenecromancer / death magic usersurvivorprotectorreluctant chosen one

MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.

morally gray MMCmysterious strangerdark/tortured souldemon lordpossessive alphacursed MMC

Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.

enemies to loversforbidden lovemorally gray LIpossessive love interestslow burnexperienced x innocentpush and pullobsessive love interest

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
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Spice Level 3

Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.

intense / passionatedominant vibespossessive / claimingdirty talk heavyeye contact intensitypower dynamictension / anticipation

Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.

praise kinkteasing controlpossessive/protectiveeye contact intensitywall pinningdirty talk (sweet/playful)touch starvationlap sitting

Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.

praise kinkpower exchangepossessiveclaimingdominancesoft dom energyoral focus
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (11)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
violencegoredeathparental deathsubstance abusetraumabloodanxietymental illnessbullyingdubious consent
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World & Setting

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.

gothicparanormalurban fantasy

Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.

manor house / estatecompetition / gamesunderground / underworld

Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.

demonsghostsspiritswitches/wizards/warlocksother

RepresentationIdentity representation in the book. LGBTQ+, race/ethnicity, disability, neurodivergence, body type, age and more.

neurodivergent MCmental health repanxiety repMC 20-30

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.

addictive readtension finally satisfiedadrenaline rushthe swoonbook boyfriend/girlfriend acquiredferal brain activated

Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.

autumn

When & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.

rainy weekendcozy eveningwinter night by the fireat nighton a rainy dayholiday season

Wicked Games

Phantasma

#1 Phantasma

Enchantra

#2 Enchantra

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Quick Facts

Spice LevelThe heat scale. 0=wholesome, 1=kisses, 2=fade-to-black, 3=tasteful spice, 4=explicit, 5=you need a cold shower. Know thyself.🌶️🌶️🌶️moderate
PagesHow long the commitment is.497
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2024
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.4.05 ★ (324.6k)
EndingEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.reveal ending

SeriesThe series this book belongs to and where it falls in the reading order.

Wicked Games #1
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