{"id":2594,"date":"2025-04-19T13:03:13","date_gmt":"2025-04-19T13:03:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2594"},"modified":"2025-04-19T13:03:13","modified_gmt":"2025-04-19T13:03:13","slug":"phantasma-by-kaylie-smith-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2594","title":{"rendered":"Phantasma by Kaylie Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kaylie Smith\u2019s Phantasma<\/em> emerges from the fog of contemporary romantasy with a fierce, necromantic elegance. This first book in the Wicked Games<\/em> series combines the gothic atmosphere of Crimson Peak<\/em>, the deadly intrigue of Caraval<\/em><\/a>, and the simmering tension of Throne of the Fallen<\/em><\/a>. With phantoms that whisper in the dark, a competition that promises either wish fulfillment or death, and a heroine whose OCD bleeds into her spellwork, Phantasma<\/em> is a decadent, chaotic, and emotionally raw descent into the underworld of power, love, and legacy.<\/p>\n

Smith\u2019s writing is spellbinding\u2014at once lyrical and brutal\u2014brimming with metaphor and magic. Her prose walks a tightrope between lush gothic imagery and visceral horror, embedding readers in a world where emotions have texture and trauma has teeth. As the curtain lifts on Phantasma<\/em>, readers are dropped into a haunted New Orleans where the line between life and death is just another hallway to walk through\u2014if you\u2019re brave enough.<\/p>\n

The Spell-Caster\u2019s Journey: Plot Overview<\/h2>\n

At the center of this story is Ophelia Grimm, a young necromancer raised in a manor where death was never a stranger. After discovering her mother\u2019s inexplicable death and absorbing the family\u2019s death-driven magic, she\u2019s thrust into a storm of grief, debt, and dangerous decisions. When her younger sister Genevieve recklessly enters Phantasma<\/em>\u2014a deadly, magical competition held within a cursed, otherworldly manor\u2014Ophelia\u2019s only option is to follow.<\/p>\n

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith<\/em> itself is a marvel of gothic architecture and dread: a sentient house filled with demons, illusions, and rules that twist like the corridors themselves. To win the competition, Ophelia must survive nine floors of escalating terror. Alongside her\u2014unasked and unwanted\u2014is Blackwell, a mysterious, arrogantly charming stranger whose help comes with a cost. His real identity (and his tether to the manor) slowly unravels in shadowy layers, pulling Ophelia\u2014and readers\u2014into a romance laced with secrets and sin.<\/p>\n

The plot pulses with urgency, yet Smith allows moments of introspection, focusing on Ophelia\u2019s internal war: the obsessive-compulsive rituals she performs to keep the world from falling apart, the Shadow Voice that haunts her thoughts, and the burden of being the \u201cperfect Grimm.\u201d These elements are not just set dressing\u2014they are central to the emotional stakes of the novel, making Phantasma<\/em> as much a psychological journey as a magical one.<\/p>\n

Phantasma\u2019s Protagonist: Ophelia Grimm<\/h2>\n

Ophelia is a gothic heroine reimagined for the modern age. Complex, flawed, and intensely empathetic, she is as haunted by the dead as she is by her own mind. Her obsessive-compulsive disorder is rendered with heartbreaking accuracy\u2014not as a quirk, but as an invasive presence that shapes her reality. Her need for control, her fear of failure, and her desire to protect her sister all stem from this deeply personal struggle, making her an incredibly human anchor in an otherwise otherworldly narrative.<\/p>\n

Unlike many romantasy heroines, Ophelia doesn\u2019t rush into power with bravado. She doubts. She hesitates. And she breaks. And that\u2019s what makes her triumphs so satisfying. Smith does not hand her strength\u2014Ophelia earns it, floor by floor, shadow by shadow, spell by spell.<\/p>\n

The Phantom\u2019s Allure: Blackwell<\/h2>\n

Blackwell is every bit the dark, mysterious antihero, with a sharp tongue and even sharper secrets. He doesn\u2019t simply flirt\u2014he dances on the edge of temptation and danger. While comparisons to other morally grey love interests in fantasy are inevitable, Blackwell\u2019s appeal lies in the layered emotional intimacy he shares with Ophelia. Their relationship simmers slowly, unfolding across moments of mutual defiance, shared vulnerability, and forbidden touch.<\/p>\n

He is as much Ophelia\u2019s mirror as her foil\u2014someone who understands her darkness without trying to fix or fear it. And though some readers may long for more transparency from him earlier in the story, Smith\u2019s slow burn ensures that when the emotional payoff arrives, it feels earned.<\/p>\n

A Manor with Teeth: Setting and Atmosphere<\/h2>\n

The cursed manor of Phantasma by Kaylie Smith<\/em> is not just a setting; it is a character in its own right. Its labyrinthine floors, whispering walls, and ever-shifting rules evoke both fascination and dread. Smith writes setting with a painter\u2019s eye and a mortician\u2019s scalpel\u2014evoking beauty even in decay. Whether it\u2019s the flicker of ghostfire, the pull of enchanted chandeliers, or the heartbeat beneath the wallpaper, every room tells a story, and every story could be your last.<\/p>\n

The design of each floor\u2014ranging from carnivalesque illusions to psychological terror\u2014keeps the pacing taut and the stakes unpredictable. Readers who appreciate immersive world-building with a gothic twist will feel right at home (or rather, deliciously lost) in Phantasma<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Themes: Grief, Mental Illness, and Legacy<\/h2>\n

At its core, Phantasma by Kaylie Smith<\/em> is about what we inherit\u2014from our bloodlines, our pain, and our pasts. Smith doesn\u2019t shy away from grief; instead, she explores it as a multifaceted force that can motivate or paralyze, nourish or consume. Ophelia\u2019s grief is compounded by her compulsions and her sense of familial duty<\/a>, crafting a protagonist who must navigate both magical trials and internal torment.<\/p>\n

The book also takes a courageous, compassionate look at mental illness. The \u201cShadow Voice\u201d that plagues Ophelia is both a symptom of OCD and a metaphor for intrusive thoughts. Smith doesn\u2019t try to romanticize or villainize it\u2014instead, she integrates it into the magic system, highlighting how Ophelia\u2019s compulsions are entwined with her power.<\/p>\n

Finally, the concept of legacy\u2014what we leave behind and what we\u2019re forced to carry forward\u2014haunts every page. Ophelia\u2019s struggle to uphold her family\u2019s legacy while defining her own path lends Phantasma<\/em> a deeper emotional resonance that lingers after the final page.<\/p>\n

What Works Beautifully<\/h2>\n

Atmospheric Prose: <\/strong>Smith\u2019s writing is immersive, poetic, and drenched in mood. The gothic tone is never overbearing but always present\u2014haunting, like the manor itself.
\nComplex Protagonist: <\/strong>Ophelia is deeply relatable, particularly to readers who have experienced grief, anxiety, or mental illness. Her emotional realism grounds the fantasy.
\nSlow-Burn Romance: <\/strong>The tension between Ophelia and Blackwell is magnetic, and their chemistry is undeniable. Their bond feels earned and satisfying.
\nWorld-Building with Lore: <\/strong>From the Nine Circles of Hell to the rituals of necromancy, Smith\u2019s world feels rich, lived-in, and eerie. The rules make sense, even when the magic doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Where the Shadows Falter<\/h2>\n

While Phantasma by Kaylie Smith<\/em> is an impressive debut to the series, it\u2019s not without its hiccups:<\/p>\n

Pacing in the First Act: <\/strong>The first 80 pages are dense with grief, exposition, and family history. While necessary, it slightly delays the action. Readers craving immediate fantasy stakes may find the beginning slow.
\nSecondary Characters Could Use More Depth: <\/strong>Genevieve and a few of the other competitors in Phantasma<\/em> are intriguing but not fully developed. There\u2019s a sense that more backstory is waiting\u2014perhaps to be explored in Enchantra<\/em>.
\nBlackwell\u2019s Mystique Borders on Obscure: <\/strong>His charm and mystery are central to the book\u2019s romantic appeal, but readers who prefer early transparency in love interests may wish for more of his perspective.<\/p>\n

Comparisons and Companions<\/h2>\n

If you loved:<\/p>\n

Caraval<\/em><\/a> by Stephanie Garber (for deadly games and illusions)
\nBelladonna<\/em> by Adalyn Grace (for romantic necromancy)
\nThrone of the Fallen<\/em><\/a> by Kerri Maniscalco (for gothic ambiance and devilish charm)<\/p>\n

\u2026then Phantasma by Kaylie Smith<\/em> belongs on your bookshelf.<\/p>\n

Final Verdict: Gothic Fantasy with Heart and Bite<\/h2>\n

Kaylie Smith\u2019s Phantasma<\/em> is a gorgeously dark, emotionally intelligent fantasy that leans into the beauty of broken things. With a heroine who bleeds and battles in equal measure, and a setting that feels like a haunted opera house caught in a dream, the novel achieves the rare feat of being both heart-wrenching and thrilling.<\/p>\n

Its strengths lie in its emotional intelligence and atmospheric storytelling. While minor pacing flaws and secondary character development slightly dampen the experience, the emotional crescendo of the final act and the promise of Enchantra<\/em> more than compensate.<\/p>\n

Anticipating Enchantra: What\u2019s Next?<\/h2>\n

As Book Two, Enchantra<\/em>, approaches in April 2025, readers are left with burning questions about Ophelia\u2019s fate, the true nature of Blackwell\u2019s curse, and the larger forces at play within the Nine Circles. With a title that hints at enchantment and temptation, it\u2019s likely that Smith will escalate both the romance and the risks.<\/p>\n

Recommended For: <\/strong>Fans of gothic fantasy, romantasy readers who love high stakes and slow burns, and anyone seeking representation of mental illness in speculative fiction.
\nNot Recommended For: <\/strong>Readers looking for fast-paced action from page one or who prefer lighter, fluffier romantic reads.<\/p>\n

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith<\/em> doesn\u2019t just draw you in\u2014it possesses you. And once you\u2019re inside its haunted walls, there\u2019s no going back.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kaylie Smith\u2019s Phantasma emerges from the fog of contemporary romantasy with a fierce, necromantic elegance. This first book in the Wicked Games series combines the gothic atmosphere of Crimson Peak, the deadly intrigue of Caraval, and the simmering tension of Throne of the Fallen. With phantoms that whisper in the dark, a competition that promises […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":528,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2594"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2594"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2594\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2594"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}