Pages: 497
Genres: Dark Romance, Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Romance, Thriller
ASIN: B0CXNJDB4B
ISBN: 9781538769256
Goodreads
Source: ARC, Netgalley
Buy on AmazonWelcome 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 . . .
Tropes:
- Gothic Horror / Fantasy
- Deadly Competition
- Haunted House / Sentient Setting
- Enemies to Lovers
- Hidden Magic
- Mystery & Riddles
- Dark Secrets
- Paranormal Thriller
My Review
I don’t even know where to begin..
I absolutely loved this story, the breathtaking way Smith has captured intrusive thoughts, as though it were entirely a separate being housed inside yourself, I feel that and I can unfortunately relate to the fact it feels there’s a sinister voice in my head that doesn’t let up.
The whole world she has created in this intoxicating book, was beautifully dark and totally binge worthy. I could honestly eat up any further works she produces in this world. something about the sheer identifiable themes, devils and sexy ghosts? Well.. that makes me want to go enter myself into a devils competition.
The things that scare me are usually, mostly, in my head, to find that shared darkness bared for the world to devour, is haunting and beautiful, honestly it struck me deep in the heart.
I was praying to any divine being, that this would have a happy ending, my mind kept telling me not so, in fact daring me to finish and suffer eternally.
At least I beat that one? that makes it at least one score in my mind.
was absolutely thrilled, yet got smacked by the ending of this book. it felt so unfinished and yet so good to finally be over.
The spice in this book was 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
The abrupt shift from dragons in my last read, to how I can only surmise as, reading a horny for ghost book, was so stilting I almost choked on my saliva when I learned Blackwell’s a very very dirty ghost.
Honestly I absolutely loved this book, all the death and maiming and sexy ghosts aside, would I read it again? absofuckinglutely.
I know how it ends now and that only makes me eager to relive that wholly consuming, heart wrenching, twisty tale of finding the one you love no matter what. Eager for another emotional bruising at the hands of Smiths words.
I was especially touched at the notes from the author, I feel you Kaylie, I have felt all this too, I’m a warrior because I don’t let my demons win.
if I can turn my experience into something even a fraction as good as this, then maybe there’s a light at the end of my tunnel.
So thank you for writing this book and thank you for reminding me that these thoughts don’t make me a monster and it’s okay to choose your own path in life, and of course it’s okay to not be okay, getting help doesn’t make you weak, it makes us strong.
I thoroughly recommend this for all the spicy ladies out there.. always wanting to find a new note of something other, something more, more, more.
5 big fat stars. 🥴
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