Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

Rating: 4/5
Spice: 4/5

After Ophelia Grimm’s mother suddenly dies and she receives the family necromancer magic, Ophelia and her sister Genevieve learn that their mother had outstanding debts, and their family manor was the collateral. When Genevieve enters into Phantasma, a deadly game through the 9 Circles of Hell in which the winner can ask a Devil for whatever their heart desires, Ophelia follows her, determined to force her to forfeit. But once inside, Ophelia learns that she can’t see her sister until level 7 and must survive the Devil’s Manor until then.

Phantasma is a gothic romantasy novel that follows Ophelia, a necromancer, and Blackwell, the Phantom she made a blood promise with. As Ophelia tries to survive the trials to see her sister, she must also look for “a heart and a key” to rescue Blackwell from the Devil’s Manor or lose 10 years of her life.

Phantasma‘s premise is similar to Caravel and is perfect for readers who are looking for a gothic, trial-filled book with a fair amount of spice. This is the first in an interconnected standalone series, and the second book will follow Genevieve and comes out in 2025.

Purchase from your local bookstore or Amazon, or borrow from the library or Kindle Unlimited.

Amazon Description:

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 . . . 

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