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4.5 stars overall.This book…this book was AMAZING. For so long I’ve been looking for something that was like this without even realising it. It’s like Caraval, just darker, spicy and more gruesome. Going into it I was a bit apprehensive but I’m so glad I continued because it’s SO good. I was expecting something a little different with the romance, but it turned out just as good as I was expecting. Though, I do wish there was a little more involvement of the other Devils in the book, to add a little more flair, but it is still good as it is.
Phantasma was an engaging and enjoyable read, even though it didn’t completely surprise me. The mystery surrounding the world and especially the game itself was genuinely interesting and kept me turning the pages. There’s a strong sense of intrigue that makes you want to understand how everything works and where it’s all heading.The beginning did take some getting used to. The story drops you into the world without much explanation, which can feel disorienting at first, but once you settle into the rhythm, it becomes easier to follow. That said, the pacing wasn’t always consistent. There were several sections that felt like filler, and I couldn’t help but feel that the book could have been at least 100 pages shorter without losing any of its impact.While I enjoyed the journey, most of the plot twists were fairly predictable for me. I could see them coming from quite a distance, which took away some of the tension. Still, the execution was solid, and the atmosphere and concept were strong enough to keep me invested despite that.Overall, Phantasma may not have surprised me, but it did entertain me. It’s an interesting, immersive story with a compelling premise, and even with its flaws, I had a good time reading it.
-> 3.5 starsThis book was SUCH a good time. I enjoyed reading Phantasma so much!I went in completely blind. I was told "this book is for the Danny Phantom girls" and that was all I needed to know. Disclaimer: Im not a general fan of Romantasy.This book had trials, which im a fan of if there's some originality. The book did a great job of keeping me hooked on the haunts and trials, the plot was very engaging.The romance was unfortunately VERY much insta-lust. I did enjoy their banter though!My biggest pet peeve in fantasy series recently, has been interconnected standalones with a romance per book. Its just so hard to get behind romances that go from strangers to lovers in 400pages. so it's more of a me issue. I didn't know it was interconnected till I finished the book and knowing before hand might have made me care for the romance/smut more.I will be reading Enchantra, like I said, I had a great time so hoping book 2s plot will help me along. I'm excited for the FMC being plus size but not looking forward to another Shadow Daddy unfortunately
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Loved both of the main characters. Romance with heat and a series of deadly challenges overcome and dark too. A gothic paranormal romance. What more could you ask for?! Have already added Enchantra to my tbr list.
As someone who doesn't go into books looking for smut (and that's what this was, smut, not spice) I can't say I ever thought "what if Caraval had less plot and so so much sex.This book takes place in 9 days. And we see each day as the "not insta love" (it's insta love) progresses. I fucking HATED the sister's nicknames for each other. Ophie and Vivi just sounded like two young children dancing around each other and it infantalised both of them so much. Which wasn't hard to do since they both acted like annoyed teenagers (at least for the ten seconds we saw Genevieve).This book really failed in the aspect of "show don't tell". Because we were told over and over again just how much Ophelia wanted to save her sister and be reunited and then they were separated again 23 pages later. I don't so much care about Ophelia using sex to hide from trauma, if anything to me that was the most interesting part of her character. But I swear it was the same sex scene over and over and it felt like there was more sex than plot.I called the plot twist almost immediately and I did like that it was a one chapter explanation. I didn't feel like it needed more than that. I feel like I would have enjoyed it more though if Ophelia had to actually solve one of the challenges for herself without her powers. It felt like it was implied that Genevieve was the "dumb and flighty younger sister" and only having powers was how she got out of things but-- Ophelia was too.There was little chemistry between our main characters as far as I thought and it was a little weird that like one day he was helping a man get back the love of his life and then a week later he was boning that man's daughter. Like... huh?Will I read book 2? Probably but only because it's a standalone. And if Genevieve annoys me as much as she did in this one, I will DNF.
4.5 ⭐Did I just fell in love with a phantom ? yes, yes I didthat was so good, I did not expect all of this tbh, and the plot twists!!!!! Kaylie you did us dirty (and so freaking good)
Esse livro tem diversas semelhanças com Caraval, mas com uma pegada mais hot e um toque paranormal que deixou tudo ainda mais interessante.
Eu gostei muito da ambientação, com aquela atmosfera de competição misteriosa e uma estética que eu imaginei como gótico vitoriano. Uma vibe sombria, elegante e envolvente.
Os protagonistas são bons, e eu me identifiquei com a Ophelia, principalmente porque ela tem TOC e eu também, inclusive o dela é parecido com o meu.
No final, a autora comenta que também sofre com o transtorno e fala um pouco sobre isso. Eu achei muito importante ela destacar como o TOC é frequentemente banalizado.
Muita gente associa apenas a organização ou perfeccionismo, mas ele vai muito além disso e pode ser realmente desgastante.
Foi bonito ver a autora usar a história para trazer visibilidade e empatia sobre o tema.
Agora, falando do Blackwell... Ele é aquele tipo de personagem charmoso e provocante, com caráter duvidoso, que sabe flertar e tem sempre uma resposta afiada na ponta da língua, eu estava com saudades desse tipo de personagem 😌
Mas, sinceramente, o romance não me prendeu tanto quanto eu esperava.
Ficou parecendo que faltou algo, talvez mais emoção, mais química, ou só um pouco mais de intensidade mesmo. Pode ser culpa da expectativa alta, mas senti que o relacionamento dos dois não atingiu todo o potencial que prometia.
Mesmo assim, o enredo me manteve curiosa.
Apesar das semelhanças com Caraval, o livro ainda conseguiu me surpreender em alguns pontos.
De modo geral, é uma boa leitura, com ótimos elementos visuais e um toque misterioso legal.
Não foi uma leitura incrível ou inesquecível, mas valeu muito a pena dar uma chance.
OKAY!!This has been put into my top 10 romantasy booksI'm obsessed!!Now I know what you're thinking.... WHY have you rated it a 4 star if you say your obsessed?I'm not going to lying. It did take me awhile to get into this. At the beginning I wasn't finding myself wanting to pick it up.Now I was in a reading slump so that would be why because the story it's self was amazing, never a dull moment I just wasn't 100% into it.BUTI'm so glad I carried on
3.5 rounded to 4 stars. I couldn't help but imagine Disneyland's Haunted Mansion (but much scarier) while reading this. the atmosphere was great. the horror was great. So was the banter! but I will admit I skimmed over the romance bits because that's not really my thing. I also felt like the end was super rushed, especially compared to the beginning.I'm glad I read it. It's an easy read despite its 500 page count. I just felt like the middle / end was a little slow and then extremely rushed. The challenges also seemed way too easy towards the end as well.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Phantasma by Kaylie Smith will immerse readers in a dark fantasy world. A world that is atmospheric and gothic and that forces one into high stake game of survival. A game where one needs to stay alive and most of all do not fall in love.Phantasma is a game with two outcomes, survival or death. A game that takes place in a haunted mansion and uses your greatest fear against you. Winning requires surviving the nine levels of the game centered around the seven deadly sins. Upon completion of the nine levels, the lucky winner's wish is granted. Ophelia Grimm wished to find her sister and so began her journey in the high stakes game of Phantasma.After the sudden death of their mother, Ophelia and Genevieve faced eviction from the only home they knew. As the eldest, Ophelia inherited her mother's necromancy magic which worsened her current situation. While grappling with the changes in her life her sister went missing. While trying to figure out where she could have gone, Ophelia learned that she went to take part in Phantasma. Therefore, finding her sister meant her participation in this high-stake game where survival is not guaranteed.Prepare for a world where magic and danger abound. A world where only the mentally strong and fittest stands the chance of survival. The trials Ophelia faced tested her physical and mental capacity. Despite the dangers she faced her venture into this world brought out her inner strength and helped in honing her magical powers. She did have help though. Help that came from a phantom, (Blackwell) a resident of the haunted mansion. Despite her initial distrust of him, Ophelia depended on his protection. This dependence would later lead to her breaking the rule of not falling in love.The story was captivating from the intense trials faced by the participants to the romance between the main characters. Ophelia and Blackwell were an interesting pair. Their interactions delivered some interesting and intense moments. I loved the world building and how the rules of Phantasma worked. I found it unique and engaging. The secondary characters, from the mortals to the supernatural beings added to the excitement. Phantasma ended on a high and surprising note. While unexpected it left this reader happy with the outcomeThis review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading