Phantasma (Deluxe Limited Edition)

Kaylie Smith

Full starFull starFull starFull starHalf star
4.3(47,168 Ratings)
Left wheat earsGoodreads Choice AwardsRight wheat ears
Left wheat earsUSA Today Best SellersRight wheat ears
3 Months Free TrialArrow right
Clock155 Min Reading Time
MicrophoneAudio Version Available
cover backgroundPhantasma (Deluxe Limited Edition)

About this book

Step into Phantasma, a gothic romantasy where survival is the ultimate prize and love, the deadliest game. This deluxe limited edition, featuring a seductive new cover, two-colored stenciled edges, a stamped foil case, and designed endpapers, is a collector's dream and a BookTok sensation.

When Ophelia's sister vanishes, she has no choice but to enter Phantasma, a treacherous contest held within a haunted mansion. The reward? A single wish. But Phantasma is a labyrinth of shifting corridors, opulent ballrooms, lurking demons, and irresistible temptations.

Ophelia must navigate nine deadly trials, each designed to exploit her deepest fears. As rivals seek to eliminate her, a mysterious and alluring stranger named Blackwell offers a dangerous bargain: his guidance in exchange for ten years of her life.

Blackwell is charming, arrogant, and undeniably attractive, and Ophelia knows she shouldn't trust him. Yet, as a dark and powerful connection ignites between them, she finds herself drawn closer to him. In Phantasma, where monsters lurk around every corner, the most perilous risk isn't losing the game, but losing her heart.

Summary of Key Ideas

  • Inherited Burden: The Weight of Legacy

    The central premise revolves around Ophelia Grimm, a necromancer burdened with her mother's death magic and a significant debt. This inheritance forces her into a perilous situation, highlighting the theme of legacy. Ophelia must navigate the dangerous world she's been thrust into, confronting not only external threats but also the weight of her family's past. The story explores how Ophelia grapples with her inherited powers and responsibilities, ultimately shaping her destiny and testing her resilience.

  • The Deadly Game: High Stakes Competition

    Phantasma, the titular setting, functions as a deadly game with high stakes. Contestants enter this mysterious manor, each driven by their unique motivations. Ophelia is compelled to participate to save her sister, showcasing the theme of sacrifice. The game within Phantasma consists of a series of challenges designed to test the contestants' skills, resolve, and moral compass. This competition introduces an element of suspense and danger, as the characters navigate treacherous situations and make difficult choices to survive.

  • Dangerous Alliances: Navigating Relationships

    Ophelia's journey involves forging alliances and navigating complex relationships within Phantasma. A significant dynamic emerges between Ophelia and a dangerous phantom, hinting at a potential romance amidst the peril. The forced proximity and shared challenges create tension and foster trust, blurring the lines between allies and enemies. These relationships impact Ophelia's decisions and contribute to the overall narrative, highlighting the importance of human connection in the face of adversity. The romantic tension adds a layer of complexity to the already dangerous environment.

  • Sacrifice for Survival: The Ultimate Price

    Survival in Phantasma demands sacrifice, both literal and figurative. Ophelia is confronted with choices that require her to give up something of value, whether it be her own well-being, her principles, or her relationships. These sacrifices test her character and force her to confront her own limitations. The theme of sacrifice underscores the harsh realities of the world she inhabits, where survival often comes at a cost. Through these sacrifices, Ophelia grows and evolves, ultimately defining her values and shaping her destiny.

  • Unveiling Secrets: The Truth About the Past

    Beneath the surface of the deadly game and romantic entanglements lies a deeper mystery surrounding Ophelia's parents. Uncovering the truth about their past becomes a crucial aspect of her journey, revealing hidden agendas and long-held secrets. This quest for knowledge drives Ophelia to delve deeper into the mysteries of Phantasma, confronting not only external threats but also the ghosts of her family's past. The revelation of these secrets has far-reaching consequences, impacting Ophelia's understanding of herself and her place in the world.

  • Gothic Maze: Dark Fantasy and Temptation

    The dark fantasy elements of Phantasma create an atmosphere of suspense and danger. The manor itself is a character, filled with twisting corridors, lavish ballrooms, demons, and temptations. This environment challenges Ophelia and the other contestants, testing their mental and physical strength. The blend of dark fantasy, romance, and horror elements creates a unique and compelling narrative, appealing to readers who enjoy complex and immersive worlds. The gothic setting enhances the sense of unease and contributes to the overall atmosphere of the story.

Chapter Recap

PrologueThe Devil has a wicked mouth and a voice as smooth as bourbon. He presses someone for a decision, trailing a fingertip down the side of their throat, his lips just centimeters from their racing pulse. The other person whispers about being tricked. The Devil laughs in response, his breath caressing t
Read MoreArrow right

About The Author

Kaylie Smith

Main Quotes

"“In all the darkness, in all the loneliness, you have been my one source of light,” he lamented as she began to come undone."

"“The dark is for people who are too cowardly to face their actions in the light.”"

""Like one of the dark romance novels she'd read in Grimm Manor's library when she couldn't sleep.”"

Who Should Read This Book

Fans of Kaylie Smith's previous works

Readers of dark fantasy romance

Collectors of limited edition books

Individuals interested in the "Wicked Games" series

Readers who enjoy fantasy books with mature themes

Book Summaries Like

Phantasma (Deluxe Limited Edition)
cover backgroundA Study in Drowning

A Study in Drowning

Ava Reid

For fans of gothic novels and dark academia, A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid is a haunting tale of secrets, sacrifice, and the power of stories.

Effy is the only woman studying architecture at her university, and she knows exactly why. It was her professor's vendetta against her, and he made sure she was the only one. So when she wins a contest to redesign the legendary Hiraeth Manor, ancestral home of the celebrated author Emrys Myrddin, she thinks she finally has a chance to prove herself. But Hiraeth Manor is a place of secrets and shadows, and as Effy delves deeper into Myrddin's work, she discovers that the stories she's been told may not be the truth. Teaming up with a handsome literature student named Preston, Effy seeks to uncover the dark secrets of Hiraeth Manor, facing down ancient curses and the ghosts of the past. But as their search intensifies, Effy and Preston must confront the darkness within themselves, as well as the forces that seek to keep the truth buried forever.

Steeped in Welsh and Celtic mythology, A Study in Drowning is a dark and atmospheric fantasy that explores themes of misogyny, the erasure of women's voices, and the power of stories. Perfect for readers who enjoy gothic suspense, slow-burn romance, and heroines who defy expectations.

cover backgroundSpark of the Everflame

Spark of the Everflame

Penn Cole

When old secrets catch fire, everything will burn. In a mortal world colonized by the gods and ruled over by their cruel offspring, the Descended, Diem Bellator yearns to escape the insular life of her poor village. Her mother's sudden disappearance—and the discovery of a dangerous secret about her past—offer Diem an unexpected opportunity to enter the dark world of Descended royalty and unlock the web of mysteries her mother left behind. With the dying king's handsome, mysterious heir watching her every move and a ruthless mortal alliance recruiting her to join the growing civil war, Diem will have to navigate the unwritten rules of love, power, and politics in order to save her family—and all of mortal kind. Spark of the Everflame is the first book in The Kindred's Curse Saga, a four-book epic fantasy romance series that follows our feisty, bad*ss heroine Diem Bellator in her fight against injustice and oppression, her struggle to survive in a royal palace full of betrayal and intrigue, and her journey of self-discovery and finding true love. This slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers series is perfect for fans of unique magic systems, dragons and other mythical creatures, angst and romantic tension, and hilarious banter.

FAQ