Phantasma by Kylie Smith: A Spicy, Gothic Romantasy You Won’t Be Able to Put Down
- Jun 19
- 3 min read
If Caraval and Kingdom of the Wicked had a wicked little love child and raised it in a haunted mansion dripping with secrets and seduction, Phantasma by Kylie Smith would be it.
This gothic new adult romance is the first book in the Wicked Games series, and it delivers a delicious blend of mystery, magic, and sinfully steamy tension. With paranormal elements, rich atmosphere, and a playful rivals-to-lovers dynamic that smolders, Phantasma is the perfect pick for romantasy lovers who like their books a little darker and a whole lot sexier.
Let’s dive in—no spoilers, promise.
What Phantasma Is About (Spoiler-Free!)
Set in a world where the dead never quite rest and magic clings to the shadows, Phantasma follows Ophelia, a clever and duty-focused young woman who is driven to enter into a dangerous game with a hidden agenda.
She quickly discovers that the game is more than it seems, and the haunted mansion she is forced to live in during the duration of the game is out for blood. Ghosts whisper through the halls, secrets lurk behind every corner, and power (and souls) are up for grabs in this deadly arena.
Enter Blackwell—a powerful, enigmatic man cloaked in darkness and allure. He’s charming, arrogant, and maddeningly attractive. Blackwell claims he can guide her through the lethal trials ahead. All he asks in return is ten years of her life. (Yikes!) Ophelia knows she shouldn’t trust him. Naturally, she's drawn to him like a moth to a cursed flame.
As the two are pulled deeper into a world of illusion, danger, and seduction, their chemistry becomes impossible to ignore—and so does the sinister game unraveling around them.
Tropes and Themes: Aka Why You’ll Be Obsessed
Kylie Smith serves up some of the most beloved tropes in the romantasy and gothic romance genres, and Phantasma pulls no punches when it comes to dark drama and sensual tension:
✨ Enemies to Lovers – Ophelia and Blackwell? Instant sparks. Delicious hate-to-love vibes.
✨ Paranormal Romance – Ghosts, ancient magic, and things that go bump in the night.
✨ Spicy Romance – The tension is real, and the payoff is 🔥🔥🔥.
✨ Gothic Mansion Setting with Secrets – Think The Inheritance Games but haunted and hornier.
✨ Touch Her and Die – Blackwell may act aloof, but he’s very protective when it counts.
✨ High Stakes and Games of Power – Think magical chess match meets survival game.
The Romance: Ophelia & Blackwell Bring the Heat
This isn't your average YA love triangle or sweet slow burn. Phantasma leans heavily into new adult romance territory with a spicy, forbidden connection that dances the line between obsession and affection. Blackwell is dark and deliciously dangerous. Ophelia? Equally powerful but needing to discover her full strength.
Their dynamic is electric—every stolen glance and playful word are charged with desire. If you're a fan of complex, tension-filled relationships that lean a little morally gray, this one’s for you.
If You Like These Books, You’ll Love Phantasma
Fans of:
Caraval – For the magical, secretive game and enchanting setting
The Inheritance Games – For the dark mansion, hidden mystery, and layered power plays
Kingdom of the Wicked – For the spice, the snark, the demons, and the sexy antihero
will feel right at home in the haunting world of Phantasma.
Who This Book Is For:
You’ll love this book if you enjoy:
Darkly seductive paranormal and gothic romance
Spicy, rivals to lovers
Mystery and intrigue set in haunted mansions or dark mysteries
Atmospheric worldbuilding with haunting prose
A heroine who refuses to give up
You might want to skip this if:
You prefer lighter, fluffier romance
You’re not into paranormal, demonic, or supernatural elements
You dislike open-ended or series-style plots that take time to unravel
You want morally perfect characters (these ones are deliciously flawed)
Final Thoughts
Phantasma by Kylie Smith is a gorgeously twisted tale of power, passion, and paranormal peril. With every page, the stakes climb higher, the chemistry grows hotter, and the secrets unravel a little more. It's a bold, addictive start to a series that promises even more magic and mayhem in future books.
So if you’re looking for a romantasy that reads like a spellbinding nightmare you never want to wake up from, dive into Phantasma.
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