Kaylie Smith’s Phantasma emerges from the fog of contemporary romantasy with a fierce, necromantic elegance. This first book in the Wicked Games series combines the gothic atmosphere of Crimson Peak, the deadly intrigue of Caraval, and the simmering tension of Throne of the Fallen. With phantoms that whisper in the dark, a competition that promises either wish fulfillment or death, and a heroine whose OCD bleeds into her spellwork, Phantasma is a decadent, chaotic, and emotionally raw descent into the underworld of power, love, and legacy.
Smith’s writing is spellbinding—at once lyrical and brutal—brimming with metaphor and magic. Her prose walks a tightrope between lush gothic imagery and visceral horror, embedding readers in a world where emotions have texture and trauma has teeth. As the curtain lifts on Phantasma, readers are dropped into a haunted New Orleans where the line between life and death is just another hallway to walk through—if you’re brave enough.
The Spell-Caster’s Journey: Plot Overview
At the center of this story is Ophelia Grimm, a young necromancer raised in a manor where death was never a stranger. After discovering her mother’s inexplicable death and absorbing the family’s death-driven magic, she’s thrust into a storm of grief, debt, and dangerous decisions. When her younger sister Genevieve recklessly enters Phantasma—a deadly, magical competition held within a cursed, otherworldly manor—Ophelia’s only option is to follow.
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith itself is a marvel of gothic architecture and dread: a sentient house filled with demons, illusions, and rules that twist like the corridors themselves. To win the competition, Ophelia must survive nine floors of escalating terror. Alongside her—unasked and unwanted—is Blackwell, a mysterious, arrogantly charming stranger whose help comes with a cost. His real identity (and his tether to the manor) slowly unravels in shadowy layers, pulling Ophelia—and readers—into a romance laced with secrets and sin.
The plot pulses with urgency, yet Smith allows moments of introspection, focusing on Ophelia’s internal war: the obsessive-compulsive rituals she performs to keep the world from falling apart, the Shadow Voice that haunts her thoughts, and the burden of being the “perfect Grimm.” These elements are not just set dressing—they are central to the emotional stakes of the novel, making Phantasma as much a psychological journey as a magical one.
Phantasma’s Protagonist: Ophelia Grimm
Ophelia is a gothic heroine reimagined for the modern age. Complex, flawed, and intensely empathetic, she is as haunted by the dead as she is by her own mind. Her obsessive-compulsive disorder is rendered with heartbreaking accuracy—not as a quirk, but as an invasive presence that shapes her reality. Her need for control, her fear of failure, and her desire to protect her sister all stem from this deeply personal struggle, making her an incredibly human anchor in an otherwise otherworldly narrative.
Unlike many romantasy heroines, Ophelia doesn’t rush into power with bravado. She doubts. She hesitates. And she breaks. And that’s what makes her triumphs so satisfying. Smith does not hand her strength—Ophelia earns it, floor by floor, shadow by shadow, spell by spell.
The Phantom’s Allure: Blackwell
Blackwell is every bit the dark, mysterious antihero, with a sharp tongue and even sharper secrets. He doesn’t simply flirt—he dances on the edge of temptation and danger. While comparisons to other morally grey love interests in fantasy are inevitable, Blackwell’s appeal lies in the layered emotional intimacy he shares with Ophelia. Their relationship simmers slowly, unfolding across moments of mutual defiance, shared vulnerability, and forbidden touch.
He is as much Ophelia’s mirror as her foil—someone who understands her darkness without trying to fix or fear it. And though some readers may long for more transparency from him earlier in the story, Smith’s slow burn ensures that when the emotional payoff arrives, it feels earned.
A Manor with Teeth: Setting and Atmosphere
The cursed manor of Phantasma by Kaylie Smith is not just a setting; it is a character in its own right. Its labyrinthine floors, whispering walls, and ever-shifting rules evoke both fascination and dread. Smith writes setting with a painter’s eye and a mortician’s scalpel—evoking beauty even in decay. Whether it’s the flicker of ghostfire, the pull of enchanted chandeliers, or the heartbeat beneath the wallpaper, every room tells a story, and every story could be your last.
The design of each floor—ranging from carnivalesque illusions to psychological terror—keeps the pacing taut and the stakes unpredictable. Readers who appreciate immersive world-building with a gothic twist will feel right at home (or rather, deliciously lost) in Phantasma.
Themes: Grief, Mental Illness, and Legacy
At its core, Phantasma by Kaylie Smith is about what we inherit—from our bloodlines, our pain, and our pasts. Smith doesn’t shy away from grief; instead, she explores it as a multifaceted force that can motivate or paralyze, nourish or consume. Ophelia’s grief is compounded by her compulsions and her sense of familial duty, crafting a protagonist who must navigate both magical trials and internal torment.
The book also takes a courageous, compassionate look at mental illness. The “Shadow Voice” that plagues Ophelia is both a symptom of OCD and a metaphor for intrusive thoughts. Smith doesn’t try to romanticize or villainize it—instead, she integrates it into the magic system, highlighting how Ophelia’s compulsions are entwined with her power.
Finally, the concept of legacy—what we leave behind and what we’re forced to carry forward—haunts every page. Ophelia’s struggle to uphold her family’s legacy while defining her own path lends Phantasma a deeper emotional resonance that lingers after the final page.
What Works Beautifully
- Atmospheric Prose: Smith’s writing is immersive, poetic, and drenched in mood. The gothic tone is never overbearing but always present—haunting, like the manor itself.
- Complex Protagonist: Ophelia is deeply relatable, particularly to readers who have experienced grief, anxiety, or mental illness. Her emotional realism grounds the fantasy.
- Slow-Burn Romance: The tension between Ophelia and Blackwell is magnetic, and their chemistry is undeniable. Their bond feels earned and satisfying.
- World-Building with Lore: From the Nine Circles of Hell to the rituals of necromancy, Smith’s world feels rich, lived-in, and eerie. The rules make sense, even when the magic doesn’t.
Where the Shadows Falter
While Phantasma by Kaylie Smith is an impressive debut to the series, it’s not without its hiccups:
- Pacing in the First Act: The first 80 pages are dense with grief, exposition, and family history. While necessary, it slightly delays the action. Readers craving immediate fantasy stakes may find the beginning slow.
- Secondary Characters Could Use More Depth: Genevieve and a few of the other competitors in Phantasma are intriguing but not fully developed. There’s a sense that more backstory is waiting—perhaps to be explored in Enchantra.
- Blackwell’s Mystique Borders on Obscure: His charm and mystery are central to the book’s romantic appeal, but readers who prefer early transparency in love interests may wish for more of his perspective.
Comparisons and Companions
If you loved:
- Caraval by Stephanie Garber (for deadly games and illusions)
- Belladonna by Adalyn Grace (for romantic necromancy)
- Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco (for gothic ambiance and devilish charm)
…then Phantasma by Kaylie Smith belongs on your bookshelf.
Final Verdict: Gothic Fantasy with Heart and Bite
Kaylie Smith’s Phantasma is a gorgeously dark, emotionally intelligent fantasy that leans into the beauty of broken things. With a heroine who bleeds and battles in equal measure, and a setting that feels like a haunted opera house caught in a dream, the novel achieves the rare feat of being both heart-wrenching and thrilling.
Its strengths lie in its emotional intelligence and atmospheric storytelling. While minor pacing flaws and secondary character development slightly dampen the experience, the emotional crescendo of the final act and the promise of Enchantra more than compensate.
Anticipating Enchantra: What’s Next?
As Book Two, Enchantra, approaches in April 2025, readers are left with burning questions about Ophelia’s fate, the true nature of Blackwell’s curse, and the larger forces at play within the Nine Circles. With a title that hints at enchantment and temptation, it’s likely that Smith will escalate both the romance and the risks.
- Recommended For: Fans of gothic fantasy, romantasy readers who love high stakes and slow burns, and anyone seeking representation of mental illness in speculative fiction.
- Not Recommended For: Readers looking for fast-paced action from page one or who prefer lighter, fluffier romantic reads.
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith doesn’t just draw you in—it possesses you. And once you’re inside its haunted walls, there’s no going back.
