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A review by djmysteryflavor
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was kind of like a more supernatural Hunger Games but with a lot more romance, which is fair considering this is for adults. The premise surrounding the manor and the competition was honestly what drew me in to this book but I do feel like I needed more than what's given. While I enjoyed that there were supernatural characters and a lot of danger within the manor, there was a lot more focus on the relationship with Ophelia, our main character, and the phantom she meets inside the wall of Phantasma, which isn't necessarily what I thought I was getting when I picked this up. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy romance, and I enjoyed the banter but I felt that the romance was a little rushed and lacked a little of the spark I think the author wanted it to have. That being said, I did still enjoy reading it and did enjoy the story overall. I thought the representation of OCD was compelling and a unique portrayal. Check your trigger warnings! There is some disturbing imagery and violence which should be noted. If you're looking for a vibey gothic supernatural romance, though, this might be for you.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent