A tale as old as The Hunger Games, books featuring games and trials has been a constant presence within the Fantasy genre. This still rings true for today’s review, but with a twist: instead of fellow participants, the biggest competitors are hot demons and sexy ghosts. Although I’ve found this trope to be slightly overplayed as of late, the ghostly allure of Phantasma was just too good to pass up!
Ever consider getting it on with a ghost? Then keep reading for my review of the ghoulish games and encounters of New Orleans’ latest competition – Phantasma.
Plot Summary
Set in the gothic backdrop of New Orleans, Ophelia Grimm finds herself entering a deadly and haunted competition after her sister abruptly goes missing. Only two rules exist: don’t die, and don’t fall in love. The winner will receive a single wish, and in an effort to make it to the end, Ophelia agrees to a bargain with resident phantom Blackwell – in exchange for his expertise during the lethal trials, Ophelia will forfeit a decade of her life. Though Ophelia’s expedition into Phantasma is dangerous – and her new friend even more so – she reveals Phantasma’s best (or worst) kept secrets, and shines a light on many of her own.
Quality of Writing
Rating: 3/5
From an analytical perspective, I did find several grammar and syntax errors throughout my Kindle copy. While none of the errors hindered my ability to understand the plot, they were noticeable enough to break the immersion slightly when reading.
The quality of the storyline itself was easy to follow and handled more difficult topics with great care. I love a mental health rep plot device, and I found the OCD rep in this book to be a compelling insight. Although there were some repetitive spots, that’s exactly how an OCD mind works, so it doesn’t feel obnoxious or out of place with that context.
Plot Development
Rating: 4/5
Similar to A Court of Silver Flames, I felt that 80% of the plot chugged along at a nice pace. If anything, I could’ve done with 200 more pages to develop the plot even further, as I found myself interested in several sub plots that remain secondary to the main story. While Phantasma is technically a standalone, it does belong to an interconnected series, so these sub plots could show up down the line. Once again, I have different thoughts on the ending, which I will touch on down below.
Characters
Rating: 3/5
Phantasma mainly centers around Ophelia and Blackwell, the respective female and male main characters. While Ophelia felt like a completely fleshed out protagonist (important since it’s her POV!), I did struggle to feel like I knew Blackwell until the very end, and I still don’t feel like it was enough. Their banter and chemistry is well written, but it did feel a bit 0-100 within the two-week timeframe that this book takes place.
There are several other side characters throughout Phantasma, including other competitors, resident ghosts, and demons, but the majority were not very integral to the plot. If they had been left out completely, I probably wouldn’t have noticed or cared. I actually would’ve preferred that some of the side characters be left out entirely, as many of them felt incomplete and random. Ophelia frequently laments that several of her fellow competitors are forgettable, and I’m inclined to agree.
Ease of Reading
Rating: 4/5
Phantasma is an easy read with minimal analyzation required. That doesn’t mean it didn’t have me theorizing about what would happen next – I just never felt the need to consult a podcast for fan theories or explanations (looking at you, Empyrean series). The book was easy to follow and only tripped me up slightly toward the end.
Ending
Rating: 3/5
This is where my biggest piece of criticism comes in: I found myself simultaneously knowing exactly what the big reveal and ending would be, yet it still felt incredibly rushed and unexpected. This is where I really feel like an additional 200 pages would’ve added an extra point to my rating – everything felt so sudden with such a brief lead up, making the ending feel…well…unfinished.
Would I Recommend This Book
Although I have some issues with the pacing toward the end and character development, I would say that this is a book worthy of your attention, especially for those that love a dark, moody, and gothic vibe. I also found the choice of New Orleans as the setting to be perfect for the ghostly theme of Phantasma, which made it feel fresh and fun in comparison to the played out mythical Fae lands that are ever present in the fantasy genre.
Overall Rating
Book Rating: 3.5/5 (TW: Blood, Death, Descriptions of Bodily Harm)
Spice Rating: 3/5 (TW: Blood and Dirty Talk)
Despite some of my above criticisms, I had a pretty good time reading Phantasma. The plot kept me engaged, and I found myself really enjoying Ophelia and Blackwell individually, in addition to their dynamic as a couple and spicy chemistry. I only wish that I had more time with them!
I believe the next book, Enchantra, is about Ophelia’s sister, and I also know that there is a 3rd book in the works, so I am hopeful that there will be more to come on Ophelia and Blackwell’s story in the future. Fingers crossed!
Curious about how I rate my reads? Check out my Rating System Blog Post for more!
Let’s Talk
If you had to enter a fictional competition like Phantasma or another trial-based book, which one would you choose, and why? Let me know in the comments below!
Reading Stack
Previous Book: The Restoration Garden
Current Book: On Wings of Blood
Future Book: The Last Father-Daughter Dance
Good Reads Shelf
Interested in my bookshelf? Check out my Good Reads page!
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