Phantasma (Wicked Games #1) by Kaylie Smith -- Starting October 1st 2025

[Courtney]

Welcome to Phantasma. There are only two rules to the game: Stay alive. And don’t fall in love.

When Ophelia’s sister disappears, there is only one way to save her. Ophelia must enter Phantasma, a deadly contest inside a haunted mansion, and claim its prize—a single wish.

Phantasma is a maze of twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, of demons and temptations. Ophelia will face nine challenges, each more dangerous than the last. There can only be one winner, and the other contestants will stop at nothing to eliminate their rivals.

Every day the house creates new monsters. But just as Ophelia’s fears threaten to overwhelm her, a mysterious stranger offers her a bargain.

Charming, arrogant and infuriatingly attractive, Blackwell claims he can guide her through the lethal trials ahead. All he asks in return is ten years of her life.

Ophelia knows she shouldn’t trust him. Blackwell doesn’t seem dangerous, but appearances can be deceptive. Worse still, she feels a dark and irresistible attraction drawing them closer and closer.

Her life is on the line. But in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart . . .

[Christina]

Okay, I'm going into this book blind, I have seen it everywhere I scroll so I thought why not read it. The buddy read makes it an easier decision for me to pick it up.

[Christina]

Up to Chapter 5

(view spoiler)[

Damn, death right from the beginning, poor Ophelia and Genevieve loss their mom and now some bankers show up at their house, that never can be a good thing.

The whole countdown thing reminds me of the Caraval series. (hide spoiler)]

[Christina]

Up to Chapter 13

Yeah this is just turning into a more adult mix of the hunger games and caraval.

(view spoiler)[

Why is it that the younger sister is always the one to run off and do something stupid like volunteering for some messed up game that has left people dead or complete out of their minds? Ophelia is lucky though to have Blackwell seemingly helping her get through Phantasma. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Ok i finished up my other reads and am starting this one now! Im like you, i dont really know anything about it just that it keeps popping up everywhere

[Christina]

Up to Chapter 18

Okay, I've been sucked into this book. The descriptions of the hell that the contestants are going through is so good that I can truly picture what's happening.

I still stand by the hunger games and caraval comment, it's just more adult themed, spice hasn't really gotten there yet.

[Jenn]

Christina wrote: "Up to Chapter 5..."

(view spoiler)[ it is very reminiscent of Caraval esp with the 2 sisters and one feeling like she has to take care of everything. I do wonder why a loan was taken out and why the younger sister was writing the checks to pay it back. Already so much mystery (hide spoiler)]

[Christina]

(view spoiler)[

I was thinking the same thing about the loan, but I still haven't figured out why it was taken out or why the sister was paying it back. maybe the loan was taken out by their mom for the sister and shes having to pay it back. 🤔 (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Yeah I was hoping there would be something in the sisters journal and while it obviously hinted at the debt, it didn't go into detail. I was like read more of the diary! haha

[Jenn]

Christina wrote: "Up to Chapter 13

Yeah this is just turning into a more adult mix of the hunger games and caraval.."

(view spoiler)[ I'm rather liking this Blackwell character and Poe (love me a ghost cat). I think the whole he can't remember things he said or what's keeping him there aspect is going to be a fun one to play around with (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 22: (view spoiler)[ well dang. Do we think hes gabriel? Cause part of me does. Also love that he went after cade for her. That guys an ass and i have a feeling is going to cause more problems before hes gone for good. Im really liking the circle of hell aspect so far (hide spoiler)]

[Christina]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 22: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[

I'm digging the circles of hell and seven deadly sins concept. I agree that we saw more of the sisters journey but maybe we will farther in the book. I mean he could be Gabriel, if he is do you think it's one of those situations that he's lying and hiding things from her or do you think he truly doesn't know. I wasn't surprised he went after Cade, he's protective of her since he thinks she can help him. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Christina wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Chapter 22: [spoilers removed]"
."

(view spoiler)[I think that he does know more than he lets on because there's times when he has certain reactions to things she says or does that seem a little suspect, so I don't think he's telling her the entire truth. But I also do believe that he does have some form of memory loss. So he may not know who he is, but he knows a lot more than we do. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 30: (view spoiler)[ok so he is NOT Gabriel LOL. Gabriel is her father... Interesting. I wonder if he's still trapped in there. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 42: (view spoiler)[ oh man level six was rough! To have two people just be crushed in front of you. And poor Luci, she feel in love and then was cursed. But i still want to know what was up with her blood being different earlier. Unless i missed that explanation (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ well all right. After it was revealed that he wasnt Gabriel i started to get this feeling that he was the person in charge and heyyy he was the prince of hell. And shes pretty much the soul reincarnation of his lost love. Didnt call that the cat was a spy LOL. I really enjoyed this one actually and look forward to reading the sequel (hide spoiler)]

[Christina]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 30: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[

I started to doubt that he was Gabriel, but the fact that he's her father wasn't one of those thoughts. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Christina wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Chapter 30: [spoilers removed]""

(view spoiler)[haha yeah the father card never crossed my mind either LOL (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Im hoping to start this one soon. All my library books came in at once so I had to push this back a bit since I own it.

[Christina]

Jenn wrote: "Christina wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Chapter 30: [spoilers removed]""

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[

Okay the farther I got into the last part of the book it got kind of predictable. I'm curious what the next book will be like. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Christina wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Christina wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Chapter 30: [spoilers removed]""

[spoilers removed]"..."

(view spoiler)[it looks like it follows the sister and is about a different game. So im assuming each book will be a different game? (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting October 1st 2025. Happy Reading ☺

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[Alex]

Chapters 1 to 4

(view spoiler)[ I like the pace, but I am not certain about the writing style. It reads very modern and throws me off a bit. I was expecting it to be a bit more vibe-y.

I do love me some horror-esque vibes during the spooky month, so I am ready for whatever is to come. I am not buying the whole 'bank' situation, there must be more to it; having two men show up at your front door and take you in their car is a clear recipe for disaster.

Genevive is hiding something so curious to find out what.

I am intrigued, so let's see let's see (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Hoping to start this soon. All my library books came in at the same time and they have holds on them so I had to get to them first.

[Courtney]

15% So far it has just been setting the story, but Im intrigued to find out more. It sounds like a paranormal hunger games situation.

[Courtney]

Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[ I wonder why the Phantom was waiting for her? It surely isnt to be her tour guide. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 25 (view spoiler)[ Cade is getting really annoying. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 29 (view spoiler)[ So Blackwell is Gabriel White I take it, and he was in Phantasma with her mother. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 30 (view spoiler)[ Gabriel Whote is her father. Definitely didnt see that one coming. I really thought it was Balckwell. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 45 (view spoiler)[ I wonder if this is really her sister or if its another one of Phantasma's games. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I should have seen it coming the Blackwell was tethered there for a major reason especially with his memories being wiped. I dont think I will ever be able to call him Salem though. (hide spoiler)]