Synopsis
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 . . .
Review
« In a different life, in a fair one, I would’ve kept you until my eternal soul withered away to dust. »
4,5 ⭐️ / 5
This story was something. It grabbed me by the throat with its dark, gothic, spooky, and mysterious atmosphere and didn’t let go.
I might have been skeptical at first, when it came to the haunted house competition and all the trials that would take place. But the beginning of the story immediately immerses us in this fantasy world, the magic, the death.
And then, the sun goes down, and though she should be home before dark, Ophelia, our FMC, comes across this mysterious place.
The meeting between Ophelia and Blackwell, our fabulous MMC, was absolutely delightful, so intriguing and captivating.
I think that was the exact moment I was completely sold on this story.
« A heart and a key would set me free, » it said. « But you should hope we do not meet again, angel. »
When we finally meet Blackwell in the flesh inside the manor, it was the confirmation I needed, if I still had any doubts. I was charmed. It’s really hard not to fall in love with this character. I was instantly drawn to him and all the mysteries surrounding him.
He’s undeniably irresistible, quick-witted, with such a dirty mouth (and I loved every word that came out of it), and he becomes an unwavering support for Ophelia through all the grief she goes through.
Besides their divine chemistry, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife, and their delicious banter, I particularly loved seeing their relationship grow, the caring, the compassion. Blackwell is so attentive, such a comforting presence for Ophelia. He’s determined to push her out of her comfort zone because he knows how strong she really is. He’s determined to know everything about her, all the beauty, but also the darker parts, to show her that there’s not an ounce of her that isn’t lovable or need to be fixed.
He might have his own goals, his own agenda, but he never treats Ophelia like that’s the only thing that matters.
And Ophelia feels for him to, the situation he's in, and she sincerely wants to help him.
« You don’t need to fix yourself. You’re not broken. But it’s okay to get outside help if it gets too loud. »
Unfortunately, there are still some things that bothered me in this book, and that’s why it isn’t a full 5 stars read for me. :(
First, some dialogues felt out of place. Blackwell had at least twice certain devastatingly romantic and passionate lines, but these two times (only) felt like they didn’t match the mood of the scene, or like they were a compilation of the most beautiful lines you’d hear from a MMC in a romance book.
It was a bit frustrating, because there are so many genuinely good dialogues between them throughout the book.
What also really frustrated me was the fact that the ending doesn’t give us a real conclusion when it comes to Ophelia and Blackwell. I don’t like that I absolutely have to read the second book, which doesn’t revolve around them, to get all the missing answers. Since this is described as a standalone, we should be able to get full closure within this book.
Finally, the ending felt too easy, really rushed and abrupt. I get the idea, but it definitely lacked structure.
I honestly didn’t see the twist coming, and I was truly invested in seeing how we would get our HEA.
But throwing this huge event 50 pages before the end, with so much still unresolved, didn’t feel like the right move, and in my opinion, didn’t do justice to their story.
That said, even if not everything was perfect, I genuinely loved Ophelia and Blackwell’s story. I loved the way they first met, the mystery, the intrigue, the instant connection that surrounded it.
I loved the way they always found each other, whether they wanted to or not.
I loved their sarcasm and laughed more times than I can count.
Their bond, their romance, was the heart of the story, and it truly made me feel attached to these characters.
I also loved the overall plot, the enigma surrounding Blackwell’s story, his memory, his fate in Phantasma, and all the secrets tied to Ophelia’s family.
The trials were also entertaining, even if I found they weren’t always consistent in quality.
Sometimes, a book doesn’t need to be a perfect 5 stars read to be unforgettable, and I know for sure that Blackwell and Ophelia have left an imprint on me.
« – You came.
– You called. »
