A phantom and a necromancer? Sing me up! Trials & spice in a dark, gothic atmosphere that mixes Caraval x Throne of the Fallen x Squid Game? YES PLEASE

"You are the closest thing I will ever get to experiencing heaven, and I'm not ready to let it go."

"In a different life, in a fair one, I would have kept you until my eternal soul withered away to dust," he vowed to her.
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Phantasma
Kaylie Smith
Infinite starsss/5

OK hear me out! If you liked Caraval BUT you wished it was more adult, mysterious, gothic, spicy then you need to read Phantasma! And on the other hand if you did not liked Caraval (like me) because you find it a lot more YA and boring in some parts then you will love Phantasma for it's atmosphere, characters and trials! Also the romance? Chef's kiss ? The tension???!!? He is a Phantom and she is a Necromancer Spicyyy

A haunted mansion that holds the deadly game of Phantasma aka the 9 circle of Hell trials for a great prize. Two sisters in debt, a legacy of Necromancy to sustain, a death and only one chance to save themselves. Ophelia Grimm is different. She carries a lot of family drama and expectations to be the best Necromancer. Set in new Orleans a deadly game is about to start. Her sister is missing and she enters to find her. With a payment to enter she steps into Phantasma. 9 circles of deadly and unique trials, a Phantom, a blood oath, and a lot of secrets for her past. Will she succeed in her mission without falling in love and being cursed?

Well now I will be forever thinking about Phantasma and Blackwell. I mean those characters are in my heart! Can't wait for the next book in this universe!

Tropes
Epic and Unique Trials
Forbidden romance
Plot twists
Paranormal elements (Chef's kiss)
A haunted mansion with a deadly game
Lite horror, gothic vibes

Literally a masterpiece!

Have you read it?