Monday 4 November 2024

REVIEW - Phantasma (Wicked Games #1) by Kaylie Smith

The Book
Release Date: 3 September 2024

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…

A Court of Thorns and Roses meets Caraval in this seductive fantasy adventure. With steamy romance, a sexy morally gray love interest, OCD rep and jaw-dropping twists, Phantasma is perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros, Nisha J. Tuli and Carissa Broadbent.

My Review     5 STARS
I really enjoyed this book, but I could not see any similarity to ACOTAR within the story line.

This a a dark romance with a morally grey MMC and a FMC who gets a little greyer as she goes along the book and she competes in trials that test her.

Loved the OCD aspect of the FMC.  A side of things we usually do not get given with such careful writing that you can see that the writer knows about it herself.

Blackwell was certainly a darker character and I really enjoyed him and the relationship that he forged with Opelia.

Ophelia is a strong  character with her own flaws, but she knew that she had to fight for her sister and many times , for her own life.  

I saw one aspect of the ending fairly quickly, but there was certainly one or two things that I had not seen coming.

I look forward to Genevieve's story and what lies in the darkness for her.

Sunday 3 November 2024

REVIEW - A Court of Mist and Fury: Rhysand's POV by Illyrian Tremors

The Book
Release Date: 1 January 2017

SPOILERS FOR THE ORIGINAL BOOK BELOW :

ACOMAF Part 1: The House of Beasts (Rhys POV) by illyriantremors

The first 13 chapters of ACOMAF told from Rhys's POV. Includes some brief details of his three months without her after he comes home from UtM and some improvised scenes, but most of it concerns his time with Feyre.
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ACOMAF Part 2.1: The House of Wind (Rhys POV) by illyriantremors

Chapters 14-27 of ACOMAF from Rhysand's POV.

Starting with Chapter 14: Rhys brings Feyre to Velaris after saving her from Tamlin's prison in the Spring Court. His inner circle crashes their brief landing in Rhys's townhouse, sending Feyre upstairs. Downstairs, Rhys chats with his family and learns about another temple raid from Azriel.
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ACOMAF Part 2.2: The House of Wind Cont'd (Rhys POV) by illyriantremors

Chapters 28-40 of ACOMAF from Rhys's POV.

Beginning with Rhys and Feyre's return from visiting her sisters, and following through the trip to the Summer Court and the first visit from the mortal queens.
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ACOMAF Part 2.3: The House of Wind Cont'd (Rhys POV) by illyriantremors

Chapters 41-51 of ACOMAF from Rhysand's POV.

Kicking off with Rhys's decision to steal the Veritas and subsequent hesitation over the role Feyre will play if she goes with him to the Court of Nightmares.
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ACOMAF Part 3.1: The House of Mist (Rhys POV) by illyriantremors

Chapters 52-56 of ACOMAF from Rhys's POV.

Starting with his recovery after being shot down by Hybern while Feyre takes time away.

The Book can be found here.


My Review       5 STARS
am usually not too much of a fan of fan-fiction, however this is so good, you may well forget that this has not been written by Sarah J Mass herself.

In this full length book, you get Rhysand's POV instead of Feyre's for A Court of Mist and Fury.

i is great to get to feel his emotions towards Feyre, his friends and his family. His struggles through his childhood to now and knowing he will be patient as Feyre needs him.

Really enjoyed this book and may well go back and see what else the author has written.