Wicked Games 1 & 2: Phantasma & Enchantra

Phantasma Review:

When Ophelia and Genevieve lose their mom and find out they might also lose the only home they’ve ever known, they end up in Phantasma—a creepy, dangerous game where most people don’t make it out alive. Ophelia follows Genevieve in, hoping to save her, and ends up teaming up with Blackwell—a literal devil—to survive the trials.

The game takes them through different levels of hell, and while the trials were cool and intense, it almost felt like a totally different story at times. That said, I really liked watching Ophelia and Blackwell work together and uncover all the secrets about their pasts. Their dynamic was fun to follow.

The ending was great, and the epilogue perfectly set up Enchantra—which I’m starting right away! I’m definitely into Ophelia and Blackwell, but I’m super curious about Genevieve and can’t wait to see more of her story.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️

Enchantra Review:

Genevieve heads to Italy to uncover more about her mother, her family, and herself. There, she meets Rowin, who immediately dislikes her—but the two become reluctant allies. After Genevieve ends up in another deadly game in Enchantra, they get married to keep her safe.

As the trials unfold, Genevieve and Rowin slowly start to build trust, and feelings begin to grow between them. Rowin’s many siblings (I think there are seven total, including him) were all really fun and interesting side characters.

While this book shares similarities with Phantasma—the deadly games and the morally grey love interest—it still felt like its own story. I might’ve even enjoyed this one a bit more than the first. I’m super excited for book 3, especially after that teaser about who it’ll be following—it’s going to be delicious!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️

Phantasma Blurb:

Caraval meets Throne of the Fallen in this spicy dark romantasy where a necromancer needs help from a dangerous phantom to win a deadly competition, only to find their partnership puts her at risk of breaking the game’s most vital rule: don’t fall in love.

When Ophelia and her sister discovers their mother brutally murdered, there is no time to grieve: Ophelia has inherited both her powerful death-driven magic and enormous debt on their home. Circumstances go from dire to deadly, however, when Ophelia’s sister decides to pay off the loan by entering Phantasma—a competition where most contestants don’t make it out alive and the winner is granted a single wish.

The only way to save her sister is to compete. But Phantasma is a cursed manor, with twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, and filled with enticing demons and fatal temptations. Ophelia will need to face nine floors of challenges to win… if her fears don’t overtake her first.

When a charming, arrogant stranger claims he can protect and guide Ophelia, she knows she shouldn’t trust him. While Blackwell may not seem dangerous, appearances can be deceptive. But with her sister’s life on the line, Ophelia can’t afford to turn him away. She just needs to ignore the overwhelming, dark attraction drawing them closer and closer together.

Because in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart.

Enchantra Blurb:

Ready or Not meets Throne of the Fallen in a spicy, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance, where an Italian getaway turns deadly after a young woman is trapped in her host family’s cursed game.

Ready or not, the game has begun.

Genevieve Grimm has felt adrift ever since her sister became the head of the family. So when a mysterious friend of their mother’s invites her to Italy, she accepts. She arrives at his grand palace, expecting passion and magic, decadence and luxury… perhaps even a midnight ball.

She doesn’t expect the owner’s ruthlessly handsome son to slam the door in her face. Rowin Silver is tall, dark, and exceptionally rude, and invitation or not, he demands Genevieve leave and never come back. But Genevieve follows nobody’s orders, especially those of arrogant rich boys. She slips inside—and immediately discovers her mistake.

Rowin and his family are caught in an insidious game of hide and seek, where only one can win. The rest will be trapped in Hell… until the competition begins again.

Genevieve must either join the hunt or forfeit any hope of escaping. But to her dismay, her best chance of survival lies with Rowin. Since lovers may play as a pair, Rowin and Genevieve agree to form an alliance under the guise of a fake courtship. However, as they race through the game’s elaborate labyrinth, trapped among gleaming gold and shining marble, their loathing gives way to irresistible attraction. Only Rowin is keeping secrets, especially when it comes to his ruthless family, and Genevieve can’t help but wonder if she’s trapped in two treacherous games: Enchantra and the one Rowin is playing with her heart.

Xoxo, Melissa