Phantasma: A dark fantasy romance (Wicked Games Book 1)
Kaylie Smith
by Lacey Lehotzky
In a realm fractured by a decade of brutal warfare between Angels and Demons, General Rokath stands as the Demons’ terrifying final line of defense. Feared for his dark ability to command the dead, he maintains order through savage iron-fisted rule. When a plague decimates the demonic population, Rokath demands a blood price: every family must surrender a male to the front lines or face total annihilation.
Assyria, a sharp-tongued farmgirl burdened by a prophecy and trapped in a stifling, abusive marriage, finds her world shattered by the General’s decree. After a violent confrontation leaves her fleeing for her life, she makes a desperate gamble. Using her innate, forbidden magic, she assumes the identity of her husband and infiltrates the demonic army, concealing her true self in a society that demands female submission.
Her survival rests on a razor’s edge, made infinitely more perilous by the constant, piercing scrutiny of Rokath himself. As the two are drawn into a volatile game of cat and mouse, the line between hatred and desire begins to blur. In a landscape defined by war and deception, Assyria and Rokath must navigate a lethal attraction that threatens to either save their people or hasten their destruction.
AshleyEyes of Devious Burgundy
"Loved it! It was dark, it was devious, and it was deadly! I enjoyed this new dark fantasy world that was in the mist of a fierce battle between angels and demons. This book wasn’t a typical enemies to lovers situation it was so much more! I enjoyed the world building and the whole culture that was seen with the demons and their beliefs. I liked how the book wasn’t solely focus on the battle between the angels but also the social injustices and other issues within. Assyria, the main character, was a traumatized character who struggled. Her journey was awe inspiring and spoke of her courage and bravery. I loved her fierceness and the way she challenged things especially Rokath. Rokath, now he was merciless, ruthless, and fiercely protective. He was a wholly complex character that I loved reading more of. The two of the, together was like fire and ice! The banter, the hate, the yearning, the tension, everything was a delicious boiling pot that you don’t want to miss! Tropes to enjoy for this one was hate/to reluctant allies/to love, enemies to lovers, delicious banter, dual POV, secrets, forced proximity, prophecies, slow burn, unwanted mates, feminine rage, touch her and xx vibes, possessive MMC, unique powers, realms at war, battle scenes, and so much more! ["
September 11, 2025 Verified Purchase
E. Allenvery good read
"I loved this book. The plot, the multi povs, the emotion it elicited from me. I could have done without the interludes, just because I felt they dragged the book out more than they provided valuable information to the story line. I felt it took quite awhile for it to really pick up, but once it did it was fantastic. As an avid reader of paranormal romance novels, this would definitely be a book I'd recommend others with the same love for the genre to read. Very well written! Thank you Lacey! I hope to buy a hard copy version for my book shelf soon! I can't wait for book 2!! Spicy level? 5/5!! ["
March 28, 2025 Verified Purchase
Anissa D.Riveting!
"The beginning of this book I was having hard time getting into it but I always struggle with a demon angel struggle. But by the middle of this book I couldn’t put it down! I loved it! The world building the somewhat slow burn of the FMC and MMC was fantastic. I also love that the FMC was not some weak female she showed emotion but was strong and bad ass as she should be! ["
January 23, 2026 Verified Purchase
Mari Grobler728 Pages. One Fated Collision. Zero Regrets.
"Lacey Lehotzky doesn't just warn you in her Content Advisory that Eyes of Devious Burgundy is a sprawling, interconnected epic, she means every word of it, and the ambition is entirely earned. Yes, the opening is measured and deliberate, but understand this: Lehotzky is not slow-building, she is architecting: positioning battle strategies, factions, and a demon-versus-angel mythology with the precision of a master cartographer before the map comes alive. At the centre of this intricate tapestry stands Rokath — logical, analytical, fates-chosen saviour of his people — a man who had his entire existence mapped out until Assyria walked in and dismantled every carefully laid plan with the casual devastation only a true fated mate can inflict. Their dynamic is opposites-collide storytelling at its most electric: his straight-and-narrow path versus her gloriously chaotic energy, two forces that should cancel each other out and instead create something incandescent. The found family woven throughout adds emotional ballast to the epic scale, and the magic system is the kind of special that makes you pause mid-sentence just to appreciate it. And then there are Grem and Zeek — Rokath's two faithful hounds — who have absolutely stolen a permanent corner of my heart, and Lacey, I am addressing you directly: they had better be snoring contentedly in front of a cosy fire at the end of this series!! All 728 pages of this book justify every minute invested. An intricate tapestry indeed, and I am utterly tangled in it! ["
March 26, 2026 Verified Purchase
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