Phantasma: A dark fantasy romance (Wicked Games Book 1)
Kaylie Smith
by Krista Street
The Rising Queen Trial was never meant to end in defeat, yet the crown now sits on the head of a usurper. Forced to flee the Solis continent, the rightful heir must leave behind her home and the man who has captured her heart. To reclaim her throne and her stolen affinities, she embarks on a perilous journey far from the familiar, icy north, knowing she cannot return until she is strong enough to stand as an equal beside the crown prince.
The path to reclamation is fraught with deception. Surrounded by enemies and haunted by the betrayal of those she once trusted, she must navigate a treacherous landscape of royal intrigue to survive. Her transformation is inevitable, but the cost of her destiny remains uncertain.
As she grapples with her true potential, she is drawn back to the morally gray prince, a man whose capacity for brutality is matched only by his fierce devotion. In a world where power is a death sentence, their bond is tested by the shifting tides of war. She refuses to bow, but to claim her victory, she must prove herself worthy of a crown forged by the gods themselves.
Julie G.Enjoying this series, even more than I thought I would!
"I made the mistake of reading some reviews before I read this series. , which I try not to do. I like to form my own opinions as I have learned that my tastes and the books I like do not necessarily match up to the opinions of others and especially those of typical book critic reviews. The reviews made me question if I would like it or not … but I am so glad I kept reading! Lesson learned AGAIN! I have really enjoy this series so far, and can’t wait to see how it finishes. I like the main characters, and even the secondary characters have kept me entertained. Some parts were predictable to me, but I have enjoyed the storyline and writing style enough that those parts did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the series. It’s everything I like in a fantasy read. Good world building, an interesting magic system, twists and turns, and hopefully there will be an ultimate HEA. On to Book 4! ["
June 18, 2024 Verified Purchase
SpinnerettaGood
"Ilara narrowly escaped her fate at the hands of a conniving king, and went with her sister to another fae realm. There they have to find a way to remove the binding on her magic, before figuring out what is causing the Orem of the land to disappear. Norivus has been ordered by his father to marry another, but it’s not something he plans to take sitting down. That means he needs to find Ilara, figure out what is taking the magic out of the land, and discover who is behind it all. Book three picks up from the cliffhanger ending of book two, and sets us up for the final showdown in book four. There are quite a few revelations in this book, as our fated couple fight against powers that would endeavour to work against them, and even betray them. This particular book is a lot more action and magic filled than most of the others in the series, and it also amps up the steam quite a bit too, as the former enemies finally figure everything out. This is an enjoyable series, with a cast of intriguing characters (including a few that have crossed over from other series by the author), and set in an interesting world. If you are a fan of fantasy romance, or contemporary fantasy (especially if you enjoy enemies to lovers or fated mates tropes), then you will enjoy this series. ["
November 19, 2024 Verified Purchase
S JWrapped up in a bow
"Finally, some closure! A few of the strings get tied together in book 3 of this series. The immensely satisfying wrap-up of some of the story was very fulfilling. The remaining story left is making me intrigued and excited to pick up the final book and see what happens to our heroes. This book does not disappoint with its plot twists and engaging characters. I highly recommend continuing with this series if you've already started it. You will not be disappointed! ["
August 14, 2025 Verified Purchase
Lesa L CraigAwesome & Intense
"I’m loving the Fae of Snow & Ice series! This 3rd book did not disappoint. Nori & Ilara’s romance and plights to save their continent & stop a war continued. The reason for the crop death exposed as well as the perpetrators. Great world build as Nori & Ilara & their 4 guards travel to other fae continents and even to the human world. Ilara’s affinities are released and somewhat explained. New characters are revealed and spin off books to include the Fire Wolf character. Looking forward to the 4th and final book in this series! ["
June 13, 2025 Verified Purchase
Kaylie Smith
Natalia Jaster
Kaylie Smith
C.M. Nascosta
Lacey Lehotzky
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