Enchantra
Wicked Games #2
By Kaylie Smith
~ Can be read as a standalone ~
~ (But don’t because they are so good) ~
TheStory
Genevieve arrives at the Enchantra estate with a singular goal in mind - find someone in the family like her, someone who feels out of place in their own family. After meeting the surly Rowin who kicks her off the property, Genevieve is more determined than ever.
After making her way into the house, Genevieve becomes trapped in Enchantra’s deadly game - The Hunt. Since Rowin had been attempting to keep her alive by turning her away, his solution now is simple - marry Genevieve. Due to the loophole that married couples can play and win together, Rowin’s idea is the only one that can keep Genevieve alive.
TheReview
To start off, the game makes complete sense - the reasons why it’s played, the marriage loophole, the fake marriage. It was a really well thought out storyline, not forced or cheesy at all.
Obviously we have the fake marriage trope, but it’s the enemies to lovers here that is to die for! Genevieve truly hates Rowin. One, he doesn’t care. Two, he finds it amusing. They are paired together for the games but it took a long time for them to warm up to each other.
And the BANTER! Oh, the banter. Lots of it and very well written. It definitely made me laugh. And scream because of the tensiony-filled bits.
Since the games are for all the siblings, the side characters were a big part of the storyline. And I loved them. Grave is the worst, but like… we needed an antagonist. So, I sort of enjoyed him. The most wild thing was seeing everyone flip on and off from kindness to murder.
The game forces them to hunt each other down and kill each other but it’s twelve hours of The Hunt and twelve hours of safe hours across seven rounds. Therefore, there was plenty of room for character development. In Phantasma, the game was technically being played the entire time. I liked that this one had “time off” from The Hunt.
Those breaks in the game gave way for a perfect blend of action and romance. Obviously, the game progresses, as does Rowin and Genevieve’s relationship, but they are trapped in the game nearly the entire time. Having half of that time to decompress was perfect for me as the reader.
Now let’s dig into Rowin just a teeny bit because… I LOVE HIM! Ooh… he’s so dark and broody, but he has this greater purpose in life that gives him this depth as a character. He’s tortured (literally) and tormented by what has been going on for the most recent decades of his life. Even with that darkness, he still tried to get rid of Genevieve to save her life so she wouldn’t have to endure the games. swoon
Speaking of Genevieve… quick comment. She is a little bit stupid and way too rash to make decisions. However, she is figuring out who she is, so she does grow throughout the book. A bit.
The last 15% I would consider to be the ending. It was so wild and everything really picked up in pace during this portion of the book. It’s all wild, adorable, and made my heart race so fast.
This was a great sequel to Phantasma. Similar in vibes but different enough to not seem like the same book or characters. Kaylie Smith has range. I loved it.
P.S. Rowin is my new book boyfriend (or husband).
FavoriteQuotes
“I’m a creature of Hell, worshipping is not usually in my nature. But for whatever time you remain in my bed, I will make it your shrine.”
“You’re more than good enough. Your heart is more than good enough. No matter how many times it has been burned. How many scars it might have. It will keep on beating, brave and passionate, if you will only let it.”
“Shadows can only be seen in the presence of light I worry when you leave, there will be no one left to see me.”
ProminentTropes
Enemies to Lovers
Morally Grey MMC
Forced Proximity
Only One Bed
Slow Burn
Fake Marriage
Insta-Hate
Games & Trials
TheRating
Storyline: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Side Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Overall: 📘📘📘📘📘
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Wicked Games Series
Phantasma
Wicked Games #1
Enchantra
Wicked Games #2
