Book of The Month discussion

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 . . .

through Ch 12 / 105 pages

(view spoiler)[ wow, I am not liking this one at all.

I don't understand where her sister was getting the spare cash
I don't understand why she didn't stay and try to figure out why her mom pulled out mortgages and try to figure out how to get the money by doing her Necromancy job

and I kind of hate how timid and scared she is. I think of necromancers as kind of bada$$ so she's disappointing right now
and I'm not finding her phantom to be very. . .alluring (hide spoiler)]

through 32 chapters

(view spoiler)[I'm finding this book so hard to stay attached to

Why does everyone seem so shocked about magic? Ophelia made it seem like her necromancy was a thing everyone knew about, no?
is there not typically magic all around? then why doesn't anyone seem to know about it

also, if this is such a huge thing with so much money tied to it, this game, why don't more people seem to know about what's inside? the rules? the things they would encounter? If they know there are devils and the devils make bets and there are money exchanges and viewers, why does everyone seem so clueless on how it works.....

ugh and I'm not finding him sexy at all. His "good girl" is just making me cringe (hide spoiler)]