Dark academia, gothic horror, fantastic prose & lovable characters mixed together gives you Evocation.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher Angry Robot Books for the digital ARC it has not affected my honest review.

Although I'm sure this book will work for others because the writing is lovely, this is where I finally accept that the work of S.T. Gibson just isn't for me. I enjoyed A Dowry of Blood but couldn't get into An Education in Malice or Evocation. I know for other readers this style is hugely enjoyable.

Very sexy, very magical and really quite dark!

Evocation gives us a magical spin on contemporary Boston, inhabited by all kinds of powerful and sexy magic users. Some of them make a living telling fortunes and reading tarot, while others gather in the back rooms of exclusive members' clubs to summon spirits and Demons.

In the centre of this world, two shining lights in supernatural society are David and Rhys. David should be everything you love to hate in a character. He's a rich, smug, arrogant lawyer with a fortune in old money supporting his lavish lifestyle and a natural (or supernatural) talent that has people singing his praises without him ever having to work for it. But there's something strangely likeable about him. I think it's the vulnerability we see emerge in him, the weaknesses, the harsh upbringing that has left him desperate for praise, the pain of past relationships that leaves him unwilling to reach out.

Rhys is very different altogether. Rhys works hard, obsessively so, for what he has, but he's a man driven by ambition, absolutely thirsty for power and influence. Another hard character to like that I was won over by, because of the strength of his love I think.

Honestly, I think it's Moira that made both men feel likeable. From the start, Moira is a goddess among women, a queen with a tarot deck and wonderful taste in outfits. As a side note, this book spends a lot of time talking about outfits, but it's a big part of the characters and I never minded. Moira is awesome, though like David she carries some damage from her past. I think it was her insistence on seeing the best in the men around her that helped sell me on them in the end. I trusted her judgement. She's no fool either, she definitely doesn't wear rose-tinted glasses and calls them out on their bullshit with wonderful regularity.

In some ways, Evocation is a lovers to enemies to lovers tale. It's also a story about dark deals with Demons and the damage they can cause. There's a story in there too about politics, about playing that game and what happens when you win or when you lose. And it's a story about polyamory, about loving more than one person but being honest, being open and being fair, and about exploring what that might mean. For all of its spicy content, the polyamory is firmly rooted in a gentle affection that was really refreshing to see.

Evocation summons up a bold new world of magic and romance, and I'm excited to see where it goes next.

A triangle is the strongest shape.

Eh?? Ehh?????

I enjoyed Evocation a lot more than An Education in Malice, the other S. T. Gibson that I've read. Following David, Rhys, and Moira, the trio navigate a malevolent house, secret societies, and their inexplicable connection to one another. David and Rhys are former college sweethearts who now tolerate one another in the occult/magick circles that they share. When David begins to experience symptoms of a curse, he goes to Rhys and his wife, Moira, for help. And while much of the book is about addressing David's predicament, the book's main foundation is in the relationship between the three.

I liked how Gibson wrote the secret society side of things as well as the creepiness of David's haunted childhood home. It read like a movie and was well-paced, with a resolution that both made sense and felt satisfying.

Things that will get my immediate attention in books:
-anything magic
-anything lgbtqi+
-anything with secret societies
-anything with a curse
-any semblance of rivals to lovers
-pet names (he calls his wife Little Goddess! )
-cover art (call me vain)
Some of things worked better than others but I generally had a good time with this book. I'm excited to see where it goes.

3.75 stars

I think this book will appeal most to readers who are looking for a book with a strong romance plot that also includes some paranormal elements. Romance, character relationships and development are the definite focus.

I thought the occult elements were interesting but we don’t spend too much time on how they work, nor do they drive the story. The characters are interesting and flawed. I especially liked the relationship dynamic between Moira and David and how it evolved throughout the book.

For me, this is a book where you really have to like and be invested in all three of the main characters. Unfortunately, I found that I didn’t really like Rhys as a character and so that’s where my enjoyment suffered. I also typically like a little more plot going on but I did enjoy this book for what it was and I will pick up the next book in the series.

Thank you to Angry Robot for the eARC. This is my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC. I wasn't able to finish this book as I didn't gel with the writing style, but I read enough to know that the storyline and the themes of this book were interesting and quite compelling. It's all about the supernatural, romance and adventure. I personally loved the relationship between the main characters Moira, Rhys, and David and its development throughout the book.

I was going to write a very long review listing everything I disliked about this book but honestly too much time had passed in between finishing it and going to writer the review so I'm not going to do that anymore unfortunately. It would've been a great review too but my passion died. I was deeply disappointed with this one. A Dowry of Blood was an absolute masterpiece but this seems like a completely different author wrote this one. It was incredibly slow and boring and all of the cool aspects were completely overlooked. The only black character was also used as a token back character and I don't feel that her story was shared enough and she was just used for the two men to come into each others lives. The supposed demon possession was barely a thing. There was a lot of cool aspects like I said but they were just ignored. I could go on but overall, this was not great.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!

Evocation follows three characters, Moira, Rhys, and David as they navigate an occultist society and an inherited curse in modern day Boston.

David is a lawyer with supernatural abilities, when he’s not in court he’s performing seances and scrying sessions. He comes from a long line of magically inclined individuals- one of whom made a deal with the devil in exchange for success many generations ago. Once the curse catches up to him he realizes he won’t be able to deal with this on his own, and is forced to reach out to the only two people who he knows can help him. His ex- Rhys, and Rhy’s wife- talented astrologer and diviner, Moira.

Rhys and David have long tumultuous history dating back to college days, where they performed dangerous magic together. Over the years post break up they both remained rivals in the occultist society. That rivalry heightened when the position of high priest opened up and they were both vying for candidacy.

Moira is a kind and open hearted force of nature. She uses Astrology for divination but has a supernatural empathy that sometimes allows her to feel the direct emotions of others through physical contact. She also can see ghosts (I can’t wait to see how this gift manifests in the following books)

Moira and Rhys are so in love and so kind to each other, so when David comes knocking they are both on edge and reluctant to help David in the name of protecting their peace. Despite their apprehensions, they both see how desperate David is, and join forces to help David to resolve the curse.

I loved how the relationship between the three blossomed through out this book. I’m so happy there’s going to be a whole 5 book series! And the next book will be from Rhy’s perspective!

Thank you NetGalley, Angry Robot, and RB Media for an eARC and an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review!

3.5!

I loved Gibson’s previous releases, and like them, I really enjoyed her prose in Evocation. Once again I really enjoyed her atmosphere and the overall vibes of the novel, but this was maybe a little rougher than I’d been expecting. I enjoyed how messy David and Rhys were, but I do kind of wish Moira had gotten equal screen time? I’m personally not too fussed about this because this is the first in a series and David and Rhys obviously have a history together, but I do hope to see more of her in future installments. As always I think Gibson does really, really solid character work and I did really like the main cast and find this a fun, easy read, though the plot itself was fairly basic (which, fair, this is a character driven story). I think I mostly just want to see more, in terms of relationships, characters, and magic, but as a first entry, it definitely did its job in hooking me and making me want to know what happens next, especially the way it ended.

The audiobook was fine, though perhaps not my favorite. I think he did a good job with David and Rhys’ voices, though his Moira felt a little… over the top, maybe? Regardless, I had an overall good time.

I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
Evocation is the first book in a new urban fantasy series, and I enjoyed this fast and easy read. Evocation strength lies in the complicated love dynamics between the David, Rhys and Moira the main characters that drive this supernatural tale. David is still attracted to his ex-Rhys who is married to Moira who eventually becomes good friends with David which helps Rhys resolve his complicated feelings about David. All this happens against a background of a complicated family curse that is going to kill David unless he does something about this.
There are spells and action as well as secret magical society. The book touches upon generational trauma and payback- David must pay for a deal made by ancestors’ generations ago but one which ensured their good fortune and luck.
This is a great book for anyone looking for a new urban fantasy.

A secret society of magic. A love triangle. A bisexual relationship. Demons. Exorcisms. This book has so much amazing stuff.
I loved the dynamic between all three of the main characters of the book.
David is plagued by a family curse and needs the help of his ex boyfriend and his ex’s wife. They all work together to help David, learning about each other in the process
I definitely recommend this book. There was drama. There was conflict. There was love.

I absolutely adore this author and the pure creativity they bring in their books! Couldn’t put it down once I started! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book.

I absolutely loved this book! Everything about this novel was just perfect. Reading S. T. Gibson's work, is to read poetry. I thought that A Dowry of Blood would always be my favourite work by S. T Gibson, but she is making it incredibly difficult to choose between them now.

Can I get a round of applause. Because I finally hit my dark gothic era this year?? Freaking loved all the witchy stuff.



I think David might be my favorite (currently, lol.)
He’s just my type of guy, mkay? His sarcasm truly slapped.

It was an intriguing journey for me, because it’s not often that I find books with Polyamorous dynamics, and it’s one of my favorite kinds.

Rhys and Moira’s relationship, come on, who doesn’t love a bit of drama, when the ex boyfriend comes knocking?



Can’t wait for what’s next for our team of 3!

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨

I'm so sad to say I didn't enjoy this book as much as their other books. The writing felt almost completely different in this one, especially compared to Dowry. I wanted a lot more of the magic system and their powers and I felt like they weren't touched on enough. Although I did love the relationship between Moira and Rhys, I think I wanted more of that in the story. I guess that's the common theme for this book is I just wanted more out of it. Maybe it was written that way because it's the first in the series and hopefully I'll get more out of the next book, which I'll definitely be reading. Moira was by far my favorite character of the three. Her style, her personality, I would have been more than happy if the entire story was written from her point of view. I am very excited with how the book left off at the end, it was alluding to something that I had been hoping for through the whole book and I can't wait.

Many thanks to Angry Robot for my review copy!

I was so excited to get to this one I have loved every book I have read by S T Gibson but I was disappointed with this one. I think this is a well written story but I wasn't invested in the story or characters 😞

Thank you to Netgalley, Angry Robot and S T Gibson for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Evocation is a really captivating and mysterious novel, with complex character dynamics. I really liked it and I will definitely read more in this world and from the author.
This is the first book in The Summoner's Circle and it is a queer fantasy romance book.

I really liked the writing style and the characters of the book. Rhys, Moira and David have really unique relationship dynamics.
I loved the atmosphere of the book. It has gothic and dark academia vibes.

I also want to mention that the book navigates complex themes around fidelity, addiction, and childhood abuse.

I am really looking forward to continue with the series.

David was an occult prodigy as a young adult, he was raised by his abusive father. His father has been dead for years and he has been living a very luxurious life of riches and power. By day he is an attorney, and in his off time he provides medium services. Just before his 3oth birthday he begins to feel weird, his powers are acting up and he is at a loss for the cause.

In comes his researcher ex-boyfriend, and occult rival Rhys, he seeks his help but in order for him to agree he has to charm and convince Moira, Rhys' wife. Feelings and attachments between the 3 of them develop and it will take all of them to figure out this deal with the devil David's ancestors left him with.

This book really took my by surprise, I have been meaning to read from this author and this happens to be my first. I LOVED the queer representation in this book, especially the exploration of polyamory and non-romantic/sexual love and connection. The plot kept me intrigued from the get go, and I could not put it down. Although things are not fully resolved due to this being part of the series it did end in a good place that did not feel like too much of a cliffhanger. I cannot wait for the next installment.

I enjoyed Evocation a lot more than the author's previous books; it's more like my kind of fantasy and I'm really happy about that. However, I found myself drawn out of the book several times around the 50% mark and I put it down for multiple days at a time; I can't say for sure whether that's the book's fault or mine (I believed it to be my fault until I learned that others felt the same way), but I know that, unfortunately, I can't give it 5 stars. The characters were amazing, especially David and Moira, which is not a surprise; I always love S.T. Gibson's characters. The plot, however, is not as strong as I hoped it would be. I didn't find inconsistencies, but there just wasn't enough of a mystery to it. Everything that happened was extremely predictable and I get that the focus here was on the characters and the relationships between them, but I needed more action, more occult, more... something, which unfortunately wasn't there.