Queer witches need I say more. Another amazing book from Krystal Sutherland, an author I will continue to read everything from.

This book was so good, I’m still in awe of it.

Every since I read House of Hollow, I knew Krystal was an author worth keeping an eye on, so when she announced her new book The Invocations I knew I had to read it, and I’m so glad to say it met every single one of my expectations.

The book follows three young girls, Emer who is a cursewriter, which is basically a witch, she expends her days hiding from her past in Oxford and trying to help vulnerable women to gather power.
Zara has recently lost her sister and is obsessed with the occult and trying to resurrect her.
Jude is cursed with a bad spell, she’s desperate to find a real witch who can help her undo it.
The lives of the three girls end up intertwining when a serial killer who targets witches arrives at London, they join forces to try to figure out what’s happening and to prevent more unnecessary killings.

As always Krystal's writing is very atmospheric and addicting, I couldn’t stop reading it, I loved how she managed the relationship between the three girls, it really worked into making this a wholesome book.

I’m sad this is a standalone because I would’ve loved reading more about this world but I can’t wait to see what Krystal has in store for us in her next novel.

Thanks Netgalley and Bonnier Books Uk, Hot Key Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review

Brilliant! I couldn’t put this book down, Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this title.

This was a gothic, haunting and atmospheric story that I couldn’t put down. It was gripping and engaging the whole way through with a level of suspense and unpredictability that added an extra layer to the storytelling. It was a chilling read that has stayed with me since I read it.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I've been in a massive reading slump lately and every time I've tried to pick this up, I've managed a few pages before I give up. It's definitely not a reflection on the author or the book, just a me issue! I do want to come back to this though, as I've heard nothing but good things.

I thought I loved House of Hollow, but somehow this was even better! I adored everything about this modern witchy lesbian book. It leans more into fantasy than horror (whereas House of Hollow was more of a horror book), but I absolutely loved this and Krystal Sutherland is fast becoming a auto-buy author for me!

Having read and loved House of Hollow, I had high expectations when I heard that Sutherland was releasing a new book, and The Invocations did not disappoint at all. I'm not normally much of a horror type novel fan, but that had me hooked and guessing all the way through. I think she may be a new auto-buy author for me.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book.

I think this is becoming a must-read author for me. I loved this book.

The concept of the magic system was really unique, I loved the main characters and their personal arcs.

A great twist as well made this a great fantasy/horror-lite book.

After loving House of Hollow, I couldn't wait to read The Invocations, and I'm so happy to say I loved it too! Krystal Sutherland's writing is beautiful - such vivid descriptions and everything just comes to life. This novel was also perfectly creepy, and the magic system was so cleverly done. I loved the characters and their relationships (and the banter! The banter was great). Overall, this was such a fun, exciting read!

An excellent mix of horror and mystery. It kept on the edge and turning pages. it's well plotted, tightly knitted and with the right level of creepyness.
An intriguing story that I strongly recommend
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This book was awesome. One of the rare kind of books where I can't say I particularly liked any of the characters, but they completely suited the dark tone of the story. It was dark, gruesome and completely compelling and impossible to put down. I really enjoyed despite being quite grim how the characters came together and grew. I would love to see more from this world. It does deal with some triggering aspects and is quite blunt and hard to read at times. It all comes together with the way the world building works. Dark, but really really good.

A YA horror that definitely did not disappoint!
Never having read any of Krystal Sutherland's writing before, this was completely new to me, and its safe to say I'm ready to go on to read more of her stuff (House of Hollow is next on my list I think!).
The Invocations was so engaging, and wonderfully dark! It includes body horror, necromancy, demons, and a murder mystery, which worked so unbelievably well together.
It was slower paced in the beginning, so it took a bit of time to get set up and hooked, but once I was I could not put this down and the pace quickened massively!
A truly dark gem of a read!

This was a gripping read and I was intrigued by the characters. I will look out for more by this author.

Krystal Sutherland has really outdone herself here! A sensational witchy, tense and action packed mystery that will have you hooked.

Physically cringed at the self harming, but it isn't glamourised. Needed a strong cup of tea after reading!

This was the gruesome sapphic witch book of my heart. Deeply unsettling, overtly feminist, and laugh-out-loud funny between the splatter, each page was more captivating than the last. None of the three protagonists felt like a weak link, and each of their stories complimented the others’. Cursewriter Emer’s jaded experience with witchcraft following the massacre of her coven—and the sudden murders of her clients—highlighted the ignorance of newcomer Zara. Zara’s studious personality and sheer determination to do the impossible by bringing her sister back from the dead was offset by the quickfire wit and constant flirtation from Jude. Jude’s desperation to find a place within her vicious, upper class family was a stark contrast to Emer’s sheer solitude. At their heart, three girls alone to face a world that would persecute them. The romantic subplot that emerged never distracted from this and only served to highlight the notion of found family. This book definitely brought the same brand of horror as House of Hollow, with all of its greatest features turned up to eleven, so it’s no surprise that I enjoyed it even more.

I am sorry to say I dnf this book at 60% I just couldn't carry on anymore. I had no connection with the story or characters. I loved House of Hollow was a 5 star read for me and looking at other reviews I think this is down to me that I don't like this one.

I will not leave a review anywhere else as I didn't finish book so don't like to review books I haven't finished

The author has crafted a gripping and intense storyline with complex characters and a suspenseful plot. The combination of supernatural abilities, murder mystery, and themes of vengeance adds layers of intrigue and tension to the narrative. Balancing dark and distressing themes with engaging storytelling can create a powerful reading experience, drawing readers in while keeping them on edge. If you're looking to manage the intensity, consider incorporating moments of lightness or hope to provide relief for the readers amidst the darkness.

Recommended for all those women looking for a good ‘female rage’ book for sure! This feels like such an autumnal read, with girls from different covens joining to form their own, and foggy nights and wooded scenes and just so deliciously atmospheric. I think teenage girls would absolutely eat this up, it’s sapphic, its vibey, its eat-the-rich, its mysterious. Teenage me would have devoured this so much. Yes as an adult i guessed the plot, but that was still fun an i still felt the rage!! The multiple POVs really added something to this, and it felt like a gang I’d really want to be a part of.
Loved this fun witchy read!

I actually finished reading this book a while back and forgot to update with a review. I really enjoyed this book, in the usual style of dark femine rage of Sutherland which I am very much for. However, I had foreseen some of the plot points and ruined my enjoyment of the book. The writing is beautiful and kept me hooked unto the page, the characters vivid and realistic + an awesome magic system.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4