I loved coming back to this world!
The secret society has had a major change!
But can Rhys survive that change.
The pressure around him causing his life and all his relationships to fall apart!
David explores new connections; Moria and Rhys explore their connection with David.
This book is spicer than book 1 but still so interesting and the magic world continues to expand.

The one part I didn’t quite enjoy is that the equation of the set up of the book was the exact same as the first
We aren’t saving David this time it’s Rhys
The conflict builds the same way, the major magic scene is in a similar part as book one.

But ST Gibson gives us some interesting set up for book 3 as magic content to expand. I will def be reading the next one (:

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

S.T. Gibson once again shows her brilliance. Combining deep and flawed characters, interesting world-building, and emotional challenges, she entraps you in a world fueled by magic and ambition.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

S.T. Gibson once again shows her brilliance. Combining deep and flawed characters, interesting world-building, and emotional challenges, she entraps you in a world fueled by magic and ambition.

I don't know how to feel about this series yet. I didn't LOVE book 1, but I did love the characters and was interested enough to give book 2 a shot. I'm pleased to say that I liked this one a bit more, but it was still lacking in the plot department. It wasn't 100% gripping, but what did keep me engaged was the characters. I love David and Moira so much, and while I like Rhys a little less (especially for most of this book), his journey in this book made sense to me, and I understood it, so I ended up with a little more respect for him as a character than I had before.

The issue is the plot, though. It lacked excitement and stakes, which was my main issue with the first book as well. Things were a little boring for most of the story, and that just doesn't match the vibes of the things that happen and the situations these characters get into. (view spoiler)

Things picked up a little in the end, though, and that was great. The last 20% was the most engaging. It still lacked weight, I don't know how else to put it, but it was fast-paced and interesting. I appreciated Rhys' development and hope that, while greed is still a core part of who he is (and I like the way the author explored greed through him and didn't completely exorcise it from him), he manages to keep working on himself for the better. Though it kinda sucks that he's obligated to do that, in a way, to continue having access to power, it's clear he learned his lesson.

Overall, I love S.T. Gibson's writing, I really like the vibes of this series and the magic (though I wish there was more worldbuilding), I love the characters (some more than others), and I'm leaving this book excited for the next one, which I hear will focus on my lovely Moira.

Ascension by S.T. Gibson

3.25⭐

First of all, I got to say that S.T. Gibson is my all time favourite author. And I feel like I didn't read this book at the right time. Because this was my before bed book during my exams 😅. After finishing, I feel like this would have been a better book to read faster. To go through it so slowly was not the right move. However, the ending I did read way faster and that was also when the story grasped my attention way more, and I enjoyed the read a lot.

Ascension is the second installment to Evocation, the summoner's circle. Therefore don't read this review if you have not read Evocation, because it might contain spoilers.

In the sequel we continue were we left off and Rhys steps into his new role as High Priest. However... Rhys is insatiably ambitious and will this ambition be his undoing?....

I was a bit scared to start this, because I wanted it to live up to all Gibson her previous books. This was not my favourite, however, it was still very enjoyable and great.
The magic system is so unique and especially if you love spirits, demons and angels in an urban fantasy than this is the book for you.

The story does continue in a bit of the sameness of the previous one, however, there is a new mystery part which I really enjoyed. Additionally I also really like to read about the polyamorous relationship and how the characters navigate their relationship. Their communication skills are so good! I love it when characters in relationships are able to communicate well with each other and come to a good decision together.

Gibson is a master in writing complex characters and not just the main three, but also the side characters such as Leda, Nathan and Kitty, and Antoni had their moments of shine, which I loved. The only let down was that Gibson is normally the queen of angs and drama, and this installment had a lot less of this except for the ending... which definitely made up for it on that part.

I am very excited where the next book will take us, especially since I feel like the next one will be about Moira and I adore her character so much.

Thank you so much @angryrobot and @netgalley for this e-arc.

I was looking forward to reading this book and it pains me to say I struggled with it a lot. It’s just too difficult for me to continue with such an unlikable character. I didn’t think Rhys was a strong character in Evocation and man, he’s just insufferable here. I couldn’t get into the plot, possibly due to the 3rd person POV, it’s so cold and informal. It lost the plot from the end of the first book, it had no action or intrigue.

Thank you to Angry Robot and NetGalley for the arc of Ascension, which was one of my most anticipated books of the year! S.T. Gibson just never misses. The way they write feels likely poetry and is remarkably dark and mysterious.

Our beloved polycule goes through some trials and tribulations in this next installment of the Summoner’s Circle series. There is of course a lot of angst and some incredible character development over the course of this story. I am so excited to see where this series goes in the next book.

This was a great sequel to Evocation, building upon Rhys' character in ways that weren't previously this deeply explored. I liked coming to understand the inner workings of his mind more intimately as he shouldered the role of High Priest, and how his ambition often clashed with what he could reasonably endure on his own as an occultist with more limited gifts than other members of the society. S.T. Gibson's writing is really well refined, creating great intrigue in even the more mundane scenes between Rhys, Moira and David. It was a pleasure to get more scenes of the three of them navigating their newfound relationship; I love how they communicate with one another and share different kinds of love that intertwine beautifully. While this instalment might not have been as high tension as the last, given the previous plot with David and his possession, this was an immersive read nonetheless!

The wait for this book was well worth it, and is already one of my favorite reads of the year. Gibson's Ascension builds on the already perfect world of Evocation in ways I didn't even think possible!!!

Thank you, NetGalley & Angry Robot, for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Ascension by S.T. Gibson was everything I hoped for and more!! A spellbinding continuation that expanded on everything I fell for in Evocation and tore me apart in the best way. Rhys, Moira, and David’s relationship evolves in such a layered, emotionally satisfying way. Even though Moira and David aren't romantically tied, watching their bond strengthen was unexpectedly tender and one of my favorite aspects of the book. That kitchen scene? IYKYK. 🥲

Rhys is still my favorite ambitious disaster bisexual, spiraling through priesthood, polyamory, and hellish politics and I loved every minute of his unhinged little descent. The inner conflict, the external chaos, the demon deals... it was juicy. And while I did clock a few twists early, Gibson still hit me with plenty of curveballs I absolutely did not see coming.

The tension? Top-tier. The vibes? Deliciously dark. The pacing? Addictive. I need the next installment yesterday. Until then, I’ll be summoning patience (and maybe a demon or two) to get by. 🖤✨

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

I LOVED Evocation, so I was super hyped to read Ascension and it did not disappoint!

This takes place a few months after the events of Evocation with a bigger focus on Rhys, as he navigates his relationships with Moira and David, while adjusting to his new role as High Priest. Not gonna lie, I wasn't super into Rhys in Evocation, like I thought he was just ok, but reading this book made me love him so much more!

Rhys is going through so much shit in this one, as he wrestles with his ambition and all the drama and angst it brings. While not everything is his fault, he definitely brings a lot of it on himself, but it's easy to understand why he is the way he is. As a fellow neurotic over-thinker, I found him super relatable, and his character arc was hard won but so satisfying.

Of course, we also get to read David's and Moira's points of view. David has his own subplot involving a new romance(!!!) No spoilers, but I found his new love interest very interesting, and I'm curious to see how it might get explored in future books. Moira, on the other hand, is contemplating her marriage with Rhys, the sacrifices she has made for it and the ways it has changed her (not necessarily for the better). I'm looking forward to Moira's book because these two books had her dealing with everyone's shit so I hope she gets to go wild and get loose she deserves it!!!!

I also loved how the trio's relationship is explored more. David and Moira's dynamic is so cute, and Rhys's jealousy over David OMG!!! Also, no spoilers, but I LOVED the last chapter iykyk 🤭

I saw the author describe this series as "seasons of your favourite show" and it's sooo true. The episodic chapters and the different ongoing subplots really does make it feel like I'm following a TV show, and I cannot wait for the next season!! 🥰🥰🥰

Thank you to Netgalley and Angry Robot for sending me this E-Arc!

While I’m very attached to the main characters in this book and the complexities of the magic and romance, the plot did not seem as well paced or as engaging to me as the first. If you really loved Evocation, I would still recommend this book, as Rhys as a character is so fascinating to focus more on and the relationship between the three is still a very strong point of the book!

4.5⭐️

Okay wow this book really took me by surprise! After liking but not loving Evocation, I was not sure how I was going to feel about this one, but it honestly exceeded my expectations. Once you make it past the slow start, I was living for the relationship drama, the demons, and Rhys spiraling out of control. I grew to love our throuple so much. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Leda. The side characters are all so unique and lovable. The polygamy and LGBTQ+ rep was so well done.

Thank you to Angry Robot for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Ascension continues the story of Moira, Rhys, and David as they face the growing intricacies of their connection to the occult. While developing their relatiomship, they’re also pulled back into dangerous magic, new-old alliances, and unfinished business that won't stay buried. The balance between love, power, and belief becomes harder to maintain, especially as personal histories resurface and outside threats close in. It’s a story of loyalty, magic, and the lengths people go to protect what matters most.

I loved this book. Moira continues to be one of my favourite characters ever - I adore the way she loves so fiercely and selflessly, yet never loses sight of her own worth. She would walk through fire for the people she loves, but she stands her ground when it matters. Absolutely a goddess, just like Rhys says.

The poly relationship between Moira, Rhys, and David has grown in such a beautiful, complex way. Their care for each other, their openness, and the strength of their emotional bond made every shared scene powerful and compelling. I genuinely loved reading every moment of their dynamic.

The occult plot was just as gripping as in the first book,filled with fascinating lore, high personal stakes, and moments of sharp tension. The supporting cast continues to shine, and the friend group remains one of the book’s biggest strengths in terms of emotional grounding and warmth.

Highly recommended, and I cannot wait for book 3!

Didn’t like this as much as the first one. Or the prequel. I think it was because we spent too much time in Rhys perspective and his pov is exhausting and draining, but also boring. Like him spiraling wasn’t even that interesting just pissed me off. David and Moira both are more interesting. Just overall felt like a perfectly meh book. Some things I liked though, seeing more of the side characters. And the dynamics between everyone are always spicy and dramatic which is fun.

With this instalment, S. T. Gibson has really cemented The Summoner's Circle series as having some of the best character work of any of her books. I'm a very character-driven reader, so this is a dream for me. Gibson lays these characters bare down to the most minute detail of their personalities, making them feel so real. Not only do they feel real from their descriptions, but also by the nature of their flaws and relationship dynamics. The messiness and drama is to die for in this book - if you enjoyed the film 'Conclave', I think you'll love Ascension. Rhys has become my favourite character in this series - he's a devastatingly gorgeous emo sad boy riddled with Catholic guilt. I love that in trying so desperately to be good, he actually ends up bringing collateral damage to everyone around him (my favourite kind of disaster character, but he's trying!)

This book loses a star for the prominence of the modern references (e.g. Tik Tok, Zara, Audi). It's not a dealbreaker for me but it does take me out of the story and I don't think that they were always necessary. This is definitely personal preference and some people may not mind as much. Also, this book definitely has a very loose plot - as a character-driven reader, I don't mind this (I'm here for the vibes and characters) but I feel like I have to mention it!

Overall I loved this and it's definitely my favourite in the series so far <3 Huge thanks to Angry Robot and Netgalley for the e-ARC!

I still remember reading Evocation and being utterly smitten with the characters. I was hoping to get to spend more time with them, so, I was extremely excited to get my hands on the sequel. Unfortunately, it took me surprisingly long to get back into the story.
Moira, David and Rhys are such a formidable trio, but just like his lovers, I sometimes get frustrated with Rhys and his inability to communicate and put his ego aside. All of them have their flaws, but there was a definitive focus on Rhys in Ascension and at times, I got quite annoyed with him. He is the epitome of catholic guilt and his actions make sense as part of who he is, but that doesn't mean I always have to like it.

Still, I'm glad we got to explore the relationships of these characters some more. In the beginning, I was confused about their arrangement, unsure if they had really thought it through to officially go poly. To me, it felt like there were still some talking points and boundaries that needed discussing, but by the end, I was just blissfully enjoying their bond of three alongside them.

Finally, I have to say, that a big issue I had with the first book was carried over to this one as well. It was so evident that there was a larger magical issue, but somehow there's no real sense of urgency to resolve these things. I always feel like I take it more seriously than the characters and then we rush into finding a solution in the last 20% of the book without properly having built that up.

Final rating: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4

In Evocation's aftermath, we rejoin Rhys, David, and Moira. Rhys grapples with his new role as high priest, battling internal guilt and a sense of unworthiness regarding his happiness with Moira and David. He's also biting off more than he can chew, balancing high priesthood with demon hunting, his relationships, and some Catholic guilt just for good measure.

Chaos erupts in the Society when the seeming remains of an occult ritual are left on the Boston Commons, prompting a gathering of occult leaders summoned by Rhys. The core of the story revolves around Rhys's struggle with taking on too much. He keeps secrets from David, Moira, and society, leading him to a breaking point. It was frustrating to see Rhys jeopardize his good fortune through dishonesty.

Additionally, David's encounter with someone from his past sparks jealousy in Rhys. This felt a bit unfair, given Rhys is "having his cake and eating it too", and yet he handles it poorly when David or Moira show interest in others.

Nevertheless, the story concludes with a shocking and interesting twist. The world-building is enjoyable, and ST Gibson's future direction for the series promises to be fascinating. I hope to see more exploration of magic, particularly outside of the Society, in future installments.

Rhys seems to have it all now, the wife, the boyfriend, and the position of power at the head of the Secret Society, but Rhys is too hard on himself and is always striving for more.

When some leaked documents bring scrutiny on the Society, Rhys finds he needs to seek more and more demonic assistance to deal with matter and keep them in his control, or so he thinks.

Can David and Moira bring Rhys back from the troubles he got himself into, or is he too far gone for the two people he loves most to save him.

Rhys is burning bridges, bridges that might just get rebuilt elsewhere with friends old and new. Can they all make it through and preserve the good they have found...

I absolutely adored this book, to be honest I forgot a lot about the underlying plot of the Society being in danger as I was just so invested in the characters.

David, Moria and Rhys have my whole heart, and I can also say that about Davids sister Leda.

ST Gibson writes characters so well I definitely feel like these are my friends and family now and I just want the best for them. Also, the character assessments throughout - good and bad - actually made me think about some of my traits and how I would act etc.

Bravo to the writing and I cannot wait for more books in this series!

Out today! Thanks to NetGalley and Angry Robot for the review copy. All opinions my own.

Character growth and evolution are the stars for Ascension, more-so than the plot which didn't feel like it had a real chance to shine beyond the time spend on exploring and dealing with everyone's relationship. That being said though, I'm so here for it because I am so rooting for each character and I love them all. These complex relationships with what feels like a reality based polyamory - where not everything is easy or straight-forward - are everything! Trauma and endless internal turmoil make these characters feel so real. Even if I end up osculating between the characters which I'm fond of, don't understand, or are no longer rooting for I just love the way S.T. Gibson writes. The focus upon some little details these lingering or casual touches, are swoon-worthy. Moira is a stand-out favorite with her emotional maturity and the endless patience she seems to have for the boys.
Excited about what comes next because I think the plot will come more into focus on this journey - and ultimately thank Angry Robot for this e-ARC!