The Invocations

This is a superb fantasy horror murder mystery story, with a gentle sapphic feel running through it. It gripped me from the beginning. Snarky humorous banter lightens and adds to this creepy murder mystery. In fact so brilliantly creepily entertaining I found myself reading this in little snatches because I felt kept feeling the chills run up my back. As you can probably tell I liked all of this book, but especially thought the ending was just right. Read the whole book for yourself and see if you agree. Thank you to Bonnier Books Uk and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

This was a perfectly creepy read for this time of the year. I really enjoyed the 3 main characters and liked how their plot threads wove together by the end of the story - this was well done. It contains a lot of rather grotesque body horror which grossed me out too no end so beware of that going into the story.

I had read this authors previous offering, House of Hollow, and was a big fan. I went into The Invocations blind, and was expecting something similar, just in time for halloween.

Where House of Hollow is more of a creepy, atmospheric horror read, The Invocations offers more. It is more of a gothic fantasy which was a pleasant surprise. I thought this book was really well written, from the pace to the characters, plot and atmosphere.
The characters of Zara, Jude and Emer are quite distinct and the author does a great job of giving them their own individual voices. This book reminded me slightly of Her Majesty's Royal Coven in its plot, and also its connection to Ireland. However it felt stronger for being (I think?) a standalone. It sits somewhere between House of Earth and Blood and HMRC in the plot of the witch hunting / power sucking bad guys .

Overall I thought this was excellent and it will do really well when released!!

I read the House of Hollow with my book club and we loved it. When I was given the chance to read this early I was very excited. The Invocations did not disappoint and has become my favourite read of this year. It tells the story of Emer, Jude and Zara and the world of demons and witchcraft. It manages to be humorous at times and incredibly dark. Did not see the plot twist! It’s like Alice Hoffman writing as Stephen King! Thank you so much for being able to read and review.

I really enjoyed House of Hollow but this was even better it’s the perfect magical witchy book for fall. I loved the atmosphere and all three of the characters, they were all so unique but worked well together. The mystery was well done, I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading it in one sitting, I definitely did not see the twist coming. Krystal Sutherland is now an auto-buy author for me