Really enjoyable, sucks you in right away. The characters are all unique and fun in their own ways. I loved the mystical aspect of it and would have loved to delve more into the society side of things, but I feel that will be explored in later books.

All three protagonists were enjoyable but the standout was David. I would have happily read the whole book from his POV and think it might have actually been a stronger book with him solely at the helm, but it was still enjoyable to be in the heads of Rhys and Moira.

Looking forward to the rest of the series, and reading more from this author!

Evocation is my third S. T. Gibson read and one I very much enjoyed.

I was honestly skeptical how Gibson was going to wrap up what in my mind was several plot lines but I think the pacing worked and Gibson pulled it out the bag. I enjoyed this, David did annoy me at first but once you carry on reading you just can't help but care for each and everyone of them. They dynamic works and they each bring out the best in each other - well once Rhys and David sort themselves out.

The standout character for me was Moira, she was single handedly keeping the team together dealing with Rhys and David with the project management skill that can only come from someone who had clearly done all the work in a group project.

Also I had great time annotating this book, I would definitely recommend this. I have a physical copy on the way to join my Gibson collection. I'm definitely a fan.

Thank you to Angry Robot, Netgalley and S. T Gibson for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This story is sensuous and spellbinding. I loved the secret society, the celebration of the occult and atmosphere. The entangled trio of loveable and dysfunctional characters and their relationship are addictive to read about. This is definitely a character driven story but there’s enough plot to keep things interesting and the pace relatively steady.
Definitely a book I will recommend time and time again. Can’t wait to see where these characters go.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

This was just fantastic! I loved the queer rep throughout the book, I thought it was done really well with polyamory also touched on.

The writing style was just absolutely perfect for me. I thought the book flowed really well and it had me hooked throughout. I loved the world building and the different magic systems within this book were really intriguing. I found myself thinking which system would I like to be a part of.

If you love a high stakes fantasy, and don’t mind it being dark and emotional in parts, then this is definitely one for you! Run, don’t walk!

Two bangers published in one year? Yup, S.T. Gibson has done it. In a departure from her bestselling vampire retellings, S.T. Gibson gives us a gothic, dark academia, paranormal romance with insane representation. Polyamory, rivals to lovers, LGBTQIA rep, the occult, tarot, astrology, this book has it all.

This story centers around a trio of magicians working together, initially begrudgingly, to exorcise a demon that is quite literally consuming one of them from the inside out via possession. Exes, Rhys and David must work together and collectively pool their magical talents to save David’s life and they cannot seem to do so without the help of Rhys’s wife Moira.

I loved this book, the men only magic fraternity gave me Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell vibes and does a great job with the political undertones surrounding recognizing women as magicians and allowing them into the metaphorical and literal circle. The relationship among the characters is sweet and rooted more in love and companionship than lust which I found to be really endearing.

This book comes out May 28th, mere months after An Education in Malice. I am forever grateful to Angry Robot Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this one, all opinions are my own.

This book was one of my most highly anticipated, and it did not disappoint. It started off quick and ended perfectly. 5 stars.

"Evocation" by S.T. Gibson is a book that focuses on the complex dynamics between its three main characters, David, Rhys, and Moira.

David is a medium and a good one at that, and Rhys-why is this name everywhere- is his ex-boyfriend. He doesn’t have natural magic but he’s strong in his own ways, and is married to Moira, another powerful medium. The book surrounds the three’s relationships, with themes of trust, rivalry, and masked emotions.

The love triangle was full of tension and is one of the reasons why I love S.T. Gibson so much. Her trios are always insanely interconnected.

This book comes out May 28th. Be sure to check trigger warnings. Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for this ARC!

Amazing! S.T Gibson does it again. Every book they release I absolutely devour and fall in love with. The characters are the stand out in this book, they are exquisite. Their relationship is built so well and the dynamic they have with one another is everything. Absolutely loved it, a new favourite.

This is genuinely sooo close to being a 5 star read for me but isn't quite.

But i ADORED this book and absolutely devoured it like our main characters devour coffee. This is absolutely a character-driven novel despite the high-stakes plot, and the dynamics between the trio and as a whole was developed so beautifully and I particularly felt so invested in Moira and David's non-sexual affection. Having a romance book spend such a large amount of time with several friendships really warmed my heart and was one of my favourite parts. Moira and Rhys' marriage was written so well too, I loved how they openly communicated and set boundaries, and acknowledged when they were in the wrong.

I do think this would have benefitted from being a bit longer, giving us a bit more plot in some areas. It does sort of feel like the curse is sidelined before the final 15%. I wanted more from the dark and occult vibes that the marketing has been leaning into. The worldbuilding that is here is fantastic though and there are so many areas I hope to see developed more in the rest of the series, including seeing more of Leda and Lorena.

Evocation has a backdrop of mysticism, and it is initially presented in a manner that makes the ritualistic environment all the more atmospheric. The juxtaposition between the ceremonial occultism practiced by Rhys and David, and the more familial (and familiar, to me) magic practiced by Moira, is well written and interesting. As Evocation progresses, however, the detailed focus on mysticism begins to fade into the periphery more and more. Beyond initial exposition, relatively little detail is given to ceremonial and ritual spaces and processes, even as new systems of practice are introduced (e.g. Chaos Magic). This extends into the central conflict driving the plot– the Aristarkhov deal– which is given unclear terms and treated with little urgency until very near the end.

Evocation is heavily character-focused, and the relationships cultivated by David, Rhys, and Moira are very clearly the intended focal point of the novel. The ‘Polyamorous V’ centers on Rhys, which unfortunately feels especially undeserved by the end of the novel— though David and Moira do have incredible chemistry, albeit non-romantic. Moira is underutilized as a character, ultimately feeling as though her purpose is to accept the inevitability of, and to help facilitate, the romantic reunion of Rhys and David (after infidelity has already occurred).

Evocation is the first book in The Summoner's Circle series, so there is tremendous space for character growth and plot development in the subsequent novels, but Evocation does suffer from lacking this depth as the introductory novel.

"Evocation" by S.T. Gibson is a book that blends supernatural elements with human relationships. It focuses on the complex dynamics between its three main characters, David, Rhys, and Moira.

David is a powerful medium and Rhys, his ex-boyfriend, is ambitious but lacks natural magical abilities. Rhys is married to Moira, who is another strong medium. The book explores the trio's relationships, including themes of trust, rivalry, and buried emotions. The love triangle at its core adds tension to the story and underlines the motivations, strengths, and weaknesses - human nature – of each character as they navigate their personal lives, social expectations, and their past.

The plot revolves around magic, secret societies, and generational curses, which adds elements of mystery and suspense to the storyline. While I didn't exactly fall head over heels for "Evocation", I didn't dislike it either. It's somewhere in my 'STORY LIKES' category. It’ll be an excellent read for those who like character development.

Gibson's storytelling and use of vocabulary are elegant, although some of her word choices may require a dictionary.

"Evocation" is the first book in a new series by Gibson, and I am curious about what comes next for the characters and plot.

Overall, while "Evocation" may not be a book that I absolutely love or lands in my 'STORY LOVES' category, I did appreciate it. David, particularly, is my favorite character due to his growth throughout the story. Gibson’s smart storytelling and character-centric emphasis make it a book worth reading, especially if you’re into stories that prioritize character development and don’t mind expanding your vocabulary now and then.

Evocation” releases on May 28th. Please note that there are content warnings for off-page abuse and on-page anxiety and obsessive compulsion. Keep this in mind if you’re considering reading it. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy “Evocation”.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of "Evocation.”

STORY LIKES
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
3.5 rounded to 4

RECOMMEND
💳 yes

SPICE
🌶️ mild(ish)

I think at this point any book this woman writes I will end up loving it! no doubt about it

another great book
amazing book that I didn't want to put down

Having already devoured ‘Evocation’ by S.T. Gibson in a single sitting, I can confidently say it ranks among my top reads this year. Gibson captivates once again with their signature lyrical writing and gorgeous prose, creating an unforgettable experience. This book is a testament to their incredible talent in crafting vivid characters and narratives driven by them that resonate deeply

I think I just need to accept that ST Gibson is not the writer for me. Nothing is ever bad about her books, but they never live up to the hype created around them for me (I know they do for many other people).

Evocation is different than the vampire books - though there are some similar themes. This one is far less flowery, but still feels character driven.

The plot moved really slow for me. I think it all could've been addressed in this book and not needed a sequel. At the end, I was confused on timelines (it felt like David & Rhys had recently broken up but Rhys was already married to Moira?) and how somethings worked (if the demon comes to collect a soul on the 30th birthday why didn't it just leave when it was transferred?)

I've seen it thrown around that this is dark academia, but it definitely is not. Unsure if I will read the sequel.

I would recommend this to readers who want a cozy, dark academia story about friendship and a budding polyamorous romance but also a tale about deals with the devil, demon possession, and family secrets.

The characters
-David, Rhys, and Moira are a unique trio. I was first introduced to these characters in the novella, Odd Spirts. Returning to their world felt like coming home.
-Moira will always be my favorite. I love her vulnerability, empathy, and the fact that she isn't a push over. She knows who she is and refuses to be told what to do.
-I love Rhys and Moira together, but I'm sure that I love just Rhys. Outside of Moira, Rhys was a self-righteous jerk.
-David snuck up on me. I literally hate thus guy for 90% of the story but then by the end, he ends up being my favorite over David.
-That being said, it's very obvious that the author's favorite characters are the men. Moira gets sidelined in favor of David and Moira's romance. It felt like the only reason Moira had a POV was so she wasn't just a background character. I didn't feel like I really got to know Moira outside of the guys, except for the abilities she's been suppressing. Since this a series, I imagine this new side of Moira will be explored in the sequel.

The writing
The writing was done well in terms of descriptive details and setting the stage. The author did a great job of making the vibes feel cozy.
I loved the references to food and iced coffee. I felt immersed inside of the setting of spooky libraries and even the society politics. There were a couple of typos that I noticed but I'm sure they'll be fixed before publication.

The plot
I didn't love the pacing of the story since the story felt character-driven. It's 400 pages of character development with a low-stakes plot. The first book was David's story so I wonder if it would have been better to focus on him and than expand the POVs to the other characters later. The climax did feel a tad rushed and it will interesting to see what happens next after THAT new development.

Evocation was a atmospheric, slow burn, dark fantasy romance that really emphasizes the intimacy of three people with a complex dynamic (a married couple and a former lover that needs their help). I couldn't help but get wrapped up in the society politics, ex-boyfriend drama, and occult dilemmas. All the problems felt grounded despite the fantastical and supernatural elements.

Content Warning: alcohol abuse

Evocation is a dark tale about three psychics that get involved in mysterious events which will change everything for them and their relationship. Our protagonists are David, psychic progeny who also works as an attorney, his ex-boyfriend and scholar Rhys and Rhys's wife Moira. All of these characters are different in their own way and interesting, but I feel like I mostly enjoyed Moira's POV. For some reason, I couldn't get into David's passages and could only connect to some parts of his personality. Rhys, for me, was right in the middle, he didn't seem that special. The interconnected relationship between characters felt a bit odd for me at times, because it seemed to that the romance itself started very randomly, in my opinion, it lacked proper development and characters just jumped straight into it. That is why for me it was hard to believe, that Moira would be not only supportive of the whole thing, but also would encourage Rhys to pursue his old feelings for David. I liked the spiritualism parts and would have liked to see more examples of what this trio can do, but as this is the first book of the planned series, I'm sure it will be explored more in the future. Overall, I would say that the premise of the story was fulfilled quite well even if some parts didn't work for me.

Thank you to Angry Robot and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. This book solidified S.T. Gibson as an auto-read author for me. While this was probably my least favorite of her books so far, that's really not saying much because I still liked this more most of the books I've read this year. I loved the magic system in this world and the three MCs were fantastic. She continued to absolutely nail the dark academia, secret magic society, along with the complex interpersonal relationships and queer romance. I was a little dissatisfied with the ending, but it also looks like this will be a series, so it's hard to knock a book for not tying up all the loose ends when its the first. I look forward to returning to this world and the characters and this book still stood on its own very well.
I think the reason it wasn't my favorite is that there was no plot just vibes, and it was very slow paced. There was a lot of great character and relationship development that made up for it, but it was still hard to get into a good rhythm with the book until well past the half way point.
It was refreshing to see a relationship dynamic evolve that was not expected or commonly portrayed and I thought she did it perfectly. I also love when an author is compassionate to their characters, even when they put them through literal hell, and Gibson really did this well. I really liked how real life tough subject matter like alcoholism, religious deconstruction, toxic relationships, and loss were addressed along with demon possession, and lots of complicated magic. Overall the vibes, the prose, the setting and the characters were perfect and I will be buying and recommending this book along with Dowry and Education in Malice to anyone who will listen to me talk about books.

3.5 rounded down.

If I had to rank S.T Gibson's books, this would sit firmly in second place. I had a lot of fun reading it, but there were a few niggles that bothered me too much to completely love it. I have to agree with other reviews that it felt like a book that bit off more than it could chew.

The strongest aspect of the book are the characters and their blossoming poly relationship. The sexual tension between them was so thick and delicious, but I have to say I loved David's and Moria's intimate friendship the most. Love Rhy but he could be a real pain at moments and no doubt would have been worse is Moria didn't lay down the law with him. This is not a plot heavy book, hell the plot seem suspended during the middle until it crashed in at the end, but I enjoyed the growing relationship enough to still stay hooked.

However, there are a few muddled elements of the neglected plot that held it back for me. First, the magic system felt a bit slap dashed towards the end. It's helped in the beginning by relying on real world practices like tarot and palm reading but then it threw in new stuff last minute like blood magic and chaos magicians, and I want to know more about what you can do with those but they're skimmed over. It kept talking about all these different magical rituals but I only got the vaguest sense of what they did. You get a shallow taste of a rich magical world, and I hope the sequels will delve more into it.

While David's demon possession is the driving force of the plot, you don't get much information about it or how they're going to deal with it until blood magic is suddenly thrown in. It mentions David getting visions of a deal made with the devil centuries ago, and I wanted to see more of that. Don't tease me with the devil and not show him, that's just cruel.

Overall it's filled with fantastic characters, intense relationships, great aesthetics and a luscious poly romance. If you've enjoyed Gibson's other works, then check it out if you're happy with a slim plot.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Angry Robot for an ARC of Evocation!

Evocation truly did live up to the hype I had for it. After a complex relationship with the authors previous work An Education in Malice I was slightly hesitant going into this, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Evocations beating heart is the characters and their relationships. David especially became my favorite out of the trio in this book. He's messy, tries his best to look like he has his life together even if he doesn't and denies himself a lot of joy for the sake of his work. A true Leo sun + Virgo moon man at his finest. I found his journey throughout the book so fun to watch unfold and while hes not a completely changed man at the end of the novel, he's very much himself but elevated and changed in ways he very much needed, His beautiful friendship with Rhys's wife Moira was my favorite relationship to read about. It's not very often you find books that treat a friendship with the same veneration and depth as a romantic one and I found it so refreshing to read. Their steady journey to learning they relate on a level that others wouldn't understand is so applicable to real life deep friendships it struck a chord with me and every scene with them was like a warm hug. They work so well together and I really hope in the future we get to see even small glimpses of them.

Rhys and Moira are like a package deal for me and out of the two Moira was my favorite. She is so sure of herself, knows what she wants and doesn't stand down when things get rough. She is the woman we all dream of being as a child and if I was younger I for sure would have had her as someone to look up to. Rhys on the other hand, while I related to his Catholic guilt and his constant need to prove himself, I felt like he was a tad stagnant as a character. He didn't really change or even go beyond the straight laced, by the book kind of man he was for the whole novel and if anything I wish we could have seen him loosen up a bit more. He does open up when it comes to their three way arrangement but aside from that aspect, it felt like he was the same man at the beginning and at the end which isn't a bad thing but it also felt like he could have had somewhere to go in terms of development but ultimately didn't and my investment in him as a character waned because of it. I did enjoy his dynamic with both Moira and David however.

I deeply enjoyed the world and the things that were set up for the rest of the series here. It has just enough that you understand the basics of the occult world you are inhabiting while also leaving things open enough for further development down the road, and with the taste we got here I can't wait to see what the full meal looks like when the series is done.

Gibsons writing as always is lush and beautiful, deeply funny and conjures up some truly stunning imagery. The way emotions are described is so poetic and so on the nose at times but I felt myself seeing with full clarity on both sides. This book also being written third person I think benefited the writing much more than in Gibsons previous work as it allowed for more flexibility in terms of how things can be described and written about. I did however notice a crutch I picked up on in AEIM and also here, and that is still the slight use of 'showing rather than telling' when it comes to characters and their feelings. Gibson is such a talented writer and I do wish there were times where their character's actions can speak for their feelings rather than just relaying to the reader how the character feels when there hasn't been anything in the narrative prior to truly support it.

All in all though, I deeply enjoyed Evocation and will be waiting eagerly for the series next installment. Gibson is such an amazing author and this book proves that they have incredible staying power in the adult fantasy genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me access to the e-Arc.

I really enjoyed this arc. It’s set in a dark academia/ secret society setting. It also has a paranormal element. A poly relationship as well.

I have never read anything like this before. There was so much drama and intrigue. I’m definitely curious to see where the story goes from here. I honestly loved how strong the relationship was between the married couple. That’s not always present in books. I thought the FMC was amazing. She was so strong and confident. I love seeing that in books.

I highly recommend it!

Evocation is a modern day, occult book set in Boston. It follows David, his ex-boyfriend Rhys, and Rhys’ wife Moira. The three of them pair up after some reluctance to help David lift the curse upon his family.

I went into Evocation expecting a character driven book with supernatural vibes and it delivered. I loved the dynamic between the three main characters, the secret society, and witchery. Overall this was such a fun read and would have been 5 stars if we had a little more character development and the ending wasn’t so rushed. Still a 4.25 star read and I’m looking forward to book two.

Thank you Netgalley and Angry Robot for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.