I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review and boy oh boy I’m so happy I had the chance!
The best way to describe this book is as a mix of The Raven Cycle and Legend (the sequel to Hollow) by Karina Halle. The end of the book was so spicy!!! Can’t wait to read book 2.

While this was a very interesting story, it was a struggle for me to finish. The narrator did very well especially with several characters to portray. The elements within the book giving John Constantine and Practical Magic vibes were right up my alley, but were just not 100% there for me. David is very self-centered and haunted with what he thinks is his father but turns into so much more. As his problems grow worse, David has only one person he feels he can turn to. Rhys is definitely trying to not get thrown into David’s problems anymore; but given their past, he still cares too much to ignore him, He continuously says he wants to focus on his own goals and his wife, Moira. Especially because David and Moira struggle to be civil with one another. Their relationship does grow, and was enjoyable.

The biggest issue for me was the polyamorous element. No judgement on the authors choice. Personally, I believe in monogamy. And the relationship just felt very unfaithful and fake to me. Overall a very intriguing story. Just not something I will continue. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to listen to the audiobook.

3.5 rounded up.

Evocation is an urban fantasy that deals in the occult, a secret society, and demons!

I have been a fan of S.T. Gibson's for a few years now and absolutely devoured A Dowry of Blood and An Education in Malice. I was SO excited to dive into another of their offerings.

S.T. Gibson does characters so well and this is on display on this very character driven novel. You can't help but empathize and understand the struggles they are going through even with otherworldly issues. As well, the atmosphere was PALPABLE. You open this book and become fully immersed in the story every time.

Although I thought the secret society was interestingly fleshed out, and I did really enjoy the characters and their interactions. The only thing I didn't like was the polyamorous relationship. Not the polyamory itself, but the fact that it read as David and Rhys' love story that Moira has to step aside for. I thought she deserved a lot better! And I wanted to explore her friendship with David more - they were really great together.

Overall, this seems to be a series (I think? will there be a book 2??) and I do look forward to what will happen next. It was an extremely compelling read and I loved the lore we learned as the book went on. It would be great to expand upon the world, the relationships and see how the secret society adapts to all the change!

In S.T. Gibson's "Evocation," the intricate dance of magic and relationships unfolds with mesmerizing allure. From the onset, David's psychic prowess and complex familial ties draw readers into a world teeming with occult intrigue. The nuanced dynamics between the characters resonate deeply, showcasing the author's skill in crafting multifaceted relationships.

However, as the story reaches its crescendo, the polyamorous relationship feels discordant, particularly in its execution. Despite the narrative's earlier promise, the portrayal of this dynamic falls short of satisfaction particularly for Moira's character, who I personally felt deserved much better from both men, but particularly her husband.

Yet, amidst this disappointment, the strength of the characters' connections, especially the bond between David and Moira, and David and Rhys continues to shine. Their emotional journey, fraught with past wounds and renewed affection, adds depth to the narrative tapestry.

While "Evocation" initially held the promise of a five-star read, the misstep in its conclusion tempers this enthusiasm, settling the overall experience closer to a 3.75-4 rating. Despite my dissatisfaction with the relationships, Gibson's novel remains a compelling exploration of magic, love, and the complexities of human relationships.

I was thrilled to receive approval for my last-minute request of the audiobook for Evocation by S.T. Gibson. I listened all the way through it in a matter of two days!

Quick Synopsis: Present-day childhood psychic prodigy David Aristarkhov is a high-powered Boston attorney and skilled medium for his secret society. But power has a price, and as David approaches his 30th birthday, the Devil comes knocking to collect on a 300-year old blood oath. Out of other options, David reluctantly reaches out to his ex-boyfriend and current occultist rival Rhys and Rhys' wife, Moira. David's days are numbered, and buried feelings claw their way to the surface as the trio works tirelessly to save David from his doomed destiny.

Review: The plot in Evocation was compelling and engaging. As a Boston girlie, I loved all of the references to the greater Boston metro sprinkled throughout the book. Additionally, I ADORED Moira's character and how she and David are able to build their own friendship amidst the chaos. I'm always down for some LGBTQIA+ representation, especially bi-rep, so that's another win for Evocation in my book. That being said, it was not overly or unnecessarily smutty. I liked the balance of old flame, newfound friendship, rekindling, and acceptance from all. I would definitely read this again and read the next installment in The Summoner's Circle series.

Narrator review: The narrator for Evocation did a great job! There were distinct voices for both MMCs which made it easy to distinguish whose POV you are listening to. There was also a surprising and lovely accent associated with Moira's character, furthering her endearingly character for me personally.

Thank you to the author S.T. Gibson, publisher Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads review submitted and linked below. A grid post on my bookstagram account (@bostonkatreads) to follow.

Evocation is a contemporary somewhat gothic paranormal novel about generational curses, magic, secret societies, complicated people and love in unlikely of situations. It’s incredibly fun, Rhys, Moira and David have such an engaging dynamic!

The occult dark academia atmosphere is thick on every page of this book. S.T. Gibson proves once again that she can consistently produce amazing novels. She has quickly become an author who I rely on for the decadent gothic aesthetics, with this story being one I couldn't pull myself away from. S.T. Gibson will forever be an auto buy author for me! Same review I gave for the physical book and the audiobook just amazing as well!!! Can’t wait

Evocation follows David, a powerful medium in a secret society, as he approaches his 30th birthday and the curse that comes with it.

I have read both of S. T. Gibson's previous books and this has the same writing style as the others, which is very character focused. We're mainly following David, his ex-boyfriend Rhys, and Rhys' wife, as the three of them work together to figure out what's happening to David. There's lots of history, some rivalry and also some attraction going on, leading to a complex relationship dynamic between the group which I found very unique and interesting to follow along with. I like how the characters aren't perfect and it makes them seem so much more realistic.

I listened to the audiobook for this which was a really enjoyable way to read it. I thought the narrator did a great job!

I'm looking forward to reading Odd Spirits later this year.

Thank you to Tantor Audio and Netgalley for this early copy.

I loved everything about this! I wasn't positive how I would feel about this book but it was absolutely amazing. I loved the characters so much even if I did want to punch them in the face for a good portion of the book. I honestly can't even explain to you what exactly I loved about this book because I loved everything!
I mean I don't think there is a single thing about this that I didn't love. The cover is impeccable, the characters are amazing and relatable and the story was was fast paced and interesting. I seriously could gush about this books for ages! Please just read it!

This was a read that grew on me the more that I read. At first I was very annoyed with the anger Rhys and Moira had for David- especially once the reasoning was revealed. Six months of the silent treatment towards your "best friend" feels blown out of proportion. If anything, Moira's anger makes more sense since there is that innate jealousy because David and Rhys are exes. But a lot of times it felt like they blamed David for *their* marital issues they had. Plus Rhys in general came off as very holier-than-thou (pun intended lol since he's more religious). But he was extremely judgy towards David even though he also did some pretty messed up things (like hiding the promotion from David) 🙄. Even by the end I wasn't a big fan of his but Moira grew on me more once we got to see her "nice" side (that we were *told* so much about) finally show up. I really appreciated how understanding she was about David's alcoholism and if anything she handled it far better than Rhys. Her checking on him afterwards too and making sure he wasn't alone was really sweet and I feel like I got to know her as a character as someone who feels (both positive and negative emotions) fiercely.
Speaking of Moira- I thought the way ethical monogamy was explored was masterfully done. There are so many complex and layered emotions that all three of them feel, and they are emotions that change- growing, wavering back and forth, and layering on top of one another. I love that they really thought about the decisions they were making because love is a choice, and they tried to be as considerate to each other as possible. I also really appreciated the inclusion of a main character dealing with alcoholism and sobriety.
Overall, I do wish I felt more of the chemistry between Rhys and Moira because their relationship does play such an integral role to the story. Rhys would make such huge romantic overtures to her (even calling her goddess) but it just didn't feel believable. Maybe it's because their relationship building was done prior to the start of the book and we never got to see it. Maybe it's because I don't love Rhys in general so that's just tainting my feelings, but the constant over-the-top saccharine declarations made their relationship feel flat and monotonous. 'Nothing is more important than you, not even my life' was a sentiment expressed multiple times and while I usually find it romantic, in this case I was left meh because I didn't know *why*. They are telling me they love each other soooo much but I didn't feel like they were showing it to me. I didn't get to experience the zing of them meeting or the heart-pounding excitement mixed with doubt when things are starting out. Maybe I was just hoping for more throwbacks between the two of them idk.
I was also a bit thrown off at first when iPhones were mentioned because it doesn't feel contemporary in many ways but I ended up getting used to it by the end. It actually kind of gives off The Atlas Six vibes in the overall tone (in a good way)!
Big thank you to RB Media and Netgalley for an early review copy <3

This book is more character driven than I expected. It plays out as an emotional drama. The characters work through personal issues and adjust to a new kind of reality they did not expect. While the characters are involved in the craft and celebrate being witches and performing magic, the book dances around these ideas and focuses more on the emotional whiplash amongst the characters. I would have liked to see more action throughout the book. However, the last few chapters were very exciting!

I received an audio arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the main characters, but I am really looking forward to (hopefully) learning more about the side characters as this series moves forward. I had a bit of difficulty with the voice the narrator gave to Rhys, but still found it to be an entertaining listen.

Wow! Evocation is without a doubt my favorite book that S.T. Gibson has ever written. This was absolutely 5 stars (maybe more!).

I actually tore through the entire book, minus the final chapter, in a weekend. Why didn’t I just read that last chapter? I wasn’t ready for this book to be over! So I let it simmer and then read the final chapter a few days later when the time felt right. I stand by this decision. 🥺

Evocation is very character driven, dark, and queer. Once again, Gibson manages to give us a handful of characters so well fleshed out that even with their faults laid out bare, you feel a pull to them. Rhys, Moira, and David have such unique relationships to themselves, to each other, and as a unit. There’s a lot of angst and raw emotions in this story, as there tends to be in all of her work, and I, for one, love it! Also, I know that I’ve said it before but it bears repeating: the way this author writes is *so* beautiful - like brings me to tears beautiful.

Other elements involved in Evocation include: a secret society, magic, a deal with a demon, exes to rivals to lovers, and polyamory (m/m/f triad). As a whole, I would give this roughly a 2 on the spicy scale, but Gibson really made me pine over these characters, so it’s an especially fiery 2.

Gibson has already stated that this is the first in a four book series, and I cannot wait to see what happens next with Rhys, Moira, and David.

I would recommend that readers check TWs for this one as some heavy topics are included.

As I was able to do a tandem read/listen for this book, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how well done the audiobook was! Narrator Oscar Reyes somehow was able to give each character their own voice to the point where I didn’t have any issue keeping track of the book despite chapters rotating between multiple perspectives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for an advanced listening copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I really loved this book! I loved the characters, the occult vibes, how we got all three POVs from David, Rhys, and Moira, and the ease and acceptance of open love.
I enjoyed the tension between David and Rhys at the start. And how protective Moira was of Rhys from his ex.
Moira was an absolute gem. She was kind, protective, honest and open. I loved how she respected and supported Rhys and his feelings for David, and encouraged them both not to ignore their lingering feelings from their past relationship. I loved the slow build of the friendship and love between Moira and David, and the easy comfort they had with each other.
Moira and Rhys's relationship was tender and strong and you never doubt these two and their love.
Rhys and David had a messy past, as well.as a messy present, but beyond all that, you could see they still cared for each other. When they reluctantly start working together to help David rid his magical sickness, it's not long before cracks form and their feelings start creeping out. I thought it was super cute neither knew what to do with it because Moira was held in such high esteem for them both, and neither wanted to hurt her in anyway.
I loved watching the three form a bond, and I can't wait to see where it leads in the books to come.
I listened to the audiobook, and it was such a fast and easy listen. There is magic and ghosts and excitement and love. I highly reccomend this, especially if you love dark magic, strong relationships and a slow burn love story with a twist.

Many thanks to NetGalley for gifting the audiobook to me

I think this is my favorite S.T. Gibson book! 4.5 stars
The writing, as always is captivating and beautiful without trying too hard. It just flows and keeps me interested throughout.
The relationships were so well-written. The complexities of real and honest feelings were captured really well. Every character had their flaws, they also learned and developed well throughout the book. Moira was definitely my favorite, what an amazing woman! David really grew on me and I totally can see why he acted the way he did. But I think he had some great development too.
I'm excited that there is more to come from these characters!

I thought the narrator did a great job overall. Each main character had a distinguishable voice without going over the top. I enjoyed listening to the book and the extra personality and interest the narrator added. There were a fair amount of times that the audio had a little jump where you could tell that it was recorded over (probably for the better, but it was noticeable to me)

Thank you Tantor Audio for the ALC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review! This was a highly anticipated book for me, but it didn’t quite give me what I was hoping for. It reminded me a lot of Olivie Blake’s Masters of Death, but without all of the many, many characters. So, I did appreciate that our focus was only on 3 characters; however, I just didn’t feel connected to any of them or their stories. The vibes and setting of the story were good though, so that is what influenced my decision for a 3 star review.

4.5⭐️
This book was an absolutely thrilling adventure, filled with lush, dark themes, modern gothic vibes, a wholly original story, and the beautiful prose that are always present in an S.T. Gibson book. Throw in a theouple situation, LGBTQ+ rep, and a BIPOC lead- sign me the hell up!!
David is a lawyer, who moonlights as a medium. He is talented in the ways of the occult, but is plagued with a generational curse that was placed on his family long ago. With time running out, he is forced to finally deal with the ramifications of this curse. Feeling as though he’s out of options, he reaches out to his ex-boyfriend for help.

His ex, Rhys, is now married to Moira- so a big part of the story focuses on the dynamic that develops between the three of them. Feelings that never quite went away between Rhys and David are now explored, while David develops his own emotional relationship with Moira. This three sided relationship was really the driving force behind the story, and I was utterly fascinated.

I loved the dark magic, and the deep dive into the Boston occultist scene. It was dark, gritty, mysterious and addictive- and the writing style just makes you feel like you were right there, in the thick of all of it.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes.

I listened to audiobook- it was single narration by Oscar Reyes. I thought he did an amazing job navigating all of the roles. I enjoyed his dyanamic, nuanced performance.

Before I start, sincere thanks to RB Media, Tantor Audio, and the author for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was high on my TBR this summer, and I’m disappointed to say it fell short of my expectations. I think I was swayed by the pre-publication buzz and lost sight of the fact that I had an outlier opinion on one of this author’s other popular books.

That said, I’m going to start by addressing the narration/audiobook. Unfortunately, I feel like the audiobook production, instead of elevating the story, really diminished it. All due respect to the team involved, but in the spirit of an honest review, I felt this was not an exemplar of audiobook excellence. The narrator’s voice tended toward monotone, with limited variability in style between characters. On at least one occasion I think the narrator straight up used the wrong voice for a character by mistake. There was an off-putting breathy quality to the narration (perhaps the narrator sat too close to the mic, or was sick?). Even more frustratingly, the narration did not read as natural, there were awkward emphases, mispronunciations, and inappropriate pauses. There were also way too many instances of splicing where a single sentence was spoken at a different volume/rate and snuck into a lengthier passage. Unfortunately, I know the audiobook experience really colored my perception of the book.

Wading through to the story itself, it felt like this book had the bones of something good, but the execution just sort of missed the mark. The characters were just out of reach. Only one character had any meaningful backstory disclosed and the rest are thrust upon us to take at face value. There’s not enough material to truly connect with them, but I was rooting for them, so that’s something. Since I couldn’t adequately connect with the characters I really would have liked a deeper exploration of the systems of magic. Instead, readers are left to their own devices to interpret and discriminate the meanings of colloquial words/phrases (e.g., medium). On the purely positive side, there were moments when the prose really did it for me, like when the author described a character as “slightly underfed, terminally scholastic.” The narration style and changes in POV also felt natural rather than jarring or overdone.

Final thoughts: Story 3⭐️ Audiobook 2⭐️

This is absolutely a story about finding family and love between more than one person and less of a story about the occult. It took me a bit to get into the story but it really was interesting and done well. S.T. Gibson always writes such queer positive stories. Looking forward to what’s next.

4.5 rounded up. I might round down depending on how I feel later, but at the moment I'm feeling good. 😂 This is my second Gibsonbook and my first audiobook from the author.

I honestly absolutely loved it within the first few chapters and kept on loving it!! I read this in a few sittings and my favorite thing about this title is that THE VIBES ARE REALLY IMMACULATE. Yes, it's a very character-based plot and I'm a sucker for second chance romance and poly, so that definitely helped too. 🤣 I had heard some things before reading this, but I feel like I'm still okay with how things played out here. There will probably be parts that people don't like, but I still really fell in love with our main cast individually and liked the various threads that were building up here. Moira is a fantastic character, and I really enjoyed David's characterization here too. Rhys, for the most part, I also liked, but I think I appreciated his role more than the character and I hope we explore more of him in the future. While the pacing did hiccup for me when it came to the romance, most things also made sense to me and I can't wait to see how things build up in the sequel and beyond.

In terms of the audiobook itself, I felt the narrator did a decent job for the most part, but I really did get frustrated by his performance of Moira and female characters here over time. I'm not sure if it was direction or, but I just felt the sassy attitude tone throughout the novel in combination with the deep growly Christian Bale Batman voice made it tough to listen to for the whole time. But his voice for David was really good.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the audiobook arc!

I enjoyed this book! The chemistry between characters is excellent and the sexual tension is tensioning. I’m excited to keep reading the series!