You cannot convince me this is by the same person who wrote A Dowry of Blood. I am so disappointed by this one omfg.

My thoughts feel jumbled, so here are some bullet points:

- This really advertises itself as being about polyamory and yet, there's not one poly relationship in here?? By the end, there's an open marriage, but that isn't the same as poly technically. Also, it all begins with cheating and then just forces one person to get on board with it over time. Feels... like not super great representation.

- It was boring?? Based on the synopsis, I expected a great deal to happen. Magic. Occult shit. Deals with the devil. Dark family histories. Etc. But really we're just focused on this weird "throuple" the whole time. It isn't super dark or spooky which sucks.

- I didn't appreciate the way Moira's character was done. If you're going to take the time to add a WOC to your cast of characters, don't just use her as a crutch for two white men and have her make this huge sacrifice for them. Feels weird and wrong. She was just a pawn in their little chess game and I felt she deserved a lot more focus, attention, and care. Black sensitivity readers were nowhere to be found I guess?

- As far as the audio, I didn't enjoy this narrator much. The voice for David was fine, but Rhys and Moira felt like cartoon characters. They didn't match and I would have much preferred this full cast.

Overall, I am really disappointed by this. I love S.T. Gibson so I hate to be negative about anything she writes, but this just wasn't great for sooooo many different reasons.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are, as always, my very own.

This was a DNF for me. I wanted to like the book, but the narrator made it hard to really be engaged with the story, and I think the writing style may not be for me.

And S.T Gibson strikes again. Here we have another magical creepy romance with, queer elements.

Gibson just has the most beautiful writing style which just keeps you engrossed from the first page, or word.

the audio for this one was really strong, i felt the narrator did a good job embodying the characters and creating a non offensive tone for the female character, however i sometimes had difficulty in differentiating between the two male characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this ALC!

- Ancient curses? Dramatic attorney with a secret life as a medium? Secret societies of magicians? Pining? Polyamory!? There’s so much going on in this book and somehow Gibson does it all!
- The audio of this was so great, and I read this one so quickly because of how easy it was to sink into the story!
- I want so much more about this world, and there were so many interesting side characters too! The magic system was so cool in a dark academia way!
- I really wasn’t sure how the romance was going to go, but I’m obsessed!!

Ever thought to yourself, "I want a dark academia book with all the occult, but adult characters and more emotion, less angst"? That is what Evocation brings to you. Deeply emotional, character driven and all the occult senses that your grey heart desires!

Evocation is perfectly moody, with lovable imperfect characters - except Moira, Moira is perfection embodied. This book is about love, in all its different flavors, I love how emotional and moody this book is and how the author and narrator have given us while not crossing the line into angst. Watching the characters grow was the real story of this book, it was just wrapped in bacon-like plot.

Overall, I did enjoy this book and I think that so many others will absolutely love it. But I am a plot goblin at heart and this story is pretty low on plot, it is more about emotion. I need world building and physical plot happenings to really love a book, which is why my rating is rather average.

To sum up: Moira for high priestess 2024! She was the star in this story and I enjoyed every moment with her. Thank you S.T. Gibson for creating this story that is both fresh and new, while still holds the mood and occult that readers love and crave.

Unfortunately, I just didn’t vibe with this book. I didn’t like the characters, I wasn’t impressed with the magic system, and the pacing was off. The audio production was just fine.

Thank you for an advanced copy.

I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this one. I went in without reading the synopsis based on the cover. I have absolutely no regrets. I was pulled right in by the awesome writing and story the author wove. All the dark mystery and drama. I needed to figure all the characters out and all the secrets. Moira was probably my very favorite. I just adored her! Of course I loved Rhys and David too. I cannot wait to read the next book. It is time to beat the devil. Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the audio arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ALC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the first book I have read of S.T. Gibson's and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I went into it with very little knowledge and I was gripped from the get go. I found the story compelling and really enjoyed the character dynamics. I particularly enjoyed how the characters flaws and struggles were normalised. There wasn't a big neon sign highlighting them, they were just organically explored.

I enjoyed the narration of this. I think it's one of the reason why I was hooked almost straight away. I didn't think they dragged the story out, the pacing was just right for me.

I look forward to reading the next one.

Unfortunately this was a big ick for me. The romance dynamic made me uncomfortable at best because it didn't feel genuine it felt like Rhys was really not that into Moira and was just trying to reassure her.
Not for me for sure!

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

I enjoyed this one more than I expected! I loved the supernatural aspect, although I felt like there could have been a bit more to the resolution when it came to the possession. I would continue reading more with these characters! The narrator did a good job.

Gifted Audiobook provided by Tantor Audio.

If you are a DC comics fan then you will get the reference: this book had major John Constantine, Zatanna Zatara, and Nick Nicro vibes to it.

While the narrator for the audiobook wasn’t my favourite I did enjoy this book. I found it hard to pick a speed that sounded right for the narrator, no matter what speed I had it at the narrator simply sounded ‘off’.

But to the occult and the magic in this book, I loved it. It’s the perfect fall / spooky book. It’s also on the shorter side so it will be an easy one to get through.

I loved the multiple POV in this one and the tension between David and Rhys. I enjoyed the polyamorous aspect as well!

Overall a great book for the fall / winter season.

This wasn't quite what I thought it would be, focusing more on the romance and less on the magic. I was a bit disappointed, since I wanted to know more about exorcisms and demons. There are bits here and there, but we didn't get to see as much as I had hoped.

I'm here for polyamory, though in this case I don't know how much I support a relationship among these people. I think Moira deserves better and Rhys and David need to go their own ways and not be toxic together.

There were parts that I found exciting and interesting and I do like David on his own. If he did his own thing, I'd read more of him.

I listened to the audiobook of this and thought the narrator did a nice job with subtle differences in the character's voices.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the copy.

I received an e-arc and audioarc through Netgalley all opinions are my own.

Sadly this book was not for me. I did not enjoy the narrators different voices for the characters. I was able to get through the audiobook so that's a plus.

I didn't really like the characters or the story. I'm sad since I loved Dowry of Blood, but I also didn't like Education in Malice. What that says about me I dunno.

The book was boring and didn't grip me. I didn't like any of the relationships or dynamics in this book.

Gibson's take on magic through a messy trio was interesting even though the setup of their dynamic and their characterizations could've been better. The overall tension was lackluster, bogged down mostly by their interpersonal problems but most fan-fiction and urban fantasy lovers will love this

S.T. Gibson wants to (and does really well) explore relationship dynamics. I love that part her books including this one. I think my main issue with Evocation is that the setting of the story is super interesting - the supernatural element and the secret society - and I wanted more. I am however, for that reason, super excited to read the next one!

Thank you Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listener copy.

I was really excited to read this because it sounded great. The writing was good as always with S.T Gibson but the plot let it down. I was hoping for the demon possession to be more of a main focus but it wasn’t. The focal point was the relationships and I just didn’t enjoy them. The only relationship I actually liked was the platonic one between David and moira. Rhys was horrible and didn’t treat either of them well.

This book wasn't what I expected. I enjoyed the relationship and dynamics between the David, Rhys and Moira. There was a very sexy magic vibe throughout the book. I liked that it mentions tarot, astronomy and other areas of magic. However, I felt the magic itself was a bit lacking and there wasn't too much world building.

Evocation is S.T. Gibson’s latest work and the first entry to The Summoner’s Circle series. Set in contemporary Boston, it follows the perspectives of three mages as they (1) seek to escape from a deal with the Devil and (2) navigate the messy state of their relationships as ex-boyfriends/ a married couple/ acquaintances.

Gibson once again delivers it with her lush, evocative prose and complex character exploration. However, I cannot ditch the feeling that her prose does not mesh with the modern setting of Evocation. While it works well in scenes involving old home libraries or rituals, it can feel jarring during the more mundane scenes (e.g. going for coffee).

Despite this, I enjoyed the atmosphere and plot of Evocation. When it comes to the three PoVs, I would say I liked Moira’s the best and Rhys’s the least. Rhys is by no means a bad character, but I found the politics in his chapters not that engaging, and his inner dialogue lacked the spark that Moira’s, or even David’s, has. Nonetheless, all three main characters are great.

The audiobook narration was decent, but it did not enhance my reading experience. While the male voices were generally good, however the female voices were somewhat overperformed. For future entries, it would be nice if a second narrator was brought on board to perform Moira’s chapters.

Overall Evocation is a quick enjoyable read for those looking for an urban fantasy with witchy elements, flawed characters, and messy relationships.

Thank you very much to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for providing me an Audio-ARC!

I was disappointed in this book and didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped. It was my first time reading this author's work, and while I didn't love this particular book, I am still open to exploring more of their writing in the future.

The cover of the book is absolutely beautiful, and it initially piqued my interest. I had high expectations, but unfortunately, the story didn't quite meet them. It felt like the narrative was trying to juggle too many things at once, and as a result, the overall balance and focus seemed off to me.

However, despite my disappointment with this book, I am optimistic about the author's other work. I'm especially intrigued by their book A Dowry of Blood, a retelling of Dracula. I'm looking forward to diving into that and hoping for a more satisfying reading experience.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the audio ARC of this book.

Denial is a river in Egypt with this trio.

Alright, quick one for the audiobook. I enjoy the experience & it helps as reading companion for the book copy; there's only one narrator for a range of cast, so understandably, the attempt at varying the voice might strike off silly at times especially during Moira's lines. I also don't feel that Rhys would... have such deep, domineering voice in my head if I only read the book. But bravo to the narrator still. The pacing was just right.

Now onto the book & plot: the only thing I'm not sure I could keep up with was the fact that this would be a 4-books series? Aside of that. I wish I could learn more about David's family and the backstory of his haunting, the resolve felt a little too abrupt & stretching a little to achieve a conclusion. But THE polyamorous dynamic?? Top notch writing on that. The chemistry & interaction between the characters feels natural & flowing, it's very believable; they're unapologetic about who they are & what they desire, none of these character has loser arc or streak in them, yet the dynamic was still approached delicately. I'd give this a solid 9.5 out of 10. Waiting for the next installment, hoping it keeps up & won't disappoint (otherwise I'm totally okay with it being a standalone.. aha..)