This is the third time I’ve read this one, 1x physical book, 1x e-book, now the audiobook ALC, and I still adore it. But I’m a little iffy on this version. It’s still a brilliant story, but I don’t think the audio really adds anything to the book, great to have as an option for anyone that can’t read the book, but I’d say the experience wasn’t made any better with the audio.

Story wise, it’s a very fast-paced story and only short so it’s a great quick read through, If you’ve read Evocation, this is essentially the prologue.

Like Evocation, it perfectly blends spooky and heartfelt. Rhys and Moira are dealing with some seriously weird stuff in their home, and their constant snipping and miscommunication feels so relatable, genuine, and slightly devastating.

Gibson’s storytelling is always super immersive, and this one is no different; you really feel like you're in the thick of it with them. Plus, it’s another great reminder that love isn’t always easy, but is worth trucking through the hard bits. If you're into ghost stories with a bit more emotional depth, this one’s definitely a must-read, particularly if you loved Evocation or Gibson’s other work.

Audiobook wise, it’s okay, if a bit flat. I would have loved to see three different narrators, or more distinct delivery to help tell the characters apart and bring them to life, they blend into each other a bit, and the accent delivery can be more than a bit wobbly, (plus I feel a little weird about the caricature-esque voice done for Moira at times). Although the writing for each person is so different it’s more of a case of focusing on the words they are saying rather than how the narrator is saying it. That being said though the audiobook is good enough, but I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite. I really love the story, but the narration kinda dulls it a little I think. I’d say the book is 4.5, but the audio knocked it down to about a 3.5 (Rounded down for the star rating)

I really wanted to love this, as a frequent reread book for me, having a solid audiobook would have been really practical, but it just didn’t have much soul. It’s definitely enjoyable enough and worth trying, but I’d personally recommend picking another medium if you have the luxury of choice.

A huge thank you to the author, @Netgalley and Tantor Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a new to me author and I truly appreciate that I get the chance to listen to these early and it’s literally a gem! The way this world is built I’m in love! Consider me a fan!

This was my first foray into the lives of Rhys and Moira but as a novella, it was cute. I enjoyed that it showed growth with the two characters. It was flowery while also showing the struggles the couple faced together, as well. At times, (maybe because this is my first experience with the characters) I felt lost of it going between past and present, all within the same chapter. Interestingly, for a magical, fantasy, fictional world of magic it felt sweet, cute, and whimsical, rather than dark and mysterious how some others within the genre can be.

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for this arc!

Odd Spirits was amazing. S.T. Gibson is a fantastic author!!! I totally recommend everyone to read this book or listen to the audiobook as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.

NetGalley Review for Odd Spirits by S.T. Gibson

I came into Odd Spirits with no prior knowledge of the main story or characters. The novella introduced Rhys, a bookish, research-driven character, and his wife, who is a free-spirited witch, both of whom seem knowledgeable about magic, spells, and the supernatural. Their different approaches to life—him more reserved, her more lively—create a tension in their marriage, and I appreciated how the story highlighted the real-world issues and challenges couples face, like doubt, secrets, and mismatched energies.

The storyline brings in an ex (David) from Rhys’s past, which added drama, though without a full background, but the character is very irritating and self important. I found the ex’s character more frustrating than impactful. The characters themselves weren’t always shown in the best light: Rhys often struggles to communicate, and his wife’s free spirit sometimes seemed narrow-minded or even naive in handling their conflicts. If the story had been longer, these traits could have been more fully developed, giving the characters greater depth.

The audiobook was well-paced and generally well-read, though having two distinct voices for each character might have added more dimension to the narration.

Overall, Odd Spirits offered a glimpse into the struggles of an imperfect marriage within a magical framework, and I think fans of quick, supernatural relationship tales will enjoy it.

Talk about an excellent novella! I loved reading Evocation, so this was the perfect supernatural visit back to some of the most well rounded characters I've ever read. I adore Moira. This was awesome.

I read both Evocation and Odd Spirits as audiobooks, and I think that is the superior delivery method for these books. It feels like a friend is telling you an absolutely wild story.

2.75/5

Odd Spirits, while being a prequel novella, I feel was not best read first. There wasn't enough to make me care for the characters before the upheavel began. I love S.T. Gibson's other stories, so I'm willing to read them in published order before making a final say on this. For now, though, I can't give it more stars.

This prequel novella to Evocation was a quick, enjoyable read that I finished in just a couple of hours. I really appreciated getting the backstory on Rhys and Moria. It was heartwarming to see them work through their issues together, and I loved how the strange entity in their house played a role in bringing them closer.

The brief appearance of David was interesting, though it did paint him in a less-than-flattering light—though that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Overall, I found this novella to be sweet and wholesome, with just the right mix of intrigue and warmth.

Thank you Tantor Audio and Netgalley.

4.25

Odd Spirits being a prequel novella to Evocation is so interesting. While David doesn't play a huge part in the story. It's interesting to see the story more so focus on Rhys and Moira. As they are newlyweds and all the perks of that. I think it shows why they were hesitant to help David in Evocation. I think this book does an amazing job of not only adding story but building Rhys's character before we get a story focusing on him a bit more. The narrator did an amazing job. While I would have loved for someone to do the voice of Moira. I think just the one did an amazing job of capturing the characters and the story.

My only negative is that Rhys and Moira's whole story is just rooted in mistrust and such. While it doesn't ruin the story it doesn't add anything entirely unique to the magic system or anything similar.

Overall though it's an amazing book and I cannot wait for more.

I received an arc audiobook for this prequel novella to evocation and adored it. Getting more backstory to the main characters in a wholesome little story was so nice and sparked my excitement for the sequel. I love ST Gibsons writing style and every book she writes will continue to be must reads for me. The narrator was also fantastic and for a male, he does female voices very well which is refreshing.

This book is basically: what if your marraige problems were manifested in the form of a haunting. In order to exorcise it, you must Talk About Your Feelings. I thought it was fine, but not my favorite by S. T. Gibson by far.

This is a nice little story that expands Rhys and Moira's backstory introduced in Evocation. The storyline is simple and straightforward, and I really enjoyed the narrator. I do however recommend reading this after Evocation and not before, as it makes much more sense this way

I thought I'd read the prequel first before Evocation. It was okay. I guess it sets up the relationships, but none of them seem very likeable and bordering toxic.

I always like S.T Gibson's prose though, so I'll still read the main story and hope the characters get better.

As a bi woman, the biphobia from a partner was relatable but didn't endear me to Moira at all.

"I can't even take a bath in peace without some weird shit happening. I'm racking my brain wondering how this could have happened. How could something so nasty have gotten into my house. Especially after all the warding and cleansing we do. And then I remember. My husband thinks it's fun to call up demons for casual chit chats.
Demons...spirits - it makes no difference. I told you summoning circles are dangerous and I've asked you to be more careful."

"A summoning circle, when well cast and properly closed, is perfectly safe." Rhys said.
It was at that moment the portrait on the wall behind him began to weep blood. Moira stood stock still for a moment, frozen by horror and she gave her husband a withering glance."
I want you to do whatever ceremonial shit it takes to fix this, Rhys. She said looking past him to the stained portrait. I'm serious." 😹


I'm yet to read Evocation and this prequel offers a sneak peek to newlyweds Rhys and Moira's marital life during its early stages.
A witch and a sorcerer - two polar opposites with very different occult practice.
Enchanting and chaotic. 😹 It is riveting being able to witness them working through their own insecurities and differences.
How they explore and approach their distinctly different magical backgrounds whilst facing
supernatural shenanigans, secrets and shameful revelations.
Love the characters, setting, atmosphere and tone. Plus the different kinds of magical practice incorporated in the story.
Short, fast-paced and character driven prequel novella in the Summoner's Circle series.
Great narration by Joe Hempel.

Tropes:
Haunted house
Summoning circles
Marital struggles
Poly rep
Witch magic 🔮✨ sages, crystals, spells

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia 🖤

4✨

I quite enjoyed the narration of this book. It was understandable and pleasant even at 2x speed.

The characters were well-rounded and human. They had their own errors and insecurities. I enjoyed the magical aspects of the world and the characters' relationship, especially their back story.

The plot itself was okay and I liked the resolution, though not how exactly it was done. I didn't expect there to be smut at the end and it made me pretty uncomfortable. That reduced my overall enjoyment a star.

Overall, I liked the story well enough and I will try to find the next book in the series.

I absolutely loved Evocation and was excited to dive back into the same world, this was a perfect treat to me to do the same.
This is such a short, quick and amazing read that focuses on Rhys and Moira's relationship.
While reading Evocation, I was charmed by their relationship as a pair that how the two opposite in everything beings fell in love and ended up marrying eachother. This book focuses on these two and their relationship also David's entry was a cherry on the cake and I adored him even in this novella too.

marriage in crisis hatessssss to see me coming, but they will also never not destroy me!!!!

i didn’t read evocation so this novella really gave me no context, but why do we love david 😐 like fuck off i don’t wanna drag someone’s EX BOYFRIEND into the marriage (i unfortunately know how this plays out but his characterization here was not it)

this was genuinely such a good take on fixing a marriage. not communicating can affect ANYONE and i love the way this was handled, i was emo like majority of these 100 odd pages

🎧: Odd Spirits- The Summoner's Circle #0.5

✍🏾By: S.T. Gibson- I read Evocation and gave it 4 ⭐

📅 Publication: 11-12-24, Read 11-11-24

👆🏾POV: dual, 3rd person

🗣️Narrator: Joe Hempel voices all the characters with standouts from Moira and Rhys. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.

Genre/Tropes:
♡ Contemporary Fantasy
♡ Mystery
♡ ghosts/witches/haunted house
♡ Sci-Fi
♡ novella
♡ LGBTQIA+ rep

This book was a quick back story on how Moira and Rhys met, and how their marriage is going after one year. They also have a pesky spirit in their home that tried to break them apart. David Aristarkhov (Rhys ex-lover) made an appearance with The Society that Moira wants no parts of. They both feared they weren't good enough for each other because of their careers. Moira said she wasn't serious enough reading fortunes while Rhys was too serious and emotionally unavailable as a researcher and occultist. I'm anxious for the next book hoping for a love triangle or threesome with Moira, Rhys, and David.

⭐ Rating: 3/5

🙏🏾Thanks for the ALC provided by NetGalley, Tantor Audio, and S.T. Gibson. I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own!

I was super intrigued by the concept of this Evocation prequel novella, a witchy couple dealing with a poltergeist? Fun!

While Odd Spirits brings a good amount of background context to the relationships in Evocation, I think the characters would have felt more well rounded if this was woven into the main book rather than published separately.

I still really like Moira but her and Rhys are a super frustrating couple. So much could have been avoided if they just communicated and went to couples therapy.

First of all I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

First of all I wanted to point out that the book is the prequel to Evocation. Now, I don't know if the author actually thought of reading it first, because it is probably better to read it after the first novel of this series. In fact, having read it as a prequel, I can't say much, being a novella and being that it tells very little about the characters of the story and the story itself, but I am sure that after reading it it is a perfect opportunity to reconnect with the characters of Evocation!