The House of Hollow has been one of my favorite books since I first read it. Now, I can add The Invocations to that list. Clearly, I need to read this author's previous work as well as any books she puts out in the future.

This book explores a sisterhood among random women that meet due to witchcraft,the consequences of bad curses, and demon tethering. Their relationships grow and strengthen and even produce the possibility of a beautiful romance.

Witches, invocations, demons, a deadly witch hunter, lost families (whether it be from death or dysfunction),necromancy and more fill these pages. As well as love, loss, pain, humor,suspense, history, mystery and murder. I really enjoyed this book!

I am giving The Invocations a well deserved 5⭐️.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Invocations tells the story of three young women who initially become involved with each other because of their interest/experience with curses and demons, and find that they share deeper connections based on a generations-long revenge plot. Emer, Jude, and Zara are such wonderfully real, flawed, angry characters who are just trying their best despite the patriarchy and the terrible men in their lives. There are demons, there are murders, and there's the ever growing bond between these women as they struggle to survive and make sense of it all. This was such a fun and viscerally angry book; I loved it and want to protect these girls with all my heart.

Would definitely recommend as a satisfying, feminist read that throws in a nice amount of horror without getting too gory. There is positive queer representation (at least two of the women are interested in women), though no racial diversity from what I could tell.

Loss and loneliness converge in three different lives. They cling like a curse, enveloping their minds until all they have to do is act on it.

𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗥, trapped in grief and revenge, in impenetrable loneliness, she shares a dark and ancient power for those women who want control over their lives, who want to live without fear or uncertainty. They just want to exist without the constant sound of quick footsteps behind them, of threatening corners, of paths of no return. They want to breathe without fear.

𝗝𝗨𝗗𝗘, she lives intertwined with demonic magic. They cling to her like a second skin, torture her, hurt her and let her body be a vessel of malice. Her bones rot, her home breaks, her life ends. But, despite making mistakes, despite carrying curses, Jude is persistent and ambitious to turn back time. Getting her life back, even if it wasn't perfect, is her only purpose.

𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗔, lost between life and death, she will do everything possible to reunite with her sister. Grief makes her act. She seeks words of resurrection, of forgiveness and pain, she seeks to confront that deadly veil that separates her from her only family. There are no obstacles that stop her, because her decision is made with a mantra that will keep her alive: 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘳.

The Invocations is a story of pure loneliness. In the lives of these three characters, that feeling clings like a disease. They live with it without fear, but they know that there is something more. They feel that moment of warmth that only people can give. Friendship. And by destiny, by death, revenge and ambition, these three lives converge in the same current. A peculiar encounter, with lies and truths, with fears and confrontations that will manage to turn all that impenetrable loneliness into something inspiring to witness.

The most interesting thing about the plot is the magic, of course. The way it connects with the characters and their pasts, how it can be an escape, but also a horrible consequence to face. It is beautiful and terrible, addictive and evil. It is protection and also fear. It's everything.

I have always found the author's prose excellent because it has that dark and realistic tone that is simply wonderful to read. She mixes the grim reality, in the case of this book, of women, and weaves it with magic in such an organic way that it is addictive to witness. Her way of writing has no limits and that is what I appreciate most in her books. There is gore and fear, there are graphic and disturbing descriptions that it is impossible not to face them with your mouth open. I dare say that the first half of the book was a little slow and I felt that the story got lost at times, but it manages to pick up very well towards the end. Still, it's an incredible story. I highly recommend this book and the author if you like graphic horror, gore and witchcraft.

(4.5) ★★★★☆
Thanks NetGalley & Nancy Paulsen Books for this ARC!

I was keen to read Sutherland's latest book after devouring 'House of Hollow'. Loved this almost as much as HoH!
Touching on power, feminism and the patriarchy - all while delving into the world of curses and witchcraft. Another excellent book from Krystal Sutherland.

"There's very little left of magic anymore, and what remains is bitter and strong and dangerous. It is kept hidden from the world. That is the only way for those who practice it to survive."

Three women are drawn together to solve the mystery of a murderer targeting witches. Zara is looking for a way to bring back the killer's first victim: her older sister. Jude is looking for a talented cursewriter to undo the botched deal she's made that's slowly killing her. Emer is looking for the men who killed her entire family a decade ago. All three of their lives intertwine as the hunt for solutions to their own problems becomes entangled with the hunt for a supernatural serial killer.

This was spectacular. It took a second to catch my attention, but when it did, I was completely blown away. The Invocations is a wonderfully dark and bloody take on modern witches. I loved the system of magic explored here, and it's nothing like I've ever read before. I felt like the characters developed well throughout the novel, and they all had distinct voices. It was never a struggle to figure out which perspective I was reading. The mystery was interesting, and I found it well-paced. I didn't anticipate the reveal or twist at the end and was glued to those last few chapters.

5/5 stars
includes: on-page queer representation, trans-inclusive feminism, lesbian protagonist, feminine rage
similar recommendation: Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert (dark and gruesome modern witch tales)
song recommendation: Season of the Witch - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
TW: body horror, gore, implied/referenced sexual assault

Another great read fron Krystal Sutherland. I loved both House of Hollow and A Semi-Definite List of Worst Nightmares. I just love the author's writing style, especially when it comes to the dialogue of her YA characters. The was a really fun witchy with a great magic system.

SHE DOES IT AGAIN. House of Hollow is top ten of my all time favorites and this one gives it a run for its money.

I will read anything this author writes. I have enjoyed everything I have read so far! This books starts out in a few different stories. Each had me curious. None of them seemed to cross until they did. It was so cool to see them cross. As each story come to ahead with how each overlaps the other was so crazy, This story sucks you in and will not let go until the end! It was just everything I was promised and more! The creepiness and horror, scary girls and dark academia made for an awesome story! Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book is creepy good! I would not advise trying to snack during this book. It has some awesome gory scenes. It is nice to see female characters with lots of power and the strength to overcome obstacles placed in front of them. I love how the ending works out.

Krystal sure knows how to write a book! This is the second book from her and it is just as good as House of Hollows. I love the creepy vibes, the diverse characters, the magic, and the mystery woven in this story. I couldn't get enough of these characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book was truly incredible. I came for the dark academia vibes and stayed for the super interesting/original magic system and badass women fighting against the patriarchy.

I love how Zara, Jude, and Emer were each fully fleshed out, and each of their motives and personality were very distinct. I also loved how they all interacted together. Jude was probably my favorite of the three, but I also adore Zara and Emer!

The pacing was stellar. I was kept entranced for the entirety of the book, through the twisty plot and the fun banter-full scenes between the three girls. The anti-patriarchal message was loud and clear and wonderful without being at the expense of the story.

Publication Date: 30 January 2024

i loved this book. the prose was just gorgeous, and the characters? do you know how rare it is for me to like every single main character in a book? they were so well-written and complex. realistic, too. i loved the pacing, too. from start to finish, it was just such a pleasure to read. this author has never disappointed me. 🩵

OMG I love the way Krystal Sutherland writes YA horror!!!! I have been craving another story since I read House of Hollow and Invocations gave me EVERYTHING I was hoping to read and more.

A serial killer is afoot and 3 young women are drawn together to uncover the truth. Queer characters, magic, curses, necromancy, witchy vibes, and romance despite it all. UGH, I loved every second of this book. Begging the author to keep writing books that are full on women taking back the power and not apologizing for it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for an E-ARC copy of this book!

Wow - The Invocations goes hard.

If you enjoy a creepy, dark, bloody, witchy read filled with spells and tethered demons (tethered to human souls that is) this IS for you.

I flew through this one and was pretty creeped out and grossed out throughout. It’s also got a great storyline about a supernatural serial killer. 😱

Our three FMCS are thrown together to figure out who’s doing the killing and why. They all have different reasons for wanting him stopped and I was here for all their love/hate banter and personalities.

I saw the ending coming but not till right before it and I also loved all the family dynamics that were woven into each MCS backstory. This was a great read!

I’m down for ALL this authors books.
Thanks for my early copy.

I absolutely loved this book! It was so delightfully dark and sapphic with all of the witchy/sisterhood vibes, and was one of those books that I couldn’t wait to get back to. The Invocations follows three young women whose lives all intersect as they hunt for a mysterious, magical serial killer. Jude, Zara, and Emer all have different reasons for uncovering the identity of the killer, but it’s only by working together that they will be able to find the answers they seek.

I loved how gritty this book was. This was just as much a thrilling murder mystery as it was a witchy book, though the witchiness was my favorite part. I just thought the way Sutherland wrote her witches was really unique and the connection between demons/souls was cool and something I’ve never seen before.

Sutherland has such a way of creating a creepy, atmospheric environment. Some of the descriptions in The Invocations are straight up grotesque, but her writing is so beautiful I didn’t even mind reading it. I knew this was YA going into it, but I was pleasantly surprised by just how dark this gets. There is a lot of body horror (especially related to Jude’s character) and so much violence, most of it directed at women. The ending was incredibly satisfying and full of female rage.

I’d recommend if you like:
-Witches, demons, and necromancy (oh my!)
-Sapphic romance
-“Good for her” female rage

Thank you to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Young Readers Group. I’ll definitely be reading this one again during spooky season and checking out House of Hollow in the future.

I freaking love this book! The Invocations is definitely the best book I’ve read in a long time. I know 2024 just started, but I’m sure this will be one of my top reads this year.

The Invocations follows three very different girls, as their lives become entangled and they have to defeat a very dangerous common threat. Zara Jones has begun dabbling in the occult to try and bring her murdered sister back to life. Jude Wolf lives a cursed life ever since she tethered her soul to some demons and now she desperately wants to get rid of them. Emer Byrne is a powerful witch, and just what Zara and Jude are looking for. However before they can get help with their problems, Jude and Zara have to join Emer in stopping a supernatural serial killer. A killer who just so happens to set their sights on Jude.

I just cannot say enough good things about this book. The setting and the vibe of this book are perfection. The world is so realistic and so is the magic system. Everything is grounded in reality and that is what makes this book so specia and really makes the spooky elements so great. The characters are very well fleshed out and seem like living, breathing people. You'll definitely be wishing you could join this little coven before the book is over. I love the sisterhood that Jude, Zara and Emer form.

If you love found family, f/f romance, witches, and dark reads, then this is the book for you. I seriously just wanted to start it from the beginning once it was finished.

This book reads like Sutherland finished reading “The Power” by Naomi Alderman and said hold my beer I can do it better. I was reading this book because she genuinely made me care about her characters in a way that alderman simply could not. This book is both a social critique and a love letter to women from a woman validating generations of female rage brought on by circumstances and men beyond their control. It is political without shoving it it you face, it brings you face to face with the violence that women, even trans women, have suffered and it unapologetically makes you look at it but it doesn’t beat you over the head with it. The characters are amazing and lovable as well as relatable, the signature horror and violence that this author brings to the table is there in full force and it is done so well. At the end you get great twists and turns and violence but then also a glimpse of happiness that feels very deserved and earned and not just thrown in to appease an audience. After all the violence and misery, these characters deserve a little bit of joy and it feels right. Every manner of woman is represented here, rich, poor, abused, starved, lonely, lost, murdered, all of them get a little retribution through this author’s story and it just does it so well. I recommend this to anyone. Everyone. It’s so much more than necromancy and demons and spells, it’s women. Women and how they carry society in secret small ways while also doing big hard things. It’s amazing. I loved it.

i had a very hard time getting into this one. i enjoyed the characters and parts of the story but the pacing felt really off to me. i found myself not wanting to pick up the book because of how slow moving it was. i liked the witches and the magic system, but i couldn’t find myself caring about what happened. i might try to read this book again some other time, but for now, it’s just not for me.

DNF pg 21

I’m always here for angry girls and magic and vengeance so this sounded extremely my kinda book. Unfortunately the writing is just not working for me and it’s hitting weird for me to point I don’t want to care about these characters, even having just started the book. Definitely a case of being the wrong reader for this book.

I love feminine rage and I feel like this book did it just right. This book is just the right amount of Dark and creepy and perfect for a rainy day read.