WHOA. Where do I even begin?! This book is a masterpiece that had me hooked from start to finish and I devoured it in less than 24 hours (I COULDN’T STOP READING!!). I am still mind blown with all of it!

So let’s break it down a bit… the novel follows Emer, Zara and Jude, three teens which are brought together by destiny (in this case specifically, by invocations). They each have their motives, and they quickly find out that they need each other to solve the gruesome murders that are connected not only to women but their invocations. The story was such a wild rollercoaster that never let down. Plus, the twists at the end has me in utter shock!! It was so incredible, stressful, and gory at the same time.

This novel is so unapologetically feminist, empowering, full of sisterhood and female rage that it was such a delight to experience. With so many underlying themes under the invocations and their power, I wish I could have more of this world and of Emer, Jude and Zara. One of the best thriller/horror books I’ve read in a while! Can’t wait to read more by this author. Will be recommending it to EVERYONE!!!

This book was dark, gory, and mysterious with a very compelling storyline and great world building. Going into the book, I thought the read was going to be five stars. The beginning certainly was. However, as the story progressed, it became weaker and weaker. By a certain point, maybe 65% into the story, the whodunit aspect became very predictable because there just were not many characters introduced in the story. Another con was that I do not think the characters grew or if they did, it felt artificial.

4.5 Stars
Tropes: Witch Hunters, Found Family, Who Done It, Forced Proximity, Serial Killers

Thank you Netgalley for a eARC of this book.

This book was a whirlwind of a story and I may have stayed up late to make sure that I found out how everything ended up. I don't remember the last time I felt compelled to do that.

This story follows three teenage (17ish) girls that live in London. A killer is on the lose and they are cutting out squares of skin then murdering the women.

Jude is the daughter of a very wealthy man in London, but she accidentally cursed herself. Now everything she owns has fallen into ruin, and her leg is rotting...

Zara's sister has recently died. She is obsessed with the occult and will do anything to talk to Savannah just one more time

Emer writes Invocations. She is an extremely talented witch that lives day to day.

When the girls paths become intertwined, everything will change.

Quotes:
"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live,"
"I have to die... I need one of you to kill me."

Thoughts:
This book while very gory at times, was such a thrill to read. I loved House of Hollow so when I saw that Krystal Sutherland had a new book coming out I knew that I wanted to read it.
I loved all the three girls all had very different reasons for being involved with the occult. They were all working together originally out of selfish reasons, but their relationship evolved into so much more.
Emer's life was such a mess and I loved seeing her character get a support system, and people that she could count on after what happened was fantastic.
The underlying story of Emer's revenge to kill the people who took her family- the freaking plot twist- holy crap. It was fantastic. I somewhat saw it but the killer... I did not predict that at all.
I loved that there is a HEA with such a dark book. I really enjoy mystery/horror books that get super messy but then everything ends up good.
The relationship between Jude and her father was very interesting.

This is my first book by Krystal Sutherland and, if this book is anything to go by, atmosphere is an important aspect to her writing. At a basic level, it's a race against time to stop a serial killer targeting witches. I don't know that I'd call it a fantasy but instead a thriller with a supernatural angle. It's dark and gritty, uncertainty sits heavily over every moment. While it's written for a YA audience, I'd definitely say it skews older as at least two of the three main characters, Emer and Jude, feel much older than their ages.

All three MC were well drawn out fully fleshed characters. While Zara felt like the youngest, I identified with her dealing with the loss of a family member, things said in anger prior to that loss and wanting to reverse time to fix it. Emer's background felt like dipping into history during the Salem witch trials which was what grabbed my attention and allowed me to understand her feelings of isolation and disconnect from the world around her. Jude, well Jude was just a fun character; hiding her longing for family connection through quips and humor.

While the action really kicks in at the last 100 pages, this never felt like it dragged. There was enough character development and their actions kept the story moving along nicely. Again, my favorite aspect was the the spooky, sense of dread feeling throughout that made me feel like I should be reading this under the covers with a flashlight - think Seven, The Exorcist, etc. where characters are doing regular, everyday things but you just know something's coming.

Thank you to so, so much to Netgalley for providing me with my first digital review copy of this fantastic book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This was my first novel by Krystal Sutherland so I didn't have any expectations going in. Horror is not my usual genre to read, but the overall messaging in this story is very much something that tugs at my heartstrings. This story shows just how difficult it can to be a women finding their way into life and what they will do in order to gain power and survival over the men that try to bring them down.

The Invocations follows three young girls that are all connected to the occult in different ways.

Zara is studying the occult to avenge her sister and also figure out a way to bring her back from the dead. She needs a witch to help her perform this spell.

Jude is the daughter of a billionaire and has been exiled after she struck a deal with the devil and attached herself to a demon in order to gain power. She needs a witch to reverse this spell.

Emer is the witch that brings these girls together. After watching her family be murdered by a group of witch hunters, her life is flipped upside down and will do anything to survive. Including befriending a few demons.

Invocations are the spells women can use to gain power but must invite demons to inhabit their body in order to use the power. Emer creates these invocations for women in need until her clients begin to show up dead around the city of London. The girls band together to figure out who this serial killer is and also find a way to gain what they are each after.

This is the perfect book for spooky season but is also a great reminder that women have the power to overcome any situation they find themselves in and there will always be other women around to help.


Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Teen for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

“The Invocations” by Krystal Sutherland…ooh this book was so deliciously dark, it was a lot darker than I was expecting for YA.

This was my first book by Krystal Sutherland and I will be making time immediately to ready “House of Hollow’ because I had such a good time reading “The Invocations”

This book was dark and gruesome and gory, I am not a natural horror reader and some of the body horror made me wince but it was all done so well, this felt like a really fresh take on witches and I thoroughly enjoyed the concept.

The Invocations follows three women Jude who is living with the results of a botched deal with a demon, Zara who is living with the trauma after the death of her sister and Emer who connects them all in a way- they find themselves needing to work together to catch a serial killer who is killing women and any of them may be next.

I really enjoyed the characters and Jude made me laugh a bunch of times- there is a point near the end that shouldn’t have been a funny moment but had me howling- this was twisty and turns and there were a number of surprises that I didn’t see coming at all. I think that Krystal Sutherland did a great job at giving the main characters incredibly strong and unique voices throughout.

I did take a little time to settle in to this book and for it to find it’s pace which is the only reason that I didn’t rate this higher.

I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a dark sapphic feminist read that will make you want to unleash your feminine rage - packed with witches, demons and the undead this was a wild ride!

I gave this one 4.25 stars

While I enjoyed this one, I think the classification of YA may he a bit generous. This book was very dark, very gruesome, and very violent. The concept of using curses to attach your soul to a demon in exchange for power was interesting, as was the way it fit into the world. Accepted, yet not. Concepts of prejudice, hate, and genocide are also a bit above the classification for YA in my opinion. Overall, I'd say the book was really interesting and I was surprised by the revelation of who the killer was. But it's not YA.

Last year, I read ‘House of Hollow’ by the same author and have not stopped thinking about the unique way that Krystal Sutherland told her story.

And she did it again. This book was dark. This book was gruesome and gory. It was a fresh and fascinating portrayal of witches who were on the hunt for a serial killer. We have a found family between three women and I adored every step of the way.

The characters themselves were so well written and the details left me feeling queasy, which isn’t an easy thing for a book to do.

Even further, this book is a deeper commentary on women and their power.

I just loved it. It will definitely be one that lives rent free in my head and I won’t be surprised if it lands on my top books of 2024 as ‘House of Hollow’ did for 2023. Krystal Sutherland is an auto-buy/read author for me now. Two bangers in a row.

This book was given to me by the publisher but my thoughts and opinions are all my own.

Curse, demons, witches. This is right up my alley.

Krystal Sutherland has a way with describing gross wounds and other situations. There were many times where I was truly grossed out by the words on page, and that doesn't happen often.

If you enjoyed House of Hollow, you will enjoy this one, but I will warn you that this is more horror based and has more gore than her previous novel.

My only dislike is how the story ended. I do think that it wrapped up a little too nicely, and I find it unbelievable that none of the main characters really ended up being held accountable for anything, given that the average person would not believe in any explanation involving demons and witchcraft.

All in all, I did enjoy this story.

This is a slightly new genre for me. I’m definitely not a huge magic/ fantasy fan, but I love what this author did to create a spellbinding (yes pun intended) mystery.

I like the major plot twist of this book, I did not see it coming. I do wish there was more to the story (maybe a sequel please?!?!?)

Overall, enjoyable read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5/5 STARS

Genre: YA paranormal mystery

Synopsis: Three girls linked by witchcraft come together in an unconventional way to catch a serial killer murdering girls.

This was such a pleasant surprise! Think Jack the Ripper but add witches. You have three girls trying to solve a bunch of murders where pieces of skin are cut off of each body and a note is left about ending witchcraft.
Zara: her sister is a murder victim & she is determined to bring her back from the dead
Jude: daughter of a billionaire who made a deal with a demon & her body is rotting as payment. She is trying to reverse the curse.
Emer: a witch who can give someone a power in exchange for part of their soul.
The murder victims are all of Emer’s customers and the girls work together to try and figure it out.
This is a gothic horror/murder mystery that had the perfect amount of suspense and witchcraft. Each girl has their own misgivings to deal with and become unlikely friends. There were so many twists and turns and the ending was unexpected! The author did a great job of weaving in touches of witchcraft without overdoing it. I have not read House of Hollow but I will now! I listened to this on audio & the narration was well done.
If you Iike mystery books with witchcraft mixed in, read this!

Thank you Penguin Teen for the gifted copy! 🧙🖤

"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Krystal Sutherland said this one is for the girls!!! (And she meant that!!) I really enjoyed House of Hollow, and I personally love any dark, gritty, bloody book so this one was right up my alley. The book follows three characters who become inextricably linked: Emer, a witch/cursewriter; Jude, the daughter of a billionaire who finds herself attached to three demons; and Zara, someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to bring her sister back from the dead. The three of them join forces to hunt down a mysterious figure who is murdering all of Emer's past clients.

"The Invocations" doesn't truly pick up in pace until around 50% of the book, yet I found the writing and plot to be interesting enough to hold me over. Sutherland does a good job at giving each character their own distinctive voice and characteristics. I did find the ending a little rushed and the reveal of the killer to be a bit predictable. However, I liked how Sutherland managed to sprinkle some humor into an otherwise dark novel that focuses on how dangerous it is to be a woman and the dark corners we'll venture into to find power. I personally felt the romance was rushed and maybe a bit unnecessary and thrown in. But if you like demons, witches, and solving murder mysteries, this book is definitely for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Another win from Krystal Sutherland. Three women solving a mystery. I will continue to have Krystal as an auto buy author. I've pre-ordered the B&N SE and the Evernight SE.

Compulsively readable The Invocations follows 3 young women searching for a serial killer in London. As they explore the haunting and mysterious ties that bind them, they develop friendships and more. This book explores witchcraft, demons, gore, family, and what power means for women. It was gruesome at times, as all good horror should be, but as a story it was unputdownable. YA Horror at it's finest, follow these 3 young women around the UK and be disgusted with the murders and also a bit with society. Please especially enjoy my favorite part of the book which is the explanation of why demons only barter with women, lol.

This book was the best way to start 2024.

It was amazing.

4.5 stars!

I do not know if there is another book that has played with the way we know witches to be, but this books’ version of witches/cursewriters and the invocations was incredible. It was so clever, and it clearly felt like Krystal had a whole rulebook of how this specific type of magic worked and I loved it. Would I embed myself with an invocation? Absolutely not. If I had a choice, I would choose to be a cursewriter. Languages? Writing? Creativity? My cup of tea. I do not want to be attached to a demon, no matter how nice Bael and the rest of Emer’s Demon family is.

I sort of guessed who the hunters were, but not really. I got the connection that it definitely came from Jude’s family, but definitely not the way I expected. And frankly, I should have known, their nickname was the four horsemen, like hello? Evidence number 1.

Jude was so funny. She will keep you laughing from beginning to end, “You’re a vegan influencer!” is legendary in context okay. And Zara Jones? You will always be famous. I absolutely love how she is someone that loves a challenge and a puzzle and even though I though her bringing her sister back from the dead was absolutely bonkers that made me put the book down for 3 days because I knew it was going to be bad, was fantastic. And the way Demon!Savannah just slashed through everyone? That was cinema! An upgrade to girl rage!

I was so confused about Emer for a good chunk there, like I’m sorry is she body-hopping? But then after I realized what was going on, I am impressed, she is so smart. What better way to hide then in a college campus? Genius! Her battle scene at the end? Incredible. The was Krystal described Demon!Savannah falling like dust around her? Oh my god.

The relationships between the 3 protagonists. The carnage. Female Frankenstein Monster!!! Literally the way Krystal Sutherland described the smells, and the gory scenes, was fantastic. I clearly do not read enough books like this, and I evidently need to read more. I absolutely loved Zara comparing her cutting Jude open like cutting animals in her class, the visuals that invoked and the fear but resilience? Incredible.

The weakest link –
Okay, the subtitle is extreme but it is not that bad, it’s just me being nitpicky:

A) The explanation the father gave at the end. His father in his deathbed can affect someone they met only once? Nah. In a book of unbelievable things, that was the most unbelievable explanation.

B) The romance between Emer and Jude. I would have liked a little more yearning, pinning, more signs that they had the hots for each other. I do like the little we got as it progressed, and the ending was lovely. However, it kind of felt like it came out of nowhere? Which I guess most relationships do, I just wanted more pinning. I guess I wanted more whatever Jude was doing with Reese but with Emer. More of Emer falling for Jude like: “Oh, no, absolutely not, seriously. But jude, ~ jUUUUUUUUUUUUDE~, jude you’re an idiot (she says with heart eyes)” okay bye.

Please read The Invocations, it is a wild ride from start to finish and you’ll love every moment of it.

Thank you Netgalley, Penguin Group and Krystal Sutherland for the arc!

What an amazing adventure. If you enjoyed this author's other work, you'll enjoy this one.

Featuring three povs, these female leads must join together to achieve their goals and solve the mystery underlying the story. I found all three women to be very interesting and compelling characters, featuring unique motives and personalities.

Jude is working to fix the botched deal with a demon, and along the way starts investigating a string of murdered women, all with a similar signature. She meets Zara, a woman trying to find a way to bring her sister back from the dead. Together, they find Emer, the woman who, as it turns out, has written deals-invocations- with demons for all the murdered women so far. And she's not pleased they're turning up dead. Together, they work to discover whose been murdering these women, while trying to find a solution to both Jude and Zara's problems.

This story kept me hooked, every twist and turn in the tale creating an exciting adventure that had me hanging on every word until the end. I also loved the addition of sapphic main characters, enjoying their story and the evolution of their relationship through the tale.

I was so sad when the story ended, but so satisfied, and surprised, by the final act. I've already preorder the book, I loved it so much.

Emer Byrne is a brilliant witch and cursewriter. Orphaned when her entire family was murdered by witch hunters, Emer was raised by demons in the woods surrounding her old home, feral and free. She has one purpose-revenge. Zara Jones is studious and driven, a typical Type A personality. When her sister is murdered, every ounce of her focus turns to one thing-researching necromancy in order to bring her sister back. Jude Wolf is the privileged daughter of a billionaire, exiled after accidentally cursing herself. Now rotting inside and out, the devil may care heiress has one dream-break the curse and return to her former glamorous life. Three very different young women motivated by very different things. But when someone starts stalking and murdering witches Emer has written curses for, their purposes align. Now they must hunt and eliminate a killer before they find themselves victims of an evil that is almost impossible to stop.

Krystal Sutherland’s The Invocations is brilliant and beautifully written. The language is bold, the imagery a smack to your face. It’s gloriously gory and gruesome! Sutherland has a strong, unique concept. Her world building is impeccably well-crafted. The characters are intriguing and fleshed out. They’re not flat or lifeless, but spring fully formed from the page with depth and personality. These young women are powerful and fighting to regain control of their lives, fighting the patriarchal world that has tried to destroy them, but has only left them more fiercely determined to burn that world to the ground. The Invocations is a truly captivating, enthralling read. Loved it!

The Invocations is the type of book I live to read. Love to read. The kind of book that when I open it during my ARC reading I do a fist pump and congratulate myself on finding an absolute gem of a novel that speaks to me on every level–that resonates with me on a molecular level.

The Invocations is the kind of book I read the ARC of, then buy a physical copy of and put on my bookshelf so I can read it and show it off and recommend it to people again and again.

Am I the “target audience”? Heck no. I’m in my mid-40s. The Craft came out the year I graduated high school. Buffy the Vampire Slayer came out the year after. I was a fan of the movie before the show, for pete’s sake. My own era of witchery came and went before I even had my first kid. You know what has come and not left since then, though? My anger. My rage. My fear. My fear of men. My rage at systemic patriarchy. My anger at myself for still being so afraid, even though I know there’s still so many reasons to be afraid every single day. (Then there’s more rage). It’s those feelings that make this book something I completely vibe with, along with how much I adored every single female character within.

Krystal Sutherland pulls no punches with her female characters and I’m loving it. I’m never here for females who approach this world like it’s not out for our blood. I’m never here for female characters who think we’re safe or who are complacent. Jude, Emer, and Zara are all angry at the world in their own ways and none of them are complacent about it. They’re all trying to fight in their own ways. Sure, in the beginning they’re all fighting in self-serving ways–but when they find a common cause and common enemy (hint: it’s a man) they band together to stop it. They fight through pain, blood, sweat, tears, dirt, and more. They sacrifice. Because they know no one else will.

It’s not an easy book to read. My belief is that books like this shouldn’t be an easy read because women’s lives aren’t easy. Books like this remind us it’s okay to be angry. That we can be angry. That we should be angry. And it does it in a glorious, gory, blood-soaked, demonic way. I loved it.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Body Horror/LGBTQ Fiction/LGBTQ Romance/Occult Fiction/Sapphic Romance/Serial Killer/Supernatural Horror/Suspense Thriller/Thriller/YA Thriller/YA Fiction

i LOVED!!!! the first pages of this — so atmospheric and intriguing, and unlike anything i'd read since ninth house. unfortunately i do believe that 3 characters is too many, that we embarked on our plot too quickly, and that there was so much gore and grossness and vomit as to reduce the impact of the ultimate climax and of its impact.

i thought the ending was sweet, but the characters and their banter too stereotypey to be really memorable. i like this author though!

Thank you Penguin Group, NetGalley, and Krystal Sutherland for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book for an honest review. This has been one of my most anticipated reads and it was definitely one that I will not forget. This is the story of three girls, all with unique personalities that have a special bond. Two of the girls, Zara and Jude, need invocations from the third but first they need to stop the person that is killing her clients all over town. Emer must strike a deal with them before they are on his list. The book is interesting and intriguing and moves fast. If you’re a fan of Krystal Sutherland’s other works I highly recommend this book.