eARC was sent to me by @angryrobotbooks and all thoughts are my own)

Overall I really enjoyed the book. I read it today and it was kinda cold and rainy out so it kinda fit the vibe. It is a great mood read.

One thing I really enjoyed was the flaws of the characters and how they were written. I found myself sympathetic but also frustrated with the characters but I enjoyed that as it felt very engaging. It was interesting how the story played out and how they got there. I related to David a lot during the reading and found myself drawn to Rhys and Moira. At times it could get a little slow but I found myself always wanting more. It draws you in like Moira, David, and Rhys are drawn together. I liked how the relationships unfolded and how the characters struggled through certain plot points and issues.

This is not a grand all encompassing read but one that focuses on a small group of people that are drawn together because of a curse. It is a hauntingly charming (is that a thing?) tale and I cannot wait till book two!

Thank you so much to Saint and Angry Robot for allowing me access to Evocation as an ARC! S.T. Gibson is the kind of author whose writing follows you once you've finished their books, and Evocation is no exception. I think I'm biased because of my love for a Dowry of Blood, but I think that Evocation is a lovely start to what will be an excellent series. I did find the pacing to be a little different than I was expecting, but I loved seeing the dynamic between David, Rhys, and Moira come to fruition. I cannot wait to see the direction Saint heads with this series; occult magic, secret societies, and a healthy dose of polyamory can never go wrong. I'm so glad to have pre-ordered a physical copy and can't wait to see the final product!

This is a story which is told from multiple perspectives and has an interesting hook.
It made for easy reading, but there was nothing about the style, or prose, that impressed me. There was a repetitive nature to the writing, which was wrapped up as whimsy. I think a good edit could iron that out and make it an overall better reading experience. I was surprised when I got to chapter three and found a week wrapped up into a paragraph. Why did the writer not give us a glimpse into David’s world? The court room and how he deals with his work life / other job balance? Instead there was a week wrapped up in an uninteresting paragraph. Instead of seeing David’s annoyance, I was told about it and it was at that moment I grew more disappointed.
When a writer skips things as though they are boring, I begin to wonder if what I am reading is boring.
This book read more like a film, I think it would make an interesting film and if it ever transitions to the screen, I would watch it.
It’s a slow burn with exposition driving you into wondering when something is going to happen. Demons, magic and curses, should be interesting, but overall, this one was not for me.