Evocation is hands down my favorite book by S.T. Gibson. If you’re looking for a quick, spooky read that’s really character driven, this is the book for you. Do I think it wrapped up a little too neatly? Maybe, but I enjoyed it immensely anyway.

I first want to say that this book has solidified s.t gibson as an autobuy author for me. Her ability to make you feel at ease in a world and with characters is second to none. From the beginning i wanted to know more, we follow david who thinks he is cursed and has to go to his ex boyfriend rhys and his wife moira for help which he isnt happy about. The dynamic between these three and how it matures and grows is something i loved being apart of and was my favourite part of the book. However, and this could be because i listened on audiobook, i cringed alot when it came to the sexual aspects of this book and feel like i would have enjoyed it more without it. More so i feel as though the plot was underdeveloped which is not a new criticism i have of gibson but enjoy her books even so. I would definitely recommend for people who have enjoyed s.t gibson books and also who love a character based book.

S T Gibson has such a lyrical way of writing and the narrator of the audiobook did such an incredible job of portraying all of the characters perfectly. The longing the wrapped itself around every sentence and the need that burned through chapter after chapter was masterfully done.

The story was great but the characters are where this book truly shines. Moira is probably one of the best female protagonists I have read so far this year. The way she is so solid for both Rhys and David made me love her instantly. As for the two male leads I could read an entire book on their previous relationship and then how David came to love Moira.

If it’s not clear, I adored this book. S T Gibson cemented their writing as a firm fave with dowry and continues to amaze.

Whilst the premise for this book is intriguing, I found it difficult to care about any of these characters. Rhys, in particular, came off as almost a stereotype of someone who’s been to therapy too much. How many times did he have to mention boundaries? And blowing up a friendship and friend group for his wife (who often seemed to care more for repairing the relationship than he did) felt very disproportionally. Plotwise, the description makes it seem like they know early on that the devil has come to collect but in reality, most of the book is spent with them foundering around. We know what this thing is that’s haunting David. The part of the book where they struggle to figure it out feels drawn out. It would’ve been much better if in the first 20% they discover it’s this deal with the devil/generational curse BS and spent more time trying to handle it.

The audiobook narrator was good.

’ll be honest, if there’s one name that triggers me, it’s David. Having a main character with this name, especially in 3rd person, really threw me off. I debated on DNFing for that reason alone several times. However, I pushed through because of my love for this author and her debut novel, A Dowry of Blood.

When I got passed the main character’s name, I mostly enjoyed this story. I love S.T Gibson’s writing style, and I loved the idea of a rich nepotism man working with his ex and his new wife to save him from a deal with the devil. I loved their friendship, but when they decide to make it polyamory at the 70% mark, my fascination in this book rapidly waned. It’s like the author stopped worrying about the central plot- the deal with the devil- and focused on being a story about the relationship. Listen, I have zero problems with polyamory. I actually love books that show this type of relationship. I just hate how it was done in this particular book.

First, Rhys and David are toxic as a couple; they’re better as friends. Second, Moira isn’t a part of the sexual part with David. I guess when I read about polyamory, I prefer when all are equal parts of the relationship, and it doesn’t feel like Moira is. Lastly, I don’t really like that Moira’s totally fine with David & Rhys fooling around even though they’re not a healthy relationship. She’s such a smart and empathetic person. She has to know they’re not good for each other, but after hearing about their kiss, she doesn’t even spend a chapter being upset. Instead, she’s so fine with it, and that was odd to me.

If this book didn’t have polyamory and it got rid of the filler chapters, then it would be one of my favorite reads of the year. However, because of the unhealthy relationship being glorified throughout the story, my fascination with the story waned by the end.

A spooky, gothic dive into occultism, spiritualism, and summoning. Imagine one of Harvard’s secret societies, grown up.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review and boy oh boy I’m so happy I had the chance!
The best way to describe this book is as a mix of The Raven Cycle and Legend (the sequel to Hollow) by Karina Halle. The end of the book was so spicy!!! Can’t wait to read book 2.

While this was a very interesting story, it was a struggle for me to finish. The narrator did very well especially with several characters to portray. The elements within the book giving John Constantine and Practical Magic vibes were right up my alley, but were just not 100% there for me. David is very self-centered and haunted with what he thinks is his father but turns into so much more. As his problems grow worse, David has only one person he feels he can turn to. Rhys is definitely trying to not get thrown into David’s problems anymore; but given their past, he still cares too much to ignore him, He continuously says he wants to focus on his own goals and his wife, Moira. Especially because David and Moira struggle to be civil with one another. Their relationship does grow, and was enjoyable.

The biggest issue for me was the polyamorous element. No judgement on the authors choice. Personally, I believe in monogamy. And the relationship just felt very unfaithful and fake to me. Overall a very intriguing story. Just not something I will continue. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to listen to the audiobook.

3.5 rounded up.

Evocation is an urban fantasy that deals in the occult, a secret society, and demons!

I have been a fan of S.T. Gibson's for a few years now and absolutely devoured A Dowry of Blood and An Education in Malice. I was SO excited to dive into another of their offerings.

S.T. Gibson does characters so well and this is on display on this very character driven novel. You can't help but empathize and understand the struggles they are going through even with otherworldly issues. As well, the atmosphere was PALPABLE. You open this book and become fully immersed in the story every time.

Although I thought the secret society was interestingly fleshed out, and I did really enjoy the characters and their interactions. The only thing I didn't like was the polyamorous relationship. Not the polyamory itself, but the fact that it read as David and Rhys' love story that Moira has to step aside for. I thought she deserved a lot better! And I wanted to explore her friendship with David more - they were really great together.

Overall, this seems to be a series (I think? will there be a book 2??) and I do look forward to what will happen next. It was an extremely compelling read and I loved the lore we learned as the book went on. It would be great to expand upon the world, the relationships and see how the secret society adapts to all the change!

In S.T. Gibson's "Evocation," the intricate dance of magic and relationships unfolds with mesmerizing allure. From the onset, David's psychic prowess and complex familial ties draw readers into a world teeming with occult intrigue. The nuanced dynamics between the characters resonate deeply, showcasing the author's skill in crafting multifaceted relationships.

However, as the story reaches its crescendo, the polyamorous relationship feels discordant, particularly in its execution. Despite the narrative's earlier promise, the portrayal of this dynamic falls short of satisfaction particularly for Moira's character, who I personally felt deserved much better from both men, but particularly her husband.

Yet, amidst this disappointment, the strength of the characters' connections, especially the bond between David and Moira, and David and Rhys continues to shine. Their emotional journey, fraught with past wounds and renewed affection, adds depth to the narrative tapestry.

While "Evocation" initially held the promise of a five-star read, the misstep in its conclusion tempers this enthusiasm, settling the overall experience closer to a 3.75-4 rating. Despite my dissatisfaction with the relationships, Gibson's novel remains a compelling exploration of magic, love, and the complexities of human relationships.

I was thrilled to receive approval for my last-minute request of the audiobook for Evocation by S.T. Gibson. I listened all the way through it in a matter of two days!

Quick Synopsis: Present-day childhood psychic prodigy David Aristarkhov is a high-powered Boston attorney and skilled medium for his secret society. But power has a price, and as David approaches his 30th birthday, the Devil comes knocking to collect on a 300-year old blood oath. Out of other options, David reluctantly reaches out to his ex-boyfriend and current occultist rival Rhys and Rhys' wife, Moira. David's days are numbered, and buried feelings claw their way to the surface as the trio works tirelessly to save David from his doomed destiny.

Review: The plot in Evocation was compelling and engaging. As a Boston girlie, I loved all of the references to the greater Boston metro sprinkled throughout the book. Additionally, I ADORED Moira's character and how she and David are able to build their own friendship amidst the chaos. I'm always down for some LGBTQIA+ representation, especially bi-rep, so that's another win for Evocation in my book. That being said, it was not overly or unnecessarily smutty. I liked the balance of old flame, newfound friendship, rekindling, and acceptance from all. I would definitely read this again and read the next installment in The Summoner's Circle series.

Narrator review: The narrator for Evocation did a great job! There were distinct voices for both MMCs which made it easy to distinguish whose POV you are listening to. There was also a surprising and lovely accent associated with Moira's character, furthering her endearingly character for me personally.

Thank you to the author S.T. Gibson, publisher Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads review submitted and linked below. A grid post on my bookstagram account (@bostonkatreads) to follow.

Evocation is a contemporary somewhat gothic paranormal novel about generational curses, magic, secret societies, complicated people and love in unlikely of situations. It’s incredibly fun, Rhys, Moira and David have such an engaging dynamic!

The occult dark academia atmosphere is thick on every page of this book. S.T. Gibson proves once again that she can consistently produce amazing novels. She has quickly become an author who I rely on for the decadent gothic aesthetics, with this story being one I couldn't pull myself away from. S.T. Gibson will forever be an auto buy author for me! Same review I gave for the physical book and the audiobook just amazing as well!!! Can’t wait

Evocation follows David, a powerful medium in a secret society, as he approaches his 30th birthday and the curse that comes with it.

I have read both of S. T. Gibson's previous books and this has the same writing style as the others, which is very character focused. We're mainly following David, his ex-boyfriend Rhys, and Rhys' wife, as the three of them work together to figure out what's happening to David. There's lots of history, some rivalry and also some attraction going on, leading to a complex relationship dynamic between the group which I found very unique and interesting to follow along with. I like how the characters aren't perfect and it makes them seem so much more realistic.

I listened to the audiobook for this which was a really enjoyable way to read it. I thought the narrator did a great job!

I'm looking forward to reading Odd Spirits later this year.

Thank you to Tantor Audio and Netgalley for this early copy.

I loved everything about this! I wasn't positive how I would feel about this book but it was absolutely amazing. I loved the characters so much even if I did want to punch them in the face for a good portion of the book. I honestly can't even explain to you what exactly I loved about this book because I loved everything!
I mean I don't think there is a single thing about this that I didn't love. The cover is impeccable, the characters are amazing and relatable and the story was was fast paced and interesting. I seriously could gush about this books for ages! Please just read it!

This was a read that grew on me the more that I read. At first I was very annoyed with the anger Rhys and Moira had for David- especially once the reasoning was revealed. Six months of the silent treatment towards your "best friend" feels blown out of proportion. If anything, Moira's anger makes more sense since there is that innate jealousy because David and Rhys are exes. But a lot of times it felt like they blamed David for *their* marital issues they had. Plus Rhys in general came off as very holier-than-thou (pun intended lol since he's more religious). But he was extremely judgy towards David even though he also did some pretty messed up things (like hiding the promotion from David) 🙄. Even by the end I wasn't a big fan of his but Moira grew on me more once we got to see her "nice" side (that we were *told* so much about) finally show up. I really appreciated how understanding she was about David's alcoholism and if anything she handled it far better than Rhys. Her checking on him afterwards too and making sure he wasn't alone was really sweet and I feel like I got to know her as a character as someone who feels (both positive and negative emotions) fiercely.
Speaking of Moira- I thought the way ethical monogamy was explored was masterfully done. There are so many complex and layered emotions that all three of them feel, and they are emotions that change- growing, wavering back and forth, and layering on top of one another. I love that they really thought about the decisions they were making because love is a choice, and they tried to be as considerate to each other as possible. I also really appreciated the inclusion of a main character dealing with alcoholism and sobriety.
Overall, I do wish I felt more of the chemistry between Rhys and Moira because their relationship does play such an integral role to the story. Rhys would make such huge romantic overtures to her (even calling her goddess) but it just didn't feel believable. Maybe it's because their relationship building was done prior to the start of the book and we never got to see it. Maybe it's because I don't love Rhys in general so that's just tainting my feelings, but the constant over-the-top saccharine declarations made their relationship feel flat and monotonous. 'Nothing is more important than you, not even my life' was a sentiment expressed multiple times and while I usually find it romantic, in this case I was left meh because I didn't know *why*. They are telling me they love each other soooo much but I didn't feel like they were showing it to me. I didn't get to experience the zing of them meeting or the heart-pounding excitement mixed with doubt when things are starting out. Maybe I was just hoping for more throwbacks between the two of them idk.
I was also a bit thrown off at first when iPhones were mentioned because it doesn't feel contemporary in many ways but I ended up getting used to it by the end. It actually kind of gives off The Atlas Six vibes in the overall tone (in a good way)!
Big thank you to RB Media and Netgalley for an early review copy <3

This book is more character driven than I expected. It plays out as an emotional drama. The characters work through personal issues and adjust to a new kind of reality they did not expect. While the characters are involved in the craft and celebrate being witches and performing magic, the book dances around these ideas and focuses more on the emotional whiplash amongst the characters. I would have liked to see more action throughout the book. However, the last few chapters were very exciting!

I received an audio arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the main characters, but I am really looking forward to (hopefully) learning more about the side characters as this series moves forward. I had a bit of difficulty with the voice the narrator gave to Rhys, but still found it to be an entertaining listen.

Wow! Evocation is without a doubt my favorite book that S.T. Gibson has ever written. This was absolutely 5 stars (maybe more!).

I actually tore through the entire book, minus the final chapter, in a weekend. Why didn’t I just read that last chapter? I wasn’t ready for this book to be over! So I let it simmer and then read the final chapter a few days later when the time felt right. I stand by this decision. 🥺

Evocation is very character driven, dark, and queer. Once again, Gibson manages to give us a handful of characters so well fleshed out that even with their faults laid out bare, you feel a pull to them. Rhys, Moira, and David have such unique relationships to themselves, to each other, and as a unit. There’s a lot of angst and raw emotions in this story, as there tends to be in all of her work, and I, for one, love it! Also, I know that I’ve said it before but it bears repeating: the way this author writes is *so* beautiful - like brings me to tears beautiful.

Other elements involved in Evocation include: a secret society, magic, a deal with a demon, exes to rivals to lovers, and polyamory (m/m/f triad). As a whole, I would give this roughly a 2 on the spicy scale, but Gibson really made me pine over these characters, so it’s an especially fiery 2.

Gibson has already stated that this is the first in a four book series, and I cannot wait to see what happens next with Rhys, Moira, and David.

I would recommend that readers check TWs for this one as some heavy topics are included.

As I was able to do a tandem read/listen for this book, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how well done the audiobook was! Narrator Oscar Reyes somehow was able to give each character their own voice to the point where I didn’t have any issue keeping track of the book despite chapters rotating between multiple perspectives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for an advanced listening copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I really loved this book! I loved the characters, the occult vibes, how we got all three POVs from David, Rhys, and Moira, and the ease and acceptance of open love.
I enjoyed the tension between David and Rhys at the start. And how protective Moira was of Rhys from his ex.
Moira was an absolute gem. She was kind, protective, honest and open. I loved how she respected and supported Rhys and his feelings for David, and encouraged them both not to ignore their lingering feelings from their past relationship. I loved the slow build of the friendship and love between Moira and David, and the easy comfort they had with each other.
Moira and Rhys's relationship was tender and strong and you never doubt these two and their love.
Rhys and David had a messy past, as well.as a messy present, but beyond all that, you could see they still cared for each other. When they reluctantly start working together to help David rid his magical sickness, it's not long before cracks form and their feelings start creeping out. I thought it was super cute neither knew what to do with it because Moira was held in such high esteem for them both, and neither wanted to hurt her in anyway.
I loved watching the three form a bond, and I can't wait to see where it leads in the books to come.
I listened to the audiobook, and it was such a fast and easy listen. There is magic and ghosts and excitement and love. I highly reccomend this, especially if you love dark magic, strong relationships and a slow burn love story with a twist.

Many thanks to NetGalley for gifting the audiobook to me

I think this is my favorite S.T. Gibson book! 4.5 stars
The writing, as always is captivating and beautiful without trying too hard. It just flows and keeps me interested throughout.
The relationships were so well-written. The complexities of real and honest feelings were captured really well. Every character had their flaws, they also learned and developed well throughout the book. Moira was definitely my favorite, what an amazing woman! David really grew on me and I totally can see why he acted the way he did. But I think he had some great development too.
I'm excited that there is more to come from these characters!

I thought the narrator did a great job overall. Each main character had a distinguishable voice without going over the top. I enjoyed listening to the book and the extra personality and interest the narrator added. There were a fair amount of times that the audio had a little jump where you could tell that it was recorded over (probably for the better, but it was noticeable to me)

Thank you Tantor Audio for the ALC!