The audio was great! The story delivered. S.T. Gibson always gets it. I’m obsessed. I’ll be recommending this plenty.

Yes yes yes! This book was such a fantastic ride, I could not put it down! I knew I loved S.T. Gibsons work, this just solidified that even more for me. The relationships in this book were EVERYTHING to me. Not one page was boring and I was always entertained. This book follows three POVs and all three are thrilling. This book gives magic, paranormal, slightly gothic, secret groups, queer relationships, love, hate…. What more could you ask for in a book! This is a book that makes you want to re read it after you have just finished it.

This book was brilliant. I spent the entirety of my day chasing every moment I could to listen to this book, and couldn’t wait for each moment that came next. I truly appreciate the representation of polyamory in this book.

The voice actor did a wonderful job voicing all characters involved, and fit all roles perfectly! This quickly moved up my list of favorite books for the year!!

vibes: dark academia, occult societies, polyamory, ex damage

Heat Index: 4/10

The Basics:

Former psychic prodigy turned lawyer-by-day-medium by night David is in danger. A Faustian bargain is about to come due, and his life hangs in the balance--which leads him to the doorstep of Rhys, his ex-boyfriend and rival in their secret occult society. And also Moira, Rhys's wife. Moira is the key to getting Rhys's assistance; but she doesn't exactly trust David. If he's going to survive, the three of them are not only going to have to work together, but truly trust each other.

The Review:

I............. am feeling a lot of feelings. Many of which aren't exactly positive.

The reason this doesn't have a lower rating is that I do like S.T. Gibson's writing style, and in general I enjoyed this overall world. I love a secret society. I love an occult moment. I honestly feel like we need more of this in romance (though, is this romance? Mmmmm). It's all compelling. You can tell that Gibson has done her research on that level.

I was really excited to hear about this book, after enjoying A Dowry of Blood. It was pushed as the beginning of a poly romance series, and it sounded like it sat somewhere between paranormal and fantasy. It does that, and it is poly. But...

I'll go ahead and get the "is it romance?" question out of the way, because you'd think that would irk me the most, but it really doesn't. I feel like this really toes the line. The triad relationship is a core part of the story. In fact, I would say that it basically did drive the plot, as you couldn't really have the rest of it if these three weren't engaging with each other. But somehow, it still didn't feel completely like a romance to me. Perhaps it is. Perhaps it's just not a good romance.

I was initially so intrigued by this tension and anger, this push-pull between David and Rhys. I love messy exes, and I was totally down for the angle of a wife also being in the mix, someone who knew what these two were to each other and like... didn't exactly hate David, but did express wariness. Because nobody wants to get cheated on.

This seems to be a controversial take among people who have critiqued this book, but I actually did like Rhys. Probably because I enjoy the Stern One Who's Trying To Do The Right Thing. And I was into his connection with Moira! They seemed like a real married couple--trying to make their relationship work despite some tough odds and trials of the past. David I was less into because it became abundantly clear to me that, though this book does offer POVs from everyone involved, I was supposed to really like David and be into his mess and he was the snarky guarded white guy and so on and so on and so on......

Moira is where we started running into issues. And not because I disliked her! Nope, not at all. Because of how she functioned in the story.

To preface, Moira is a Black woman from the South. I am from the South, but I am white, so please take anything I have to say regarding her characterization with a grain of salt. I hope that by the time this book is out for a bit, there will be more reviews from Black readers (specifically Black women) who can offer more insight.

I did begin narrowing my eyes fairly early on when it felt like Moira was coming in to offer mystical help to these two white guys--well, more one than the other, as Rhys clearly wanted to help David but also didn't want to fuck with his own marriage... David was the one who needed help--when it really didn't super benefit her. I get not just wanting to let someone die, that's human decency, but I didn't really get as much... conflict? As I wanted. Like, she knows this guy had a very tumultuous relationship with her husband, she knows there is unresolved shit going on, and she knows that David would FOR SURE want another go with Rhys if he could have it (even if it was only momentary). So... while I'm sure I would ultimately help to save a life, she seemed rather magnanimous about it.

And I thought... Bonnie Bennett warning bells.

However, as Moira and David began hanging out together, I liked it. I liked their chemistry. I liked their friendship. I liked their platonic love for each other. And yes, it is platonic, because while this is a poly romance, it is not so much MMF as it is MM .... FM. Big difference. Rhys is bisexual and loves both Moira and David, romantic and sexually. David is gay. David and Moira do grow to love each other, but it's not romantic or sexual. Rhys is the only person in this trio who is with two people, ultimately. Which isn't inherently bad, but, as I've expressed in romance commentary, I do think it's harder. If you don't thread the needle, it feels like one person is getting "everything", where at least one other person is just sort of having to give.

That's where we ended up here. Like, I believe that Rhys loves Moira... although that love also was expressed in a way that felt REAL PACIFYING. Not pacifying her so much as the reader. He calls her "little goddess" and worships her and talks about how good she is... Whereas his relationship with David is fraught, crackling. Yes, one of those dynamics is on paper "healthier" than the other, but one is also more stagnant and safe and seems to have less depth invested in it, compared to the other. When you have Couple A over here tra-la-la-ing their way through problems and Couple B fighting and angry kissing and oh damn he just hit his knees in a Walmart (not in a Walmart, elsewhere, but you get me) it becomes clear that the writer is having a lot more fun with B than A.

And it felt like, frankly, we were being pacified with this idea that Moira was loved and cherished and worshipped in theory, when in reality she gave and gave and gave. She's saving David; she's becoming his friend, even though he's kind of an asshole; she's endlessly understanding of Rhys, except for when she needs to protect David, because we wouldn't want her husband to hurt the feelings of the guy he's cheating on her with...

Because there is cheating; and I'm not inherently against that. I am kind of against the person who was cheated on being like "welp, it is what it is, I FIGURED" about it. Especially when the person who was cheated on is this endlessly giving, nurturing, understanding Black woman who's sort of shuttling between these two white guys who mostly just seem to draw from her "strength". She's so strong that when she finds out her husband cheated on her--with his ex at that--and wants to be with the other person AND her, she's like.. already picked up a book on healthy polyamory? Because she saw this coming?

And like, maybe that book would also have something to say about how to deal with your polyamorous relationship sort of kicking off with infidelity, and how to handle that beyond "I'm good with it, and maybe down the road I'll get someone too, who knows".

So yeah. For all that the book has interesting points and interesting character beats, I really couldn't get past how it felt like Moira was this long-suffering, really cool Black woman with supernatural abilities whose white companions basically kind of jerk her around. And she just takes it like a champ, because she's Strong. It's the Bonnie Bennett issue I referenced above (if you've seen The Vampire Diaries, you get it--if not, then, well, I hope you get it anyway based off of this review). It's not that I didn't like Moira. I did, for sure. I just felt like she was there to serve Rhys and David's narrative, and that made me feel really shitty. Like, I don't want to read white guy m/m with the one dude's wife, a woman of color, going "Have fun, boys!" I want her to have her own role, and I want her to RECEIVE things, versus giving.

The Sex:

There are a few different sex scenes. Nothing crazy, nothing super explicit. Kind of euphemistic. I feel like it would've been hotter if I believed in the relationship(s) more.

If I'm being honest, while this isn't totally without merits, I'd recommend checking out other poly romances over this. I'd also say that if you want to read a Gothic romance series with polyamory and queerness, you could always check out Sierra Simone's Thornchapel books!

I don't think S.T. Gibson intended for the portrayal of Moira to be off the mark; but ultimately, to me this was a case of a writer being much more invested in the M/M than the F. Which is a common issue when you have a "V" triad versus a triangle triad in romance.

Good ideas, and outside of the context of the narrative, good characters. I just think this one needed another draft, at min.

On an audiobook note, Oscar Reyes does a really good job; I've listened to him (actually, on Sierra Simone projects) before, and he's always great.

Thanks to NetGalley and Angry Robot for providing me with an audio copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve loved everything I’ve read by S.T Gibson, but this was a bit of miss for me. I’d still read book 2 when it comes out because this felt like more of a set up than a book in its own right. This is more character driven than plot driven, there’s a huge focus on the relationship between David and Rhys. I think the relationship between David and Moira had potential for a lot more but by then end I just wanted her to find another partner for herself. I would have liked more exploration in the occult practices mentioned, everything felt a bit surface level but I think we are getting set up for some bigger reveals in book 2

Thanks to NetGalley, S.T Gibson and Tantor Audio for this ALC

A polyamorous witchy book? I signed up so fast when I saw this. Especially when I saw it was by S.T. Gibson! Even better. Tarot, astrology, and magic. All things I love. It's like this book was made for me and I enjoyed all of it.

Exes to rivals to lovers but make it with 3. This book is very diverse which made me super happy.
The accuracy of practices in this book made it even better. I really enjoyed the occultist aspect of this story as well.

David was the main character of the show for me and I just wanted to hug him. BUT ALL THE CHARACTERS WERE AMAZING. The development between them all was the best part imo. Their relationship was written so perfectly and so was the navigation through their peaks and valleys. It was messy at first but I loved it. Still do. 🤭
Impatiently waiting for the sequel.

Thank you Angrybotbooks & NetGalley for the
ARC in exchange for my honest review.

David is juggling full time work as a lawyer and a thriving private occult practice, as well as attending weekly secret Society Occult meetings.
Rhys is an associate position at a small university library and is the youngest member of the Society, Catholic, and deeply curious about acquiring knowledge.
Moira is Rhys’s wife and is one of the best tarot card readers in the city.

Moira and Rhys had been making painstaking progress towards healing after an incident with David and Rhys. Things were getting better. But then David comes to them for help with fears of a demonic possession. David was the last thing their marriage needed.

Forgiveness wasn't about the person who wronged you, it was about freeing yourself from resentment and moving on with your life.

So far, Gibson has astounded me with her haunting historical gothic writing. Now she has infused that in a modern setting with dysfunctional adults who have a variety of trauma to heal from.
Trigger warnings for physical abuse, recovering alcoholism.

Gibson effortlessly weaves politics of gender, sexuality, and traditional older values compared to newer liberal views and adaptations.

Moira is an astounding woman and I immediately loved her resilience, healing, and love. She takes self-care seriously, and amidst two men who are so ambitious and driven, this contrast serves to show how important it is to care for yourself in such a 24/7 capitalist society we find ourselves in.

Not to mention, the communication in this is exquisite. As well as the trust and acceptance. Gibson writes relationships in such a pure, honest, and open light.

”I love Moira all the way to hell and back. I love her more than money, more than my own pride and ambition. That woman is my home, and I am more than willing to prioritize her— vehemently, if need be. If she tells me she needs something to feel safe, she gets it. End of story."

I did think the ending ruined the book. This was such a character-focused, slow-moving book that the sudden climax and quick end result left me feeling cheated and felt disjointed from the rest of the narrative.

However, Gibson has cemented herself as an auto-buy author - writing the complexities of relationships, emotions, and internal struggle with such insight, armed with atmosphere and life lessons.

Thank you to Angry Robot for providing an arc in exchange for a review.

Thank you, NetGalley and Tantor Audio, for my free audiobook for review.

My first experience with S.T. Gibson's work has left me completely enthralled. The lyrical prose made it a delightful journey to connect with the characters. David stands out as my favorite, embodying a life of material wealth but lacking true meaning. The dynamics between David, Rhys, and Moira create a compelling and intricate relationship. This is also my first encounter with a polyamorous relationship in literature, and the author skillfully explores the characters' conflicting emotions. Ultimately, it's a character-driven novel that delves into the complexities of relationships, whether they involve reconciliation or new beginnings.

Listening to the audiobook, I was immediately drawn in by the seductive voice of narrator Oscar Reyes. His narration truly brought David, Rhys, and Moira to life.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and RB Media for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I went into this book as one of my most anticipated of the year. I was devastated when I didn't get an ARC, and then elated when I got approved for the ALC a little more than a week before release day.

I was absolutely OBSESSED with An Education in Malice when I read that as an ARC and was drawn in by S.T. Gibson's writing.

Unfortunately, this book just fell a little bit flat for me. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it. This was a really good audiobook and felt that the narrator did a good job.

I just didn't LOVE it like I thought I would. Maybe I went in with too high expectations.

The throuple/polyamory felt forced - I did not feel any passion between these characters, outside of Rhys and Moira as a married couple. It was evident that David and Rhys had a history, and that David and Moira also grew to have a connection, but David's entry into their relationship just didn't seem to fit as well as I would have liked. Honestly, David was kind of an unlikeable character overall for me.

The occult/fraternal/familial deal with the devil aspect of things kept the story interesting enough. The intrigue into what was really plaguing David was what kept me truly engaged throughout this book, and wondering how they would end up breaking the curse,

I will certainly be continuing this series but I truly hope we see more passion in the romance aspect moving forward.

The concept is interesting and the relationships between the characters are the focus but the book has little else to offer --

this book is extremely character driven. Overall, I enjoyed the character moments for the most part, the downside for me was the way the romance was handled. It really felt like Moira got the short end of the stick, while Rhys got everything he wanted. The fact that he cheated on Moira with no repercussions just left a sour taste in my mouth and i could not bring myself to enjoy the book afterwards. It really felt as if Rhys actually liked David, and Moira was just there. He did reassure her how much he loved her but I could just not feel it in the story (classic tell and don't show) It simply did not feel like a healthy way to start a poly relationship.

That being said, the book is very well written and I liked it for the most part, the way the romance was handled is not going to be everyone's cut of tea.

Following David, Rhys and Moira as they try to break a curse and figure out how they fit into each other’s lives, I loved S.T. Gibson’s take on urban fantasy mixed with occult dark academia in this book. The characters are definitely the stand out in this book. Every one of them is so intricate and real and flawed in the most beautiful way. All three characters have so much hurt inside them that they don’t know how to deal with and they fit together perfectly, supporting each other through the other’s weaknesses and showing them that they are loved. The different kinds of love that are explored in this book really makes you understand that all of them are valid and we need all kinds of different love to be able to thrive. I loved the relationship that is built between David and Moira in this book where they fall in love in such a different but equally valid way. I also enjoyed the worldbuilding a lot. At first it feels like there isn’t much intricate world building in this book since it takes place in our world but with magic but I as the book goes on I can see that Gibson has done her research and meticulously built this magical world to fit like puzzle pieces to our world. I love that this is a series and can’t wait to see what S.T. Gibson does with this world.

Thank you Netgalley and S.T. Gibson for an audiobook ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

📖 𝐄𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐒.𝐓. 𝐆𝐢𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐧
🎧 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐎𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬

“𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵, 𝘋𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘥. 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦.”

I am a sucker for fantasy stories with magic and psychics! This story sets up a unique world where secret societies for the occult exist.

The book is told from 3 perspectives: David, Rhys and Moira. David is the progeny of a famous family in the world of the occult. When something goes wrong during a job, he calls his ex, Rhys for help. Rhys has recently married Moira, and has great ambitions to become the new head of the secret society.

This was an interesting story. I personally felt like I couldn’t really connect to the three main characters because they lacked development. I wanted to love this book but it felt one dimensional. I think the plot could have benefited from some deeper flashbacks that help to set up the past relationship with David and Rhys.

Moira was probably my favorite character in the story. She loves Rhys so much that she tries to support him through him realizing he still cares for David. I like how she didn’t bow down to anyone, especially David.

The ending was a little lackluster and rushed. The bad “demon” really never had a presence in the book, so the ending scenes just felt empty.

The polyamorous relationship was believable in how it was developed but definitely seems rushed in the end. Both Moira and David loved Rhys so much that they devolved a friendship with each other.

𝐄𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 releases on May 28th! The audiobook, narrated by 𝐎𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 was really well done! If you love audiobooks I can definitely recommend this one!

Overall Rating: 3.75⭐️

𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
🩶 𝘜𝘳𝘣𝘢𝘯 𝘎𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘺
🫶🏼 𝘌𝘹𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
💕 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘺
✨ 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘓𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴
♥️ 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘺
👀 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺
🔥 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘺 (1.5🌶️)

Thank you to Netgally, Tantor Audio, Angry Robot and S.T Gibson for providing me with this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was my first time reading S.T Gibson and I’m officially a fan.

I was totally in my element as the story unfolded and dove into themes such as occult practices, possession, demons, and curses. The real focus were the relationships, specifically between David (psychic prodigy passed down from his family line), Rhys (a sorcerer specialising in demonology – also David’s ex boyfriend) and Moira (Rhy’s wife who is a gifted tarot reader and astrologer.) As we learn more about the characters, it’s clear there’s unresolved sexual tension between David and Rhys but underneath that sits a deep affection. While Rhys and Moira have an honest, loving, and nurturing marriage. As the story progresses and feelings deepen, we see their relationship transform into that of a polyamorous one.

The POC, LGBTQIA+ and ‘non-typical’ relationship representation was fabulous to see. We get to meet an array of eclectic and diverse characters, which was exciting.

The pacing was slower than expected and I would have enjoyed more supernatural elements and drama…you know, those ‘omg’ moments that keep you reading past your bedtime because you need answers asap. Unfortunately, I didn’t get that feeling. That being said, since there is a second book in the works, I’m hoping this book was more of an introduction and we get more razzle-dazzle in the next one.

I received this as an audiobook review. To begin, I enjoyed the narrator, Oscar Reyes. I had no issue with his narration of multiple characters, including a female.

David is a Boston lawyer with a knack for the occult. He moonlights as a psychic medium preforming seances for a secret society. As David nears his 30th birthday he begins to realize his days maybe be numbered. He also recalls a hushed fairytale told down his ancestral line about a soul selling deal made with the devil.🪦

I thought the characters were interesting with a lot more than just their surface connections. There’s a depth of dark devotion, spice and sadness to the trio’s relationship. Their emotional connection was complicated due to the exes/rivals/lovers link between David and Rhys and the empathic connection between Moira and David. I really enjoyed the banter between Moira and Rhys regarding her crystals.🔮

I enjoyed the incorporation of crystals, birth charts, tarot and mediumship. As well as scrying, channeling, and seances in the books. The shared education between the couples and use to their practices throughout was fascinating to read.🪄

The dynamic of good and evil and the power of love made me continue to read the first book in The Summoners Circle series. I’m curious to see what happens next and this was my first ST Gibson book.🖤🤍

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!
#Evocation #NetGalley

Thank you author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!!

I’m gonna be honest I was excited to read this one cause I enjoyed Gibsons other books but I was honestly bored. It was so much about the politics of their magic society. Normally, I’d feel like the description of clothes and things feels like dark academia but in between the politics and foot notes of ancient curses I was bored.

There were several parts where the character had dialogue that just described the story and I was like… what is this Scooby Doo?! Like Zoinks if we hadn’t found those clues we’d never have found out the Innkeeper was pretending to be a ghost! Ugh! WTF!

I received an arc audio copy of this book. I really enjoy ST Gibsons writing style and this book did not disappoint. The narrator was also very very good especially for a male speaking in female voices. I’ve never read anything about the occult but I really liked this story and the characters in it along with the side of romance. The characters were all likeable and I found myself smiling at their small moments of peace together. The only thing I wish would’ve been different is the ending, I feel like it wasn’t as climactic as it should’ve been and was hoping for it to be a little more eventful or drawn out. I also see there will be at least one more book and the ending is set up well for it but I’m just not sure how the next book won’t just be a similar repeat of this one. I am interested to see where this goes and how the author will bring new life to a sequel. I’m excited to follow these characters on their next journey and keep reading more from ST Gibson.

This is my third ST Gibson book, and I have come to the conclusion that this author is not for me. While I enjoyed this novel more than Education in Malice because the characters were interesting and the representation of occult practices seems well researched, the focus on the inevitability of the MM romance took away from the actual stakes of the demon possession at the center of the plot. I also appreciate Gibson's representation of queer identities and felt that she does a fair job of depicting polyamory in a positive light.

In listening to the audiobook I had the most difficulty with how the narrator voices Moira. This book really needed a female narrator for her part. Instead of coming across as the strong female character Gibson writes, someone who knows herself and is confident with who she is, the voice acting by this man came across as much more of a stereotype for the woman who needs to be there to hold the men together. I actually stopped listening to this for a while an just read and that made me feel as though I got a better sense of her without the audio.

I do understand why fans of Gibson like here work. It is unique and rich with metaphorical prose. I am normally someone who enjoys character driven novels over tons of plot twists, but here I needed more from the story. At times I forgot about David's possession altogether, and the fix at the end was fairly predictable.

Thanks to Tantor audio and Netgalley for providing an early listening copy for review purposes.

Evocation follows David who is a psychic prodigy that becomes unexpectedly ill. He enlists the help of his ex-boyfriend Rys and Rhy's wife Moira to prevent an ancestral deal before time runs out. This novel is just okay; neither terrible nor spectacular. The backdrop for this novel is intended to be a male only secret society that is home to psychic prodigies, medium and other magical wielding men. The secret society and the magic is not well developed in this novel; it serves simply as a means for convenient plot progression. The two main male characters, Rhys and David, don't pop off the pages as independent entities. They don't have unique voices that clearly differentiate them.
Moira is the saving grace of this novel. She has a unique character, but this is likely because the rest of the female cast is sparse making only brief appearances. Overall, this novel lacks the magic and gothic atmosphere that I would expect from a novel with secret societies and magical abilities.


***Thank you to NetGalley, S.T. Gibson, and Tantor Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. All thoughts are my own.***

Sooooo, I just finished and I am grinning ear to ear. I LOVED it. I was hooked from the first chapter. I wasn't expecting it to be a modern supernatural story with a complex set of characters with messy history and an interesting entanglement. I wasn't expecting to get so invested so fast. Gosh darn it, I really loved this book. I'm apparently a really big fan of S.T. Gibson.

Like her other novel, an Education in Malice, this book does not have the poetic lyrical writing like a dowery in blood had in the beginning, to the point of almost seeming like someone else wrote it if thats the only experience you have with her writing. That was a bit jarring when I read an Education in Malice so I figured i'd point it out for people going into this expecting a similar writing style.

I dont know what else to say. Interesting plot but the characters are really what carries it. Love it!

S T Gibson did it again guys
There’s a polyamory representation that I've never seen in a fantasy book before, I was surprised but in the best way possible.
The plot works so perfectly, I was directly immersed in this story and I just wanted to keep reading.
As always, the writing of ST Gibson is splendid, a pure delight to read

thank you netgalley for the copy