I loved this so much! While Evocation was still a five star read for me, and I was already so attached to our beloved trio, my only wish for Ascension was to dive even deeper into this magical world, and I was so happy to get a more in depth look into the Society, their politics, their struggles, and both inner and external conflicts.

Ascension picks up where Evocation left off, with Rhys newly instated as High Priest. You would think it'd be his dream come true, but we soon learn that trying to lead the Society brings a lot of struggles, and he has lots of loose ends to tie up, as well as trying to save them from financial ruin, public scrutiny, among other things that keep happening.

S.T. Gibson is doing a fantastic job at writing character driven stories. It's amazing to see how much they've all grown. Well, Moira's always been a reliable goddess and an anchor for the guys, but I'm so proud of Rhys battling his demons (quite literally!) and emerging victorious and on a whole new path, leaving me curious as to where the next book will lead us. And while Ascension was more Rhys focused, David's also had plenty of things to deal with, and he demonstrated character growth and maturity. Also, David and Moira? I love how far they've all come into this polyamorous relationship of theirs, and it's great to see that the three of them have fallen into a rhythm that works for all.

All in all, I enjoyed this even more than Evocation, and while it didn't end on a life shattering cliffhanger, it'll definitely keep me on my toes until the next book comes out!

3.5 Stars

Thanks to Angry Robot, Netgalley, and St Gibson for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ascension continues the series with a noticeable shift in tone and focus. Where Evocation was fast-paced and plot-driven, Ascension is quieter and more introspective, focusing on Rhys and his internal struggles. This sequel leans heavily into character psychology, exploring perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and the crushing weight of responsibility in a deeply personal way.

This instalment moves at a slower pace, prioritising emotional depth over external conflict. While I never felt bored, the story lacked the urgency and suspense of the previous book. It's very much a "Rhys vs. Rhys" narrative, with fewer clear stakes or antagonistic forces driving the plot. I often found myself missing the high drama and magical chaos that made Evocation so compelling.

Rhys takes centre stage here, and while his descent into demon overload and self-sacrifice is thematically rich, it was also, at times, frustrating to read. His issues felt largely self-inflicted, making it harder to empathise with him at times compared to David in the first book. That said, the portrayal of Rhys hitting rock bottom and slowly trying to rebuild himself is one of the most honest and thoughtful parts of the book.

David and Moira also return and evolve in meaningful ways, both within their throuple dynamic and individually. Watching all three of them grow—together and apart—was rewarding, and I'm especially excited to see Moira shine in her own story next.

While the romance was more believable this time around, it still lacked the emotional depth I was hoping for. The complex and messy relationships kept me engaged, but I wanted more chemistry, more spark. The emotional tension between characters was sometimes overshadowed by their internal monologues and conflict.

I appreciated the additional insight into the different magical sects, which added texture to the world. However, the plot felt a bit meandering at times, and the lack of a strong external force made the story feel somewhat adrift. Still, the magic system and setting remain intriguing, and I’m curious to see how it evolves in future books.

Ascension is a thoughtful and introspective follow-up that trades high-stakes adventure for a deep dive into mental and emotional turmoil. While it didn’t hit quite as hard as Evocation for me it’s still a solid instalment with strong themes of growth, accountability, and recovery.

I’m very excited for Moira’s book and to see where this story will go next.

I LOVED Evocation and I immediately added this sequel to my TBR as soon as I finished it. Ascension brings us back to Boston and the secret occult society that Rhys now rules over as High Priest. Rhys, David and Moira have a poly relationship that works for all three of them, and they’re genuinely happy together, until an act of vandalism on the Boston Commons threatens the society and everything Rhys cares about.

LOVE the fact that this series is set in Boston!! (A certain beloved bookshop even makes an appearance!) The society and what they actually DO is at the core of Rhys’ book. While the first book kind of brushed over everything but the politics as Rhys and David fought for the High Priest position, we get more demon summoning scenes, why they do it, and the different forms of magic they utilize in tandem with that process. Don’t worry, Ascension brings back all our beloved side characters; Antoni, Kitty, Nathan, Leda etc. and there’s plenty of scenes with them. The sequel expands upon the world, introducing us to other major players in Boston’s occult scene, one of whom has a past history with David and is a slightly older love interest!! Like Evocation, the book starts off slow, but it picks up towards the end. Rhys’s ambition and the selfish decisions he makes in this book made me want to strangle him, but the fact that he’s a genuinely flawed character was refreshing, and he eventually comes to his senses. There was some really cool magic in this book and the ending is a game changer (in more ways than one). I was left with at least one burning question and I’m hoping this means that S. T. Gibson has plans for a book focused more on Moira. If that’s the case, I desperately need it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for the ARC. And thank you S. T. Gibson for continuing this series!!

Rhys takes upon himself to fill the evocation spot at the club of sorcerers he and David run. We get a bigger glimpse into the status of the club, the details around it, the character involved in it, and how Rhys plans to take over and make it amazing. The issue is Rhys is way in over his head and is running on self-doubt, trauma, and stress (aren’t we all?). This made his character depth incredible and really allowed me as a reader to understand more of Rhys’ motives and weird actions and things he does.

I was so happy for David in this book, I really began to enjoy his character more than I ever thought I could, as I already fell in love with him in Evocation.

When I tell you this is an amazing continuation of the characters, their story, and what’s next in store for them, St Gibson did a truly wonderful job giving the reader the answers they were seeking from the prior works with these amazing characters. I cannot understand how truly dynamic these characters are, they pop off the page and have a special place in my heart.

I need to vent about Rhys slightly in this review because he stressed me out SO much:
-Rhys gets in WAY over his head and those that love and care for him get WORRIED, which, as they should.
-Rhys is a bit reckless with what he considers to be good protection methods for dealing with realllllly intense summonings, like, DONT, please use protection, you stress me out
-I love his character so much but I also want to sit him down and slap him and make him chill

When I tell you Moira is my favorite, she’s my favorite. I was able to see some of the character art in the Novella that supplements these two stories and I am so here for Rhys and Moira. She doesn’t put up with it, but she also is such a solid rock and foundation. She could have easily been a brat and unsupportive, but she is genuinely I think the most mature out of all of them.

Alright, time for the content and twigger warnings so y’all know what you are singing up for. This book does dive into some darker themes, but it’s done with the execution of a wizard, because St. Gibson is magical, and so it truly ads depth to the story. I will not be admitting how many times I cried while reading this one. Be prepared to be ripped in half.

Long story short I do not have the proper words to describe how much I loved this book, these characters, the cover art, like everything. I am so picky when it comes to MM romances, like. SO PICKY. ST Gibson has my heart and I need to read everything this author writes immediately.

CW TW:
-Religious struggle and distress
-Self harm
-References to past child abuse
-Biphobia and polyphobia
-Explicit sexual content
-Ageplay (super light, i had ZERO issues with it and I will dnf dark romance and others for weird age play, this one is nothing too wild)
-Sexual themes of dominance and submission
-Disordered eating behaviors
-Attempted blackmail
-Marijuana use
-Drinking and smoking

Thank you Angry Robot and Net Galley for the ARC. I am leaving this honest feedback voluntarily.

Ascension raises the stakes in every possible way. Rhys has power, love, and prestige—but nothing comes without a price. This sequel is darker, steamier, and more emotionally tangled than Evocation, and I couldn’t get enough of it.

From demon-summoning chaos to complicated polyam dynamics, the tension is palpable, the pacing addictive, and the character growth is intense. Rhys walks the line between devotion and destruction, and watching him unravel under the weight of his own ambition is equal parts heart-wrenching and hypnotic. 😈🕯️

S.T. Gibson delivers again with lush prose, morally complex characters, and a magical world that feels raw, queer, and achingly real. If you’re craving urban fantasy with grit, glamour, and soul, this series is your altar.

Boston's favorite occult polycule is back and messier than ever.

This one oscillated between a 3 and a 5 star read at times, taking me through some serious emotional highs and lows. Going into the book, Rhys was my least favorite of the trio just by nature of David and Moira being so compelling from the get-go. I was convinced that that wasn't really going to change with this one, and there was a point where I even would've said I disliked him while reading it, but Gibson managed to pull me back in by the end. I've definitely warmed up to this tortured Catholic loser now, cheers!

Just like with the first book, the plot takes a back seat to the character arcs and relationship developments. Gibson did a good job of keeping me guessing and questioning my own judgment as Rhys became a less reliable narrator with each turn of the page. I had a hard time getting into things with the first half as I watched everything hit the fan, but I was glued to the words once the dust settled and we could start tackling these problems.

We also get introduced to a couple of new characters and all of these messy character dynamics that have me seated for book 3! Very curious to see where we go from here. Since the next book should be Moira's book, I am extra excited to see my queen take center stage.

i think i enjoyed this much more than evocation and as much as certain characters kind of got on my nerves however i do love S T Gibsons writing style and the way her characters do develop.

I was very kindly sent this by the publisher over on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and would just like to say thank you for providing me a copy of this book ❤️.

Ascension is the second instalment in The Summoners Circle series by S.T.Gibson and follows a psychic, a witch and a high priest as they navigate the pressure and power that comes with such a title as ‘high priest’.

World Building
This is an urban fantasy set in the heart of Boston and is also the second book in this series and so there wasn’t a lot of world building (because it was unnecessary) which I found refreshing. It meant we were able to dive head first back into the story and the lives of these characters.

Characters
We follow three POV’s; Rhys, David, and Moira. In Evocation I loved Rhys, his passion for the society and his work and his love for his wife Moira. David I found to be an over opinionated spoilt rich kid and was not a fan of him at all 😂 and Moira just seemed to be there… In Ascension, the tables have turned 👀 Rhys annoyed me so much with his self-sabotage (and a hint of demonic involvement) and the decline of his judgement had me very frustrated with him. David however, was a breath of fresh air 🥰. It was his time to shine and that he did! David really stepped up and become the ‘acting’ pillar of support for the trio. As for Moira, my opinion hasn’t really changed… I think she lacks personality, I just don’t feel like I gel with her at all and struggle to connect with her character.

Relationships
Despite my lack of fondness for Moira, her relationship with David was one of my favourite aspects of this story! ❤️ Watching these two characters go from a tumultuous relationship in Evocation, to a blossoming friendship in Ascension was heartwarming. They really thrived as they supported not only each other but also provided a support system for Rhys as he continued on his downward spiral. It was a stark contrast to the decline of Rhys’s relationship with his wife and members of the society while his quest for power turns sour.

The only thing I did not like about this book was the polyamorous relationship. 👀 This is purely my opinion so don’t let this sway your judgement and I know S.T.Gibson has previously done this in A Dowry of Blood and An Education in Malice (I have read both) but I have personally discovered that this type of relationship in books is not for me. It makes me feel uncomfortable… However, when reading this, I pushed my opinion of that aside and did not let it cloud my judgement because there are so many other aspects of this story that I loved. I just thought it is something I would like to mention. 🫶🏻

Plot Twists
There was a plot twist that I saw coming a mile away so wasn’t shocked when it actually happened. However the events following the twist shocked me and made me think that this trio is more resilient than I gave them credit for.

As for one of the other plot twist right at the end of the book, I was in complete shock! 😱 This is spoiler-free so I won’t say what it was, but I am now questioning, how will this affect the characters? What does this mean for the society? And where will the story go next!?! I need answers and am now eagerly awaiting the next instalment!

Overall, I would highly recommend Ascension to you all. It tugs on your emotions as we follow this trio. You will feel anger, frustration, shock, panic, happiness, compassion, I couldn’t go on but I think I’ve made this long enough! Seriously, give this book a read when it comes out on 8th July!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Angry Robot for an eARC of Ascension! Something about the Summoner's Circle series has kept me intrigued enough to continue reaching for each book, but I can't say that this series is one that really sticks with me. I don't feel personally very attached to these characters, although I think Gibson does well with character study and navigating internal conflict. The dynamics and relationships in Ascension built well from Evocation, and I enjoyed getting to see more engagement from side characters (Leda, Antoni, Kitty, etc), but some of the overall plot was a bit lost on me. I also don't typically enjoy modern pop culture references in novels, and unfortunately mentions of TikTok and phrases like "let her cook" do turn me off during my reading experience (which is a personal preference, I know!)

It's likely that I will probably still pick up the third book in this series, as I am intrigued to see where Moira's story goes. Ascension releases on July 8th of this year!

Ascension is a great follow-up to Evocation, now that we know enough about how the magical underworld works and the stakes wrapped up in it, it's really easy to slip in alongside Moira and David as they worry about the very real power struggle and their partner's clear overreacting. It does feel frustrating to read him spiraling, but that is exactly the emotion that should be evoked, and it feels like every one of the character's reactions make sense. I also appreciated a nod to their age, I understand putting yourself under undue weight, but it did feel like a nice moment of introspection. The only aspect suffering from this deepening of details was the pacing. While it's ok to feel frustrated by a character's choices, I did feel like some plot points kept reappearing a bit too often, slowing down the overall pace.
I still really enjoyed it, and can't wait to see where these three end up.

3.5/5
So I quite liked this book, but that’s not me saying it was a great one. Mostly, I enjoyed the characters. I quite like our main three and I liked spending more time with them. But this read quite a bit like a fanfiction set in this universe in that it was extremely character focused and almost entirely filler.
I like Rhys quite a bit and was excited to follow his journey, and while I liked where he ended up at the end, I think the entire novel needed more space to breathe. There was a ton crammed in, especially for him, and the familial story felt entirely shoehorned in—forgotten until it wasn’t. His big life change, too, was very very lightly developed and I wanted much much more of a slow change or even hints of one, not just a huge bang. And then I wanted better follow through. We know it changes his ethos and he’s a huge overthinker but we got very little of it. Maybe that comes in the next one, but even so it left things here feeling incomplete.

The amount of stuff going on with Rhys left no room for David’s plot which was likewise very shoehorned in and altogether unnecessary. We see very little of how the way it concludes actually affects him which makes sense because Rhys’s world is so full there isn’t the time but is ultimately very disappointing. We are also still significantly lacking in David and Rhys’s relationship as a couple—we see them arguing and in the Society and even some with Moira but not alone and that’s frustrating to me.

Moira’s point of view was entirely unnecessary. She had no purpose but to support Rhys here, and presumably to set up her novel, but it felt like a half assed effort and did nothing at all for me.

Leda makes no sense to me. She’s fine but she’s also being treated as more important than she is considering how much we know and honestly I just don’t care about her internal life. Especially in Rhys’s waterfall of issues she was mostly extraneous and lacking depth and purpose. Antoni was the opposite. For someone who isn’t a main character we spend a lot of time with him. I think either he needed to be better developed outside of the context of the society or he needed to have a smaller role. We truly know nothing about him save for some surface things that make him seem entirely perfect. Yet he is everywhere. Investing in him is hard and you have to if you want to like the story.
Honestly all of the main relationship dynamics are lacking, too. There is little domesticity and very rare deep interactions, most especially with David. If you read the book, you’ll see how absolutely ironic this is, and he deserved more. For a character driven book, the characters barely grow the relationships, which is very underwhelming.

It was very fast paced and I read it very quickly but I think ST Gibson took a book out of the pages of her characters and got too ambitious without the ability to back it all up well.

I’ll definitely still read the next one and honestly I might reread Evocation because I love that book, but this one didn’t live up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review

"Sometimes things need to fall apart to come back together again."

S.T. Gibson's second book in the Summoner's Circle series, has the High Priest Rhys shaken by a strange ritual that's affecting Boston's occult community, opening the Society up to sabotage, Rhys delves even deeper into the dark world of demon-summoning. The strain of managing so many spirits (not to mention the stress of his loved ones exploring other people) will push him to the brink. As heaven and hell play tug of war for Rhys' soul, he'll have to face the greatest demon of all: his own insatiable ambition.

I enjoyed reading "Evocation" and "Odd Spirits" to learn about the unique relationship Rhys, Moira and David have. In this book the focus is more on Rhys and how Moira and David are trying to be there for him however his sole focus being on his work has fractured some parts of their dynamic. Rhy's will is truly tested as is his loyalty when faced with challenging situations.

This was a good addition to the series and I'm curious to see where the story will go.

3,75 ⭐ (rounded up to 4⭐)

Evocation was one of my favorite books I read last year and I became utterly obsessed with David, Moira and Rhys and I also adored the prequel Odd Spirits so I was so excited when I got an e-arc for Ascension

I'm sad to say I was a bit disappointed with this one :( I felt like the storyline was way less interesting and thrilling compared to Evocation and I was not as intrigued with everything that was going on. The scenes that deal with the occult were still amazing though!!
Most of the book is about Rhys being an absolute asshole to be honest and I was so frustrated with him. We did have some good character development with him and also with David and Moira relating to him but still I just didn't enjoy reading it at all.

I still love this world and these characters though and I can't wait for the next book because it's going to be focused on the queen herself aka Moira!!!! (it won't be out until 2027 😭) and with the way ascension ended I actually am so excited to see what's next for these characters

This is the sequel to Evocation and features the same POVs (Moira, Rhys, and David), but this time the story focuses on Rhys.

Rhys, now the High Priest of the occult society, becomes consumed by power and insecurity, summoning demons in a desperate bid for fame and respect. As he spirals, he alienates his loved ones, including Moira and David, who sense his downfall but can’t reach him.

Although I had hoped they would deal with the curse from Evocation, I really enjoyed this story—perhaps even more than Evocation. The pacing was a little slow at times, but overall, this was a great read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for providing a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to both NetGalley and Angry Robot for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

This is the second book in the Summoners Circle series that is primarily focused on Rhys's storyline. This is still a multiple POV story where we follow our main trio as they navigate the new assigned high priest.

This book really focuses on Rhys's internal struggles which really developed him as a character. It highlighted his flaws while also maintaining his humanity. This really showed how someone can be their own worst enemy.

I love S.T. Gibson's way of making a tapestry of relationships and people that are relatable but also very kind. This shows love in a different lens and I really adored it. This installment in the series was powerful(pun intended)and I can't wait to read the next ones! It comes out on July 8th and I will be grabbing myself a copy.

3.5?? I did enjoy this, and found it to be entertaining. Leaving Evocation I thought we were going to head in one pretty plot heavy direction, and that wasn't even really addressed in this book. So I suppose that plot line will be finished in either Moira or Leda's books, but to see it be addressed in Rhys's book as it affects him the most would have been nice. This is more of a character study in Rhys than anything. I think the author had fun writing this because I could feel the fun in the pages, especially in the last 10% heheh. Anyway, I left Evocation not really liking Rhys and I kind of like him now but his choices are so bizarre to me,. I do like the full circle that the book makes from the first chapter to the last, I suppose I was just expecting something different. The plot in this book isn't bad but it felt very low stakes and tangential to what I would consider to be the main plot, aside from the relationship between the characters. I do love getting to spend time with Moira and David though so I am excited for her book!

Thank you to Angry Robot and Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review :)

There’s no secret that "Evocation" was my favorite book of 2024. I was in a work meeting when I got the email approval for the ARC of the sequel and I wanted to scream so badly. I had to sit on my hands to keep from jumping out of my chair. And let me tell you: it did not sisappoint.

This follow-up to "Evocation" dials everything up in the best way. We step deeper into Rhys McGowan’s world now that he’s High Priest of Boston’s hidden magical society, and the book belongs completely to him. Seeing Rhys take the lead, equal parts devoted, ambitious, and on the edge, was everything I didn’t know I needed. We get a raw look at what power and pressure can do to someone who's terrified of failing the people he loves. And how far that fear can push him.

Speaking of love, one of the best parts of this book is exploring the dynamic between Rhys, Moira, and David. Their poly relationship isn't just a subplot, it’s a full, tender, and honest portrayal of how three people can build something real together. We get to see their vulnerabilities, boundaries, and how their connection evolves, especially with Rhys under so much pressure.

Compared to the first book, this one was extremely kinky, and I am 100% here for it.
The sex scenes are intense, beautifully written, and so tied to the characters’ emotional states that they never feel gratuitous. It’s all heat, power, and intimacy woven into the story's emotional stakes.

"Summoner’s Circle" continues to prove it's one of the most unique and intoxicating urban fantasy series out there. The magic, the tension, the love, the darkness—it’s all here, and it’s only getting better. I need more

The first book was a 5 star read for me and the whole premise of this series is so original. Although it uses topics and elements of things we usually see in books like magic, it does it in a way that is so unique. The exploration of a polyamorous relationship is something we have seen before with S.T. Gibson and once again it shows us the layers and feeling in those types of relationships. There is a bit less drama in this sequel BUT there is no part where it is boring.
I did find the 1st book better but it was over very minor things like pacing. The pacing is too slow for my liking and it did make it feel a bit uneventful at times. I am so excited for the next book in this series!

3.5 ⭐️

First of all, thank you to Angry Robot and NetGalley for ARC access!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, I am a sucker for anything Saint writes and I find myself deeply connected to her often flawed characters. This series is no different.

I am so obsessed with David and Moira (and Leda) and absolutely loved how their relationships strengthen and develop throughout this book, however, I did find Rhys insufferable. He’s the one character that I find it hard to relate to, so this book centring around him felt quite tedious at times. I appreciate the book was about him being a power-hungry, egomaniac but I found him infuriating and felt so much sympathy for David and Moira - they deserve better!

The stakes in Ascension definitely felt lower than Evocation, and the plot didn’t really carry on from the ending of Evocation. I understand that time-wise it’s not been that long and they have a few years to solve the problem, but it does feel like it should be a little more imposing than it was in Ascension - hoping we’ll see more of this storyline in the rest of the series.

Overall, I found this book quite slow and lacking character development until the last 25%, which is a shame. Saying this though, I did have a good time with the book and have enough connection to most of the characters to motivate me to continue. I am really looking forward to Divination and seeing more of Moira’s story unfold.

Ugh. I'm so mad right now. I've read evocation and odd spirits and enjoyed them both. However this was boring. I didn't even want to finish it anymore. I thought we'd be starting where we left off in a way. Dealing with that curse from evocation. But it didn't seem to matter. I don't understand.