Thank you to Angry Robots and Netgalley for the eArc in exchange for a review! (i screamed when i saw this arrived.)

Where do I even begin here? I don't want to keep repeating myself, but Saint has done it again— this time as a sequel to Evocation, one of my favourite books of 2024. I genuinely can't get enough of her writing, which has lead me to try to find everything she's ever published at this point, and I'm so glad that I got to read this one a little bit earlier.

This story follows Rhys this time, he's High Priest, the weight of the world is on his shoulders, and now he has to navigate his relationship with his wife, Moira, and his boyfriend, David. This story explored their relationship incredibly well and my heart was so full of love for all of them; particularly David and Moira's platonic love. (There's a chapter close to the end that made me SO INSANELY EMOTIONAL I LOVE THEM SO MUCH)

Rhys has to struggle through his own ambitions and how they affect his personal life; lots of angsty angst here where my face was hidden behind my hands multiple times. It was brutal to see his downfall and the insane choices he made, but that's made his healing journey that much more delicious to read.

Side characters were incredible once again; Leda was SO GOOD and I found I have so much love for Antoni (yearner), Kitty, and Nathan (my resident stoner couple). I love a slice of found family and honestly, Rhys deserves to have some friends, even if he's really terrible at maintaining them.

Everything was incredibly interesting, including all the types of sorcerer, and just the inner workings of the upkeep of a polyamorous relationship. I particularly enjoyed when a certain character was thrown into the dynamic and how they all reacted to this wrench in the cogs. I honestly wanted to explore more from my boy Max but we vibe honestly.

Anyway, next book is probably Moira's and I'm SO EXCIRED TO READ ABOUT MY WITCHY WIFE!!!!!

I really appreciate the author putting trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. I really enjoyed Evocation so I was so excited when I saw I was given the chance to read Ascension.

I loved that the characters returned for a dark and exciting adventure! Rhys decides to dig dipper into the dark world of demon summoning. Will the strain of managing spirits and his loved ones exploring other people push him to the brink?

This is a great story!! I was hooked the entire time and didn’t see the twist coming at all! I’m looking forward to the next book! I absolutely love S.T. Gibson’s writing!

Thank you so much Angry Robot, NetGalley and S.T. Gibson for the eARC!

Rating: ✨✨✨
Publication Date: July 8 2025

#Ascension #NetGalley

This series is so much fun. The main appeal is the characters and their interpersonal drama. The actual plot points matter much less to me. But the characters are richly developed and watching them dance around each other’s idiosyncrasies is fun.
The only complaint I have is that I think every character gets a little too “therapy-speak” when they’re problem solving relationship dynamics. However, that’s also probably true to life with the queer community tbh.
I like people who go through so much turmoil and angst that they go through a spiritual transformation, so Rhys’ whole arc worked really well for me honestly.

A solid second book in the series. Rhys sometimes made me want rip my hair out with the way he was going but overall enjoyed it very much especially with several of the reveals. Some of the book was awkwardly paced but I enjoyed it overall.

Thank you to Angry Robot Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC!

Rating: 4.5 stars

Ascension picks up from where Evocation left off, this time focusing on Rhys as he navigates the pressures of High Priesthood and adapting to a polyamorous relationship, all whilst a strange public summoning circle appears etched on the ground and fingers point at the city's magicians.

Delving back into Boston's occult scene felt like coming home. Much like Evocation, Ascension focuses on the characters and their relationships, with Rhys, David and Moira all providing points of view. I loved the developments in this book. We see both Rhys/Moira and Rhys/David in some intimate moments and the blossoming love between Moira and David - they've come far from the hatred of book one! When Max, a new character, is thrown into the mix, there's some inevitable tension, boundaries to be drawn and tested, and with it we see David's vulnerability and a rare awestruck quality as he fawns over the older man.

In terms of plot there was certainly enough to keep me engaged, though it is slow paced like Evocation. Much of the interest comes from how Rhys deals with the situation and how it impacts his interpersonal relationships, but I really enjoyed getting more insight into the workings of the sorcerers, new society drama and lots of demon shenanigans.

Whilst the Aristarkhov curse is mentioned, it isn't addressed. I can only assume that it'll be a problem for another book. What we do get is a public spectacle that kickstart's Rhys' need to control everything and everyone around him, tremendous amounts of bad decisions, lots of Catholic guilt and a stable full of hungry demons.

This was such a fun book and I miss the characters already. The ending set up the next installment nicely with some interesting questions, and I can't wait to return to Boston again.

thank you netgalley for the arc! at times "ascension" felt like a retelling of "odd spirits" where rhys does something over his head because of pride and ambition, doesn't communicate with moira (or anyone else for that matter), things get worse, rhys and moira fight and make up. and then repeat. i was fine with it in "odd spirits" because i thought they had fixed their issues but apparently they haven't. this was a repetition and a circle of lack of communication and trust, and a dire need of couples counseling. frankly, i'm disappointed that they didn't get divorced. i liked them as a couple and their dynamic and the polyamory but after "ascension", either go to therapy or break up. you're clearly not good together.

on the other hand, the book reads like the obligatory tying it together second novel in a trilogy. except this isn't a trilogy. things didn't pick up until 60-70% and although the build up to Rhys' ruin was necessary, it left me underwhelmed and bored.

while i understand that it's (kinda) unavoidable to gave a story set in present day without involving technology and social media or pop culture references, it ruined the immersion to constantly read about emails, group chats, influencers, note apps and, worst of all, who is doing what on instagram and tiktok. it was off-putting and unserious.

i liked that we got to see more of leda. her character and vibe were a little different from how we first saw her in "evocation". it feels like there are layers to her which is fine and i look forward to learning more about her (especially since she's getting a whole book to herself) but sometimes the dialogues with her (and david and max) felt like HR was in the room. instead of being vulnerable and sensitive, certain lines felt disingenuous and performative for the sake of going "see, these people understand consent and have emotional intelligence".

max's introduction as a love interest and eventual antagonist was good, and i liked that we saw more of david but i expected M/M/M toxic yaoi and was left with soup. saint could have build up more on it instead of rhys summoning more demons over and over again.

part of the dissatisfaction also comes from the fact that after one novel and prequel novella i still don't know if magic is widely known or not in this fictional world. i thought it was hidden, only visible for the people in the knowhow but in "ascension" newspapers are talking about summoning rituals and know (maybe?) about the different societies and magical practices. i really didn't understand why it was such a problem for a random pentagram and a papier-mâché doll to be reported in the media. why did rhys insist on making a public statement when the whole news report sounded like it was in the funny pages and might be kids playing a prank or something else mundane? if the world doesn't know about sorcerers, why bother make a statement about it and try to clear your name? i didn't see or feel an actual urgency in this, it was strange to have this as the main conflict and trigger to rhys' downfall. i was expecting something more, more pentagrams showing up, weirder things left in the circles, etc. instead it was this one (1) instance and that's it. the whole of boston probably forgot about it by midday but not the society.

the novel had everything i like about a s.t. gibson story but it felt somehow drawn back and editorialized. her work used to be erotic and challenging, here not even the sex scenes made up for the underwhelming conflict. most of them were cut short or briefly mentioned which was weird because the series is advertised as sexy and steamy, and all i got was a few semi-explicit scenes (not counting the one in the finale, i was skeptical if we were ever going to get there, and was so glad saint delivered), and a difference of 6 years labeled as "age play".

i'm giving "ascension" a rating of 3 and hope the next installment picks up the pace and doesn't have the same conflicts and rushed last minute summoning circles to resolve a spirit issue. i'm intrigued to see how rhys/moira/david progress on their relationship after the latest development, and also this new tap in magic which makes sense for rhys' character.

Now the High Priest of Boston's famed and secret Society, Rhys McGowan has a lot on his shoulders. With the help of his adoring witch wife, Moira, and his newly rekindled relationship with psychic boyfriend, David, Rhys is destined to become the most powerful High Priest ever.
♡
I just got to spend the afternoon with Rhys, Moira, and David, and I'm beyond grateful. I knew going in that I'd love this, but love it MORE than Evocation? GASP, I know!

I was four pages deep; Rhys McGowan was trying magic for the first time, hidden away in the sacristy at fifteen, and I was hooked, lined, and sunk before it even started. You all know I have a love affair with Gibson's prose, the way that the images paint themselves like a fully produced movie in front of my eyes, but the religious aspect of this, the details? I swear I could smell the dragon blood incense and myrrh with how the pictures formed in my mind.
Rhys is harder this time around, more sure and steadfast in his ability. Several instances through this story left me with full-on body shivers and goosebumps by the sheer power Rhys was exhibiting, but pride will always be one's downfall, no matter who you are.

Simultaneously, Moira and David? I am so in love with them. The way their relationship evolved during this was a joy to experience. Where Moira is the sunshine, David is the moon. Where she's joy, he's indifference. She's philanthropy to his misanthropy. They evolved in such a beautiful way in this book, sharing a secret language of touches and looks. Being the best of friends, but more intimate. Not only sharing Rhys but sharing life. It has its ups and downs, like the team they were always meant to be. It makes me wildly emotional for some reason.

The plot kept me hooked all the way through; I could not put it down and read it in one sitting. It flows so effortlessly, even with the plot thickening, you won't even see the twist coming. You think you do, but you don't. You know it feels wrong, something is off, but you don't know what until it's way too late.

Thoroughly entertained, completely in love, and slightly obsessed!


Ascension is out July 8th!
Thank you, Angry Robot and S. T. Gibson, for a copy of this ARC!

Did I immediately have to re-read book 1 to jump right into this one? Yes. did I go through every emotion and then some? also yes.
This was one of my most highly anticipated sequels and let me tell you, It deserves every star, it's going to stay with me long after. I wish I could give it a 10.

Thank you to Angry Robot and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC with my most anticipated sequel to date!

I loved this book, even if it put me through a roller coaster of emotions. Saint just has a way with characters that just want me to hold their hand and suffer through the lows of trauma and hardship and the highs of the joy of life and love and every moment in between.

This book follows our (maybe not so always) good little boy Rhys right after the events of book 1, when he is finally in the position of power that he always wanted. While other books may TELL us that the guy is doing the wrong thing for reasons he thinks are right, or TELLING us that really he's being a selfish power hungry asshole, with this being Rhys' story we get it from his mind. Let me tell you, Rhys is an anxious and depressed man. Even if you did not agree with his actions, Saint does such a good job fleshing out these characters that you're like wait...that is Rhys though.

This book is also messssyyyyyy. We see Moira, Rhys, and David trying to settle into their poly relationship, we get the introduction of an new relationship in the dynamic, and there's also drama just with some of the side characters to. Is it the most healthy dynamic I have ever seen? No. But does it make sense for some 20-somethings trying to figure out what their new poly relationship looks like? Yes. There is guilt and jealously and angst and some pettiness, but also moments of compassion (and spicy passion!~) and understanding and love, and that's just on being human.

I love where this book ended and I absolutely cannot wait to pick up the next book!

absolutely incredible, jaw dropping , perfection. i’ve been eagerly awaiting this book and not a single minute of anticipation was wasted. this was dark , sexy , and sad exactly as promised. it wasn’t easy watching rhys go through the wringer but i appreciate the dedication of the author to show that even when angry and disillusioned with him david and moira were always on his side. this trip was no doubt the heart and soul of this book as they were with evocation. i can’t wait to see what other dramatic shenanigans they get into when moiras book comes out.

i would and already have recommend (ed) this book to every single person and stranger i know.

Thank you to both Angry Robot and to NetGalley for the ARC!

I told myself I was ready to be hurt again, and man, did this book hurt in all the right ways. The characters grow and develop, moving from strong, dynamic end of book 1 states to gain even greater complexity, and yet there is still space for a strong supporting cast that I desperately hope get even more development in future books. Not because they need it to make up for being ignored in the past, but because they already feel like full characters who deserve books for themselves.

What I will absolutely recommend is that if you are the kind of person who blushes easily, this might not be the book to read at work. Whether this is from personal experience or not, I'll let you judge.

The writing itself was evocative (heh) as always, and the pacing left me saying "just one more chapter" until I found myself at the end of the book!
(Also, if you decide to release a tarot card set at some point, please tell me because I need that in my life)

****Spoilers****
I really enjoyed Rhys' pivot to theurgy, it really feels in line with his character and seems like the perfect springboard into the next book.

I absolutely adored this book. Thank you to Angry Robot for my advanced copy. ST Gibson has done it again with the second book in the Summoners Circle series. I feel we get more of a backstory on the characters and their flaws. The new plot point was super interesting and I really enjoyed the characters all working it out together, and some characters showing up to be not who they seemed.
I'm really excited for the third in the series.

5⭐️

Lush, dark, and dangerously addictive 🤍

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Angry Robot for the ARC of Ascension! As someone who was completely spellbound by A Dowry of Blood, I had high expectations going into this — and somehow, S.T. Gibson exceeded every single one of them. I loved Ascension even more.

Rhys McGowan is one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve read in a long time.
He’s magnetic, ambitious, deeply flawed, and utterly unforgettable. Watching him navigate his new role as High Priest — with all the power, pressure, and temptation that comes with it — was thrilling.
His relationships with Moira and David are beautifully written: tender, complicated, and full of emotional tension. I was completely invested in all of them.

Gibson’s prose is lyrical without ever slowing the pace. It makes so easy to read through their books, no matter how long they are.
The worldbuilding is rich and atmospheric, balancing the magical and the mundane in a way that feels both grounded and mysterious. Every chapter draws you deeper into the underworld of Boston’s secret Society, and once you’re in, there’s no getting out. I devoured this book in record time because I simply couldn’t stop turning the pages.

If you love urban fantasy with emotional stakes, morally complex characters, a haunting atmosphere, and a touch of the arcane — Ascension is your next obsession. S.T. Gibson has cemented her place as an auto-buy author for me.

I continue to be impressed by Saint's honest exploration of character. She doesn't shy away from the darker parts of Rhys's ambition--which, to be fair, would be a hard thing to do since the plot is driven by Rhys being the architect of his own demise. And though I may have preferred the set up to the trio's dynamic slightly more in book 1 (there's just something about that hesitant will-they-wont-they that I love), there's still a sweetness to watching Rhys, David, and Moira figuring out the new Them (insert trademark symbol). I also really loved how David's character truly blossomed in this one; he's just a charming little badger and I love him. (and I love the further exploration of the non-monogamous romance thread Saint introduced in book one (hello, Max!). I always feel safe in this world--even if it's a bit overrun with demons at the moment--and I can't wait for book 3.

Evocation (Book 1) was one of my favorite reads of 2024, so I was equal parts excited and nervous for Ascension. However, this book is fantastic - as good as the first in the series. (And, much like its predecessor, easily a top book of the year for me.) I love the main three characters so much and they have such good continuity here. I loved that the conflict of the story makes so much sense for who they are - at no point are you thinking "oh my god why are you doing that" because it all makes sense for who they are, even when you're like "that is a stupid move" you're thinking, but that IS a stupid move they would make. I also really loved how the secondary characters are expanded in a very natural and wonderful way. You can always tell how much I loved a book by how unclever and uncohesive my review is, because really all I want to do is gush. So know how much effort it took to try and write a proper review, not to just write "This book is fantastic and you need to read it asap."

This is the second book in The summoner’s circle. Rhys is aiming for the top. As the new High priest, he’s making every decision his decision, and maybe having a few too many demons to assist in his attempt to keep everything under control. At the same time the secret society is risking exposure. David and Moira are worried, and as things escalate, lives and relationships might be doomed.

I do love this series. I can start with saying that I did like the first book better. This has more of a political touch, a lot of worries about The Society and how it’s run. I felt like some parts could have been shorter and that some conversations just went in circles instead of moving the story forward. However! This is the only complaint that I have. If the first book got 5 stars this is still a solid 4. I like the drama, the love stories, the darkness… You dive into the lives of these characters and follow the story from their perspective (Rhys, Moira and David), understanding each characters point of view. This book also has more of a “who’s done it” vibe. Both when it comes to the event that sparks the conflicts and when trying to find out who you can trust or not. I miss the characters already and hope the wait for the third book won’t be too long.

The second book in the Summoner’s Circle series is here and I was so excited to get an Advanced Copy from NetGalley!

Warning going forward—I will not spoil this book but there will be a few spoilers from the first book, Evocation. If you haven’t read that, stop reading here and go do it!

Anyways, this book focuses on Rhys after his ascension to the role of High Priest. Naturally, he has quite a bit on his shoulders, and is quickly realizing he is a bit out of his league. With the help of his wife, Moira, who is a witch in her own right, and David Aristarkhov, who is a psychic, he does his best to manage the Society. However, when their help isn’t enough and he turns to dark entities for assistance, he gets a lot more than he bargained for.

The book picks up just where the last left off and was just as good. I really enjoyed getting to explore more of the relationship between David, Rhys, and Moira, and there were also some new characters introduced as well as returning favorites. ST’s writing is always fun and makes the book easy to read. Looking forward to the next installment!

Evocations was one of my favourite reads of last year so I was beyond excited to get approved for this ARC. As always, all opinions are my own.
This is perfect for fans of Ninth House(the magic system is in the same vein) and Olivie Blake(the complex characters and complicated relationships), so I would highly recommend you read it if you like books like that.

(Just to clarify, since this is a sequel this review will have spoilers from the first book)

I was nervous to start this because I wasn't sure how it would live up to the previous book but S.T. Gibson pleasantly surprised me. This has everything I loved in Evocations: the great magic system, the amazing characters and the evolution of their relationship.
I don't think I've ever read a book like this, it is a very fresh story in a sea of sameness. I really enjoyed Gibson's take in polyamory, how the characters navigate their relationship and how it affects other aspects of their lives. I particularly loved the ending, it was really satisfying and even though I'm almost certain there will be a third book(first focused on David, second on Rhys so I'm expecting Moira next) I'm okay with waiting for it.
We pick up where we left off in the previous book, Rhys is now High Priest and we see how he deals with that. A big part of it is about David, Moira and Rhys' relationship, and I loved how it was handled.
I am so excited to see where Gibson takes us next, and how the mystery will be resolved. And to be honest I can't get enough of these characters, I will miss them every moment until the next book.

Thank you so much Angry Robot and Netgalley for the e-ARC!

After the harrowing events of Evocation, Ascension dives even deeper into the hearts of its three main characters, with a particular focus on Rhys, newly appointed High Priest of the Society. Rhys is walking a perilous path, pushing himself far beyond the limits of reason and safety in a desperate attempt to hold the Society together and prove himself worthy as High Priest.

As he begins to lose his grip on who he is and what's most important to him, his wife Moira, fierce and unwavering, his boyfriend David, charming yet direct, and their close-knit circle of occult friends must weather the storm of his unraveling, doing what they can to pull him back from the brink.

I loved this even more than the first book. The character growth was phenomenal, especially Rhys. My feelings for him were a rollercoaster - deep sympathy for the burdens he carried, frustration and heartbreak at the pain he caused, and ultimately admiration for his vulnerability and willingness to take accountability.

I also really enjoyed the addition of Max, and the way his character felt completely different depending on whose point of view we were seeing him from. That ambiguity added so much tension and made me want to keep reading to figure out what he wanted and which side of him was real.

Dark and emotional, Ascension is a compelling exploration of love, power, and redemption. I can't wait to see where this story goes next!

“Love, for Rhys, was a practice, very much like prayer, something to be done every day, with quiet consistency and attention to detail.”

After loving Evocation last year, I could not wait to read this book! Rhys’ journey is messy, he makes a lot of mistakes and has to fall pretty far before he can pick up the pieces and start again. Because of this, Ascension is even more character-driven than Evocation, and I loved every second of it. Around the 60% mark of the book I really started to hate Rhys, even though I knew it would all work out by the end I just wanted to jump into the story and scream at him to get himself together! But of course this is exactly what the author wanted and what truly makes the story enjoyable and by the end I was so happy with his (and David’s, and Moira’s) growth. The three of them truly grow a lot in this book, both together and individually, and now I can’t wait for Moira’s story and to see her shine in her own book.

I particularly love how each book acts as a standalone, so while they always leave me wanting more I am also satisfied with the way each character’s story wraps up and this makes the wait more bearable.

Thank you to Netgalley, Angry Robot, and the author for an e-arc of this book!