This book was one of my most anticipated reads, and I have to say I was not disappointed.

It’s the second book in The Summoner’s Circle, an exciting urban fantasy series with witches, summoners and other magic practitioners. The novels are character-driven, so we learn much about Rhys, David and Moira, their feelings, thoughts and relationships. If you enjoyed The Atlas Six, you should give this series a chance.

In Ascension, the plot focuses on Rhys, his ascent to High Priesthood, his ambition and his desire to change the society. As his research and summonings become increasingly dangerous, his defences are weakening…

I think I enjoyed this book more than Evocation. The stakes were higher, the pacing better, and the side characters played a bigger role in the plot. Where Evocation felt a bit claustrophobic in its focus on Rhys, Moira and David, in Ascension, we learn more about the different factions of the occult scene and are introduced to other complex characters, like David’s old crush Max. We also see more of David’s sister Leda, which was entertaining.

To sum up, I think it’s an excellent urban fantasy novel and cannot wait for the next instalment in this series.

4.5 upped to 5
I love this book, a bit less than Evocation but I was glad to catch up with Rhys, Moira, and David. Rhys got what he wanted but he's also fighting with his inner demons and living a complex and apparently happy relationship with Moira and David.
Moira is a great woman, would love to meet her. David is as cheeky and multilayered as was in the first book.
Don't expect world shattering twist but it feels like a book that drives you to the next one making you learn more about the characters and how they related to their demons (inner and external)
Read it and have fun
Many thanks to Angry Robot for this digital copy, all opinions are mine.

This was a good follow-up to the first book. I'm still curious as to where the author will ultimately go with these characters, but I felt less engaged than with the first book. Maybe I don't like Rhys as much as the other characters. He's a little self-centered which generally rubs me the wrong way. I would still read another book when/if the series continues, but I hope it centers around Moira or David, possibly one of the more minor characters. I do love that this is set in Boston. The author captures the local vibe without making hideous mistakes (like some others do) with the setting.

Okay, look. I’ve gotta apologise in advance because this review is gonna be pretty much entirely negative. I have pushed myself arduously through the first third of it, and I do not think I can force myself to endure it much longer.

To preface, I don’t particularly enjoy the first book, but I didn’t hate it either. I found it mostly lacking, but with a few decent bits. Every single one of those decent bits was chopped to bits and thrown out for this installment.

To start out… it’s just simply *boring*. Nothing happens, and nothing is poised to happen. Book 1 left off after this huge thing where they cheated the devil and book 2 is just surface level conversations between people about… nothing at all. The whole plot for this is supposed to be that some mystery person set up some occult display in the city and the occult people are worried it’ll reflect poorly on them. But it’s just kinda brought up in a “this is gonna be the plot” kinda way yet it… doesn’t actually become the plot? It’s just focused on super cardboard interactions between characters and droning dialogue about absolutely nothing. Like I swear to you in 100+ pages NOTHING has happened, not a single thing. HOW did we go from cheating the devil and severing an old blood magic deal to this??? There is no point here, no purpose. What am I supposed to be reading here and why??

It really feels just like exceptionally lazy writing all around, because not only was plot thrown out the window so was EVERY BIT OF CHARACTERISATION that was developed in the first book. The one shining light of book one for me was the dynamic and relationship between Rhys and David. All of that is just wiped away in this book. These are barely the same characters from book 1 and they certainly do not have even remotely the same dynamic/relationship/etc. Every single one of them is now written in the same flat boring one dimensional way as the other. I can’t count how many times I had to stop during this and try and use context clues to figure out who is talking or whatever because there’s no individuality or nuance left. Not only that, but she’s managed to somehow give them all the most insufferable edge that’s just exhausting to read. I really quite liked David from book one - he was a complex character with complex motivations, charming and witty, a flawed human whose personality grew from trauma… and in this one he’s just a one dimensional yes man with a side of cringey modern idk instagram bro? It’s so weird.

Overall it really felt like this book was written by an entirely different person than the first. But as a disclaimer, I did read this via the ARC from NetGalley which was approved days before it published - so I’m unsure how accurate the version I’m reviewing is to the version that’s now out. To note, the ARC was absolutely packed full of typos, grammatical errors, and continuity errors. It very much read like an initial rough rough draft with zero editing. Perhaps they’ve altered some of these points in the published version? I’ve read the preview on Amazon for the published ebook and the entire preview is the same as the ARC but admittedly it doesn’t really start flying off the rails until a little further in.

In the end, my opinion is this absolutely was not for me and I would not actively recommend it to anyone. However, if you enjoyed book 1 it’s always worth giving it a try to see if it does work for you. There’s lots of highly rated reviews on Goodreads at the moment, which means people are getting things out of this that I obviously didn’t get, and that’s great!

Appreciate the opportunity to read the eARC

I enjoyed this book. I ❤️ Moira forever. Loved getting to know the characters more. I would love to see a bit more time spent in the plot. We have high stakes events that resolve a bit with a fizzle but I still really had a good time!

Just as good as Evocation! I love these characters and S.T. Gibson writing. I cannot wait to see where the story progresses.

I absolutely love S.T. Gibson's work, but this one fell a little flat for me.

As much as I adore these characters, the plot felt slow, and it was difficult to get through. Because of this, it took me a much longer time than expected to finish. I wish this was just about the family curse rather than a second book in a series, I feel like this would've been an excellent duology.

That being said, the relationship part of this book was a 10/10. The way Moira and David grew naturally around each other was a pleasure to read.

More magic. More desire. More demons.

One of my most anticipated reads year was Ascension and when I got the arc for it, well I was excited to say the least; and I absolutely loved this! This is the follow up to Evocation by ST Gibson, and this time focus on Rhys as he works through life as the new High Priest. Along with David and Moira, the three will navigate this new relationship with each other. Of course things can only go well for so long as things go awry in more ways than one when dealing with both inner and external demons. These characters are some of my favorite and I was happy to see them again along with the supporting characters.
I also liked that this showed that not all relationships are perfect, they can be flawed and will require work. While there are some questionable actions; I enjoyed seeing these characters stand up for themselves and called it like it is when needed. I did figure somethings out, while I don’t think it was meant to be a mystery by any means, it was pretty obvious so lacked a little there for me. One of my favorite things about this series is the magic in and around Boston, this magical world of demons, summoning and magical societies draws me in every time. This book really tested and tempted our magical trio in more ways than one, I think they’re all coming out of this with a better sense of who they are, which will only make them stronger for their next encounter.

I enjoyed this one, maybe even more than the first! Occults, magic and demons, sign me up! I for one, am ready for the next installment in this series.

Ascension is a dark, emotionally charged continuation of S.T. Gibson’s summoner series—rich in tension, layered with religious symbolism, and more horror-leaning than its predecessor. While the tone leans heavy and the characters are often suffering, Gibson’s lyrical prose and emotionally complex storytelling make it an unputdownable sequel.

This installment shifts its focus to Rhys, a summoner whose slow descent into corruption and power obsession is both gripping and tragic. Watching him reject help, isolate himself, and spiral toward the edge is devastating—but also deeply compelling. Gibson doesn’t shy away from portraying the messiness of ambition, guilt, and faith, and Rhys’ internal conflict is one of the book’s strongest elements.

There’s a heavier emphasis on horror this time around—unnerving imagery, creeping dread, and supernatural consequences that echo through every page. Yet, the suspense and emotional depth remain grounded in character, especially as the story explores themes of power, devotion, and spiritual crisis. Catholic imagery and theology are prominent throughout, but never in a preachy or moralizing way—they serve to enrich Rhys’ arc and the overall atmosphere.

Ascension delivers exactly what readers have come to expect from S.T. Gibson: beautifully written darkness, haunting introspection, and characters who burn with love, pain, and power. It’s not always an easy read emotionally, but it’s deeply satisfying and beautifully constructed. You’ll find a lot to love here—especially if you’re drawn to stories of power, religious symbolism, and complicated, broken characters. I’m already counting down to the next installment.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was so happy to be back with my favorite summoners even though we had to see them miserable for most of the people. I loved how in this book we focused on Rhys who very quickly gets corrupted by power and refuses help from others until its almost too late.

I felt that this one had more horror elements than the first one but the same suspense and tension I expected from these characters in this world. I hope in the next book, we can see more from Moira. In the first book, we were focused on David and in this one, Rhys was the focus. Moira was very much in the backseat which sucked! I love her character.

There were a lot of religious aspects to this book especially Catholicism. Its not a book that wants to preach, so don't worry about that. But those aspects are important to the story and specifically Rhys.

Overall, amazing like every other S.T. Gibson book. Can't wait for the next one!

Following on from Evocation - I was really looking forward to seeing how the golden trio handle the poly-trouple dynamics and save Rhys from the demon pact. While we definitely got plenty of the former, the latter doesn't appear in this installment. Ascension focuses on Rhys' struggle with power and maintaining relationships as he attempts to juggle everything while rising to power as high priest of the society. It's slower paced and more akin to a character study - there's lot of character and less plot this time.

I loved exploring Rhys and Moira's relationship, and seeing Moira really come into her own as a more fleshed out character. I am very much looking forward to the third book in the series, especially with Evocation's ending - and am hoping it'll be focused on Moira.

Thank you S.T. Gibson, Angry Robot and NetGalley for my e-arc of Ascension.

After reading the first book in this series, I was curious how Gibson would continue to explore the world established in Evocation. The characters were all so fun to spend time with and all have a rich inner world that was so fun to explore. an excellent addition to the series!

Ascension is the highly anticipated sequel to Evocation. This second book is mainly about Rhys' journey and struggle as newly High Priest of a secret society in Boston, although his wife Moira and his boyfriend David also play a big part and have their own chapters. I really enjoyed this sequel and this series is just a prime example of a fantastic magic system and why I enjoy urban fantasy so much and why it still remains my favorite subgenre in fantasy. S.T. Gibson truly excels in this genre!

Like I said before Ascension is about Rhys' journey and struggle in his new position while maintaining his relationships with the most important people in his life. But Rhys soon crosses the line into taking on too much and juggling too many demons for the Society's rituals. Adding to the chaos, Boston reels after a strange ritual comes to light in a public setting. And on top of that, one of David's old crushes comes into town and captures David’s attention. Rhys is being stretched too thin and the demons around him start to overwhelm him to the point that he starts alienating his friends and more importantly his loved ones. It openes the door for sabotage and maybe even the end of the Society.

I couldn't help feeling so bad for Rhys as he was struggling with everything that was going on, even though it was due to his own desires and ambition. I felt equally bad for David and Moira who just wanted Rhys to prioritize them. I especially felt for David because he'd been doing so great lately, staying sober and trying to make things work with his and Rhys' renewed romance. And just like in the first book, Moira was just a bright shining star. I love her character so much and I'm loving seeing her grow and come into her own whether it's personality wise, magically or sexually. I'm also loving her and David's growing relationship. They have such a great bond on their own, even without Rhys. They are just adorable!

As per usual, the polyamory aspect between Moira, Rhys and David was so well-written. The dynamic between the three of them really came to a pinnacle, in the best possible way. This made me really happy since most of the book was quite the struggle for all of them. I also loved that we got to know some of the secondary characters more like Kitty, Nathan and Anthoni. And I want to know even more about them. I wouldn't be against a spin-off book or series about those characters, just saying. ;)

Overal, Ascension by S.T. Gibson was an amazing addition to the The Summoner's Circle. And while I found Evocation to be a bit more compelling in terms of plot, I still very much enjoyed this second book since it had some brilliant character development. I hope for the next book that Moira is going to be the center of attention because that would be so wonderful. I already can't wait to read the next instalment!

A deliciously messy dive into ambition, magic, and complicated relationships. The vibes are gothic and witchy, the drama is top-tier, and the emotional stakes are sky-high. It’s the kind of book that makes you gasp, grin, and maybe text your friends about the ending.

I have been eager to sink my teeth into Ascension after falling head over heels for Evocation, and it was everything I could have asked for.

Just like the first book, the world-building and the magic system scratches an itch for me. (Some things described here that had me really immersed in their world: the way different kinds of spirituality affects a magic user, the various covens & societies whose work give an old-world feel juxtaposed with the symptoms of the digital age such as occultists meeting up thru social media, etc). But what really got me coming back for more: the messy, complicated relationships between characters. The way their issues escalate in this second installment? Sublime. There is something utterly raw and real about these characters and their worries, their coping mechanisms, their vices and virtues. I lived for the drama, the betrayals, and the heartwarming conflict resolutions.

This book focuses primarily on the challenges Rhys faces now that he is High Priest. He’s desperate to reach the ideal he envisioned of success. Plus, he hasn’t told his family about his sexuality nor of his sorcery. Now, I’m not nearly as ambitious as Rhys (bro reached levels of workaholism I never thought possible), but part of me can genuinely relate to his struggles [i.e. Never feeling good enough even when you’ve achieved so much. Often trying and failing to get others to take you seriously. A constant sense of dread lurking within you that says you’re unworthy of those who love you. Turning to prayer for comfort and support, yet feeling like a fraud because of everything wrong with you (I’m Muslim, so it’s not Catholic guilt for me, but perhaps something adjacent to that). A gnawing anxiety whispering that the blessings in your life will disappear. How that causes you to want to tighten your control over anything you can keep within your grasp. The fear of being seen. How lies slip too easily from your lips since it has long been habitual, but it still aches when you can’t live your truth.]

Rhys’s internal guilt and shame hit me hard. And he made some pretty bad decisions (due to a mix of his insecurities and an overload of demonic influence), did things that made my jaw drop and drastically raised the stakes of the story. It hurt my heart, yet I loved it, because I do adore seeing my fictional pookies hit rock bottom and then excruciatingly crawl back up.

Lastly, that scene near the very end (iykyk) was glorious; thank you to the author for the deliciously spicy meal ;)

I adore S.T. Gibson's other work, including but not limited to the other books in the Summoner's Circle Series. Unfortunately, though, this one didn't work for me. I'm trying to figure out why exactly, and I think it's a mixture of pacing and character development.

Gibson packed so much plot into this book that it left very little time to spend with each character. As a result, this book didn't really pick up the loose threads of the last one – I wanted them to address the curse but it was mentioned like three times total? And based on the beginning of the book, I thought there'd be more fleshing out of David and Moira's relationship. Moira felt like an afterthought in the story, which is unfortunate because she's my favourite character based on how well previous books showed who she was and wove her into the plot.

The "twist" felt really predictable, but I still love this series and am hopeful that future books will be better paced/organized.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Ascension was an excellent continuation of the first book in the series (Evocation). This volume focuses in on Rhys, the newly crowned High Priest and his struggles with his blind ambition. I enjoyed the story and especially appreciated the ending as it refocuses Rhys in a way I wouldn't have imagined in the first book.

I did struggle a little bit feeling Rhys was a touch underdeveloped and singly focused. There were moments where his disregard for anything aside from power rang a little false from what we knew of him in the first book. Not enough to make me dislike it, just enough for some side eye.

The book leaves with a good finish but with threads leading into the next phase of the story which we'll see in the later books. I was surprised that this wasn't a duology though and instead I see two more books forthcoming.

In a return to the Summoner’s Circle series, Ascension predominantly follows Rhys and his journey as High Priest while unraveling themes of worthiness and love. I can imagine it being either triggering or a balm for readers who struggle with those theme so preceded with caution.

I have been a huge fan of this series, but found this sequel to just drag on before catching my attention. I absolutely loved our new MMC that was added to the mix, but I couldn't stand to see Rhys acting like such a child, despite all the growth we have seen so far. Writing was as lovely as I have come to expect from Gibson, but personally could have done without this plot line.

I can't decide how i feel about this series...
I read the first one thinking i would never pick this series up again but found myself reading the second book. I enjoyed the second book more than the first and I liked how the characters developped throughout this second instalment.

I will continue reading this series but I don't think it is one I would easily be able to recommend to people.