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!

The second book in The Summoner's Circle series centres around Rhys and his insatiable need for power. He has now been handed the coveted mantel of High Priest within his secret society, but at what cost? Rhys is incredibly selfish yet fragile throughout this book. His unquenchable ambition slowly starts to corrupt everything he holds dear and it was frustrating at times to follow him on his destructive path.

As much I loved exploring the dynamics of Rhys, David and Moira's polyamorous relationship (I felt like I'd been waiting my whole life for chapter 40 and it was perfection), I couldn't help but want more for Moira. She's an enchanting and endearing character, yet I often felt like she is taken for granted and sidelined. She's beautiful, powerful and young, but at several points she has to mother Rhys and David or step aside to let them deal with their issues. They way I was rooting for her to take part in one of Leda's ritual orgies and give the squabbling boys the finger says it all!

I did enjoy how her and David's relationship blossomed throughout. Theres a mutual understanding and respect there that I found even sweeter than her connection with Rhys. I truly hope book three allows her to fully shine.

Also, the plot itself felt a little thin. Even when there's the lingering presence of demons and Rhys' eternal soul on the line; the stakes felt pretty low. The conclusion didn't give me that 'on the edge of you seat' feeling. I felt often like I was meandering throughout this book waiting for something to happen.

This was solid! I didn’t love it as much as the first but definitely still quite enjoyable. I love David so much. Rhys pissed me off a bit in this one but like kinda also loved him having like a meltdown. Very enjoyable!

Thank you so much to Angry Robot and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of one of my most anticipated releases this year!

S.T. Gibson has done it again! I ate this up so fast and now I'm feeling bereft because what do you mean I need to wait for the next book?! This is just a beautiful, steamy, gorgeous character-drive urban fantasy series that has become a firm favourite.

This is a sequel to Evocation, and we're following Rhys as he deals with becoming High Priest and quite a few other things. He is going THROUGH it in this book. There's a lot going on in this book but I feel things moved along at a good pace, and I loved the development of our side characters. I loved the development of Rhys, David, and Moira even more, though, and I cannot wait to read Moira's book because I know it's gonna be so good. She has the patience of a saint but isn't afraid to stand up for herself and for others. I loved reading more of her in this one.

S.T. Gibson's writing of these characters is just... beautiful. This is a character-driven story and it's obvious in every page. The writing is heartfelt and the relationships are realistic, and at times it almost felt like I was watching an urban fantasy TV show set in Boston (hint hint TV producers). These characters felt so real and I loved revisiting them again in this book.

I'm very excited for this book and I'm so grateful to past me who picked up Gibson's A Dowry of Blood and discovered a new favourite writer, and in the process, a new favourite series.

Ascension, the sequel to the magic filled polyamorous and spicy fantasy romp Evocation by S.T. Gibson, picks up not long after the events of the first book.
Rhys, Moira and David have settled into a loving throuple until the weight of his new position as High Priest starts to weigh too heavily on Rhys. Secrets run rampant, old crushes return, demons demand their due and soon everything Rhys holds dear is in jeopardy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for the opportunity to read and review this book which I am giving 3.5⭐️.
This series is definitely my favorite work by this author. I really enjoy the relationships between our three main characters. Some of the side characters get even more time to shine in this book which helps flesh out the world even more. Even though this book is still told with rotating POV chapters I enjoyed the fact that this book was distinctly Rhys’s story as compared to book 1 being David’s. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series and am hoping that it will be Moira’s time in the spotlight. I will be posting about this book on my social media (TikTok and YouTube) closer to its release date.

If there’s anything I can always count on S.T. Gibson for, it’s to gift us with beautifully crafted characters and rich atmosphere. Ascension is another hit for me. I love seeing how these characters interact with each other and the occult. If you are looking for a steamy, character driven, urban fantasy/romance with poly and LGBTQIA+ rep, this is for you. Our sweet boy Rhys went THROUGH IT and boy does he mess a lot up. It was a blast to read about. I finished this book in a single day, I truly could not stop reading.

The characters, as with the first book, are the real stars here. They all feel so real and have their own complex thoughts, feelings, and dynamics with each other. I have to say, though I love all of the characters in this book, Moira and Leda (give us more Leda!) were the biggest standouts for me. They are so interesting and I hope they each get their own book in the future.

In terms of spice, this book is filled with deliciously small morsels of spice. It is on page and open door, however I would say most of the spicy scenes are generally relatively short. That being said, we do explore the dynamics between our trio more in depth than the first book and there are some longer and more in depth scenes in this book (Chapter 40 I am looking at you).

The reason this isn’t a 5 star for me is because the plot felt a bit weak to me. Although above I mention that we are following Rhys as he is going THROUGH it (and he is), the stakes never felt very high. but the character deep dives and interpersonal conflicts were more than enough to compensate for a lack of plot for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for the next one!

DNF at 33%

Honestly it’s me. I love Gibson’s writing, ADOB was my favorite read of 2024 but I can’t seem to get into the world of Rhys, Moira and David. I kind of dragged myself through Evocation and wanted to give Ascension a shot but it just isn’t for me

Rating this good on the basis that if you're angry at the character, not at the author, the book's well written.
things I enjoyed:
-this furthered the relationships in the first book, so some very cute scenes with the main trio
-the theme of ascension was very nicely done
-Rhys's backstory
-more Leda!
-David having a Time again (so many shades of David in this one. soft David, angsty David, David-in-love)
things that I would have loved to see:
-the magic system and world that I loved so much in Evocation seemed to have taken a back seat in this
-love as the solution to everything, which considering what happened here just didn't provide any payoff to all the tension building up
-Moira acting as the glue to force everyone together (which in the way it appeared here seemed to weaken Rhys's character and make her lack depth) - hopefully the third book will be about her and she will be more than a bridge between these two
All in all, this was decent - don't let me put you off. A solid second book and one I probably will reread, just a few things that kept it from being a five star read.