
Author: S.T. Gibson
Series: The Summoner’s Circle #1
Publication: May 28, 2024 by Angry Robot
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Find it on: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Google Play | Kobo | Waterstones
Rating: 5/5★
The Devil knows your name, David Aristarkhov.
As a teen, David Aristarkhov was a psychic prodigy, operating under the shadow of his oppressive occultist father. Now, years after his father’s death and rapidly approaching his thirtieth birthday, he is content with the high-powered life he’s curated as a Boston attorney, moonlighting as a powerful medium for his secret society.
But with power comes a price, and the Devil has come to collect on an ancestral deal. David’s days are numbered, and death looms at his door.
Reluctantly, he reaches out to the only person he’s ever trusted, his ex-boyfriend and secret Society rival Rhys, for help. However, the only way to get to Rhys is through his wife, Moira. Thrust into each other’s care, emotions once buried deep resurface, and the trio race to figure out their feelings for one another before the Devil steals David away for good…
The first book in a spellbinding and vibrant new series from The Sunday Times bestselling author of A Dowry of Blood.
Evocation is the first book in The Summoner’s Circle series by S.T. Gibson. It’s my second book by this author in total. The first book of hers that I read was A Dowry of Blood, which I also adored. That’s why I’m so happy that I loved this newest one as well. Evocation was an amazing read that I completely devoured and loved. It was totally my kinda read and I can’t wait for the next one. There will be four books in total.
The story is set in Boston and told through three different points of view. There’s David, an attorney by day and medium by night, who comes from the influential Aristarkhov family. Then we have Rhys, who is David’s ex-boyfriend and a Sorcerer. And last but not least we have Moira, Rhys’s wife, who’s an astrologer and witch. At the start of the book David and Rhys haven’t talked in half a year, even though they’re part of the same secret society (and both vying for the position of High Priest), after David slighted Moira but there lives become tangled once more when a Faustian Deal from one of David’s ancestor’s comes to claim his life and soul.
The relationship between David, Rhys and Moira was messy, complex and I highly enjoyed the three of them becoming closer as they try to figure out how to get rid of the demon that’s harrassing David. I’ve got to admit that I wasn’t the biggest fan of David when I started the book but as the story went on I slowly but surely fell in love with him. Moira also wasn’t the biggest fan of him at the start, due to past things that had happened. But she also started caring deeply for him as both she and Rhys did everything they could to help David. Moira and David’s blossoming friendship was my favorite to read about, especially because they had magical lessons together. I also loved Moira and Rhys’s relationship as a married couple. I especially liked that Moira knew to set bounderies and communicated those with Rhys. The dynamic between all three was just the best. I really can’t wait for more of them all in the coming books.
The finale of the book was brilliantly done. It literally made my heart be faster because I was so worried for David and if he along with Rhys and Moira could defeat the demon. No spoilers, of course, but it definitely didn’t turn out how I thought it would but I can only applaud the author for making it all so exciting and unputdownable.
Overall, Evocation by S.T. Gibson was a beautifully written urban fantasy full of magic, the occult and complex characters that I absolutely fell in love with. I can’t wait to read more about the The Summoner’s Circle world and see where the story is going next.
About the author:
S.T. Gibson is a literary agent, author, and village wise woman in training. A graduate of the creative writing program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville and the theological studies program at Princeton Seminary, she currently lives in Boston with her partner, spoiled Persian cat, and vintage blazer collection. She is represented by Tara Gilbert of the Jennifer De Chiara literary agency.
Awesome review, Stephanie! I loved getting to know these characters too, and I’m so glad this is a series😁
I’m really curious how it will continue since what the characters did was only a temporarily solution 👀
I do love the sound of this one (and the look, because that cover is so pretty). Adding to my TBR, thanks for the great review!
One special edition incoming, one! 😉
Eeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!
The trio at the center of the story sounds so interesting!
This looks like a great read. Thanks for sharing your review.