Spoiler-Free Review

ST Gibson has been a recent favorite author of mine after I fell head over heels in love with A Dowry of Blood, and then the ARC for An Education in Malice. So of course I needed the ARC for Evocation, as well.

You’ll like this one if you’re into stories featuring the occult (and many variations therein), demon possession, power plays, polyamory, and lots of coffee, all set in modern-day Boston.

Thanks to Netgalley and Angry Robot for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

What’s Evocation about?

David, a hotshot lawyer and medium, finds himself psychically sick and potentially possessed by a demon of family folklore. Only two people can help him: 1) ex-boyfriend and rival, Rhys, and 2) Rhys’ wife, Moira, an astrologist and fellow medium.

I think Olivie Blake fans will love it.

The best way I can think to describe this reading experience is that you start with a cold pot of water, then watch it slowly simmer for a while, until it finally reaches a rolling boil right at the end. The first 30% kept me staunchly at arm’s length, but after that I had a good time.

My main struggle with this story at first was the interpersonal relationships. There were clear codependency and boundary issues between the three main characters, which didn’t hook me. I struggled to like any of them. However, after about a third of the way in, each character began to slowly confront their issues, which is about where my interest finally switched on. This story is primarily about characters fighting their inner demons, with a side of actual demons.

The magic was fun and interesting, if fairly straightforward. The fraternal order (referred to simply as the society throughout) added a unique element, and gave some power dynamics to the relationship between David and Rhys.

The prose is definitely stripped down compared to ST Gibson’s other works, but it’s also really consumable and accessible. So, on the one hand, we don’t get her usual dark and lyrical writing here, but on the other hand, we get something really easy to fly through. It’s a give and take.

I will say, though: there was a lot of what felt like telling instead of showing. It was extremely character-focused, especially through conversation and exposition. There was not a lot of other description beyond necessity, and it definitely lacked a hard plot. The plot elements were secondary to the character elements.

Should you read Evocation?

If you need a fast and immediate plot hook, you may struggle with this one. However, if you’re a big fan of books that center characters and their issues, you’ll love it and will probably dig it right from the start. Also note that this is a polyamory romance, as well, and that’s a big factor in the story. I definitely think you’ll like it if you’re a fan of Olivie Blake.