Release date: May 28 2024
Publisher: Angry Robot Books
Pages: 301
Find it: Goodreads Amazon
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

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…

Review

Evocation is the first in a new series from A Dowry in Blood author S T Gibson.  The story follows David Aristarkhov who by day is a high powered lawyer and by night is a psychic medium and part of a secret society. When David discovers he is cursed and his days are numbered, he turns to one of the only people he knows might be able to get him out of this – his rival and ex-boyfriend Rhys. Rhys alongside his wife Moira agree to help David, but can the three figure out how to save David’s soul before the Devil takes him?

This is my third book from S T Gibson and it was another pacey, gripping read. I ended up reading this quite quickly and I really enjoyed the premise. Secret societies is one of my favourite tropes and I really liked the way Gibson included one here. This book has a brilliant dark academia atmosphere that Gibson does a brilliant job of building as the story develops.

While this story does have a compelling plot, the focus is very much on the characters. I loved the characters Gibson created in this story and I am so desperate to find out where things go for them in book two. David, Moira and Rhys are all incredibly well crafted and each has a complicated history. The three have a really interesting dynamic together and I enjoyed seeing how their relationship changed and progressed throughout the tale.

The story comes to a satisfying conclusion and Evocation has definitely solidified S T Gibson as an auto-buy author for me. If you’re looking for a story that’s full of magic, mystery and drama this is definitely one you don’t want to miss.