The bestselling author of A Dowry of Blood, introduces us to David Aristarkhov, a Boston attorney who moonlights as a powerful medium for a secret society. But David’s life of high-powered law and secretive magic is threatened when the Devil himself comes to collect on an ancestral deal. Desperate, David turns to his ex-boyfriend and society rival Rhys for help, but Rhys is now married to Moira, creating a tense and complicated triangle. As the three of them navigate old feelings and dark forces, they must figure out how to save David’s soul before it’s too late.

When I first picked up Evocation, I was excited. Secret societies? Occult magic? A complex love triangle? Yes, please! And to be fair, the atmosphere absolutely delivered. Gibson’s talent for creating moody, immersive settings is undeniable, and the audio narration was fantastic—it really brought the world to life. I was immediately hooked by the blend of dark academia, library-core aesthetics, and the upper-crust magic of Boston’s elite.

But while the setup was intriguing, something just didn’t quite click for me. The relationship dynamics between David, Rhys, and Moira felt a bit strained and underdeveloped, which pulled me out of the story. Instead of deep, complex emotions, I got more melodrama than I wanted. And while the world-building was strong, it sometimes felt like an aesthetic checklist—like a “dark academia meets bougie Boston” Pinterest board that never fully embraced its own magical potential.

That said, I still found myself drawn to David’s character, and the ending genuinely surprised me in a good way. I’m curious to see where S.T. Gibson takes this series next—there’s a lot of potential for the secret society and its magical dynamics to really shine in a sequel. Here’s hoping Book 2 takes the bones of Evocation and builds something truly spellbinding.

Would I recommend it? If you love dark academia, secret societies, and a dash of angsty romance—sure! I just hope the series hits its stride in the next book.

AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP | ★★★

Evocation is out now. Huge thank you to Angry Robots for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.  If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof.books.