Psychic prodigy David Aristarkhov 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 oppressive father hid from him. 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. 

 

Evocation was a fun start to a new S.T. Gibson series, but it had a slow beginning. It took me a little longer than I’d hoped to learn and care enough about our three main characters. However, once I did, I flew through the rest! As always, Gibson’s writing is gorgeous—lyrical but not challenging prose. However, there were some parts in the beginning that felt a little heavy-handed and difficult to parse out, like the lengthy descriptions of the Society members. 

 

David, Rhys and Moira each felt well-rounded and interesting, with their own backgrounds and distinct motivations. Although all three are deep in the spiritual world, I appreciated the different “sects” of work they occupied, along with the boundaries and rule-breaking each adhered to. It made the occult elements flow naturally through the story, instead of feeling shoe-horned in for plot purposes. 

 

There was so much tenderness in the novel, too. Topics like childhood abuse, domestic disputes and alcoholism were the undercurrents to the story, and things definitely get heavy at times. I adored Moira’s character for her role in navigating these elements, specifically—she seemed like such a grounded, sweet soul. 

 

Gibson yet again breaks from tradition with a polyamorous relationship that felt genuine and tender. By the end, I had a goofy smile on my face. I’ll eagerly await the next chapter in this series!