Many thanks to Angry Robot Books for providing an ARC for review!
Beautifully written and centered on the mundane, everyday lives of three very messy people, Evocation is a languorous deep dive into Boston’s occult scene, complete with star charts, tarot readings, stacks of dusty tomes, secret magical societies, hints of chaos magic, and, of course, a demonic possession. It’s a slow-burn, polyamorous romance wrapped up in an ancient curse, and I adored every minute of it.
Attorney by day, powerhouse psychic medium at night, David Aristarkhov has everything going for him. A devout workaholic with a self-centered attitude, David is cocky, confident, and incredibly self-assured thanks to his family name. Accustomed to a lavish lifestyle and success, David is thrown for a loop when a routine séance goes horribly wrong, resulting in demonic possession and spirit sickness, though he’s loathe to even consider the possibility, initially. Cheeky, arrogant David can’t fathom fucking up, let along asking for help – and forget admitting to a mistake – so, off-kilter and deeply troubled, he tucks his vulnerabilities away, baring through the headaches, blackouts, and general feelings of malaise brought on by the unknown possession until he has no other option: contacting Rhys, his rival ex-boyfriend, the strongest, self-taught occult sorcerer he knows. The problem? They’re no longer on speaking terms.
It was his ideal type of day; packed to the brim with meaningful, intricate work and centered entirely around himself.
– excerpt from S.T. Gibson’s Evocation
Assistant research librarian by day, demon summoner and sorcerer by night, Rhys is a walking academic that lives for discovery. Dedicated, determined, and devoted, Rhys is everything that David isn’t. He’s power hungry, but humble. Assertive, but kind. Analytical, but not arrogant. Emotional, but not necessarily confrontational. But he still bristles when his latest attempt at capturing a demon is interrupted by David’s call for help. Determined to keep that chapter of his life closed, he ignores the other man’s vulnerability in favor of spending time with his goddess of a wife, Moira, and focusing on his aspiration to claim power where it is due: in the hard-won claim to success that is becoming the next High Priest of the Society: “a demon summoning social club […] united by self-interest and a desire for comradery.” On this front, he and David are obvious rivals, both intent on leading Boston’s underground occult scene in spirit summoning, but there’s something deeper going on between them that ignites animosity and longing in equal measure, some hidden part of their past that involves not only a toxic romantic relationship between David, Rhys and David’s alcoholism, but Moira as well.
She understood that if you cracked Rhys open, he would probably have paperback pages inside him instead of organs, that books had been the only saving grave through an impoverished, closeted childhood in a too-large family.
– excerpt from S.T. Gibson’s Evocation
Astrologer and tarot reader by day, secret intuitive empath by night, Moira is one of the best witches in Boston. Preferring to keep intimate, personal relationships with her clients, she reads tarot and puts together natal star charts out of her home office – a delightfully cozy nook that screams plant witch. She’s a powerful medium that prefers to keep things on the down low. Comforting, cozy, and compassionate, Moira is a traditionalist, intent on passing down her knowledge and honoring her ancestors to the best of her ability, even if it means shutting out the ghosts that haunt her every moment of the day, restless spirits blurring into the background of her life. Moira is the embodiment of control and composure, and while she is initially hesitant to let David in, her curiosity gets the better of her, causing her to invite him in when no one else will, despite past, relatively unexplored animosity between the three of them.
Slow, grudging steps culminate in a trip to David’s childhood home – Beacon Hill House – where the trio begin to unravel lifelong mysteries. Names – Anatoly, Baelshieth, Aristarkhov – send Rhys spiraling into ancient tomes, his love for learning temporarily outweighing his anxiety and longing – for David, and Moira – as he searches for clues on the possession. All around him, the house lives, breathes, seethes, with dark, anticipatory energy, urging David and Moira closer, inviting vulnerabilities and connections. What unfolds at the house on the hill is eerie and downright haunting, Gibson painting an atmospheric picture that is dark academia meets supernatural occult: raw, unsettling, and very, very real.
As Rhys searches for answers about the rumored family curse placed upon the Aristarkhov name, Moira and David work on paranormal vulnerabilities. Moira encourages David to let down his arrogant walls of control, helping him to understand the importance of shielding and warding. It’s a slow work in progress that invites vulnerability and, bit by bit, gives David the space to open up about his childhood, his anger, and his self-destructive behaviors. It’s something that Rhys never encouraged, not really, and we learn, in the process, of David’s horrific family history. He never truly loses his confidence or charm but becomes less cruel and calculating in Moira’s compassionate, understanding, and nurturing care. What follows is a tender, fragile, and achingly sweet platonic romance – a beautiful parallel to the messy, angst-filled inferno that is David and Rhys.
David was looking at him like they were twenty again, like they might be able to get it right this time, orbiting each other’s spheres without burning too hot or swallowing each other alive.
– excerpt from S.T. Gibson’s Evocation
While it is clear that David and Rhys have a traumatic backstory based on Rhys’ anger-fueled response to David’s previous alcoholism and relapse, Gibson doesn’t go into much detail on their past history or relationship. It is exceptionally clear that both men continue to harbor strong romantic feelings for one another, and their desire is palpable throughout Evocation, but the lack of backstory is the novel’s biggest downfall. It doesn’t break it by any means, but it does leave something to be desired for the reader and affects the entire poly V’s dynamic, as both Rhys and Moira have a strong visceral reaction to David’s reappearance in their life.
A combination of work, trust, and vulnerability is what allows this relationship to work, made possible by open communication, which is often initiated by Moira, and navigates the characters’ desires, fears, and expectations with open honesty, though some readers may be unhappy with the catalyst being a stolen kiss of dubious consent, especially when paired with Moira’s uncertainty at the beginning of the novel. Add in the lack of backstory in regard to Rhys and Moira’s courtship and marriage troubles, as well as Rhys and David’s devastating breakup, and things are a bit murky at best. All things considered, Evocation was very much focused on the present, and I have high hopes that character backstories and complicated histories will be revealed in time as the series progresses.
Moira was the blinding sun at the center of the universe, overshadowing everything else, but somehow her radiance was only accentuated by David’s cool, silvery light. Rhys had felt a strange mix of anguish and longing, watching them wing their way around the ballroom like celestial bodies. Not jealousy, exactly. Something softer and more treacherous.
– excerpt from S.T. Gibson’s Evocation
As David and Moira bring out the best in each other, Rhys is a silent bystander, full of longing and desire for them both. What Moira and Rhys have is passionate, gentle, and incredibly wholesome. Rhys worships her – and as David slowly welcomes Moira into his life, he begins to, too. Moira is the ground; she lifts both men up, encourages them, and nurtures their entire relationship. She is an advocate for communication, quick to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but has a fiery personality. Though quick to forgive, she’s equally unafraid to lash out or put someone in their place. Her fire and control make her the perfect partner, and I can’t wait to see her burn it all to the ground and make a name for herself.
As a trio, they shine, complimenting one another well once open lines of communication are forged following a messy, destructive kiss between the two men, but individually, Gibson takes the time to create strong, meaningful bonds against the backdrop of David’s illness, culminating in a vulnerable character arc filled with tremendous growth in the wake of childhood abuse, toxicity, and trauma for the former child prodigy.
Evocation is a study in the different forms love takes. It’s a reminder that relationships can be messy, that disaster gays do exist, that trauma doesn’t have to define you or your relationships. In that regard, the novel is relatively low stakes, as David’s family curse takes a backseat in favor of working through the characters’ vulnerabilities. It’s still there – in constant headaches and fatigue – but the mystery is largely unexplored until it becomes too big to handle, the medium’s symptoms becoming worse as he nears his thirtieth birthday. The revelation has a cost, the curse is revealed, and the novel takes an abrupt, but impactful turn at the end, tying David and Rhys together intimately and inextricably.
Rhys felt the same way magic did, a dark rush of pure thrill straight into his veins. But Moira was like sunlight after a long grey Boston winter: he didn’t realize how much he craved her until she was gone.
– excerpt from S.T. Gibson’s Evocation
That being said, the novel is not without a plot. While the Aristarkhov curse is the overarching plot point that sets the book – and the poly triad – in motion, Gibson offers just enough of Boston’s magical occult scene to keep the reader interested. In the rivalry between David and Rhys regarding the Society; in Moira’s tarot business; in the magical shop run by Lorena, the only person David could consider a maternal figure in his life; and in the introduction of the chaos magicians and David’s sister, Leda. These hints may not be enough to compel all readers, and the series would greatly benefit from a bit more depth as far as magical societies and rituals go, but there’s a strong foundation for a series here, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next.
What Evocations lacks in urgency, it makes up for in ambiance. While the family curse and character backstories are a bit muddy, Gibson excels in creating tension while pulling the reader into the scene, whether it be a moment of grounding meditation, a sensual palm reading, an adrenaline-fueled exorcism, or a charged reading of a haunted house.
They ambled through the second floor of the home, their steps leaving ghostly footprints in the dust. The portraits on the wall scowled down at them. Whorls of oil paint, thick and dark as blood, ate up all the light in the room.
– excerpt from S.T. Gibson’s Evocation
Ultimately, Evocation is a sweet, sensual slow burn between three characters with a complicated history. Amidst the backdrop of a family curse for power, Gibson paints an intricate portrait that doesn’t shy away from messy characters. At its core, Evocation is a slow-moving character study that encourages vulnerability and forgiveness, proving that it is possible to move past trauma, addiction, and jealousy with hard-work and communication. It’s a reminder that perfection isn’t possible, and that past faults don’t necessarily define who you are. It’s haunting and beautiful and most certainly not for everyone, but I found it to be a compelling reminder of the flawed nature of humanity, and deeply appreciated the platonic love presented between David and Moira.
Sometimes the best way to face darkness is to walk right into it.
– excerpt from S.T. Gibson’s Evocation
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