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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Is it bad that this novella convinced me David did nothing wrong…?
We already know from Evocation that Moira and Rhys had a…grudge against him after he suggested one of them might have accidentally manifested the spirit haunting their home, and this was pretty much the full story behind those events. Given the fact that Moira and Rhys consulted his help as a sort of last resort, and David made the suggestion pretty gently, I can’t really see why they were so upset about it. Especially given that the truth wasn’t very far off from his prediction.
Anyways, this was an interesting glimpse into the past these three characters share with each other, and it was enjoyable even if not strictly necessary to the central storyline. I’m just glad to know that the current trajectory of their relationship is much better than it is here, and look forward to the sequel!
We already know from Evocation that Moira and Rhys had a…grudge against him after he suggested one of them might have accidentally manifested the spirit haunting their home, and this was pretty much the full story behind those events. Given the fact that Moira and Rhys consulted his help as a sort of last resort, and David made the suggestion pretty gently, I can’t really see why they were so upset about it. Especially given that the truth wasn’t very far off from his prediction.
Anyways, this was an interesting glimpse into the past these three characters share with each other, and it was enjoyable even if not strictly necessary to the central storyline. I’m just glad to know that the current trajectory of their relationship is much better than it is here, and look forward to the sequel!
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked this book up not realizing it was a .5er to the Evocation series. While the prose didn’t wow me enough to pick up the rest of the series, the novella was short and sweet enough to satiate my craving.
Odd Spirits reads like a fanfic written by a “let’s sit under the stars and talk about the universe” type-person. As someone who loves fanfic, the stars, and the universe, that was not intended to be a roast. The writing felt simple - especially for a fantasy-lite story. There was nothing interesting about the style or grammar, which is more of a personal preference than a metric for a good book.
We follow Rhys and Moria through a supernatural marital conflict in Boston, MA. I mention the location because Boston has been a second home to me, and this is the first fiction book I’ve read taking place in an area I was familar with! An extra point for that :) The conflict - and plot as a whole - was textbook and predictable. The characters were well developed yet uninteresting (which is impressive).
I enjoyed the ~vibe~ of the book. Following a witch and a sorcerer was new and it seems clear that the author did her research. The magic element was fun and well done, it straddled reality in a way that made me jealous.
Overall, 3 stars. I got through this book in just a few hours and had a good time. There wasn’t anything life changing, but knowing that it was a .5er means it probably wasn’t meant to be.
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
this was a cute addition to the story and the development/background of rhys and moira’s story
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I haven't read Evocation yet so this didn't mean too much to me. It was pretty good but didn't amaze me. I think once I do read Evocation, it will become more meaningful to me. I enjoyed the character interactions and the exploration of the different types of magic. I especially enjoyed Moira's character. She felt more human to me than Rhys did, however that may just be due to the length of this book.
David's character felt like a caricature of an asshole who you know is secretly not that bad underneath, so I am intrigued to see whether that shifts in Evocation or if I'll be left feeling the same way about him.
A large focus of this book was the development of healthy communication between Moira and Rhys. This makes me excited to see how the polyamorous relationship in Evocation will develop as it seems it will be properly discussed between the characters.
David's character felt like a caricature of an asshole who you know is secretly not that bad underneath, so I am intrigued to see whether that shifts in Evocation or if I'll be left feeling the same way about him.
A large focus of this book was the development of healthy communication between Moira and Rhys. This makes me excited to see how the polyamorous relationship in Evocation will develop as it seems it will be properly discussed between the characters.
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Nothing’s worth your soul, Rhys. Or didn’t you ever hear that song about the devil and a fiddle?”
I think this novella worked on all the levels it needed to. It succeeded as a prequel - a look into events before Evocation, a closer look at Rhys and Moira’s marriage and relationship. But it could also serve as an entrance to the series for those who prefer to read their series chronologically.
I was a big fan of this dive into Moira and Rhys’ relationship and early marriage, as well as the flashes of the very beginnings of their relationship.
And while this novella is, at its core, a haunted house story - it is far from your typical haunting narrative. The creature behind the couple’s problems is not your run of the mill spirit and the method for banishing it far from standard.
This is a quick little prequel with a lot of heart. And while it doesn’t bring upon huge revelations to the series, or drive directly into the plot and drama of Evocation - it dives deeper into the characters, their relationships, and mentalities at the beginning of the series proper. And most importantly, reminded me of just how much I love Rhys, Moira, and David.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Confinement, Misogyny
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail