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mothumn's reviews
361 reviews
Evocation by S.T. Gibson
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Thank you Angry Robot for the gifted arc in return for my honest review!
Evocation, S.T. Gibson’s newest book and the first in a new series, is a paranormal contemporary urban fantasy, filled with tarot cards, secret societies, generational curses, demons, ghosts, and complicated people and relationships. I’ve heard a few people very appropriately describe it as an adult Raven Boys, but think if The Raven Boys was more focused on the witchy parts and Blue’s family, and also more queer.
I really enjoyed this book. I was initially pulled in by the premise but what ended up really captivating me were the characters. Evocation doesn’t rush past the seemingly small moments in the characters lives, you spend a lot of time observing the characters, as they bond and grow together in this relationship. Despite the story only taking place within a fairly short amount of time, the result is that you know these characters and care about them despite their (many) flaws. I really loved David, Rhys, and Moira, and the dynamics between them, the complicated and complex feelings they have for each other, and I can’t wait for the series to continue so we can get to see them truly flourish.
Evocation is surprisingly short in length, coming in at just under 300 pages, and as I said, a lot of that time is spent getting to know the characters, which I loved especially as a fan of character focused fantasy. But I felt that the plot ended up being sidelined a bit, which is unfortunate because it’s pretty interesting and also very intertwined with the characters. From the beginning, David is sick with a long running generational curse that has finally caught up to him and from there the story begins. When David has no choice but to call upon his former friend and ex Rhys who is now married to Moira to help him. It’s evident that the sickness that he is suffering from is serious, but for a lot of the book it felt like we were only given glimpses of its actual physical effects on David and those around him. I would have loved to have the story to show more of the ugliness and horror potential that a story like this has, adding to the stakes. By the climax when everything is going down, I didn’t end up feeling as on the edge of my seat as I had hoped because we never really saw the curse to be as dangerous and scary as I thought it was supposed to be. I never really worried that everything wouldn’t work out, because the plot felt more like a stepping stone for the relationships between characters.
Despite my issues, I still really enjoyed Evocation and can’t wait to see where it will go in the future instalments. It has a lot of room to grow and I’m really hoping that it will lean into the darker aspects of the story that I know S.T. Gibson is more than capable of delivering on. I would definitely recommend checking Evocation out when it comes out at the end of the month. I think it will especially be a hit for fans of The Raven Boys, the Craft, and Practical Magic.
Evocation is out on May 28!
Evocation, S.T. Gibson’s newest book and the first in a new series, is a paranormal contemporary urban fantasy, filled with tarot cards, secret societies, generational curses, demons, ghosts, and complicated people and relationships. I’ve heard a few people very appropriately describe it as an adult Raven Boys, but think if The Raven Boys was more focused on the witchy parts and Blue’s family, and also more queer.
I really enjoyed this book. I was initially pulled in by the premise but what ended up really captivating me were the characters. Evocation doesn’t rush past the seemingly small moments in the characters lives, you spend a lot of time observing the characters, as they bond and grow together in this relationship. Despite the story only taking place within a fairly short amount of time, the result is that you know these characters and care about them despite their (many) flaws. I really loved David, Rhys, and Moira, and the dynamics between them, the complicated and complex feelings they have for each other, and I can’t wait for the series to continue so we can get to see them truly flourish.
Evocation is surprisingly short in length, coming in at just under 300 pages, and as I said, a lot of that time is spent getting to know the characters, which I loved especially as a fan of character focused fantasy. But I felt that the plot ended up being sidelined a bit, which is unfortunate because it’s pretty interesting and also very intertwined with the characters. From the beginning, David is sick with a long running generational curse that has finally caught up to him and from there the story begins. When David has no choice but to call upon his former friend and ex Rhys who is now married to Moira to help him. It’s evident that the sickness that he is suffering from is serious, but for a lot of the book it felt like we were only given glimpses of its actual physical effects on David and those around him. I would have loved to have the story to show more of the ugliness and horror potential that a story like this has, adding to the stakes. By the climax when everything is going down, I didn’t end up feeling as on the edge of my seat as I had hoped because we never really saw the curse to be as dangerous and scary as I thought it was supposed to be. I never really worried that everything wouldn’t work out, because the plot felt more like a stepping stone for the relationships between characters.
Despite my issues, I still really enjoyed Evocation and can’t wait to see where it will go in the future instalments. It has a lot of room to grow and I’m really hoping that it will lean into the darker aspects of the story that I know S.T. Gibson is more than capable of delivering on. I would definitely recommend checking Evocation out when it comes out at the end of the month. I think it will especially be a hit for fans of The Raven Boys, the Craft, and Practical Magic.
Evocation is out on May 28!
One for My Enemy by Olivie Blake
4.25
happily surprised to find i liked this even though i previously didnt like olivie blakes atlas series (dnfed the second book cause i really just couldn’t do it) and also just not typically a romance fantasy or romeo & juliet fan
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
The book follows a former translator-consultant for the Ministry of Defence who has gotten a new job in the super secret Ministry of Time. Five people from throughout the past have been pulled out of their past lives to live in a near future London. One of these “expats” is Commander Graham Gore, who had supposedly died on doomed 1845 arctic expedition, and it is now our narrator's job to help him adjust to living in the modern world, feminism, Spotify, and all, and hopefully not die as a result of the time travel process.
Not only do you get to watch as their charmingly awkward housemate situation grows into something that is maybe a bit more, but you also meet the endearing side characters who are adjusting in varying ways. I particularly loved Margaret and have a feeling that she will be a fan favourite. There’s just so much to love about this book, and even though for me I found I got a teensy bit lost in the finale, it still managed to stick it’s landing and was just a great time overall.
I just loved reading this book, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and I can’t wait until it is out in the world so everyone else can enjoy it too. And! A tv series is also happening and will be produced by A24 so if that doesn’t convince you idk what will.
The Ministry of Time is out on May 7!!
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you Avid Reader Press for the gifted copy in return for my honest review.
The Ministry of Time is the brilliant upcoming debut novel by Kaliane Bradley that I am certain is going to be a huge hit. It is, in short, a twisty action packed time hopping sci-fi workplace romantic comedy spy thriller, so basically everything you could ever want in a book. Reading The Ministry of Time was the most fun I’ve had with a book in a long time. You will fall in love with the characters and their relationships and simultaneously be on the edge of your seat with your jaw on the floor from the twists and turns.
The Ministry of Time is the brilliant upcoming debut novel by Kaliane Bradley that I am certain is going to be a huge hit. It is, in short, a twisty action packed time hopping sci-fi workplace romantic comedy spy thriller, so basically everything you could ever want in a book. Reading The Ministry of Time was the most fun I’ve had with a book in a long time. You will fall in love with the characters and their relationships and simultaneously be on the edge of your seat with your jaw on the floor from the twists and turns.
The book follows a former translator-consultant for the Ministry of Defence who has gotten a new job in the super secret Ministry of Time. Five people from throughout the past have been pulled out of their past lives to live in a near future London. One of these “expats” is Commander Graham Gore, who had supposedly died on doomed 1845 arctic expedition, and it is now our narrator's job to help him adjust to living in the modern world, feminism, Spotify, and all, and hopefully not die as a result of the time travel process.
Not only do you get to watch as their charmingly awkward housemate situation grows into something that is maybe a bit more, but you also meet the endearing side characters who are adjusting in varying ways. I particularly loved Margaret and have a feeling that she will be a fan favourite. There’s just so much to love about this book, and even though for me I found I got a teensy bit lost in the finale, it still managed to stick it’s landing and was just a great time overall.
I just loved reading this book, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and I can’t wait until it is out in the world so everyone else can enjoy it too. And! A tv series is also happening and will be produced by A24 so if that doesn’t convince you idk what will.
The Ministry of Time is out on May 7!!
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
havent touched it in months, will come back
The Helm of Midnight by Marina J. Lostetter
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
barely started it will come back someday