Turns out that I love a novella as it's all I've been reading recently and the only thing I love more than that is a novella with gorgeously illustrated pages.

I've been really lucky to have had both Odd Spirits and Evocation as ARC's this year and have enjoyed them both massively. I love that this added context to all the relationships of Evocation and made the characters much more three dimensional (S.T. Gibson's writing is phenomenal so didn't need to become more three dimensional but I just really loved this novella)

Thank you to Angry Robot and Netgalley for another gorgeous S.T. Gibson ARC to enjoy.

Odd Spirits by S.T. Gibson - review

4⭐

As you all know my all time favourite author is S.T Gibson, and I was one of the lucky people to get an ARC for which I want to thank Netgalley and Angry Robot.
I am, therefore, so sorry that this review is soo late and the book is already out 😅. Of course I already have my physical copy aswel!

And wow what a beauty! I love the addition of the images, they add so much to the story. The only thing, why is the book soo small, I want it to be the same size as my copies of Evocation 😭

This is just such a wholesome little story about Rhys and Moira's life, and revisting them made me feel all the feels again. I just loved it.

This novella just adds this little extra information and makes you just that much more invested into their lifes.

The "little goddess" just makes me giggle and kick my feet literally all the time.

Overall this is just such a fun and quick read that add some depth to the characters of Evocation.

Gibson can do no wrong - this is a simple yet enjoyable prequel. It’s fast, short, and gets to the point. It also brings in more background for the 3 characters that is a great addition!

ST Gibson remains a must read for me always. This was such a angstyy and well crafted paranormal read I loved the extra context and story building this added to evocation.

A fun ride into the world of Rhys and Moria! S.T. Gibson writes the best moody, atmospheric books on the market. She always knows how to set the stage, and the angst, for all of her characters.

A cozy and spooky little dream of a story! S.T. Gibson’s writing never disappoints, and the beautiful cover and artwork throughout are just the cherry on top! We follow newlyweds, Moira and Rhys, through a paranormal rough patch in their marriage as the honeymoon phase begins to wear off. Short and just the right about of creepy with well rounded characters. And of course some beloved bi-rep!

Though it's nice to see these characters that I highly enjoyed in Evocation, it isn't a lot more than just backstory of those characters. It doesn't add much to the first official book, just explains why Rhys and Moira's relationship works how it works.

By this point, I have read every single book ST Gibson has put out, and I enjoyed all of them. This was a funn little story, that I read after the actual novella. Cant wait to read more of her works.

This writing is evocative and brings these characters to life. I always love a chance to read more about the characters, the world and their relationship dynamics with one another. There is a dual timeline in the novella that was beautifully executed which shows the authors talents as a writer.

I’ll take a moment to appreciate the beautifully detailed illustrations and arcane tarot cards that were included throughout the novella. Perfect companion as an introduction to the world or as a follow up from the first book in the series.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐝𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐒 𝐓 𝐆𝐢𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐧

I love a good novella prequel. I loved these characters in Evocation. Something here was missing though. There wasn’t the same spark as the first book, and I want to say it was the narrator that just didn’t land. I don’t think it was the writing because what was written was still in character for them.
I’m all for the power of love being the cure, but done this quickly was hard to get behind.
Still very excited to see what happens next, so this was a nice read to hold me over until next year

This was a nice addition alongside evocation. It gave a lovely insight to rhys and Monica relationship which made me love the characters even more

Maybe getting into a poly relationship with your partner's ex is a bad idea and here's why.

As a prequel to the first book of the series, I get to know more about the characters and view them in different light; an aspect I could appreciate. Really feel for poor David being stacked among conflicted & equally avoidant Moira & Rhys. Also, a good introduction in such a short pages. Excited to read the second book. Thank you to Net Galley and publisher for approving me an e-arc for this wonderful title!

POV: Third Person
Genre: NA Urban Fantasy

Can you tell I'm on a spooky read roll?

I love that we get to read about a nerdy magician and a sassy tarot witch navigating AA the turmoil in an already established marriage. Characters who learn from their shortcomings >>>>

Meet-cute in a candle shop? Doodles and scribbles about recipes and magical spells and planetary motions all in one timeless notebook? Blood dripping from the eyes of portraits on the wall? Shattered glass? Tarot cards and pentagrams and loads of subtle imagery to pull you in a spooky house where something is haunting the walls ✨🔮

The writing is evocative (see what I did there??) and reads like a fairytale! We go back and forth within timelines, which can be tricky to execute but was very easy to follow here!

This was a short and sweet introduction to S. Gibson's witchy world and I look forward to picking Evocation next!

Also the illustrations and the inclusion of tarot cards??? GORGEOUS. Make me want to own a physical copy at some point.

(Thank you to the author, Angry Robot and netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review)

PS: I saw a lot of reviews mention biphobia, and I can safely attest to them being untrue for the revised/rewritten version of the book that I got to read.

PS: I saw a lot of reviews mention biphobia, and I can safely attest to them being untrue for the revised/rewritten version of the book that I got to read.

Was a fun prequel to Evocation. Definitely gave some needed background on the relationship between Rhys and Moira before they were more established in Evocation. I enjoyed reading about them more as characters in the forefront.

Odd Spirits was such a beautiful and entertaining read, perfect both as an introduction to the Summoner Circle world or as a new read after already picking up (and loving) Evocation.

While not particularly complex, the world-building was absolutely fascinating, especially for the fact that it portrays different kinds of magical traditions and powers in a unique but also very curated way.

The book focuses heavily on Rhys and Moira, using their individual POVs to reflect both on their interactions as a couple and on their own thoughts and feelings, their issues and trauma – which are never dismissed, but always handled with care. I really liked the overall development of Moira and Rhys's relationship during the course of this novella, and how in the end their mutual love made them want to be better for each other, even at the cost of having to bear their soul open for their partner.

This introspective work is used beautifully to advance the story, creating a plot that is intriguing, realistic, and just a tiny bit heartbreaking.

This was such an interesting and compelling look at the early stages of Rhys and Moira's relationship, I raced through it and loved every moment! It reads like a small but flavourful bite to keep the reader satisfied while they wait for more. I also adore all the illustrations throughout, it's such a nice touch and adds a lot of personality to this novella/series as a whole.

Since this was such a quick read I don't think I have any grand thoughts other than "that was exactly what I think it should have been" and I have no complaints! As always I adore Gibson's prose and storytelling techniques. This has me eager for the sequel to Evocation in the future!

'Odd Spirits' by S.T. Gibson is a prequel novella, set before their novel 'Evocation', featuring Rhys and Moira - a newlywed couple trying to deal with an angry spirit in their home while also dealing with their own anxieties, disagreements, and learning how to live together as a couple when they are polar opposites (both in personality and in their occult practices).

I haven't had a chance to read 'Evocation' (it's sitting in my bookcase at the moment), so I didn't have any prior dealings with these characters - but I loved them none the less; Moira's independence and folk-based craft, Rhys academic approach with summon rituals, and David being a sassy, dramatic B. The breakdown in communication between Rhys and Moira felt real and gut wrenching, and the bit reveal and resolution was so satisfying. It's made me even more keen to get into 'Evocation'.

I knew this novella was going to be short, but I’ve never flown through 115 pages so quickly!

Odd Spirits is the prequel novella to Evocation. While it doesn’t push the plot forward from Evocation, it gives a backstory to Rhys and Moira's relationship such as how they first met and the challenges in their marriage when a strange entity takes over their home. On their quest to reclaim their house, they turn to everyone’s favorite character, David! (NGL, they did David so dirty here when he was just trying to help, lol!)
I absolutely adored the writing style, the pacing, and the beautiful details like the endpapers and tarot card illustrations in every chapter.
Overall, this was a quick, fun read that added depth to the characters and makes re-reading Evocation even more fun the second time around. I highly recommend picking up Evocation if you enjoy stories filled with generational curses, supernatural forces, and secret organizations.

Thank you to Angry Robot Books for the E-ARC and the gorgeous finished copy!

What a perfect little companion piece to Evocation, getting to explore Rhys and Moira’s relationship while we wait for book 2. Very sweet and added depth to relationship while obviously not moving the major plot forward, exactly what a novella should do. The appetiser between courses.
I enjoyed it, still adore Moira and can’t wait for book 2.


Thank you netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review

While Evocation wasn't my favorite book by this author I really enjoyed this little novella. It was nice to read more about Rhys and Moira from when they first met and were married. Moira is still my favorite character by far.

Many thanks to Angry Robot Books for the gifted copy for my honest review!