Odd Spirits gives us the lil snippet into Rhys and Moira's relationship. One of the issues I had with Evocation was that we were dropped into a story with all the relationships established and I needed something extra to feel more connected to the characters and care about their plights.

This definitely delivered on that for Rhys and Moira and I enjoyed reading about how they met! It was a cute little story about relationships and communication. It is a short novella, but had lots of magic, drama, and seances.

Not to mention the book has beautiful illustrations and the cover is just ugh *chef's kiss*!

2.5 stars
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
I loved the writing in this novella and that's about where the love stops for me. 
I will do my best to write this without spoilers.

I read Evocation before this as an ARC and absolutely fell in love with the three main characters in the storyline, so to say the way they were written in Odd Spirits completely broke my heart is an understatement. The only one that felt true to Evocation was Rhys. Odd Spirits goes into Rhys's way of thinking, why he is the way he is and that he is obviously neurodivergent. Rhys was possibly the only character that was saved in this book on a personality plane. Because he does a lot of awful things in this book as well. David, who is more cold and has a wall up in Evocation was ruthless in his over the top discourteous ambitions this time around and Moira who is a firecracker in a good way was absolutely rude, quick to anger and uncalled-for in this book. 

As you proceed through the story of two young adults who fell in love too fast and ran with it, you start to see that they truly don't understand one another let alone want to until it becomes unpleasant for the both of them. Then it becomes a 'need to know them' and not them wanting to know who they actually married in the first place. Their whole relationship was based on love at first sight, jumping quickly into marriage when one had just broken up with their ex and the other doesn't quite know if they want to settle down just yet. It leads to constant fighting and no communication because they both unfortunately don't know how to handle each other, fear it will make the situation worse and don't want to open up to one another. It ends up leading to a circumstance that is completely ruining what little they have of the marriage left, which is basically nothing to start with anyways. You basically get no back story on Rhys and David's broken apart relationship other than them both yelling at one another that this is why they broke up, or Moira getting upset that Rhys is in a group with his ex, as well as letting the ex into their home. So with the absence of backstory, it leaves Rhys seeming like he hates this man (Which if you've read Evocation that is clearly not the case) and it would have been nice to see at least a little wanting from the two of them, over whatever the hell that Odd Spirits had exposed between the two of them. 

Also three things I hated the most other than Rhys and Moira just NOT communicating is for some odd reason is one, Moira was upset that Rhys hangs out with his group of friends and constantly hates on them when they have (other than David) been civil with her. Two, Rhys went out of his way to 'hopefully' hurt David. Which could have ended far worse then what had actually happened to David. Three, Moira continuously blames Rhys for everything. She blames him for the presence in the home simply because he asks her if she's possibly allowed something into the house and from there it's her always pointing the blame at him. Moira asking him to figure it out and then when he tries she gets after him for it, that he's never around and locks himself up, that he wants to invite his magic society into their home to help because he can't figure it out and lastly that he just won't ask her to help him like she hasn't been getting aggravated and judgmental with him this whole time.

The whole story is a mess. If one of them just would have communicated from the start, as you do in a marriage, everything would have been fine but the both of them are just too worried that the other finds their magic practice laughable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-Arc of Odd Spirits!

This was short and sweet. I do think it’s too bad we didn’t get to see more of Moira and Rhys (I’m obsessed with them!). Glad to have gotten a David appearance.

I do wish we got to see more of the marriage and also what happened before, how they met, how they got engaged, their wedding etc. Unfortunately this did feel like there was nothing mentioned that I didn’t know already.

However, I love S.T. Gibson and will read whatever she writes. The way she writes magic and atmosphere is absolutely unmatched. She could write a ten page grocery list and I will happily eat it up.

I’m just happy to be here!

I ADORE S.T Gibson and absolutely loved evocation, so the excitement to read Odd Spirits was RIFE! I did enjoy this! I feel like I could read anything from S.T Gibson / about Rhys and Moira and would undoubtedly love it... but with Odd Spirits, I was expecting more tension, first encounters and them falling in love. This was definitely different than what I expected but with that being said, I will still be reading absolutely everything else in this series!

Loved, loved, loved this book!! Short and sweet, with the perfect spooky witchy vibes to get me ready for Autumn! I fell in love with Evocation when I read it, and it made me so happy to get to see the beginnings of Rhys and Moira’s marriage!

After reading Evocation, I was excited to see that Angry Robot was also publishing Odd Spirits. Rhys and Moira are both very interesting characters and I couldn't say no to reading more about these two. I have to say I'd recommend this edition just based on the stunning illustrations incorporated throughout the story.

In Evocation Rhys and Moira are already a married couple who have been together for a few years, but in Odd Spirits we also learn how they met and ended up together. I actually really enjoyed this aspect of the story. They had me smiling quite often while reading that part of this novella. In Odd Spirits they seem to have an entity in their house that's causing problems. As they're trying to figure it out, their marriage is put to the test.

I honestly don't think I would've stayed in my house with all of the creeping things that were happening in this story. I'm definitely too much of a scaredy cat. Rhys and Moira can't always agree about what the best solution is and when David comes with the society Rhys is in to help, things get complicated. Part of me still wishes we got a bit more of the world and even their history with David, but I consider this a great spooky time read.

Moira and Rhys are also an example of a realistic relationship. Even when you're married things can get complicated and it just shows us how communication, support, and love are two things that are very important. Odd Spirits has me even more excited for the release of Ascension next year.

My review will also be posted on https://thebookdutchesses.com on October 26th.

This? Was great! Wow!

I normally don't go for books like this. But I saw this title floating around and got intrigued. And I am glad I read it.
This book is also beautiful. Like… the art that's in this? STUNNING!

This book covers the story of Rhys and Moira. A young couple that lives in a rather old haunted house. They both are freaked out by the odd spirit that is kinda ruining the living experience for them. And ask some kind of ghostbuster to figure out what kind of spirit is messing with them. And the story behind those spirits, might surprise you!

Odd Spirits
S. T. Gibson
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)

The prequel novella to Evocation.

SYNOPSIS:
It takes a lot of commitment to make a marriage between a modern ceremonial magician and a tarot witch work, but when a malevolent entity takes up residence in Rhys and Moira's home, their love will be pushed to the limits. Brewing up a solution is easier said than done when your magical styles are polar opposites; throw a physic ex and a secret society in the mix, and things are bound to get messy.

THOUGHTS:
Let me prefix this by saying short stories aren't my favourite thing in the world. I like having a full story to be able to connect with the characters and get to know them fully. So while I did enjoy Odd Spirits and I feel like you do know the characters I feel like I had no attachment to them throughout. Although this is a prequel I wonder if I would have enjoyed reading this more if I'd read it after Evocation.

I really enjoyed S. T. Gibson's writing and the spooky atmosphere that she managed to create in such a short time. I liked the few flashbacks we seen of their relationship and how they met. However the miscommunication did annoy me at times. I also understand at times you do keep stuff to yourself for the peace of marriage, but as we learn that does not work. The resolution rounded it up nicely, but did get a little cheesy.

Overall it was a good short story with a great spooky atmosphere for spooky season.

Odd Spirits is the prequel novella to the Summoner's Circle series. I really enjoyed this short and heartwarming story about the early relationship between Rhys and Moira. I believe Odd Spirits is a fantastic introduction to the series. For me, S.T. Gibson is an author who writes more character driven stories, and reading this prequel novella is a wonderful way to get to know Rhys and Moira. If you enjoy this book, there will be more to read. Also, the illustrations are amazing. I can't wait to see them in person. Thanks to Netgalley and Angry Robot Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a sweet and short novella I thoroughly enjoyed. I have to admit I went about things a bit backward as I have not yet read Evocation but I do believe this was a very nice, spoiler-free introduction into this universe.

I genuinely had a good time reading this Novella and getting to know Moira and Rhys through this story, their dynamic and them as a married couple, mixing the few flashbacks we experience about how they meet and the main story, also introducing David, who obviously makes the characters experience strong emotions playing into the plot quite well. This Novella made me want to read Evocation and get more of those characters whom I found endearing and, even through their flaws, deeply interesting. The pace was strong and S.T. Gibson didn't fail to deliver an entertaining story, even if short.

I simply enjoyed my time while reading this book and even if you do not plan on reading Evocation I would recommend giving it a go nonetheless! And if you've read Evocation already... you should definitely read it too.

I. Loved. This. Book!!! I’ve adored S.T Gibson ever since Dowry of Blood, and have inhaled all of her works with a fervour bordering on obsession. Odd Spirits is a prequel to Evocation, and is an intriguing story which explores the origin and early relationship / marriage of Moira and Rhys, alongside early interactions between Moira and Rhys. The characters are introduced and developed well so that you can read this before or after Evocation and still follow the story and become engrossed with the characters with ease. The narrative flicks between Moira and Rhys, and Gibson crafts their personal voices with ease.

This is just the most wholesome lil tidbit of Rhys and Moira’s life, and revisiting them made my heart ache in the best way. Evocation has long been a favourite of mine, so I’m thrilled to have this novella looking into where our trio (kind of) began. Seeing them work through their insecurities and have many a chat about their occult practices I imagine will be healing for many, it’s honestly as if the story itself is a little magic.

Loved this prequel novella! It’s the perfect addition to the summoners circle series. Gives you a better under Of Rhys and David

I loved it and can’t wait to see what comes next

(4.25 stars)

This novella is a nice addition to The Summoner’s Circle series.
It takes us back in time to before the events of Evocation and helps contextualize the place we find our protagonists at the beginning of the main story.
Rhys and Moira, recently married, witness strange events happening in their house. Their magical expertise proves useless against the intrusive presence and Rhys resorts to reaching out to his Society brothers for help. David enters the scene and exposes the root of the problem, leaving Rhys and Moira rattled.
This is a novella about how magicians would rather face a supernatural presence than go to couple’s therapy. It also reveals the reason for the rift between Rhys and David, and how unsaid words fester and ruin relationships.
S.T Gibson’s writing, in the continuation of Evocation, paints a vivid and compelling picture of love, friendship and magic. All in all, a very enjoyable read and a good companion to the main series.

I very much enjoyed this novella! Overall, I think this is an excellent addition to the Summoner’s Circle series and I look forward to reading more from this author.

I love S. T. Gibson’s writing! She paints a vivid picture of scene and the inner lives and struggles of her characters. It’s challenging to create such a strong sense of world in a novella and I think it’s done very well here.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this ARC. This review was posted september 21st on Goodreads.
I was very happy to get this ARC as I could wait to try a book by this author.

This book was interesting, I don't feel like I hate it, but I didn't love it either.
I was very confuse while reading this book because there was elements I loved and other I hated but nothing in between, which is probably the first time that it ever happens to me. I'll go a little more in details about it after the more global part of my review.

I was really thinking this book would be more heavy on the "haunting house" trope, I feel like it was secondary kind of. I'm still confuse. This was technically a big part of the plot but it didn't feel like it. This book was more about two people with a lot of problem in their marriage. Like a lot of people, as I could see in other reviews I've read, I didn't really like the characters. I don't think they're bad characters as they are but they don't work well together. And their problems were resolves in like less than 10 pages which felt really rushed for all the stuff they were dealing with.
In whole I thought I would read a haunted house book and ended up reading about to magic people in need of marriage counseling.

But as I said there was also parts that I really liked : the depiction of Rhys anxiety was really good and I really liked it. I also enjoyed the writing a lot, it was easy to get, beautiful and very atmospherical as well as the world building around magic. And as much as I didn't like the dynamics between Rhys and Moiria, I really liked the metaphor that was used between their problems and the house.

Thank you NetGalley and Angry Robot for the arc!!!

1) if you’re seeing bad reviews please note the date of those reviews. This is an EDITED REPUBLISHED novella so this little guy is different from what people from years ago read :)

I read Evocation first and really loved it. This novella is the perfect supplement to it as I’m nosy and want to know everything between these 3 beings. I think it’s interesting how I had assumed David had done something MUCH worse but actually it was him poking holes in this relationship when it was needed. This was well done and I loved it. It’s not meant to tidy up anything but give insight into a very complicated relationship and characters.

Thank you so much to the Angry Robot and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review!

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4,5 stars - Saint Gibson, the writer that you are. I am once again on the floor with a heart full of love and tears in my eyes.

“He was a sorcerer, and she was a witch, simple as that.”

Evocation is one of my top reads this year, and ever, so it’s no surprise that its prequel meant a lot to me as well. Reading this book felt like coming home from the very first paragraph, and I had a good time through the whole story. It is funny, warm, spooky and emotional. Perfect for autumn!

“Falling in love had been easy, so she assumed married life would be as well.”

I really enjoyed getting more of a look into the pasts of the characters, how they met and their first impressions of each other. I also loved getting to know more about how Rhys’ and Moira’s relationship works, and getting to see how hard they have worked to get to the loving future they share.

“...but to simply be looked at and known, perceived in all his strangeness, was electrifying.”

As all of this author’s books, the writing style feels at once grand and quiet, and the religious imagery woven throughout really drives that feeling home.
The book is also filled with stunning illustrations that really added something special to the experience of reading it!

“Perhaps she was being unfair. Or perhaps Rhys was being an ass. And maybe two things could be true at once.”

Odd Spirits - S.T. Gibson

Release Date - 8th October 2024

I cannot tell you how happy I am that Moria, Rhys and David are back! Oh, and, Odd Spirits is illustrated!

Odd Spirits is the prequel novella to Evocation (The Summoners Circle series) taking place in the early days of Moria and Rhys marriage. If you’ve read Evocation, you’ll know that there’s tension between the three main characters, and Odd Spirits delves into the root of that tension. I devoured this in pretty much one sitting. I really enjoy Saint’s writing, you’re fully immersed into the world of the summoners circle.

In Evocation, David was my favourite character, and whilst he is in Odd Spirits, the two POVs are Rhys and Moira. I warmed so much more to Moira in this novella, you really get to understand why she could be really cold to certain people in Evocation.

Although this is the prequel, I would still recommend that Evocation is read before! After the events that take place in Evocation can stand alone, I really appreciate digging more into their backgrounds after seeing what happens, and I feel like David’s character is an important part which you really understand in Evocation.

Thank you NetGalley, publisher Angry Robot and author S.T. Gibson for an eARC of Odd Spirits in exchange for an honest review

Odd Spirits is just as beautifully atmospheric as the other S.T. Gibson novels I have read. It seamlessly blends magic, romance, and the complexities of relationships. The story follows Rhys and Moira before the events of Evocation. They are a couple whose magical backgrounds and practices collide when a malevolent entity takes up residence in their home pushing their new love to the limit.

Gibson’s writing is lyrical and lush, capturing the mystical essence of the world while maintaining a cozy, magical feel that I found perfect to read whilst everyone is talking about spooky, witchy books in the lead up to October. While both stories stand strong on their own, reading this after finishing Evocation not long ago gave me a perfect little way back into the world I loved so much adding extra layers and context. You could probably enjoy these In any order however I found it perfect reading it in the way I did.

Even though Odd spirits is short I still found it filled with depth and I especially loved exploring my personal favourite character Moira more. This book also has stunning illustrations throughout that I absolutely loved. At this point I don’t think St Gibson can do wrong for me as everything I have read by her so far has been perfect for my reading tastes.