This was wonderful. I loved getting more insight into Rhys and Moira's relationship before the events of Evocation and this has just made me more excited for the next book in the Summoner's Circle series. The illustrations in this were gorgeous and really complemented the story. I loved seeing David again and getting to experience his messy early encounters with Moira.

-thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an eARC

Thank you to Net Galley and ST Gibson for providing me with a copy of this arc.
I’ve always been a fan of ST Gibson’s character writing and I enjoyed watching Rhys and Moira navigate their troubles and a haunting in their first year of marriage. It was a delightfully sweet novella with love and magic. Fans of Evocation will be thrilled to spend more time with their beloved characters in this bite sized book.

Rating: 4 stars
This novella masterfully weaves an overarching theme about the significance of communication in relationships, showing how its absence fosters distance and resentment between individuals. I found it to be an enjoyable mix of charm and subtle eeriness, making it an ideal choice for my September reads. While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, I find it challenging to award novellas a full 5-star rating. However, this work successfully heightened my anticipation for Evocation. Overall, I found this novella to be a delightful read and would certainly recommend it.

I loved the idea of two magically inclined people living together, married and in a home with completely different practices. I myself practice the same rituals as Moira and loved seeing them hunted and mentioned in this story! Moira’s personality rubbed me the wrong way for awhile but I honestly think it’s because it hits close to home with how a lot of African American women raised in the south are: we’re taught to be independent and not back down from what we want and how we like things so it definitely is hard when you love someone who seems to be the complete opposite of you. The author did an amazing job helping me to connect with the characters and their struggles and I was pleasantly pleased with the ending!

Thank you NetGalley for another ARC,

Odd Spirits, by S.T. Gibson is a prequel novella to Evocation (which is on my TBR) that took my heart by storm. I absolutely loved Rhys and Moira as characters, their relationship with each other and with magic. Rhys calls Moira Little Goddess and, like, god to know that he knows the goddess that he married.

Knowing what I know about Evocation I’m curious to see their dynamic evolve.

S.T. Gibson never disappoints!!! Such an amazing read. Such an amazing plot and storyline. So so so cool!
I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can.

Odd Spirits is a short prequel novella that takes place before the events in Evocation. I was really looking forward to getting to spend more time with our characters, but this novella fell a little flat for me. For such a short story, it took almost the entire book for anything to happen. I think fleshing this out and adding a little more depth to the story (and giving more time to set up Moira and Rhys’ relationship) would have really elevated this book.

I enjoyed the premise of Evocation, but I didn’t feel it was developed as well as it could have been - especially Moira and Rhys as characters. So I was intrigued to see a prequel delving deeper into their relationship prior to the events of the first book, however this also fell short. This novella sees Rhys and Moira as newlyweds, learning about each other and how to exist in a relationship together, while navigating disturbances in their home, however they barely seemed to even like each other. I was disappointed by the chemistry in this, and found the whole premise be underwhelming - which is disappointing because A Dowry of Blood is one of my favourite reads this year!

I did love the addition of the illustrations, they’re really beautiful and help to set a very atmospheric scene. I think if you loved Evocation, then you’ll really enjoy this one too - just not for me personally.

Thanks Angry Robot for the e-ARC.

When a malevolent entity takes up residence in Rhys and Moira's newlywed home, the two find themselves at their wits end trying to banish it. Easier said than done when they're the textbook case of opposite attracts and the honeymoon phase is beginning to wear off. The two will have to battle to kick out the entity or risk their brand new marriage.

I really quite liked this little novella! I have to immediately say that all the artwork was absolutely stunning and I just loved it. I found myself turning pages just so I could see the next piece of stunning art.

Story wise, about 60% in and I was SO unsure, I was really struggling with the negativity and then BAM, ST Gibson brought the twist and we learn what the entity is in their house and I feel like Gibson just brought everything together. It made it all make sense!! It made me stunned that Gibson had done such an incredible job building that atmosphere. I felt the way the main characters felt!! ST Gibson is so good at creating an intense atmosphere and even in this novella, that remains true.

This is a very quick prequel read, a sweet story that presents the backgrounds of Rhys, Moira, and David from Evocation. Highly recommend you check this out!

I knew this would be a five star read and S.T. Gibson did not disappoint. It takes a very talented author to take so few pages and inject so much emotion. For a novella, this contained multitudes. I can’t say much without giving away too much,, but this should not be skipped.

Absolutely LOVED this!

It begins with our occultists Rhys and Moira moving into a new home which they work from and finding strange things happening which neither of them can explain away - other than a potential haunting. This leads the newlyweds to question their haste into marriage and their relationship as a whole in a fun, creepy and quick read - perfect timing for spooky season!

I adored the little pieces of art throughout this short book, and felt it added character to the story more so than it already had - plus was a bit of a novelty you don't really get much anymore. I haven't read Evocation yet - which this is a prequel to, but as soon as I finished Odd Spirits I RAN to find it to continue this story!

Thank you to S.T. Gibson and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

I loved this and am definitely going to check out the main story evocative. This book is mystical, lyrically written and romantic. It shows the flow and phases of relationships in a beautiful tale written in a way only S.t. Gibson can.

Thanks so much to the publisher and Netgalley for this e-arc! I adored Evocation when it came out, so I was excited to read the updated and illustrated version of the prequel novella. Knowing what comes after made this all the more interesting, as I was already attached to the 3 MCs from Evocation.

The novella is short, and it doesn't waste its time; with Gibson's signature atmospheric language, it absolutely pulls you in and doesn't let you go. Moira and Rhys are such compelling characters, and even as they struggle, you can't help but root for their magic. David is much less in this than in Evocation, but I adore him, so it was interesting to see him in this smaller, more antagonistic role.

I can't decide which I think you should read first, so just go read this when its out on Oct 8th and go read Evocation ASAP!!

I really loved reading this, and I love all of the different ways of being able to engage with the supernatural in this world. Every character has their preferred method that is true to them (Very Serious Rhys reading old ass books in Latin vs. the actual embodiment of sunshine Moira with her flowers and honey). I haven’t read Evocation yet so the characters are new to me, but I appreciate the authentic view of marriage this story provides by showcasing two people struggling with their insecurities and trying to figure out how to navigate their lives together as a married couple without sacrificing their individuality. Also, just like with A Dowry of Blood, it’s always refreshing to learn a character is bisexual and not have it be some scandalous reveal lmao. Overall, Odd Spirits is very cute and sweet and witchy and I am so excited to read Evocation.

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc!

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

I gobbled up this delightful little treat in one sitting! Evocation is one of my favourite books I've read so far this year, and I loved revisiting the characters in this cozy, atmospheric and autumnal novella. It can be read either before or after Evocation.

I loved reading about how Rhys and Moira met for the first time! Odd spirits has a nonlinear narrative for the most part, alternating between their initial interactions and their current marriage in trouble situation. Communication is a major theme in the book. It's about the parts that we hide from others because of the fear of how they might perceive it. As with evocation, Gibsons's knowledge of magic and tarot shines through the book. She knows what she's doing and delivers every time. Her prose, too, is divine. The stunning full color illustrations came as a delightful surprise!

I'd recommend this for fans of evocation who are waiting for th sequel to come out, as well as for those who need a cozy, sweet little treat to relax with.

A prequel novella to Evocation, this shows Moira and Rhys’ marriage in peril and how they work to resolve their issues to stop a ‘thoughtform’ from destroying their house. This was a quick easy read.

A prequel novella to Evocation, this shows Moira and Rhys’ marriage in peril and how they work to resolve their issues to stop a ‘thoughtform’ from destroying their house. This was a quick easy read.

This was a short, atmospheric novella that gives us a deeper look into the early days of Rhys and Moira’s relationship before the events of Evocation. ST Gibson once again delivers beautiful prose, combining supernatural elements with real, raw emotions. The story explores the challenges of being honest and vulnerable in a relationship, and how ignoring problems can only make those problems grow.

Rhys and Moira's relationship feels so authentic and relatable. The witchy, magical vibes make this a great read for spooky season. Highly recommend, especially if you were a fan of Evocation already.

Thank you to Angry Robot for providing me with an ARC. 🖤

This was a nice novella with an insight into Rhys and Moira's early life together before they solidified their marriage further, as we see in Evocation. Beautiful prose, I always love the little details Saint adds that just give the book something extra special.

I liked how this story could apply to many people in all different types of relationships, ignoring or running from your problems, keeping it to yourself, and not being willing to be honest and vulnerable can only make things worse.

I will say though that I found all of the characters kind of unlikable in this, whereas in Evocation I loved Moira, liked Rhys, and grew to appreciate David. While that is a good thing since I read it first, and speaks to great character development by the author, I wonder how badly I'd have wanted to read Evocation after feeling this way about the characters.

S.T. Gibson remains one of my favorite authors!

Thank you Angry Robot and NetGalley for the ARC!

5 stars
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This was just the little bite of Rhys and Moira that I needed in my day.

My love for ST Gibson has no bounds and this one was another knock out of the park for me. It was funny, it was raw, it was a little steamy. It encapsulated so many emotions in so few pages. The writing is beautiful, The plot was good, with room to explore dynamics as well as situation. I love our cast of characters. It was nice seeing the origin of Rhys and Moira after reading Evocation first. I loved that not everything about their relationship is perfect and that they, too, are real people. The supernatural was well written and the research was there.

I have so few words because I am just blown away by how wonderfully done 90something pages ended up being.