Review: The Invocations
Title: The InvocationsAuthor: Krystal Sutherland
Genre(s): Horror, YA
Pages: 400
Source: Library
For: Recommended
Rating:
Sexual Content:
Goodreads Amazon
Goodreads Synopsis
Zara Jones believes in magic because the alternative is too painful to bear--that her sister was murdered by a serial killer and there is precisely nothing she can do to change it. Jude Wolf might be the daughter of a billionaire, but she is also undeniably cursed. After a deal with a demon went horribly wrong, her soul is now slowly turning necrotic. Enter Emer Bryne: the solution to both Zara's and Jude's predicaments. The daughter of a witch, Emer sells spells to women in desperate situations willing to sacrifice a part of their soul in exchange for a bit of power, a bit of magic to change their lives. As Zara and Jude enter Emer's orbit, they'll have to team up to stop the killer--before they each end up next on his list.
My Thoughts
I really enjoy reading horror, but I don’t read it very often because fantasy and romance have my heart. When I read Ellie’s ARC review of THE INVOCATIONS, I knew I had to read it right away. I immediately put it on hold at the library and waited for its release and my turn.
I finished reading THE INVOCATIONS last night and I’m so glad I decided to read it right away. I was not disappointed in the least. I loved the idea of witches and witch hunters, and the use of invocations to grant women borrowed power from demons for a small piece of their soul. The story was dark, tense, mysterious, and full of paranormal goodness. It reminded me of an episode of Netflix’s THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA, which is what I think Krystal Sutherland was going for since she mentioned the show a couple of times in the story.
“I did not come this far to only come this far.”
I loved the three main characters in THE INVOCATIONS. Zara Jones is smart, determined, and grieving the loss of her sister. Jude Wolf is trying to find a way, any way, back into the good graces of her billionaire father’s heart, if he has one, and the life of luxury that represents. Emer Byrne is simply trying to exist without being tracked by those who want witches dead. Together they make an unstoppable team.
I really enjoyed THE INVOCATIONS. It gave me exactly what I was looking for. It ends in a way that doesn’t demand a sequel, but open enough if Sutherland wants to return to this world.
Have you read THE INVOCATIONS? If so, what did you think?
Trigger Warning
There is a trigger warning for loss of a parent, corpse mutilation, and blood drinking.
I used to read horror but now I become too easily disturbed by it. I don’t know why!
It depends on the type of horror for me. This one wasn’t very scary nor was it psychologically disturbing. I think it’s considered horror because of all the blood, which would affect me so much more if this were a movie.
I’m glad you liked it! I avoided horror for ages but I think authors are producing some interesting stories in the genre at the moment.
Thanks, Ellie! 😀 I understand. I’m more apt to read horror than to watch it because of how it makes me feel. I do like a good scary movie. I just have to prepare myself for it. And, I do like the stories. I think they’re fun and interesting in a dark way.
Glad you enjoyed this one. It’s not for me, LOL! Have a good weekend!
LOL. I totally get it. Horror isn’t for everyone. 😀
I liked that it was, indeed, “dark, tense, mysterious, and full of paranormal goodness”, but I also appreciated the message about female empowerment (trans women included). And the twist on black magic was quite refreshing.
Yes, the feminine empowerment for cis and trans women was amazing! 😀 And, I didn’t even think about the twist on black magic, but you’re right. It’s definitely a new take and I really loved that about the book too.
This one is on my TBR and I’m hearing so many good things about it! I’ll definitely get it for my school library and then I can just check it out! Great review!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2024/02/28/e-galley-review-living-la-vida-mocha-the-coffee-loft-series-by-h-m-shander/
I hope you and the kids like it as much as I did. 😀