Beautiful photo by @hkgbooks!
Hey fairies!
Welcome back to day 2 of our readalong for our April Adult featured book: Evocation by S.T. Gibson!
I hope you’re all enjoying the book so far! I am so excited to see what happens today!
Today we’re reading from chapter 7 to the end of chapter 12. Let’s go!
Please be warned, the following section will include spoilers for Evocation by S.T. Gibson from chapters 7 to 12. Please only read on if you’ve finished this section!
-!SPOILERS!-
Wayne isn’t looking to scold David after all. What he does want, is for him and Rhys to keep their distance. It seems their bickering and attitudes towards each other haven’t gone unnoticed! Wayne drops a small hint that he might be picking David for High Priest but paired with the request to stay away from Rhys, it means despite the small steps they were taking, they’re heading back to the beginning. David walks out of the office and leaves, walking right by Rhys without a word.
I’m not sure how to feel about David yet, fairies! I’d love to know how you’re feeling. He does seem misunderstood, potentially a stuck up product of his upbringing, definitely arrogant… but I get the sense he’s not all bad, and that a lot of this is a front to hide his real self and protect himself.
We join David as he goes to the Beacon Hill house. It seems almost sentient? The vibes are definitely off though.
So, Anatoly is, or was, an Aristarkhov. He died in 1556. When David tries to continue reading and gauge the aura coming from the entry that feeling of possession comes over him again. It seems a lot more volatile this time and suddenly David’s fading, passing out.
Meanwhile, Rhys and Moira are having a lovely, cute time! He’s painting his wife’s nails. Aw, that’s so sweet!
It ends all too soon though when Rhys notices David calling. He has no one else, so he called Rhys. David does seem pretty out of sorts to his usual self, even so far as to almost admitting that he just needs Rhys. Moira convinces Rhys to go, but she wants to go too.
When they get there, things with David seem grim! It looks like David may have had a drinking problem since that’s where Rhys’s mind jumps to when he hears that he blacked out! He assures Rhys that he wasn’t drinking though.
In his passed out, trance like state, he’d been writing in languages he doesn’t even speak, including Latin. You always know there’s something ancient and evil at play when the Latin comes out!
Amongst the indecipherable text, they spot a line written in English and um, well, based on this, it’s not looking great for David: “The Devil knows your name, David Aristarkhov.” Bit creepy, bit uncanny, very unsettling!
After some grilling, Rhys and Moira discover David has no psychic safeguards in place. Now, I’m not a psychic pro, but going off the fact David may well be possessed and in the sights of the Devil, and based off how angry Rhys is to learn about this, I think these safeguards are pretty important!
Oooooh, this is an interesting development! David realises that Moira’s power is quite similar to his, she can sense emotions, read things, see things even… and she never told Rhys.
David tries to convince them he can compensate them if they help him. Moira seems more on board than Rhys to be honest but they’re still a little unsure and they leave David with the promise that they’ll think on it. It’s as much as he can ask for right now, really!
Moira didn’t tell Rhys because she was worried it would make him scared of her. He’s shocked at the revelation she can feel vibes and sense the emotions from dead people, but he reassures her he still loves her. Gosh, I love how supportive he is! 🥺
David is shocked when Rhys makes an appearance at their secret society’s brunch, he never normally comes. Things are predictably terse between the two of them… until Rhys asks David if he’ll walk around the block.
David tells him there’s been no more blackouts, but he still feels off and kind of sick. David fully thinks Rhys is shutting him down on his offer untilllll Rhys tells him he and Moira will help, they’re just setting boundaries. That’s perfectly fair, and I won’t lie I’m relieved they’re helping him – he needs it!
They join him back at the haunted creepy house and Moira opts to put on Fleetwood Mac, an excellent choice!
David tries to clear the air with Moira but I don’t know how much good it’s done. Somehow he always seems to find a way to ruin it! When he tries to teach Moira about her talents, she feels like he’s being a bit condescending. Whilst I definitely think he could be more thoughtful in his words considering creaking sentient houses and ghosts are, well, pretty weird, I’m starting to see more and more that maybe a lot of this is because it’s all he knows? What do we think?
Today’s section has potentially answered some questions that arose in the first few chapters, but I’m still eager to learn more about what’s going on here!
Are you sensing lingering feelings between Rhys and David?
What do you think about us learning Moira’s power is potentially similar to David’s?
Any theories on what will happen, do you think they’ll get to the bottom of it all?
See you tomorrow for day 3, fairy family!
Love,
Shannon
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I could not believe that David had no safeguards in place considering he comes from an occult family! That definitely shows his arrogance. I still have a soft spot for him though. I feel like Rhys and Moira seem to have a healthy adult relationship and I love to see it! Don’t get me wrong, I love reading a toxic relationship, but it’s a breath of fresh air to see a couple who are more mature/secure.
Saaaaame!! I know he’s grumpy and not very nice but I’m definitely seeing some potential in him 🖤
I am 100% sensing lingering feelings between Rhys and David!! Kind of get the vibe that they’ll be a 3 way relationship here? Sort of like Poppy, Casteel and Kieran!
I loved learning that Moira’s power is potentially similar to David’s, I feel like they’d have a good relationship if they decided to work together as they’re both trying to impress Rhys. Love that Moria has these full on boss girl vibes too but isn’t bragging about it all. Would love to see how her and her magic develops!
I don’t have theories as such, I do think they’ll all be in a lil love triangle/relationship type situation. Rhys and David have so much between them that they’ll definitely be hooking up at some point… With or without Moria involved we shall see! But Rhys so obviously loves Moria too (little goddess!!).
I think that David is involved some way with the devil? Or a super powerful demon maybe. Looking forward to seeing how it all plays out!
I feel like I’m constantly swaying between favourites ’cause Moira is a QUEEN!! I hope we get to see her powers progress too! 💜
Are you sensing lingering feelings between Rhys and David?
I feel like Rhys is confused, he knows he loves Moira but at the same time his feelings for David are still there and he might not be completely over them like he thinks.
What do you think about us learning Moira’s power is potentially similar to David’s?
I’m excited to see where this goes and if David will be able to help Moira to tune out some of the noise she always sees and hears. Maybe working together will actually be good for all of them.
Any theories on what will happen, do you think they’ll get to the bottom of it all?
I do think they will get to the bottom of it eventually but unfortunately I think more things are going to go wrong first.
If things do go wrong, I’m confident our trio can get to the bottom of it (ish!!) 👀
David is definitively much more vulnerable than he lets known. I understand Rhys rage if he put him in danger without protections while they were together but I love how Moira is the one working with both and making things go smoothlier.
I still feel there is something between Rhys and David, but both of them are valuing Moira so they won’t go behind her back. They will have her center of the equation if there is one.
I hope all of their powers will play a role in the resolution of the problem, but I’m not sure it will be solved in this book as we know there are a few more others. I hope both Moira and David can influence each other in a positive way making the other learn what they lack, DAvid protection and Moira probably a bit more knowlege about the communication with the dead as she’s been avoiding it most of the time.
I have a real soft spot for David 😭😭
Me too. He hides behind a façade but he is a softie in the inside. And I love that.
Are you sensing lingering feelings between Rhys and David?
There is definitely lingering feelings here. No doubt that Rhys loves Moira to the moon and back, but there is still some affection he has for David. Their relationship ended so abruptly and I think years ago there was a pretty strong bond, so when it was called off there was a part of Rhys that still clung to David.
What do you think about us learning Moira’s power is potentially similar to David’s?
Love the witch vibes Moira gives off and the fact she is able to call on similar powers that David wields. I think that will help strengthen their bond as it will be something to work together on. Crazy though that David has no magical wards for all this. Man did NOT care defensive enchantments.
Any theories on what will happen, do you think they’ll get to the bottom of it all?
I think they’ll solve this mystery, but I don’t think it is going to end up in a positive way. It will be hard to out-smart a demon that has held influence over a family for generations. Someone will likely have to bear a new burden in the future, whether or not it is David or somebody else.
That’s a scary but very realistic thought! 🖤
I’m intrigued by the relationship dynamics and I think David and Rhys were (are) very important for each other. I feel like David is more aware of his feelings, and Rhys is trying for some distance to protect himself.
I was surprised by the religious aspect mixed sorcery and summoning. I’m curious how that will play out.
In terms of David’s possession, I wonder why this is happening now? His father has been dead for a while, is it because David id turning 30 soon? Maybe it’s somehow significant. I hope Rhys and Moira can help him.
I like the setting of the house, something seems to be going on there – is it haunted by ghosts or the spirit of David’s father? So many questions!
I think it’s definitely linked to some kind out boundary that’s coming closer! 🖤
You know, I think David is a jerk but maybe not a terrible terrible person? I am honestly not getting the vibe that Rhys or David want to rekindle, just maybe that they’re always going to be important to each other? I don’t know.
I’m enjoying this a lot – good creepy vibes and a decent pace where things are being shown well instead of info dumps.
I agree about David! I think a lot of it is a front and that he’s maybe a little afraid to let people close! 💜
I agree with some of the other comments about a potential love triangle emerging (I thought that in the first chapters too!).
The connection developing between David and Moira…those little intuitive touches/readings and the fact they’re now connected by a similar power that Rhys doesn’t understand…we thinking there could be a love swap here?! 😎
Love swap orrr maybe a throuple? 👀
I love seeing the character development. The vulnerability is chefs kiss
Completely agree! 💜
1 – Are you sensing lingering feelings between Rhys and David?
100% It feels a roughly equal measure of attraction and distrust though. I’m left wondering where it all went wrong between them. Was it David’s alcoholism? The distance between them once David left Williams? Did Rhys become too obsessed with his studies, ignoring David like he sometimes does with Moira? Or, perhaps, when Rhys met Moira he realised love could be so very different.
2 – What do you think about us learning Moira’s power is potentially similar to David’s?
When Moira told Rhys how her mother responded when she heard about this part of Moira’s gift, my heart broke for her. Rather than her mother seeking guidance to help Moira, It was as if this part of her gift wasn’t acceptable and thus no longer existed. It felt like Moira had hidden it from not only Rhys but everyone after her mother.
3 – Any theories on what will happen, do you think they’ll get to the bottom of it all?
I think they will come to a realisation of what it must be, but not necessarily be able to do anything to prevent a total possession (at least, not in this book of the series). As Moira and David learn to trust one another while they teach one another valuable skills, they will inevitably form a bond of friendship (maybe more). They walk through a world that Rhys cannot share with them (he doesn’t seem to hear anything happening within the house). How could they not feel a kinship?
As David comes to trust Moira, and vice-versa, I believe a softer side of David will emerge. He’s had so much pressure on him from age 5 to perform. Once he realises he’s not alone in this battle, bonds will grow. Moira needs to embrace rather than hide her gifts with the dead. And so long as Rhys doesn’t get too caught up in Evgeni’s library, we may see the three come together with Moira being the glue that binds them. Will it become a trio/love triangle before the devil takes over David? I simply cannot wait to find out!
Side notes – I love that Gibson has made it so the house is almost an entity in its own right. Evocation is certainly changing my Google search history a little to the dark side. Ha ha ha.
Love that it’s changing your search history, that made me cackle! 😂😂
I am sensing lingering feelings between Rhys and David for sure, on both fronts. The fact that Rhys thinks about touching David, and David goes to him for desperate help. Though there does seem to be a fair bit of animosity between the two of them, Rhys does say that David is important to him. It’ll be interesting to see how this develops.
David and Moira having potentially similar powers is definitely interesting. Perhaps they’ll both learn new skills from each other, and it’ll help them heal from their past. Maybe they’ll even form a bond.
I still believe that the Son of Anatoly is the deal David’s ancestor made with the Devil. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of payment David will have to pay, or if they can get him out of it somehow. Perhaps the timeline was much shorter than originally though (1000 years), and that’s why he’s being possessed.
Yeah, I’m really intrigued to see how the Son of Anatoly storyline progresses! 🖤
Are you sensing lingering feelings between Rhys and David?
Yes, I am wondering if this will turn into a thruple?
What do you think about us learning Moira’s power is potentially similar to David’s?
I think it’s good. At the moment there is a lot of hard feelings there and that may bring them both together.
Any theories on what will happen, do you think they’ll get to the bottom of it all?
I think it’s buried in David’s family past.
Oooh, some good theories! 🖤
Are you sensing lingering feelings between Rhys and David? – Yes definitely I’m intrigued to why they broke up. I get the feeling that Rhys broke up with David due to David’s drinking and recklessness but I think this would have caused unresolved feelings between them.
What do you think about us learning Moira’s power is potentially similar to David’s? – I don’t think they are the same really – Moira can see / feel the dead naturally and doesn’t have a choice whereas David has to tune in / channel to see them and has control / choice over this.
Any theories on what will happen, do you think they’ll get to the bottom of it all? – I get the sense that maybe it’s something to do with David having no children. There was a part that mentioned previous family members had children at a young age and this may be why the demon is claiming David as he is the last of his line maybe. His sister is his step sister but not sure which side she was on.
Definitely some STRONG lingering feelings between Rhys and David.
It’s interesting to see how Moira and David’s relation ship will develop.
The only theory I have is that the 3 will get close 😉 by working together.
1. Are you sensing lingering feelings between Rhys and David?
YES! Very strong ones as well! I’m kinda hoping they will get together, all three of them haha
2. What do you think about us learning Moira’s power is potentially similar to David’s?
I hope it will bring them closer
3. Any theories on what will happen, do you think they’ll get to the bottom of it all?
I think they will