REVIEW: The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland

by |February 23, 2024

This book was sooo enjoyable especially if you’re a lover of all things witchy and spooky in YA. We follow three very different female main characters- Zara, Jude and Emer – who team up despite some initial tension to bring down horrific misogynistic bad guys (yes – they team up to take down the patriarchy – iconic). In all honesty, I couldn’t even pick a favourite character of the three – they each get a lot of development and some gorgeous moments to shine. I have to say Emer and Jude are my Roman Empire of 2024. 

The thing I instantly loved about the Invocations was how, in typical Krystal Sutherland style, the prose was so elevated, and almost literary, without being inaccessible. Her character building is always next level, and this book isn’t an exception to that. The rich descriptions and the slower moments of dialogue between our three heroines add so much to the book and make it impossible to put down. 

The witchcraft and magic in this book are developed so gorgeously by Sutherland, who creates a magic system with consequences, which I found really interesting and refreshing. Strap yourself in for a bit of horror and gore with this one too. Some parts of this book are fairly creepy and dark – the witch hunters are pretty disgusting. A lot of body horror in this one too, with some pretty gnarly descriptions. 

The book starts with a dark modern gothic atmosphere, set against the backdrop of Oxford, and builds from there. The pacing of the book is well planned, with the building of each character’s arc at the start and some WILD (and I mean WILD- suspend disbelief! Go along with the ride!) twists towards the end. The epilogue is everything to me. 

Overall, a fabulous read. Character and world-building is definitely Krystal Sutherland’s strength.


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In this episode of Tell Me What to Read host Ben Hunter sits down with fellow book experts Steph and Krystal to chat about our May Book of the Month, Safe Haven by Shankari Chandran! Books Mentioned: Safe Haven When The Moon Hatched The North Wind Five Broken Blades Flawless Diary of a Void Tom Lake Red River Road Tell Me What To Read, powered by Booktopia. Follow @booktopiabooks on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and YouTube. Follow @booktopia on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Invocationsby Krystal Sutherland

The Invocations

by Krystal Sutherland

From the author of New York Times bestseller House of Hollow comes a darkly seductive witchy thriller where, though both men and demons lurk in shadows, girls refuse to go quietly into the night.

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