The Invocations, penned by Krystal Sutherland, weaves a dark tale of magic, sacrifice, and sisterhood. In a world where demons strike deals with desperate women, three protagonists—Zara, Jude, and Emer—grapple with power, loss, and a serial killer on the loose.
Main Characters:
- Zara Jones: Driven by grief over her murdered sister, Zara seeks to defy death itself. She delves into the occult, determined to bring her sister back.
- Jude Wolf: Cursed and suffering, Jude’s soul decays after a disastrous deal with a demon. She yearns for redemption and healing.
- Emer Byrne: An orphaned witch, Emer trades her invocations—powerful spells—for pieces of desperate women’s souls. Her past shadows her every move.
Plot: The central conflict revolves around Emer’s invocations. These spells grant power but extract a price—a fragment of the user’s soul. When Zara and Jude discover that a serial killer targets Emer’s former clients, they join forces. Their mission: unravel the mystery, stop the killer, and reclaim what they’ve lost. As they delve into London’s dark corners, secrets emerge, and alliances form. The tension escalates until the truth surfaces, revealing the killer’s identity and the cost of magic.
Setting: The Invocations unfolds in London, a city steeped in history and shadows. Its streets, alleys, and hidden places become the backdrop for the trio’s quest. The city’s mystique influences their choices, as they navigate danger and betrayal. The veil between the mundane and supernatural blurs, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
Themes:
- Sacrifice and Power: Emer’s invocations epitomize sacrifice—women trade their souls for magic. The novel explores the consequences of wielding power at such a cost.
- Sisterhood and Redemption: Zara, Jude, and Emer form an unlikely sisterhood. Their shared pain and determination drive them forward, seeking redemption and healing.
- The Darkness Within: The killer embodies the darkness lurking in humanity. The novel grapples with the fine line between good and evil.
Conclusion: The Invocations casts a spell on readers, drawing them into a world where magic exacts its toll. Sutherland’s prose is haunting, and her characters resonate long after the final page. As the trio confronts their demons—both literal and metaphorical—the novel reminds us that power comes with a price, and redemption lies in unexpected connections
