The Invocations

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.

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. If there s anything Zara cannot stand it's feeling powerless, so she decides she will do whatever it takes even if that means partaking in the occult to bring her sister back from the dead.

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. Flowers and insects die in her wake and monstrous things come to taunt her at night. If Jude can t find the right someone to fix her mistake, she fears she ll die very soon.

Enter Emer Bryne: the solution to both Zara and Jude's predic aments. 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. But Emer has a dark past all her own and as her former clients are murdered one-by-one, she knows it s followed her all the way to London.

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.

Rezension:

A January/February 2024 Kids Indie Next Pick!

Praise for The Invocations:
"Sutherland (House of Hollow) pits three teens against a monstrous evil in this devilishly bewitching novel steeped in dark academia and set in a fantasy London where only women wield magic. Vivid descriptions, mellifluous prose, expert pacing, and a slow-burning romance keep the tension high and the pages turning while intimately written character arcs probe themes of misogyny, grief, and dynamics of gender and power...the twisty, haunting tale unveils the chilling social inequities that disempower women." Publishers Weekly, starred review

Dark, twisty and beautifully written Readers will find themselves rooting for this ragtag team of wannabe witches [and] speeding through to reach the explosive, satisfying ending. Hand to mature readers who like a little LGBTQIA+ romance with their witchcraft and necromancy. School Library Journal, starred review

"An empowering story about women fighting back against the violence of men and making the choice to forge one s own path in a hostile world, in addition to a grotesque murder mystery sprinkled with demonic deals. Readers hungry for their next dark, witchy, feminist read will have plenty to feast on here." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books¶

"Three young women team up to track down a serial killer who s targeting witches Sutherland expertly weaves together their lives in intricate and fascinating ways. Filled with feminist rage and a sprinkle of queer romance, this lushly written tale methodically builds to a heart-pounding confrontation The evocative body horror, distinct and compelling leads, and twisty plot will keep readers immersed in this grisly story. A thrilling and exquisitely grotesque showcase of young women taking charge." Kirkus Reviews

A gorgeously twisted modern fairy tale that shimmers with magic and mystery, The Invocations is thrilling, irresistible, and unfo rgettable. Karen M. McManus, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying

The Invocations is stunning. Perfectly plotted, gorgeously written, with a heart-pounding finale that will leave readers gasping. An intricate, twisty, brilliant book that pulls you in from the very first line and refuses to let go until the final page. I loved it. Katherine Webber, bestselling author of Twin Crowns

Lyrical, grotesque and pulsing with feminist rage, this is sapphic horror at its very finest. Sutherland is a luminous (albeit slightly terrifying) talent. Laura Steven, author of The Society for Soulless Girls

"Sutherland s Invocations has been one of my favorite reads of the year. This story is exceptionally crafted. Equal parts visceral and haunting, its twists and turns will lure readers in, and its compulsive plot will keep them engrossed until the end." Ayana Gray, New York Times bestselling author of the Beasts of Prey trilogy