The Invocations

The Invocations is one of my absolute favorites from the year I read it, with three girls united by curses and magic in a gross, sticky London setting that screams summer to me despite the season. Their dynamic—cursed girl, curse-breaker, and curse-maker—team up to solve murders of vulnerable women, blending fun banter, romance, and borderline body horror like a fermenting dead leg leaking pus. I loved how the magic feels dirty and visceral, not clean and beautiful, with rare equal enjoyment across all three POVs. The relationships and plot twists kept me invested, making it a standout for its gross-out elements and emotional depth. If rotting flesh and empowered witches appeal to you, this is a must-read—Krystal Sutherland nails the eerie vibe.