Evocation

Evocation is a flashy form of magic that has fires, explosions, etc. First mentioned in Storm Front.

Description
Evocation is the most direct, spectacular, and noisy form of magic, or sorcery. It can only happen in direct line of sight. The evocator would have to be in the same room as their victims.

This type of magic is what is mainly used in direct combat situations. The ability to use it without ritual allows more focus on combat than anything else. It usually works best with a focus depending on the skills of the wizard. While it takes a while to learn a new evocation, it has the advantage of being able to be used on the fly.

Harry Dresden calls it "Quick and dirty" magic. It draws directly from the wizard's will and is turned loose without benefit of a guide or limit. It is dangerous and difficult. It is useful for throwing around a lot of energy.

Dresden does not consider himself good at evocation because he does not have a lot of finesse. There are few who can control it properly and reliably. Donald Morgan was one of deadliest evocators in the world.

Storm Front
In Storm Front, Harry Dresden tells Karrin Murphy and Ron Carmichael the two possible ways that the murder victims, Jennifer Stanton and Tommy Tomm, whose hearts had exploded out of them, could have been killed by magic: Evocation or Thaumaturgy.

Summer Knight
In Summer Knight, Harry Dresden uses it to fight the Chlorofiend at Wal-Mart without the benefit of his blasting rod or staff.

Proven Guilty
In Proven Guilty, Harry Dresden invents a new evocation on the fly when trying unsuccessfully to escape the Scarecrow fetch in a high speed chase. Dresden tossed water bottles tossed from the Van, heated them until they exploded their water out, then used an intense flame to draw the heat out of the area, freezing the puddle. The Scarecrow fell on the ice giving Dresden and Thomas the chance to escape.

Ghost Story
In Ghost Story, Harry Dresden's ghost attempts evocation spell of fire powering it with his memory of when he shot a Loup-garou through the wall of Murphy's police station. It passed right through the Fomor servitors sent by the Leanansidhe to test Molly Carpenter's combat skills that she's been teaching her.