Conclave: A Devil's Night Novella

I love every book in this series. Perfect read for Halloween

Conclave is a novella in between Kill Switch and Nightfall. It’s short, so it didn’t take long for me to read it. I did read quite a few reviews of this novella before diving into it. (I usually don’t read other reader’s reviews because they tend to influence me sometimes if I’m going to read a book or not.) This time though, I dived into the book without any issues. I wanted to know what the Devil’s Night members were up to after finding out truths in Damon’s book. Let me say that Penelope Douglas is one author who has helped me get out of a horrible reading funk in 2020. Her stories are dark and twisted, but I always managed to fall hard for the world she creates in her books. My Thoughts: This book is told in Damon and Rika’s POVs. I loved getting to be back with Damon because, after his book, I knew it was not going to be easy for any of the characters. Lives change after secrets are revealed. I know some readers don’t like Rika. Rika has never bothered me. This novella made me feel for her. I’m not going to give away what happened because I don’t particularly appreciate spoiling books for readers. Rika has issues with Michael, which is understandable after finding out what is going on with her. These two have never had it easy, but I know they will get through it. Yes, Rika has been put in a position that many readers would find issues with because she’s so young being a mayor. (It’s a fictional story.). Although, we do have young Mayors, Congressmen, and Congresswomen, etc., in real life. I’m curious about what will happen in the last full-length novel in the series since it’s Will’s book. This book focused on finding out what happened to him since he’s been missing, and everyone knows it. I loved seeing everyone together in one spot and not all over the place. There are some very steamy moments between some characters on the yacht. Be prepared for some drama in this short novella. Steaminess: Very steamy, even for a short novella. Standalone or Part of Series: Part of series and I would recommend reading the series in order. Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you are a fan of Dark Romantic Suspense and enjoy novellas, then I would recommend Conclave for you. If you are used to Penelope Douglas’ twisted and dark storylines, then you’ll enjoy this novella. I can’t wait to dive into Will’s books next. Although, I’m going to be upset knowing I’m coming close to the end of this series. I love this series.

"Nine friends locked on a boat with alcohol, spear guns, and the black ocean at night? This was a fantastic idea." Penelope is one of my fav authors, having written one of the books that sits in my top 3 all time favs while the rest sit comfortably on that list too. She just has a gift for writing the bully sub-genre that makes even the most unredeemable monster capable of becoming your favorite (Damon anyone?). I hate the wait between new books BUT as the saying goes, can't rush perfection.....so I impatiently wait for literally ANYTHING she releases, because I know it will be good. She will FOREVER be a one click for me. The Devil's Night series is (& will always be) one of my fav series & one I can re-read over & over again without getting tired of it. So when this short little treat was released, I couldn't get my hands on it fast enough......I needed just a little crumb of this group to hype me up even more for Will's book. The problem? Its taken me over a month to get to it BUT I refuse to wait a minute longer. What is Rika hiding? What about more babies? How are Damon & Rika? Why is Will gone? These were serious questions I had, I needed to know. “Decent men don’t do this,” I tell her. “But that’s why I wanted this one. She’s a devil, just like me.” Book Facts: POV: Damon & Rika About: A short novella featuring our fav mains from Devil's Night as they lock themselves away on the yacht for their first family conclave. With plans to be made, tough secrets to be shared, & Will in trouble & in a place he may not survive, they must pull together as a family now more than ever. Features some surprise cameos, must be read after the first 3 Devil's Night books. Safe Read? Yes, unless wild sexual situations trigger you. HEA/HFN/Cliffy: While some things are resolved, it is more of a cliffy that will pick up in Nightfall releasing this year! “Sometimes, I thought I wanted to touch you,” Michael whispers, and I feel it on the top of my hair. “Other times, I thought I wanted to kill you. I didn’t know if it was love or hate, but I knew it would change my life.” Final Thoughts: Positives: Catching up with my favs, Rika & Damon's "bond", the deliciously filthy scenes, the family aspect of it, the excitement it creates for Nightfall, the cameos. Negatives: Felt like I missed a few major pieces between KS & this, few typos, not a lot was decided/talked about during conclave. Writing: It's really short & while some key issues/plans are left on the table, what I really loved (& the purpose I believe) is the excitement & suspense it created for Nightfall, creating that feel of urgency to find & save Will. And if you think this is too short for Penelope to toss in some of the classic filthy scenes this group is known for, well you don't know Pen bc she makes sure you get a double dose of alphahole dominance. Hands down favorite part of this book is Damon & Rika's relationship bc I've never seen it like "this". The love, the trust, the protectiveness, the support, the absolute devotion to each other as siblings..... just EVERYTHING. These two were the perfect fit to tell this part of the story. But the most intense part of Conclave is Rika's secret, one I just KNEW I was right about, until it wasn't what I expected....& just when I thought it was safe, my heart was broken when I was right all along. Verdict: Like you even have to ask....this is a necessity for Devil's Night fans, something you need but didn't even know you were missing. It was everything I've come to expect from this group of misfits, but also showed just how much they've grown as individuals & as a chosen family. And while I may be a little bitter bc I don't like any "new" faces potentially joining the fold, I realize its going to take an army to bring Will back safely.....I need Nightfall NOW! “That’s what binds us,” she told me. “Who?” “Our family. Kai, Banks, Michael, Rika, Will, Alex…” she went on. “You and me. We all hear it. L’appel du vide. The call of the void.”

I have lots of unanswered questions still and nothing was revealed except Rika's secret. Easy read but wish the plot was better.

🌊🖤 Conclave 🖤🌊 (Book 3.5 in the Devil’s Night series) by Penelope Douglas 5/5 ⭐️ 3/5 🌶️ 🖤 I am someone that really truly does have to read every book in the series or reading order start to finish. Even if it is a 27,000 word novella. It counts and it def helps keep the story going. 🌊 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓵𝓪𝓿𝓮 - gives us both Damon & Rika’s side of things where they are now - what they are both going through in their lives at this exact moment in time. It has the entire crew on a boat, in the middle of the ocean - confronting everything that is going on. Family, Will, future endeavors - and hashing it all out. 🖤 Damon - he just keeps getting better and better. The things you learn from Kill Switch have carried over into Conclave and his feelings about family dynamics and business truly start to be put together. But it also leave a lot of questions about where his current relationships stand with everyone else. 🌊 Rika - my heart broke for her. The love her and Michael share is unbelievably complex but beautiful and it’s hard to watch them have to have hard discussions that inevitably could change the course of their entire relationship. I may have shed a tear or two. 🖤 No matter the issues within this “family” of friends - the 🌶️ keeps spicing with emotional feelings as well. I love how it all went towards the plot. A great quick read that was worth it! 📚

Adoro tutta la serie e adoro lei!

Adorei veio em ótimo estado

Bom livro

Staat nog op mijn TBR, maar het boek kwam netjes en zonder beschadigingen toe. Mooie cover en voelt kwalitatief aan. Fijne eerste indruk qua druk en afwerking.

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