“Do you know what a papal conclave is?”DAMONWill is gone. He hasn’t been seen in months, and the texts coming from his phone are almost certainly forged. Something’s wrong. We need to act now.Michael is ready to tear down The Cove, Rika’s hiding something, Evans Crist is a threat, and Winter’s father is still out there.Everyone is off in a million directions, and we’re vulnerable.It’s time to do … in a million directions, and we’re vulnerable.It’s time to do this.
It’s time to claim our place.
RIKA
A few years ago, I never thought I’d be here. On board Pithom. Miles out at sea. At a table with Michael Crist, Kai Mori, and Damon Torrance—men I now consider family.
We’ve locked ourselves on this yacht for however long it takes to address our agenda, and we won’t leave until everything is on the table.
Even things I don’t want to talk about. Things Michael doesn’t know.
We will find Will. We will solidify our plans, and we will remove any threats.
If we survive Conclave.
*Conclave is a 27,000 word novella that takes place between Kill Switch (Devil’s Night #3) and Nightfall (Devil’s Night #4). It is suitable for readers 18+. Please read Corrupt, Hideaway, and Kill Switch prior to reading this story.
more
I really loved this little novella! It really set everything up for Nightfall. I had so many mixed emotions while reading it. Heartbreak, elation, and there were definitely a couple sexy parts! I’m even more excited for Nightfall now.
Loved this novella especially Damon and Winter.
I didn’t like Rika much in this one and it’s usually Alex I have abit of a distaste of. I didn’t like what she did at the beginning it wasn’t her right to do that regardless of being Damons sister. Especially it was done without permission.
Love the family and banter vibes at the end, curious about Will!! Hope he’s okay!!
” . ? ‘ .”
Besides being such a short story, a lot goes on here. We get to see more about Winter and Damon as a couple, but also Rika and Michael.
The story takes place two years after the ending in k!ll switch, introducing new conflicts that probably will be explained in nightfall.
I’m so excited for Will’s story and I cannot wait to see more of this world!!
I’d say this was a 2.5 for a novella. I love the way Penelope writes, I love this series but there were small things that angered me a little. Kai’s sneaky support/secret with Rika felt disrespectful towards Banks, I didn’t love it. Also, I can live with Rika being a very important part of the rest of the series but I cannot stand Michael. Unfortunately. Quick smutty read but didn’t feel necessary. Also, Misha and Ryen didn’t need to be in this either. They are not necessarily part of the major plots of this world. The disconnect was a little bit too big in my opinion. This was only worth the read because it included a very important scene in Winter and Damon’s lives
I was so excited to read Will’s book so when Pen posted this novella in her site, it just made my day.
The bad blood between the Horsemen is over but now there’s a problem they have to resolve: Will. There are plans to be made, secrets to be revelead and things to discover.
This novella was so entertaining and I just loved to see the whole gang.
“You can’t make a decision at all when you’re not talking about it.”
“We’re not criminals, and I have to constantly remind myself of that. We don’t break laws for personal gain. We do it for fun.”
The Hero(es):
Michael Crist – From Corrupt, a famous NBA player and Leader of the group.
Kai Mori – From Hideaway, the good guy of the group who can be very bad.
Damon Torrence – From Kill Switch, a bad boy with a killer attitude.
Will Grayson – From the next book, Nightfall the tortured alcoholic who is missing.
Misha – a loner who is Will’s cousin and wants to find him. He suspects his family.
The heroine(s):
Rika – From Corrupt, Michael’s girlfriend, she is a graduate student, mayor and inherited a thriving jewelry empire, she is hiding something from Michael.
Banks – From Hideaway, girlfriend to Kai, she is Damon’s half-sister and the sole heir of their father, they have one child.
Winter – From Kill Switch, girlfriend to Damon, she is blind and a ballet dancer and pregnant with their second child.
Alex – a college student and prostitute who had an ongoing (paid) relationship with Will. She is best friends with Rika and part of the group.
Ryen – Girlfriend to Misha.
Will is missing, secrets are being kept and nobody is talking to each other.Misha thinks that Will has embarrassed the family too much by being sent to prison and his antics since he got out (i.e. blowing through his inheritance on alcohol, drugs and hookers), and the family isn’t taking any more of it. Damon suggests a Conclave to get everything out in the open and formulate a plan to find and retrieve Will.
“They started doing this, because eight-hundred years ago, it took three years to choose a new pope due to political infighting. People don’t solve problems if they’re not forced to face them, you know? Now, the cardinals are led into the Sistine Chapel, there’s a shout of ‘extra omnes’ meaning ‘everyone out’, and the doors are chained shut, locking them in until they solve the problem.”
Will comes from an extremely wealthy family and his Grandfather wants to run for Governor. It was intimated that the family took action and sent him somewhere against his will. The guys think that is a place more dangerous to Will’s well being than prison was.
It sounds to me like some sort of black site for the children of privilege that can’t be brought to heel. But from the rumors about the place it sounds a bit like a Lord of the Flies situation where the the inmates run the asylum and it is every man for himself.
Michael and Rika are also having problems and both of them want things between them to get better so a conclave on the yacht seems like the perfect place to talk, where neither of them can leave if the going gets rough.
Overall this was a nice quick little interlude between the third and fourth books and a great way to set up Will’s book which should be a good one.
I loved this book! And this series. It’s still one of my favorites. My only wish was that the bonus content had been in the front of the book versus the back because then I would have been less confused. I’m assuming it was released before the novella, but I had not read it anywhere so Iverson’s age really threw me for a loop in the beginning from remembering the end of Killswitch. Loved loved loved how Michael’s real side came back out.
Just a lil more
Just some extra scenes. Emotional at some and hot and steamy at others. Really enjoyed the bonus at the end.
5 STARS
This was an reading experience that I loved. When an author writes a novella within a series I am obsessed with, I quickly grab it and expect just a bonus scene. Never have I ever come across a book this size and get EVERYTHING from it that I would a novel.
The only main character without a scene was Will yet he was definitely felt. There was still heat and those scenes will not be forgotten anytime soon! The storyline had me completely engrossed. There was even suspense. I also loved the bonus scene at the end of the book where we get to read about the birth of Winter and Damon’s first child. It was hilarious, moving and so very Damon.
As soon as I post this review, I am diving into Nightfall where we finally get Will’s story and I am so excited!
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.
Conclave is the perfect sweet calm before the storm. But not so calm. It seems frantic and pumped up getting ready for a big save! I loved this book and it had many drama elements for being such a quick read! Again Penelope gave so much detail into each character too!!! She’s a wizard of the storytelling words.
Conclave is a dark romantic suspense novella that occurs 1 year after the events of Kill Switch. It is book 3.5 in the Devil’s Night series and should not be read alone.
This book was entertaining and quick to read. One of my favorite parts was getting to see the gang all together (except for Will). I like when they are all working together or having hilarious banter with one another. Although the story alternates between the perspectives of Damon and Rika, the novella is mostly Rika’s.
Although I understand why Rika is upset about her secret, I have to say her reaction to it was kind of stupid. She had no reason to think it would mean the end of her and Michael’s relationship, yet she agonized over it, shut him out, and held onto the secret for over a year. I kind of wanted to shake her. As per usual, there is a weird ‘group’ scene in Conclave too. I guess it’s their thing…
I’m taking a little break before I head into the massive final book, but I am eager to get to Will and Emory’s story in Nightfall (I’ve been waiting for theirs eagerly since Corrupt) and of course, greedily snatch up any bits of Damon and Winter I can get.
Keeping this review short and sweet just like this book (well, this is a novella that is short, but soooo not sweet. It’s Penelope Douglas and the Horsemen after all).
It’s been a bit since I read the first three books and I had to prepare for the final book, Nightfall.
Just what I needed for the season.
Gawd, I love this world. Sexy AF and dark and ominous. Can’t wait to get into Will’s story, but it was great to revisit the rest of the men and their women and see how Misha and Ryen are going to fit into the finale too. Onto Nightfall!
–We’re not criminals, and I have to constantly remind myself of that. We don’t break laws for personal gain. We do it for fun.–
I love this series and to get some insight in to WTH is going on and happened with Will….OMG!!! I NEED more now!!! This read will definitely have you on edge and begging for more….I can’t wait for Nightfall!!!
I loved this little short in between books. It shows that even the strongest couples had weaknesses. But is also shows that through honesty they can be stronger than ever before.
It is something to think about. You can love someone completely and they may think they know all your dirty secrets, but there is always the hidden one that you think will break the camels back.
Besides all the deep thoughts, in epic Penelope fashion, get ready for some fanning yourself moments.
Huge fan of Penelope Douglas.
This is short but a very important story that I am so happy we got!! Oh my gosh. This was so full of angst and is freaking SEXY. We get some more of Damon and Winter and they had me screaming and squirming in my seat. Plus we get more Rika and Michael which I have been craving so bad. They brought the angst and the love and all the steamy sexy scenes. We finally get some answers that I was wanting from Rika and Michael. We get to see Damon be an over protective dad and I loved it. This book sets up their side of “Nightfall” perfectly and I’m so happy that Penelope decided to write this. I am dying to find out what is happening with Will and what they will do to get him back!! I seriously loved this novella. It was amazing.
Si vous êtes adeptes de Dark Romance, cette saga est faite pour vous. Il y a quelques mois a été publié sur Wattpad ( et donc disponible gratuitement en VO) mais aussi en version papier , Conclave, une novella qui doit être lu entre Dark Obsession et Nighfall ( qui sortira prochainement en VO) . On y retrouve tous les personnages emblématiques de la saga et on passe un bon moment avec cette novella.
On retrouve donc Damon et Winter, qui étaient les héros de Dark Obsession et on voit qu’ils ont bien avancé dans leur vie même si on les retrouve égaux à eux mêmes . Damon reste l’homme flippé qu’il est et il s’emporte toujours autant. Il fera face non seulement à sa femme Winter mais aussi à Erika , la femme de Michael. J’ai bien aimé les revoir et constater qu’ils continuent d’aller de l’avant. Ils seront eux aussi présent au conclave mais ce ne seront pas les personnages les plus importants du débat même si Damon aura la parole dans de nombreux chapitres.
On retrouve évidement Rika, l’héroïne du tout premier tome et elle semble être à un moment très stratégique de son histoire. N’oublions pas qu’elle est devenue le maire de la ville et qu’en plus de ses nombreuses responsabilités, elle est celle aussi qui va rassembler tous nos héros car la disparition de Will de vient de plus en plus inquiétante et soulève aussi de très nombreuses questions. Elle est devenue une femme de pouvoir et Michael est toujours présent même s’il n’intervient que vers la fin de la novella. Il est très pris par son rôle de joueur professionnel et les moments passés ensemble deviennent de plus en plus rares. De plus, il semblerait qu’elle doit lui révéler une information capable de bouleverser leur vie.
Kai et Banks sont aussi présents et j’ai aimé une fois de plus le côté apaisant de Kai. Il sait parfaitement apaiser les conflits et permettre le dialogue. Il est au courant de l’information cruciale que Rika va lâcher et il sait qu’elle a besoin de son soutien. Il semble être dans l’ombre mais sachez bien qu’il sera toujours là pour ses amis . Nous découvrons aussi dans cette novella Alexandra Palmer et je dois vous avouer que je ne me souvenais pas de cette jeune femme. Elle aussi a des démons contre laquelle elle se bat et c’est sans doute celle qui est la plus touchée par la disparition de Will qui était un pilier dans sa vie. J’ai aimé apprendre à la connaître et elle nous livrera vers la fin une scène d’une sensualité parfaite et qui fait écho à des scènes particulières de chaque tome. Un joli clin d’oeil qui m’a donné envie d’en savoir plus sur elle et Will dans le prochain tome.
Bref, cette novella est le parfait trait d’union entre Dark Obsession et Nighfall qui sortira prochainement en VO ( Nous n’avons pas encore de date officielle) . J’ai aimé retrouver la plume de Penelope Douglas qui sait parfaitement amener des scènes où la tension est importante mais où la sensualité l’est aussi .
Conclave is a great little novella that has us checking in on our favorite Devil’s Night Crew, specifically coming from Damon and Rika’s points of view. Everyone we know and love is back, plus we get the addition of bringing Ryen and Misha into the fold as we continue down the path towards Will and Nightfall.
The conclave idea was necessary, especially on behalf of Rika and Michael. Too much was not being said between them and everything needed to be put in the table. We see how everyone is coping with Will’s absence, and predictably, it isn’t good. The army has gathered and they’re ready to head to war to bring their missing family member home.
As if we weren’t excited enough for Nightfall, Conclave just amps it up and has me begging for it now! I can’t wait to read Will’s story!
I needed this…
*happy sigh*