Break the Conclave

by V.V. Ives

Paranoia upends the daily lives of eight witches as their coven spirals into chaos and hysteria following the death of their matriarch, Mother, a powerful and enigmatic witch.

A conclave is called in the wake of Mother’s death. A new matriarch must be chosen, but divisiveness wards off unity in deciding who will rise to power. Factions form where lifelong bonds and friendships once stood, casting suspicion and doubt upon the eight witches as they all weave their own schemes to determine the future of their coven.

Rowan, a young witch with a talent for reading people’s auras, wants nothing to do with the political games until her gift reveals truths about her sisters that she cannot ignore.

Ensnared within the confines of the conclave, mysterious events begin to unfold, and Rowan is no longer sure whether the tragedies befalling her coven are the machinations of political warfare or something more sinister waiting to be uncovered.
Only one new leader will rise, but will Rowan and her sisters survive long enough to see such ambitions come to fruition?

136 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2026

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

This well-written short book was a pleasure to read. Rowan stood out as the only likable character throughout the story. The book maintains a creepy tone throughout. The inclusion of rats was a notable aspect, as it is a personal weakness of mine. The book's pace is somewhat slow in places. Overall, I liked it.

Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review

[Aura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc reader review.

I have read many books with witches. I have loved many and this one is being added to the list. It was different from what I am used to read, the feeling of uneasiness and paranoia slowly creeping along my spine left me with a smile on my face.

I had fun reading the book, it was nicely written. I can't wait to read more from the author.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully slow-burn mystery with a touch of light horror and a subtle coming‑of‑age thread woven through it. The story starts quietly, gradually building tension until the halfway point, where the twists begin to land and the pace really picks up. It ends on a cliffhanger that left me wanting more.

The writing is strong and very character‑driven, with the plot close behind. As the title promises, this is truly a story about a covens conclave — and it delivers on that premise without leaning on the usual witch or coven tropes, which helps it stand out in the genre.

It’s an easy, engaging read overall. Each character feels distinct, with clear voices, mannerisms, and visual presence; I could picture all of them vividly. I appreciated how different this take on a coven felt, and how well the atmosphere was handled.

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
- 1 star for delivering exactly what the title and blurb promise
- 1 star for being easy to follow and well‑paced
- 1 star for the unique, well‑developed characters
- 1 star for offering a fresh approach to coven storytelling

I normally read much heavier horror, so this was a refreshing palate cleanser between my usual darker reads. I really enjoyed it and found the story genuinely interesting.

Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC. My review is voluntary and entirely my own — I only request ARCs I’d genuinely buy, read, or recommend, because life’s too short to read anything that isn’t good.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so torn on this rating because the concept of Break the Conclave is absolutely stellar! V.V. Ives has a truly unique imagination, crafting a premise that feels fresh and genuinely unlike anything else I’ve read lately. The potential here is massive, and the writing itself is smooth and engaging.

There were several "wow" moments where the creativity really sparked, and I found myself flying through the pages early on because I was so intrigued by the world Ives was building.

That being said, I’m landing on a 3/5 stars because I felt like the story needed a bit more "meat on the bones." There were several points where the plot felt slightly underdeveloped, leaving me with questions where I wanted answers and gaps where I wanted more lore. I occasionally felt like I was missing pieces of the puzzle that would have helped me fully sink into the stakes of the narrative.

The same goes for the cast; while there are some really great characters here, a few of them didn't feel fully fleshed out, making it hard to totally invest in their personal journeys. I wanted to love them more than I felt the page allowed!

Overall, this is a solid recommendation for readers who want a unique take on the coven trope. There is so much talent here, and I’m really excited to see how this author continues to refine their craft in future books!

Please note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Leeann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to #Bookaprout for sending me a copy of this book.

This is a dark gothic book which has my favourite tropes, witchcraft, covens, ghosts but unfortunately it didn't hit the spot for me.

This book follows Rowan and her coven through a time of unease when their coven mother has passed away later to be suspected as murder leading to alot of the book being about politics and votes over who the next coven mother will be.

The book started out interesting enough but I did get bored halfway through there just wasn't enough happening for me.

Unfortunately I just wasn't the right audience for this one but it's not a long book and I am giving 2 stars because it did hold my interest for while with some good ideas just not executed in the most interesting way in my opinion.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Spooky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book a lot. The world-building is immersive without being overwhelming, and the characters felt distinct and well-developed, especially as paranoia and power struggles began to unravel the coven.

The storytelling kept me hooked the entire time, and I loved how tension slowly built as secrets and suspicions surfaced. Even though it isn’t a super long book, it’s absolutely worth the read and never felt rushed.

DISCLAIMER: Received an ARC from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.

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[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read that will pull you in with its creepy vibes and leave you with a haunting sense of paranoia.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.