Dark Was the Night: A Novella

by Tania Lorena Rivera

Lucie Arnold is a mother with a secret fear of the dark. One Halloween night, three intruders penetrate her home and terrorize her and her four-year-old daughter. Plunged in darkness, she must find the courage to overcome her fears to save her daughter. But the traumatizing event triggers lost memories that come to haunt her amid all this horror, explaining the origin of her nyctophobia.

235 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2021

About the author

Armed with a degree in animal biology, Tania set out to work in research. However, she chose to be a homemaker once she became a mom. The journey into motherhood allowed her to visit another passion of hers, writing. She spends her days taking care of her family, who is the inspiration for most of her writing and photography.

Reviews

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Was the Night by Tania Lorena Rivera was the exact spooky season read I needed! In this unique thriller, we follow Lucy Arnold as she battles her constant fear of the dark and the shadows that reside there. We soon learn that these fears may stem from a long-forgotten traumatic event from her childhood that she has yet to process. But on one terrible Hallow's Eve, Lucy is thrown into another traumatic situation that makes her memories come flooding back. Will she survive the night and escape her past - you will have to find out for yourself in Dark Was the Night!

Author Tania Rivera sure knows how to write a fast-paced read that captures your attention from start to finish! Let me jump right into this review by mentioning how fantastic the plot and premise of the story are. I enjoyed the interconnecting story of Lucy's childhood trauma to a present-day event. It shows the complexities of PTSD and how it can follow you and haunt you in more ways than one. What happens in this book is never Lucy's fault, but it does propose how an event can affect us in the future if we don't address it.

The plot twist was wholly unique and unexpected! The culprit of the later events in the story has a genuine charm, unlike many other antagonists. I praise Rivera for her creativity in that regard. Although I loved the plot and premise of this story, I would have enjoyed more details around the characters to give them more depth. That was especially the case when it came to their physical appearance. But I am glad to say this is my only complaint, and it does not affect my feelings towards the story as a whole.

Dark Was the Night by Tania Lorena Rivera is a must-read for the autumn season. I give this book a dazzling four out of five stars! Now hurry and add it to your TBR for the month. This is a short but suspenseful horror novel with an eerie atmosphere and an engrossing story.

[MELISSA CORTEZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will have you gripping the edge of your seat. It is a constant thriller that leaves you never knowing what will be happening next. If you have a love for mystery horror books like I do, then this book is for you!!

[BookTrib.com]

You too may find yourself more cautious of trick-or-treaters next Halloween after reading this book. All in all, by the end of DARK WAS THE NIGHT, readers will be left both satisfied and wanting more of the thrills and chills that Rivera serves up so well.

Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2022/01/28/this-...

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this novel in just a few hours. It was the most heartbreaking beautiful story I have read in awhile. Tania Lorena Rivera out did herself in this thrilling heart stopping novel, she shows the real darkness that is out there in this world and the scares that come with it. If you are looking for a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat you found the perfect fit.

[Téa · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick paced and thrilling! i thought i had it figured out and thought it was predictable but in the end i was wrong. i would love to see a second book in the pov of little natalie years down the line.