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In the Silence of Darkness
Some bloodlines can't be outrun.
Niki Balam traded her Mayan father’s ancient stories for law books and logic—until terrifying nightmares about her twin sister force her into the depths of the Guatemalan jungle.
At the remote archaeological site of Choja q'eq, her sister Nayla has disappeared, leaving behind only questions and the unsettling presence of Zen Cazares. Golden-eyed and dangerous, Zen is everything Niki's ordered world has taught her to avoid—wild, untamed, and carrying secrets that could unravel everything she believes about reality.
But when supernatural forces begin hunting them through the jungle and a malevolent shaman rises to claim an ancient power, Niki realizes Zen might be the only one who can help her navigate a world where ancient Mayan gods still demand blood and sacrifice.
The Mayan god of death Hun-Came is stirring, and his hunger—for power, for blood—will not be denied.
Join author Lisa Dietrich as she weaves a tale of danger, hungry gods, and death magic, that draw the reader through the jungles of Guatemala and into the underworld. Fans of Sarah Maas’-“Court of Throne and Roses” series and Jennifer L. Armentrout’s - "From Blood and Ash" series will love Ms. Dietrich’s new supernatural series.
Niki Balam traded her Mayan father’s ancient stories for law books and logic—until terrifying nightmares about her twin sister force her into the depths of the Guatemalan jungle.
At the remote archaeological site of Choja q'eq, her sister Nayla has disappeared, leaving behind only questions and the unsettling presence of Zen Cazares. Golden-eyed and dangerous, Zen is everything Niki's ordered world has taught her to avoid—wild, untamed, and carrying secrets that could unravel everything she believes about reality.
But when supernatural forces begin hunting them through the jungle and a malevolent shaman rises to claim an ancient power, Niki realizes Zen might be the only one who can help her navigate a world where ancient Mayan gods still demand blood and sacrifice.
The Mayan god of death Hun-Came is stirring, and his hunger—for power, for blood—will not be denied.
Join author Lisa Dietrich as she weaves a tale of danger, hungry gods, and death magic, that draw the reader through the jungles of Guatemala and into the underworld. Fans of Sarah Maas’-“Court of Throne and Roses” series and Jennifer L. Armentrout’s - "From Blood and Ash" series will love Ms. Dietrich’s new supernatural series.
- GenresFantasy
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2025
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 12, 2025
3.5 - 4 stars
In the Silence of Darkness is a romantasy novel and the debut work of Lisa Dietrich. It is rich in Mayan mythology, the supernatural, magic, gods, history, culture, lies and secrets, as well as mystery and danger. I have always been fascinated by the Mayans, and Lisa’s writing has only deepened that interest.
The hopes, fears, tension, and suspense are palpable as Nikki searches for her twin sister, Nayla, who has gone missing in the Guatemalan jungle. The remote jungle setting is already heart-pounding, but it becomes even more intense with the presence of supernatural and sinister forces. Add in a dark, dangerous, and attractive man, along with some action and steamy scenes, and you have an intriguing read.
I look forward to the next book and hope to find some answers!
In the Silence of Darkness is a romantasy novel and the debut work of Lisa Dietrich. It is rich in Mayan mythology, the supernatural, magic, gods, history, culture, lies and secrets, as well as mystery and danger. I have always been fascinated by the Mayans, and Lisa’s writing has only deepened that interest.
The hopes, fears, tension, and suspense are palpable as Nikki searches for her twin sister, Nayla, who has gone missing in the Guatemalan jungle. The remote jungle setting is already heart-pounding, but it becomes even more intense with the presence of supernatural and sinister forces. Add in a dark, dangerous, and attractive man, along with some action and steamy scenes, and you have an intriguing read.
I look forward to the next book and hope to find some answers!
September 1, 2025
I was lucky enough to read an Advanced Reader copy. This page-turner romantasy weaves together romance, Mayan mythology, and sisterly devotion to provide a gripping, supernatural tale that keeps you up at night reading.
The descriptions of the jungle and the Mayan gods are fascinating and left me wanting to research more about the culture. If you like stories with complex, strong, and intelligent female heroes, and sexy, kind, intelligent male love interests, this book is for you.
The descriptions of the jungle and the Mayan gods are fascinating and left me wanting to research more about the culture. If you like stories with complex, strong, and intelligent female heroes, and sexy, kind, intelligent male love interests, this book is for you.
November 26, 2025
3.5 Stars
Niki has been having horrible nightmares all centred around her sister. Determined to put her mind to rest, she sets off to go and see her sister, currently a part of an archaeological dig in the middle of the Guatemalan Jungle. Only problem is, Nayla isn’t there when Niki turns up. The rest of the team seems to believe that Nayla went in search of answers after the discovery of a mysterious artefact. But Niki has a bad feeling about her sister's absence, and the presence of the golden-eyed Zen Cazares is doing little to settle her nerves.
When more mysterious things seem to be happening both to Niki and around the site of Choja q’eq, Niki starts to realise that maybe the Mayan stories from her childhood that her father used to tell her, the stories she pushed aside, might be the only thing that can help her fight what waits in the shadows.
This was an interesting premise, and I will say the way Dietrich wove in elements of Mayan mythology was really cool, offering something unique to the fantasy drama. I will say, however, that there were moments that I felt some scenes ended too abruptly, after some quite big revelations. The characters, however, were pretty interesting, apart from Jake. Jake was literally the worst. Niki was an especially interesting character, and I thought it was cool following her journey and how she learned to fully embrace who she was. I think it might have been nice to know a bit more about her relationship with her sister before the events of the book, especially early on. This could have made the fact that Nayla wasn't there when she arrived so much more pressing and worrying, especially for the reader. The romantic elements of the book were okay, but some elements were not for me, and I found some elements of the romantic relationship difficult to understand, given everything that the characters were going through. That being said, I will be reading the follow-up to this, because what a cliff hanger!
Dietrich has written an interesting fantasy with a unique and intriguing premise that really draws the reader in. I would recommend this to anyone who loves their fantasy with lots of historical mythology mixed in, a mysterious male lead, a spicy romance, and a strong female lead who is desperately trying to find out who she truly is and the power she possesses.
Niki has been having horrible nightmares all centred around her sister. Determined to put her mind to rest, she sets off to go and see her sister, currently a part of an archaeological dig in the middle of the Guatemalan Jungle. Only problem is, Nayla isn’t there when Niki turns up. The rest of the team seems to believe that Nayla went in search of answers after the discovery of a mysterious artefact. But Niki has a bad feeling about her sister's absence, and the presence of the golden-eyed Zen Cazares is doing little to settle her nerves.
When more mysterious things seem to be happening both to Niki and around the site of Choja q’eq, Niki starts to realise that maybe the Mayan stories from her childhood that her father used to tell her, the stories she pushed aside, might be the only thing that can help her fight what waits in the shadows.
This was an interesting premise, and I will say the way Dietrich wove in elements of Mayan mythology was really cool, offering something unique to the fantasy drama. I will say, however, that there were moments that I felt some scenes ended too abruptly, after some quite big revelations. The characters, however, were pretty interesting, apart from Jake. Jake was literally the worst. Niki was an especially interesting character, and I thought it was cool following her journey and how she learned to fully embrace who she was. I think it might have been nice to know a bit more about her relationship with her sister before the events of the book, especially early on. This could have made the fact that Nayla wasn't there when she arrived so much more pressing and worrying, especially for the reader. The romantic elements of the book were okay, but some elements were not for me, and I found some elements of the romantic relationship difficult to understand, given everything that the characters were going through. That being said, I will be reading the follow-up to this, because what a cliff hanger!
Dietrich has written an interesting fantasy with a unique and intriguing premise that really draws the reader in. I would recommend this to anyone who loves their fantasy with lots of historical mythology mixed in, a mysterious male lead, a spicy romance, and a strong female lead who is desperately trying to find out who she truly is and the power she possesses.
November 21, 2025
Niki couldn’t believe she was making the journey to Guatemala to see her twin sister at an archaeological dig. However, she had been having strange dreams that showed Nayla dying and her father appearing as Hun-Came, the Mayan god of death. Upon landing at the excavation site, Niki discovers that Nayla had been missing for several days. Despite the warnings from Alma and Jake, Niki feels compelled to ask Zen if he knew anything about Nayla’s whereabouts. Yet another issue occurs, as Nayla was missing and a skull presumed to belong to Han-Came was also gone. Jake told Niki that Nayla had been obsessed with the artifact and might have gone to see Li Xul, a local shaman. That night she has yet another dream and she witnessed a black jaguar save her from a Vision Serpent that tried to eat her. She wakes and goes to the latrines. Upon exiting, Zen told her she had pulled him into her dreams and called her a dreamwalker.
The head researcher, Dr. Kelling was bitten by a Fer-de-Lance. With his emergency air-lift, the remaining members of the camp began dismantling the camp. Niki refused to leave without finding her sister. Jake and Zen accompanied her, leading her toward a local village. Niki hoped her sister may have been visiting the villagers to learn more about the artifact. Would she find her? Why was she dreaming of a black jaguar with red eyes and another black jaguar that rescued her? What did Zen mean when he said she was a dreamwalker?
This novel is a supernatural fantasy located in the rainforests of Guatemala. Niki was fiercely loyal to her sister and the strength of being her twin resonates throughout the story. Many of the people didn’t want to help look for Nayla, as they thought she had stolen the only artifact they had found valuable. There was a major bias against Zen’s appearance at the dig, many accusing him of being favored for his Ivy League education. The suspense builds from the start of the story with the strange dreams followed by looking into the thoughts of Li Xul. Li Xul had caused problems with turning the locals against the dig. However, Li Xul had more than religious reasons against the dig.
I found the description of the surroundings quite vivid. I could feel the oppressive humidity and sweltering heat. Niki’s dreams were exceptionally detailed and Zen’s assessment of the dreams was somewhat disturbing. He was able to describe every part of Niki’s dream before she even mentioned them. The connection on a supernatural level became more clear as they faced the force Li Xul and Hun Came. The ending came as a shock and the possibilities of how Niki and Zen could continue the fight for the rights of the indigenous people who still believe in the Mayan history and gods. It was easy to see how much Lisa Dietrich emphasized the bond between sisters that easily transcends beyond just physical boundaries. I am rating this novel four stars and would be eager to read a sequel to In the Silence of Darkness.
The head researcher, Dr. Kelling was bitten by a Fer-de-Lance. With his emergency air-lift, the remaining members of the camp began dismantling the camp. Niki refused to leave without finding her sister. Jake and Zen accompanied her, leading her toward a local village. Niki hoped her sister may have been visiting the villagers to learn more about the artifact. Would she find her? Why was she dreaming of a black jaguar with red eyes and another black jaguar that rescued her? What did Zen mean when he said she was a dreamwalker?
This novel is a supernatural fantasy located in the rainforests of Guatemala. Niki was fiercely loyal to her sister and the strength of being her twin resonates throughout the story. Many of the people didn’t want to help look for Nayla, as they thought she had stolen the only artifact they had found valuable. There was a major bias against Zen’s appearance at the dig, many accusing him of being favored for his Ivy League education. The suspense builds from the start of the story with the strange dreams followed by looking into the thoughts of Li Xul. Li Xul had caused problems with turning the locals against the dig. However, Li Xul had more than religious reasons against the dig.
I found the description of the surroundings quite vivid. I could feel the oppressive humidity and sweltering heat. Niki’s dreams were exceptionally detailed and Zen’s assessment of the dreams was somewhat disturbing. He was able to describe every part of Niki’s dream before she even mentioned them. The connection on a supernatural level became more clear as they faced the force Li Xul and Hun Came. The ending came as a shock and the possibilities of how Niki and Zen could continue the fight for the rights of the indigenous people who still believe in the Mayan history and gods. It was easy to see how much Lisa Dietrich emphasized the bond between sisters that easily transcends beyond just physical boundaries. I am rating this novel four stars and would be eager to read a sequel to In the Silence of Darkness.
November 10, 2025
In the Silence of Darkness by Lisa Dietrich
5 out of 5 stars
This is the first book by the author that I've read. Let’s just say that this book will drag you in and not want to let out. I was very impressed with the writing and the story the author weaved. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves the supernatural world.
Niki goes in search for her sister only to find that she is missing and no one seems to know where she went. She decides that she won’t be leaving until she knows what happened to her twin. Nayla wouldn’t have just left something she worked so hard for. People keep saying that she will be back, but it doesn’t happen. Niki then says f it and stays. Only to find that her father’s stories are true. She faces death and tells him: “Then I will stop you. Not by trying to destroy death—that would be impossible. But by showing people how to embrace both sides of the cycle, how to live in balance with both worlds. Every soul Li Xul corrupts; I will work to heal. Every sacred place he defiles, I will work to restore.”
Zen is undercover, but he is also a shapeshifter. Jaguar to be exact. He got close to Nayla, but never slept with her like everyone in the camp seems. She found out who he was and what he was really doing there. She then told him that something more was there than what he came after. Meeting Niki he knows what she is and how this all goes together. After everything has happened he tells Niki: “I’m sure I can figure it out. Why don’t you jump in the river? I’ll have this thing roasting by the time you finish up.”
5 out of 5 stars
This is the first book by the author that I've read. Let’s just say that this book will drag you in and not want to let out. I was very impressed with the writing and the story the author weaved. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves the supernatural world.
Niki goes in search for her sister only to find that she is missing and no one seems to know where she went. She decides that she won’t be leaving until she knows what happened to her twin. Nayla wouldn’t have just left something she worked so hard for. People keep saying that she will be back, but it doesn’t happen. Niki then says f it and stays. Only to find that her father’s stories are true. She faces death and tells him: “Then I will stop you. Not by trying to destroy death—that would be impossible. But by showing people how to embrace both sides of the cycle, how to live in balance with both worlds. Every soul Li Xul corrupts; I will work to heal. Every sacred place he defiles, I will work to restore.”
Zen is undercover, but he is also a shapeshifter. Jaguar to be exact. He got close to Nayla, but never slept with her like everyone in the camp seems. She found out who he was and what he was really doing there. She then told him that something more was there than what he came after. Meeting Niki he knows what she is and how this all goes together. After everything has happened he tells Niki: “I’m sure I can figure it out. Why don’t you jump in the river? I’ll have this thing roasting by the time you finish up.”
November 4, 2025
This book was hard to get into but once I was in, the formula and amount of research that went into the writing was spectacular. It was a fairly dry read for most of the book, with a few scenes of action thrown in - not to mention the few spicy tension building and spicy scenes that occur.
Our main character Nikki has left her comfy 21st century living in California to schlep to the Guatemalan jungle to inquire after her sister Nayla who, as Nikki finds out as soon as she arrives, has gone missing from her archeological dig sight without anyone having an idea of what's happened to her.
As events unfold, what was previously believed to be superstitious turns out to be a fact of life and a spiritual war is about to explode with Nikki in the middle.
Despite being very well written, there were quite a few parts of the storyline that seemed to conclude in a way that I didn't know it was concluded. This maybe due to the fact that there is a sequel and they may be setting up storylines to continue in the sequel.However, it did leave me quite a number of questions that I wasn't quite sure how to interpret throughout the reminder of the story.
Our main character Nikki has left her comfy 21st century living in California to schlep to the Guatemalan jungle to inquire after her sister Nayla who, as Nikki finds out as soon as she arrives, has gone missing from her archeological dig sight without anyone having an idea of what's happened to her.
As events unfold, what was previously believed to be superstitious turns out to be a fact of life and a spiritual war is about to explode with Nikki in the middle.
Despite being very well written, there were quite a few parts of the storyline that seemed to conclude in a way that I didn't know it was concluded. This maybe due to the fact that there is a sequel and they may be setting up storylines to continue in the sequel.However, it did leave me quite a number of questions that I wasn't quite sure how to interpret throughout the reminder of the story.
November 20, 2025
In the Silence of Darkness by Lisa Dietrich is a supernatural thriller that will keep you guessing until the end…then leave you scratching your head. Nikita “Niki” Balam arrives in Guatemala at the archaeological site of Choja q'eq where her sister has been part of the archaeological team there. Niki sensed that something was wrong with her twin sister Nayla, and when she arrived at the dig site, she was told that her sister had gone missing. Niki settles into the site and waits for her sister to return, but her twin senses tell her that something is very wrong. As Niki searches for her sister, she struggles to remember the stories her father told her about Mayan Gods and the “old ways” of the Mayans, which she desperately needs to save her own life and find her sister. She also finds herself inexplicably drawn to one of the team members, Zen Cazares. This story is fast-paced and grabs you from page one. I seriously couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mythology, archaeology, mysteries, danger, adventure, family bonds, and folklore. I cannot wait to read the sequel to find out what happens next.
November 29, 2025
This story follows Niki as she heads into the Guatemalan jungle to look for her twin sister, Nayla, who has mysteriously disappeared from her archaeological dig. Everyone keeps insisting Nayla will turn up, but Niki knows something is wrong and refuses to leave without answers.
As she digs deeper, Niki discovers that the stories her father told her growing up were not just stories. There is a real supernatural fight unfolding and she ends up right in the middle of it.
Zen, a jaguar shapeshifter, was close to Nayla before she vanished. When he meets Niki, he starts to understand how everything connects. How he plays a role in their lives. Their dynamic adds tension, humor, and a little spark.
The book can feel a bit dry at times and some important moments are wrapped up so quickly while other parts seem to drag on. I also found certain parts repetitive enough that it pulled me out of the story here and there. Even so, the world building and the amount of research behind the Mayan mythology really shine through once the plot picks up. I went into this knowing very little about Mayan Mythology and it piqued my interest for sure.
As she digs deeper, Niki discovers that the stories her father told her growing up were not just stories. There is a real supernatural fight unfolding and she ends up right in the middle of it.
Zen, a jaguar shapeshifter, was close to Nayla before she vanished. When he meets Niki, he starts to understand how everything connects. How he plays a role in their lives. Their dynamic adds tension, humor, and a little spark.
The book can feel a bit dry at times and some important moments are wrapped up so quickly while other parts seem to drag on. I also found certain parts repetitive enough that it pulled me out of the story here and there. Even so, the world building and the amount of research behind the Mayan mythology really shine through once the plot picks up. I went into this knowing very little about Mayan Mythology and it piqued my interest for sure.
November 14, 2025
Mayan legends and mythology has always been something that has fascinated, even though it is not something I know much about, so when I saw the premise of this book was based around that, I knew I had to read it. The author pulls you straight into the story from page one. I instantly connect with Niki and found her to be such an interesting character. Although she had chosen to step away from everything her father had told her, she was thrust back into an exciting world.
As a new author to me I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading this book. What I got was a well written and creative story that was truly thrilling to read. I loved how well the author clearly new about the Mayan aspects of the book, which made it feel more real and easy to imagine. I was completely blown away by how good this story was and I enjoyed every single page of it. I would highly recommend this book and I am excited to have discovered a new author.
As a new author to me I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading this book. What I got was a well written and creative story that was truly thrilling to read. I loved how well the author clearly new about the Mayan aspects of the book, which made it feel more real and easy to imagine. I was completely blown away by how good this story was and I enjoyed every single page of it. I would highly recommend this book and I am excited to have discovered a new author.
November 25, 2025
In the Silence of Darkness is an atmospheric fantasy romance that begins in the Guatemalan jungle, where we meet Niki Balam, a rational and logic-driven law student who constantly tries to distance herself from her family history. This works until she begins having nightmares about her twin sister being dragged back into the darkness, a world that her father would warn her about. When Nayla vanishes for real, Niki will have to follow her trail straight into ancient ruins, blood magic, and gods who still expect sacrifices.
The clashing of Niki’s orderly life and the unreal reality that she is forced to confront. The worldbuilding in this book is what makes it shine. Weaving mythology, death gods, and underworld lore while interweaving it into the modern world makes it easy to fall into. If you enjoy ACOTAR or From Blood and Ash, then this is a book you should definitely pick up. I can’t wait to see where this series goes in the future!
The clashing of Niki’s orderly life and the unreal reality that she is forced to confront. The worldbuilding in this book is what makes it shine. Weaving mythology, death gods, and underworld lore while interweaving it into the modern world makes it easy to fall into. If you enjoy ACOTAR or From Blood and Ash, then this is a book you should definitely pick up. I can’t wait to see where this series goes in the future!
November 28, 2025
This is the debut novel by this author and wow what a start. It is a fantasy adventure filled with danger, mystery, supernatural beings, family bonds, dangerous enemies, magic, romance and mythology which I love. The authors attention to detail really brought the story to life for me.
In this story we are with Nikki. After her sister goes missing she goes to the remote Guatemalan jungle searching for her. Working alongside a man called Zen, the pair have to work together to unravel the secrets of the Mayan gods before they pay the ultimate sacrifice. But their journey won't be easy, not only do they have to unravel ancient secrets but they also have to run from supernatural forces who will not be happy until they have taken Nikki and Zen.
This was an action packed read and with the addition of the mythology it was one I really enjoyed. I look forward to the next book by this author
In this story we are with Nikki. After her sister goes missing she goes to the remote Guatemalan jungle searching for her. Working alongside a man called Zen, the pair have to work together to unravel the secrets of the Mayan gods before they pay the ultimate sacrifice. But their journey won't be easy, not only do they have to unravel ancient secrets but they also have to run from supernatural forces who will not be happy until they have taken Nikki and Zen.
This was an action packed read and with the addition of the mythology it was one I really enjoyed. I look forward to the next book by this author
November 29, 2025
Niki Balam and her twin sister Nyla couldn't be more different. Nyla seems to have somewhat taken her Mayan fathers ancient stories to heart while Niki decided to become a lawyer instead. Nyla has gone missing from an archeological site in Guatemala and Niki has been having nightmares about it. Niki heads into the jungle with Zen Cazares, a teammate of Nylas, in search of her sister. While searching for Nyla she finds herself wishing she had listened a lot closer to her fathers stories. Especially when it seems they are being hunted by the supernatural. She quickly realizes she is out of her element and the only one that may be able to save them is Zen. Will they find Nyla before it's too late? While this book was good and I did enjoy the plot I hit a spot or two that I felt dragged on a bit. Even so this was an enjoyable medium paced read for me. I look forward to reading book two in the series when it comes out next year.
November 17, 2025
I am always excited to get to read new fantasy adventure novels and this debut novel by the author did not disappoint. The story is a fast-paced adventure that draws you and keeps you engrossed until the last page. It has Mayan mythology, romance, history, secrets, mystery, action, adventure, challenges, danger, sisterly bonds/family bonds, supernatural forces, sinister foe, magic, and more. Niki is searching for her missing twin Nayla deep in the jungle where she meets Zen, who is everything Niki, isn’t, he is chaotic and dangerous, all of the things she has avoided her whole life, but as she digs deeper in the mystery of her sister, it appears Zen is the man who is going to be able to keep her safe and help her find her sister. This is a great kick off to a solid series and I can’t wait to read book 2!
November 23, 2025
Oooo. I see you Lisa Dietrich, and your talent. I’ll admit I am very much a cover girl, when that cover pulls me in, I will give anything a try and this one was a treat and a treasure wrapped up in one. I love my ancient civilizations, and mythology, and the author’s knowledge made this one all the better. Mystery, intrigue, adventure, suspense, danger, archeology, mythology, family bonds, folklore and more await you in this one and I cannot wait to see what this author will write next.
This was the perfect Saturday read and once I started I couldn’t stop and finished it in one sitting. The characters keep you routing for them and the story keeps you engaged from start to finish and just when you think you figured it out or know what’s going to happen next you get a surprise. Please oh please let there be a book two soon.
This was the perfect Saturday read and once I started I couldn’t stop and finished it in one sitting. The characters keep you routing for them and the story keeps you engaged from start to finish and just when you think you figured it out or know what’s going to happen next you get a surprise. Please oh please let there be a book two soon.
November 24, 2025
Niki Balam arrives at a remote archaeological dig deep in the Guatemalan jungle, searching for her missing twin sister Nayla. There she meets Zen Cazares, a mysterious man who says he can help her navigate the supernatural presence that seems to be at the heart of Nayla’s disappearance. Ancient Mayan stories of blood sacrifice and a power-hungry Hun-Came, (God of Death), stand between Niki, Zen and the terrifying truth. Reality and logic must be replaced with belief in ancient powers - and most of all, trust in each other - if they are to make it out of this jungle alive and find out what really happened to Nayla.
Lisa Dietrich weaves a rich tale full of Mayan mythology, while also sharing a deeply human story of love, family and loss. A great Part #1 to this series – look forward to reading #2 (“In the Midst of the Light”)
Lisa Dietrich weaves a rich tale full of Mayan mythology, while also sharing a deeply human story of love, family and loss. A great Part #1 to this series – look forward to reading #2 (“In the Midst of the Light”)
November 27, 2025
In the Silence of Darkness by Lisa Dietrich. This is a fast paced supernatural thriller. Its the story of Nikki who has gone to Guatemala to check on her twin sister, Nayla, who is supposed to be on the Archaeological dig site. Nikki has had a bad feeling about her sister and when she arrives at the site they tell her that Nayla is missing. Nikki first decides to wait around to see if her sister comes back but then decides she needs to look for her. During her hunt for her she has to remember all the old tales her dad taught her about ancient ruins, blood magic and gods that demand sacrifices. Will Nikki make it out alive and be able to find her sister unharmed? She is also attracted to or feels a strong pull toward one of the archaeolgical team members, Zen. This is a fast paced thriller that will keep you turning pages late in the night.
November 28, 2025
This book gave me some mixed singles, sometimes I loved I and sometimes I was very bored and a little disappointed. I had to remind myself at some points that this is a fist book, and something have been left as like a cliff hanger most likely for the second book. But over all this was a well-done book, it kept me engaged till the end. The suspense woven into the story did have me going on to what was going to happen next. Nikki goes on a trip to the Guatemala to find her twin sister Nayla, but when Nikki gets there, she finds out that her sister is missing. As Nikki looks for her sister we are taken into a world of ancient ruins, magic, gods and sacrifices. This book did keep my attention to know if she ever did find her sister. Overall, a well done suspenseful thriller that will have you turning the pages.
October 24, 2025
I enjoyed reading this fantasy thriller from beginning to end. This is a newer author for me which I enjoyed their creative writing skills that made the story pop. This is a story that is engaging and well written. A story about Niki and her twin sister who is missing. Then you have Zen who is wild, dangerous and everything that Niki has been taught to stay away from. He knows things that could change everything for her. As the story goes on Niki realizes that Zen could be the only one that can help her. You don’t want to miss what happens between these two. I enjoyed their chemistry and their growth throughout made the story easy to read. This is a fast paced story that has some suspense that will keep you turning pages to the end. This is a great story that I highly recommend.
November 2, 2025
3.5 Stars
‘Some bloodlines can’t be outrun…’
In the Silence of Darkness is the debut novel by Lisa Dietrich. It is an intriguing fantasy with mythology, romance, history, secrets, mystery, action, adventure, challenges, danger, sisterly bonds/family bonds, supernatural forces, sinister foe, magic, and more.
Nikki finds herself in the remote Guatemalan jungle searching for her sister who has gone missing. Thrust together with Zen, a dark and dangerous man, and fleeing from supernatural forces intent on claiming them, they must unravel the secrets of the Mayan Gods … or pay the ultimate sacrifice/
This may be my first read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last. Looking forward to ‘In the Midst of Light’ (Book #2).
Happy Reading…
‘Some bloodlines can’t be outrun…’
In the Silence of Darkness is the debut novel by Lisa Dietrich. It is an intriguing fantasy with mythology, romance, history, secrets, mystery, action, adventure, challenges, danger, sisterly bonds/family bonds, supernatural forces, sinister foe, magic, and more.
Nikki finds herself in the remote Guatemalan jungle searching for her sister who has gone missing. Thrust together with Zen, a dark and dangerous man, and fleeing from supernatural forces intent on claiming them, they must unravel the secrets of the Mayan Gods … or pay the ultimate sacrifice/
This may be my first read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last. Looking forward to ‘In the Midst of Light’ (Book #2).
Happy Reading…
November 15, 2025
In the Silence of Darkness by Lisa Dietrich
5 Star Review
Niki Balam is an archaeologist who gets in the middle of the mystery of her twin sister, Nayla’s, disappearance. Zen Cazares, golden eyes and dangerous, is the person of her dreams and could be the one person to undo everything that she believes to be real.
Lisa Dietrich writes an incredible thriller with a haunting and tense atmosphere. The characters are real, especially Niki whose emotional struggles add to the mystery. This book is fast paced and is easy to read. The pace is fast enough to keep the reader interested. The further I got into the book, the more I had to know. I had to finish the book; I had to know what happened. I couldn’t put it down.
5 Star Review
Niki Balam is an archaeologist who gets in the middle of the mystery of her twin sister, Nayla’s, disappearance. Zen Cazares, golden eyes and dangerous, is the person of her dreams and could be the one person to undo everything that she believes to be real.
Lisa Dietrich writes an incredible thriller with a haunting and tense atmosphere. The characters are real, especially Niki whose emotional struggles add to the mystery. This book is fast paced and is easy to read. The pace is fast enough to keep the reader interested. The further I got into the book, the more I had to know. I had to finish the book; I had to know what happened. I couldn’t put it down.
November 24, 2025
Nikki is a twin and her and her twin Nayla couldn't be more different including their birthdays with one before and one after midnight. Nikkis twin is opposite of her...bold brash and fearless and is an archeologist on a dig site in Guatemala, the same country their father was murdered.
Nikkis twin sense tells her something is wrong when strange dreams of her father and Nayla start to appear and her feelings are confirmed when she arrives at her twins dig site and is told that her twin is missing and has been for several days.
What ensues is a action packed, descriptive and captivating story that I never wanted to put down. Myan mythology and magic and even blood sacrifices entice you to keep reading. I very much enjoyed this first look into this author!
Nikkis twin sense tells her something is wrong when strange dreams of her father and Nayla start to appear and her feelings are confirmed when she arrives at her twins dig site and is told that her twin is missing and has been for several days.
What ensues is a action packed, descriptive and captivating story that I never wanted to put down. Myan mythology and magic and even blood sacrifices entice you to keep reading. I very much enjoyed this first look into this author!
November 26, 2025
This is the first time I have read anything by this author. I will say that I struggled with the beginning of this book but I was able to get into it. Niki has a twin sister Nayla who has gone missing in the Guatemalan jungle, where Nayla was digging at an archaeological site. I will say that there are moments of immediate sadness and at times I felt like I was going to cry. There is a sense of horror and pain that is shown in the story. I think that most readers will like it but I do recommend if you have recently lost a loved one to not read it just because it can cause some painful reminders of those you have lost.
November 11, 2025
In the Silence of Darkness is a beautifully haunting story that pulls you into a world of mystery and emotional depth. It follows a protagonist grappling with loss and secrets while uncovering truths that change everything. Dietrich’s writing is atmospheric and thoughtful, creating a mood that’s both eerie and deeply human. The pacing is steady, allowing the tension and emotions to build naturally, and the characters are layered and relatable. It’s a compelling read that stays with you long after the last page.
November 18, 2025
When you hate camping what should you do. Go visit your sister at a archalogy dig in the Guatemala jungle. Niki was worried about her sister so she flew in and discovers Nayla is missing… That is the first shock the second is the strange pull she has to Zen. With Jake trying to keep her attention her sister missing and all the other problems. Niki has her hands full.
The story is engaging and unique. Loved having the mix of mythologies. A great group of characters and story. Really enjoyed it.
The story is engaging and unique. Loved having the mix of mythologies. A great group of characters and story. Really enjoyed it.
November 25, 2025
This is debut roman-tacy novel and I HIGHLY recommend it. It’s got everything that will suck a reader in. It has Mayan mythology, romance, history, secrets, mystery, and action. The main character Nikita “Niki” goes to Guatemala looking for her missing sister. There she meets Zen, who is all he things she isn’t He will help her find her missing twin. Or so he says. As she goes deeper into the jungle and the mystery of what happened to her sister, Zen will help her see that logic and planning may have to step aside for magic and the supernatural. Can’t wait to read Book 2.
November 30, 2025
What an absolutely captivating ride! “In the Silence of Darkness” is such an amazing story with gorgeous descriptions of lands I can only ever visit in books and characters that feel as if I could have a conversation with them. The Mayan mythology is weaved so effortlessly into the story, and it had me hooked from (almost) the beginning. It starts off a bit slow but rapidly picks up, stealing you into pages full of myths and action.
I love the chemistry between Niki and Zen. It certainly helped keep me reading. And the ending? It makes me want more.
(Also. That cover? STUNNING.)
I love the chemistry between Niki and Zen. It certainly helped keep me reading. And the ending? It makes me want more.
(Also. That cover? STUNNING.)
November 17, 2025
This book was an excellent read. Unlike my usual reading preferences, which don’t typically include Mayan mythology or similar subjects, I was pleasantly surprised by its engaging content. Although it was shorter than my usual reading material, it was far from boring. The author’s storytelling kept me captivated throughout the entire book. I wild highly recommend reading another book by this author if it came out!
November 19, 2025
I am a BIG fan of mythology, though I usually read Greek or Roman mythology, so this book was a new scope for me. I really enjoyed the aspects of the Mayan mythology. Niki is an archeologist who finds that her sister is missing. This author is a new one for me, and she did not disappoint. She kept me captivated in the story and the story kept me on the edge of my seat. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone!
November 16, 2025
In The Silence of the Darkness pulled me in right away and never let go. Lisa Dietrich delivers a chilling, emotional, and suspenseful story that kept me turning the pages. The atmosphere is dark in all the best ways, and the characters feel real and raw. I loved every twist and can’t wait to read more from this author.
November 17, 2025
In the Silence of Darkness by Lisa D was a dark, eerie read that pulled me in. I liked how it mixed Mayan mythology with suspense, and Niki’s search for her sister kept the tension high. The jungle setting gave it a haunting vibe, and the supernatural edge made it even more gripping. Definitely one that left me curious for more.
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