Sacrifice

Ryan Drake #2

by Will Jordan

Let bestselling author Will Jordan take you on a break-neck speed ride with CIA agent Ryan Drake in this compelling and unmissable thriller. Fans of Lee Child, Vince Flynn and David Baldacci will love this!

'Entertaining' - The Telegraph
'Engrossing' -- ***** Reader review
'A real page-turner' -- ***** Reader review
'From the start Mr Jordan weaves a spell - the action is fast and believable' -- ***** Reader review
'Creative plot played out at a relentless pace - great stuff, Mr Jordan!' -- ***** Reader review
'Great book that will have you keep turning the pages' -- ***** Reader review
'Superb from start to finish' -- ***** Reader review
*******************************************************************
A MISSING MAN. A BRUTAL CONFLICT.

Afghanistan, 2008: a Black Hawk helicopter carrying a senior CIA operative is shot down by a surface to air missile, its lone passenger taken hostage by a fanatical new insurgent group.

Knowing this man holds information vital to the ongoing conflict, the CIA bring in Ryan Drake and his elite Shepherd team to find and rescue their lost operative.

But nothing is what it seems, and within hours of arriving in the war-torn country, Drake and his team find themselves caught in a deadly conflict between a brutal terrorist warlord and the ruthless leader of a private military company.

And lurking in the shadows is a woman from Drake's past determined to settle old scores...

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Espionage, Spy Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Action

560 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 2013

About the author

Will Jordan was born in Fife, Scotland in 1983. He is best known as the author of the RYAN DRAKE series of action thrillers, and for his YouTube alter-ego, THE CRITICAL DRINKER, amassing well over a million followers and quickly becoming one of the most popular movie critics on the internet. Having always enjoyed a passion for storytelling, he began writing short stories from a young age, eventually moving up to full-length novels and the publication of his first Ryan Drake novel in 2012.

His works to date include:

Redemption (Ryan Drake 1) - 2012
Sacrifice (Ryan Drake 2) - 2013
Betrayal (Ryan Drake 3) - 2014
Black List (Ryan Drake 4) - 2015
Deception Game (Ryan Drake 5) - 2015
Second Chances (Ryan Drake novella) - 2016
Ghost Target (Ryan Drake 6) - 2016
Shadow Conflict (Ryan Drake 7) - 2017
Deadly Cargo (Co-written with James Patterson) - 2017
Trial by Fire (Ryan Drake novella) - 2018
Downfall (Ryan Drake 8) - 2019
Something to Die For (Ryan Drake 9) - 2020
Dark Harvest (2022)

Reviews

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sacrifice sees the return to action of Ryan Drake- our tough guy hero with the soft centre- in another fast-paced adventure to satisfy any fan of the military or conspiracy thriller. Opening with the spectacular shooting down of a helicopter in war torn Afghanistan, ferrying a particularly important American operative, Drake and his team are despatched to deal with the aftermath and to track down the missing agent kidnapped from the crash site. It soon becomes clear to Drake and his team that shady forces are at work and that this mission is nowhere near as straightforward as it seems, leading to some pretty impressive altercations and an adrenaline fuelled race for the truth…

Once again, Jordan thrusts the reader straight into the harsh terrain and bleak surroundings of an active war-zone, perfectly capturing the heat and starkness of Afghanistan. As in Redemption, Jordan never allows the reader to lose sight of the location and atmosphere which underpins the action throughout. Likewise, the same level of detail regarding the actions of the Army and Black-Ops outfits is absolutely perfect, and Jordan’s inherent knowledge of military hardware pepper the story educating the reader but without becoming too know-it-all, while other writers in this genre find this a difficult balance to achieve. As regards plotting, the story unfolds at a pace and I liked the setting up of Drake against a former nemesis and also the reappearance of a rather striking character from the first book that unsettles our hero. Although the plot plays out in a rather similar way to the first book, this didn’t overly concern me as having read many McNabs and Ryans, there is a distinct similarity generally in this genre, but Jordan has an added weapon in his arsenal…

I think what sets Jordan apart from his military thriller counterparts, is that not only does he have a charismatic but utterly focused professional soldier as his central character, who is appealing to both genders, but that once again there is a brilliant balance with female characters who pack a punch, but do not become overly stereotyped. There are three such characters in this book, who not only provide a good foil to their macho counterparts, but are well drawn enough that their characters are balanced between their professional or rogue roles, while still retaining their essential sense of femininity alongside their kick-ass doggedness. In my wide reading of this genre, I have not encountered a male author yet with such convincing female characters who does not resort to stereotypes, so thumbs up for Jordan on that one!

Another assured book in this compelling series then, with thrills, spills and skulduggery at the highest levels of the US security departments. Packed with high-octane action scenes and perfectly placed militaristic detail there is much to entertain any reader of this genre. Only question is- what will Ryan Drake become embroiled in next?

[Susan Macdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first novel in this series about a year ago – not my usual cup of tea but to my surprise I found myself really caught up in it. The characters were compelling enough to hold my attention and the plot moved along to a conclusion that left it wide open for a sequel. And here it is.

This time Drake and co are off to Afghanistan to rescue a senior CIA man taken hostage after his chopper is shot down. Sounds easy? It’s not. Soon Drake and his team find themselves embroiled in a web of murder and conspiracy, with billions of dollars of defence contracts up for grabs.

Much like Redemption, Sacrifice moves at a fast pace from scene to scene, barely slowing down. Drake is once again on top form and the various supporting characters – good and bad – are well drawn enough to keep you interested. There’s plenty of detail about Afghanistan and its history, and the action scenes that pepper the story are tense and well written.

Overall a gripping thriller and I’m looking forward to the next one.

[Jenifer Mohammed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting story in which no one is exactly what they seem to be. Drake is tasked to go to Afghanistan in order to find a hostage taken captive by someone he once put in prison. Yet, there are larger events in play and as Drake slowly begins to grasp what is really going on, he and his team are put into extreme danger. I can't wait to read the next one in the series.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sacrifice
By Will Jordan
Summery courtesy of goodreads.com

Afghanistan, 2008. A Black Hawk helicopter carrying a senior CIA operative is shot down by a surface to air missile, its lone passenger taken hostage by a fanatical new insurgent group.

Knowing this man holds information vital to the ongoing conflict, the CIA bring in Ryan Drake and his elite Shepherd team to find and rescue their lost operative.

But nothing is what it seems, and within hours of arriving in the war-torn country, Drake and his team find themselves caught in a deadly conflict between a brutal terrorist warlord and the ruthless leader of a private military company.
And lurking in the shadows is a woman from Drake's past determined to settle old scores

Review

I like Will Jordan's writing, he supplies non stop action a great plot and characters that you root for. This book isn't even a book - it's a military action thriller,that feels like an action movie! It would be awesome, it has a high body count, exciting battles and villains that are ruthlessly cunning. This book was so surprising, Will Jordan is definitely an author to watch.

[Kara L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, while I liked this installment slightly less than the first one, I think it demonstrates that the author is capable of delivering consistently strong writing.

"Sacrifice" begins much like "Redemption," with a mission to retrieve an important person from a hostile situation. But whereas "Redemption"'s mission seemed more character driven, the mission in "Sacrifice" is more action oriented. Ryan Drake's Shepherd team must navigate Afghanistan to find a CIA operative who was shot down, and then learn what important secrets he was guarding.

THE GOOD: We get to see the members of the Shepherd team work together instead of against one another. The characters have good chemistry, acting like a band of old friends as they hack and plan. Some of the characters are fleshed out more, like Keegan and Frost; in the latter's case, it's especially welcome, as Frost came off a bit too much like a Girl Friday in "Redemption." Drake is more independent and bad assy, with one scene in an elevator serving as a real highlight.

As in the first installment, the scene setting and action are well done. There were more twists and they mostly worked.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: While it was good to see more character development among the Shepherd team, the two most compelling characters from the last installment were either more marginalized or missing completely. That made the reading experience a little less enjoyable. Also, while there was more character fleshing out, the individual Shepherd members, save Drake, don't quite come across as individuals. I think they need to be more established if we're going to follow them from book to book. That said, when something happened to one of the Shepherd team late in the novel, I was surprised by how sad I felt, so I guess at least that character left a greater impression than I thought!

I trust that my issues will be addressed in future installments. I look forward to seeing where this series goes, as the action gets closer and closer to the present.

[Tom Tischler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Black Hawk helicopter carrying a CIA operative is shot
down over Afghanistan in 2008. The man is taken hostage
by a fanatical insurgent group. This man holds vital info-
rmation regarding the conflict in Afghanistan. The CIA
immediately brings in Ryan Drake and his elite Shepherd group
to find and rescue him. Within hours of arriving in the war
torn country nothing is as it seems. Drake and his team find themselves in a deadly conflict with a brutal terrorist
warlord and the ruthless leader of a private military company.
Will Jordan has done it again. This is an edge of the seat
page turner from front to back. I even think that I liked it
more than the first one.

[M.J. Finley · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I expected, Jordan found his legs and serves the reader a good piece of thriller with well defined characters. The story takes us on a roller-coaster ride in Afghanistan where Drake and his team must rescue a hostage from a terrorist group. Unlike the previous book, the action here is interlaced with side missions and plot twists. It maybe a tad long, but it holds your interest until the end. Good read.

[Dan Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant follow up to Redemption. Great action, convincing setting, intriguing story and characters you actually find yourself caring about. Plus one of the most kickass female characters ever makes a welcome return.

Bring on Ryan Drake 3!

[Elena Traduzioni Oceano Mare · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book so much even if this is no my favorite Genre that I really wanted to read another one.
While the first one was so fast paced and really gripping, I found this one a lot more watered down and hard to finish.

[Kiwicmc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably worth more than 3 stars given the speed I was able to read it in (always a good sign)

[Mickey Hoffman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is okay to read if you have a long plane ride but it's not inventive enough to grab you otherwise. It seems to revisit too much of the first in the series.

[Gordon Wallis · Rating 3 out of 5]

After enjoying the first book in this series (with caveats), I was quite looking forward to seeing how Ryan Drake's story continued. Nevertheless, I put off starting it repeatedly, and switched over to it late one night, having got frustrated with another book on my Kindle. Not the most auspicious time or reason to start, perhaps...

Sadly, Jordan's editor let him down again... badly. Within the first few chapters, there's a comment about the landscaping around a building, where Drake observes that a "coy pond" wouldn't have been out of place, presumably meaning a Koi pond. Then there's a scene where Drake's superior asks him something like "Was anything I said unclear?", to which he responds "Abundantly.", as if he'd been asked "Did I make myself clear?"...

Ultimately, it's all very by-the-numbers again, not so much a new novel as an assemblage of characters, tropes and clichés borrowed from the hundreds of books already in this already crowded genre. Not to say it's bad - like the first book, it's never less than compelling to read - just that there's nothing outstanding, nothing to set it apart from the works of other authors... aside from the errors that should have been caught before publication.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

The man who performs the audiobook edition is fabulous. On to the next book.

[Shaun Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The difference between it's predecessor and this is night and day. Jordan is obviously more comfortable with the process taking more risks, handling more complex plot threads without sacrificing (no pun intended) the characters.
Can't wait to read the rest.

[Michael Mechsner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Will Jordan's movie reviews and opinions on YouTube as the Critical Drinker. Now I'm hooked on his Ryan Drake novels. Not only is he a good movie reviewer but also an excellent writer! I'll keep reading as long as the plots and characters keep developing ....

[Jim Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the first book of this series and the second (Sacrifice) was even better. Fast paced, well written and an exciting ending. Thanks Will Jordan.

[Carole Kuentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

These books leave me breathless. The action is constant and gripping. Can't wait to read the next one. Just traffic !

[Peter Cotter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book.

Action, suspense, guns, girls, espionage........

[Joonas · Rating 3 out of 5]

After finishing the first book in the series, Redemption, I wasn't sure what to expect from the second one. Sometimes an author's best ideas are all crammed into the first attempt and the sequel, if there ever is one, will be made of hastily assembled scrap material. On the other hand, being familiar with the author's YouTube persona, "The Critical Drinker", I was expecting (and certainly wishing for) the story and characters to grow and improve.

Well, in many ways the second Ryan Drake story is much like the first: there's a lot of fast paced action, multiple characters who all get their moment to shine, interesting locations, conspiracies to unearth, and a seemingly simple mission that turns out much more complex and dangerous than the characters ever expected. It's a book that's hard to put down until the whole story is finished, that's for sure.

I found this story more focused and plausible, perhaps, than the first one. While in "Redemption" there's one character that kind of hands us the story on a plate, always leading us to the next source of information and providing us with background exposition while Drake is reduced to a sidekick, in "Sacrifice" there's a sense of Drake and his team doing the work themselves and being much more in the fore. Even though there are still several occasions in which a difficult situation is solved by sheer luck or a deus ex machina of one kind or another, we get to see the characters more in control of their fate. Still, the characters get to struggle a lot in order to achieve their goals.

Getting to know Drake and his team better was a positive, though there was one character I noticed I was dearly missing from the first part. And while there's one returning character who still seems able to accomplish anything with ease when it happens to be convenient, I had the feeling that the author wanted to bring the character back closer to earth (even if not completely so) in order to make them more believable. If so, I think the direction is very welcome indeed, and the character more compelling this way.

The book is paced and very much feels like an action movie, though it might be just a tad slower than its predecessor. It's well written, though sometimes I get the feeling that there's almost too much focus on minor details such as facial expressions during conversations. On the other hand, a lot of time is dedicated to establishing locations and providing the reader with background information, which I found very helpful.

The story kept me interested even though many of the plot twists and surprises are quite easy to see coming (though there was at least one thing close to the end of the story that I didn't expect at all), and the characters are likable and the antagonists relatable enough to make them believable. I noticed myself rooting for the team and I love the fact that they're (for the most part at least) not invincible super soldiers, but can also suffer, make mistakes, fail, and even lose.

Compared to the first, I'd say this book was more solid, more focused, with better characterization though lacking some of the energy of the first one. In any case, I notice I already feel like listening to the third book and seeing how the characters grow with the series.

[Zane Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed my share of thrilling reads, and Sacrifice by Will Jordan delivers a ride that’s hard to step off once you’re on. This second outing for CIA agent Ryan Drake kicks off in Afghanistan, 2008, with a Black Hawk down and a missing operative, pulling Drake and his team into a whirlwind rescue mission that’s anything but straightforward. The action hits fast and doesn’t let up—gunfights, chases, and tense standoffs roll out like a summer storm, keeping you hooked with a pace that feels like a race against time. For someone who values a story that honors grit and loyalty, it’s a winner that keeps your heart pumping.
The story itself is a standout, weaving a great mix of danger, twists, and characters you can’t help but care about. Drake’s a solid lead—flawed but driven—and the way he navigates a web of betrayal and hidden agendas feels real and gripping. Jordan’s got a knack for painting vivid scenes, from dusty warzones to quiet moments of doubt, and it all ties into a tale about standing up for what’s right, which resonates with my appreciation for family and freedom. There’s a spark here that makes you want to see where Drake’s headed next, and it’s easy to get lost in the ride.
Now, I’ll note there are a few spots where the gun descriptions don’t quite line up—small inaccuracies that might nudge a gearhead like me to pause for a second. But honestly, they’re just a blip; they don’t slow down the story or dim the fun one bit. Sacrifice is still a blast, packed with enough heart and hustle to keep you turning pages late into the night. It’s a solid pick for anyone who loves a fast, action-packed yarn with a good soul underneath—well worth the time, quirks and all!

[Leo Mullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1

It does its job well. It's essentially a spy novel, wherein the protagonist is leading a special ops CIA team in Afghanistan, stumbles across some dirty secrets and is forced to go rogue to get to the bottom of it. For what it is, it does it well.

Couple of plot points I struggled to keep up with. Like, what were the head of the CIA and the head of the private miltary contractor (PMC) in cahoots about? And what exactly did the head of the PMC do to Anya (the blonde rogue Russian/American soldier) that she wanted to kill him. These things were explained. It's my fault for not keeping up. Perhaps a lil subtle reminder would have been helpful though.

But yeah, good well rounded action spy novel. Was invested in all the main players. Plot was interesting and had some noce ducks and weaves. Genuinely enjoyed reading this throughout. It didn't stall and get dull anywhere (like the 1st Jack Reacher novel).

Also great to see Jordan's treatment of women in his work. In keeping with his film reviews, he doesn't make them out to be super girl-bosses who can take on a small army of men with only her fists. Nor are the women made out to be amazing by contrasting them with men who are purposefully written to be incompetent arseholes. Instead, they're human. Their prowess and strength are demonstrated in real and very considered ways. Reminds me of how women used to be written in Hollywood movies - empowering but realistic and likable.

So ya, not high art or anything but, of the actiony spy-y type novels I've read, this (along with the 1st novel) was well up there, if not at the top.

I loike it 👍

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Jordan's excellent first novel, I was concerned the sequel could feel repetitive. Indeed, both begin similarly - ordinary life, an abrupt briefing, and an operation. Yet, 'Sacrifice' remains original and engaging throughout, without diminishing the complex characterisation and punchy plot of its predecessor.

The first novel's plot was generally a journey from A to B to C - simplistic but clear. Here, Jordan isolates the events to around Kabul, Afghanistan, and the frequent plot twists and switching between areas sometimes seemed relatively confusing and repetitive. However, the historical detail of the War in Afghanistan is a fantastic addition, especially as the novel's informative and realistic approach was assisted by a friend of Jordan's, according to the acknowledgements.

Around halfway through, the wide range of characters to cover and Drake's limited progress with the investigation meant the pace momentarily slowed. Nevertheless, the tense and action-packed events of the final 75 pages were likely the most engaging of both books. Avoiding spoilers, the conclusion here is far more satisfying, polishing the plot and characterisation in a sentimental and well-deserved manner.

A brilliant continuation of the Ryan Drake series.

Rating: 4.3/5

[S.J. Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sacrifice reads much like its predecessor in both style and content. In most ways, that's a good thing, but it means my minor gripes from the last one (mainly the character and plot tropes in play) return, as well as the fun spy action. With most of the novel taking place in Afghanistan, though, we get to dive into the location a bit more, fleshing it out as much as any of the new and returning characters (McKnight and Cunningham being the standouts among the latter).

The mystery this time surrounds a new extraction target and the man behind his abduction...who seems to have a Ryan Drake-shaped chip on his shoulder. No spoilers, but Jordan once again manages to draw the reader into feeling nearly as much for those set against our heroes as the heroes themselves.

Droplets of the overarching story seep through in the new central conspiracy, and I'm decidedly left wanting more. It's a long series, but, if it keeps me intrigued at this level, I'm certainly willing to see it through. Certainly give this one a read if you enjoyed Redemption!

[Ben-Roy Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Drake doesn't catch a break, does he? Ryan is back and somehow manages to end up in another mess halfway around the world.

What should be just a simple story is held up by strong writing, layer characters that are so interesting to discover and plot threads I want to see tied up. With the pace ramping up gradually in the first couple of chapters, like Redemption once events kick into gear they never slow down. Afghanistan is such an interesting setting for a story like this and ripe with potential once a PMC is spun into things

Though I do wonder how Will Jordan will ramp up the events in the next book to top Sacrifice. Either way, I'm here for the next Ryan Drake outing and look forward to seeing what Anya gets up to next.

[Nick Brough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some things I disliked. I'm not entirely sure how quickly chest/lung wounds will kill you, but more slowly than here I think. Whilst people are much much tougher than we think, given the right training and circumstances and we're rather hard to kill (especially quickly) I'm not sure that the injuries Drake suffered would allow him as much as he delivers towards the end of the this story.

Quibbles over, this is actually a much much more self assured book/story than the first one. more believable in many ways and the lead characters have settled in more. Its an entertaining read, well written, well described setting and I'm looking forward to reading the next instalment.

4.5/5.

[Darryle B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really been enjoying this series of suspense thriller featuring CIA operative Ryan Drake. Just like the first novel, this second story pulled me in. Drake and his Shepherd Team are likeable and compelling characters who find themselves involved in impossible missions with no guarantee of survival. This mission was one of the most dangerous yet. The return of an old adversary and some characters from Drake's past adds depth to the story overall. I would put this author right up there with Clancy, Baldacci, Grisham and other authors of that caliber as he has a good handle on great storytelling and plot twists. This is another winner and is highly recommended.

[Heather Revezzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another action-packed mystery CIA espionage thriller by the amazing Will Jordan! I love how it picks up from part 1 without skipping a beat, and Ryan and co. are thrust into another mystery with danger, intrigue, and plenty of red herrings - one of which towards the end I didn't see coming! I also love that there are strong female characters in this, without pandering or telling you how great they are. The writing does a good job of giving them depth, motive, flaws, inner conflict, and a chance to rise to the occasion, without putting down their male counterparts. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.

[Felix Scout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sacrifice is better than the first book which I also enjoyed and gave 4 stars. It's well paced and there are several stretches where the tension gets built up enough that I just couldn't stop reading until I found out what happened. The author does a great job of getting you caring about what happens to the characters and the plot has some genuine moments of surprise. Just a fun action/military/spy/thriller.

I first learned about this series after being a fan of the authors Youtube channel The Critical Drinker which is a fantastic channel by the way. I'll definitely be picking up the third book later this year.

[Myri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t let how long it took me to read this book prevent you to read the second book in Ryan Drake series! It was packed with action, intrigue, twist and turns. The only reason why it took me so long is that I often change the type of books I want to read and forgot I had it in my kindle. Glad to have found it. Was more into romance the last couple months and back into action suspense books and this series is awesome. Love Getting to know more about Drake and his team! Anya too, she s so badass!
A must read if you like intrigue and non stop action!

[Peter Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad follow up to the first one. The story proceeds apace and the action is nicely written. The plot is a touch convoluted but still pretty accessible. I've got to admit that I have a little trouble with the Anya character. She reads as about 100lbs soaking wet, in her early 40s (I think I read somewhere she's 43), and yet she constantly beats highly trained opponents more than twice her weight. Drake also seems to have a strange loyalty to her given their past interactions. Anyway, go and read it.