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Sacrifice
Christian knights and medieval chivalry meet the magical pagan realms… Feisty Catherine defies every Christian doctrine, prayer, and curtsy expected from a daughter of a duke, as her connection to the mystical world fades.
Druidic prophesies… When Crown Prince Philip arrives to wed her sister as arranged, their hearts ignite, but the intense attraction is soon smothered by his knightly devotion to the church. Seeking guidance from her missing mentor—the Druidic elder who taught her the Old Ways of alchemical magic—Catherine learns of an ancient prophesy foretelling her inherent abilities, and strives to vanquish the darkest of forces that hunger for her sleeping powers.
Forbidden love… Catherine’s passions hold her wild heart captive in a quandary between Philip’s love and the enchantments of her past. Will she find her truth hidden within the shadows of the Old Magic or in the arms of Prince Philip? Or both?
This is not your typical Medieval Romance novel… Immerse yourself into the conflict between the old world and the new—between pagan magic and the self-righteous binding of Christianity. Set in medieval France, it is historically accurate with a good dose of epic fantasy.
This book has it all… love, war, triumphs, honor, tragedy, magic and betrayal—wrapped in an enchanting story filled with plot twists and complex, layered characters. The bittersweet ending is a redeemed heroine on a new mission… leaving the reader at once breathless and yearning for more, yet fulfilled with a new sense of magic.
"The author takes you beyond what you ever thought possible, and when you get there, you realize you've known yourself all along. I was at the mercy of every word.” Beta reviewer
Druidic prophesies… When Crown Prince Philip arrives to wed her sister as arranged, their hearts ignite, but the intense attraction is soon smothered by his knightly devotion to the church. Seeking guidance from her missing mentor—the Druidic elder who taught her the Old Ways of alchemical magic—Catherine learns of an ancient prophesy foretelling her inherent abilities, and strives to vanquish the darkest of forces that hunger for her sleeping powers.
Forbidden love… Catherine’s passions hold her wild heart captive in a quandary between Philip’s love and the enchantments of her past. Will she find her truth hidden within the shadows of the Old Magic or in the arms of Prince Philip? Or both?
This is not your typical Medieval Romance novel… Immerse yourself into the conflict between the old world and the new—between pagan magic and the self-righteous binding of Christianity. Set in medieval France, it is historically accurate with a good dose of epic fantasy.
This book has it all… love, war, triumphs, honor, tragedy, magic and betrayal—wrapped in an enchanting story filled with plot twists and complex, layered characters. The bittersweet ending is a redeemed heroine on a new mission… leaving the reader at once breathless and yearning for more, yet fulfilled with a new sense of magic.
"The author takes you beyond what you ever thought possible, and when you get there, you realize you've known yourself all along. I was at the mercy of every word.” Beta reviewer
396 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2024
117 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Helyn Dunn
9 books5 followersChildhood trauma and a near-death experience are some of the threads of the tapestry that have shaped my creative endeavors over the years. Poetry, screenwriting and visual arts have been my passions. This creative path now includes writing fiction.
My debut novel, Sacrifice, the first book of The Evensong Enchantments series, is based on a previous screenplay. Like all of my stories, this is a work of Visionary Fiction.
The Visionary Fiction Alliance defines the term thus: "Visionary Fiction embraces spiritual and esoteric wisdom, often from ancient sources, and makes it relevant for our modern life. These gems of wisdom are brought forth in story form and in a way that readers can experience the wisdom from within themselves. It emphasizes and envisions humanity's transition into evolved consciousness. While there is a strong theme, it in no way proselytizes or preaches. Visionary is a tone as well as a genre. The ‘visionary’ element can technically be present in any genre and set in any time."
I have experienced many spiritual rebirths and I’m inspired to share the insights received as a result of these mystical encounters.
My writing is like my art—I am merely a channel for extra-dimensional truth and understanding the sacred beauty of life itself, and humbled to share my visions. I hope that my words and stories enrich anyone who is drawn to read them.
My debut novel, Sacrifice, the first book of The Evensong Enchantments series, is based on a previous screenplay. Like all of my stories, this is a work of Visionary Fiction.
The Visionary Fiction Alliance defines the term thus: "Visionary Fiction embraces spiritual and esoteric wisdom, often from ancient sources, and makes it relevant for our modern life. These gems of wisdom are brought forth in story form and in a way that readers can experience the wisdom from within themselves. It emphasizes and envisions humanity's transition into evolved consciousness. While there is a strong theme, it in no way proselytizes or preaches. Visionary is a tone as well as a genre. The ‘visionary’ element can technically be present in any genre and set in any time."
I have experienced many spiritual rebirths and I’m inspired to share the insights received as a result of these mystical encounters.
My writing is like my art—I am merely a channel for extra-dimensional truth and understanding the sacred beauty of life itself, and humbled to share my visions. I hope that my words and stories enrich anyone who is drawn to read them.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 15, 2024
Helyn Dunn's debut novel Sacrifice in her Evensong Enchantments Series kept me spellbound and enthralled like no other work of fiction I've ever read. I was at the mercy of every word, every challenge the feisty Catherine had to face with purpose and passion to culminate in understanding herself and her power. The author takes you beyond what you ever thought possible.
It's a fascinating journey. I've read it four time!!
It's a Masterpiece!!
It's a fascinating journey. I've read it four time!!
It's a Masterpiece!!
August 7, 2024
great story
I wasn’t sure at first but as I read on I didn’t want to put the book down, which made it a fast read and now I miss the characters and the setting. Certainly looking forward to a book two.
I wasn’t sure at first but as I read on I didn’t want to put the book down, which made it a fast read and now I miss the characters and the setting. Certainly looking forward to a book two.
March 22, 2025
Great read!
I loved reading this book,, I had a hard time putting it down to do anything else, it kept me spellbound and everything else put off for another day. Hope to read more form this author.
I loved reading this book,, I had a hard time putting it down to do anything else, it kept me spellbound and everything else put off for another day. Hope to read more form this author.
February 21, 2025
Too much romance and not enough magic. Maybe the next volume will pick up on the magic side but I’m not so attached to the series to continue on.
August 8, 2025
I struggled in the beginning to get into it but once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The virtual voice narrating took a little getting used to (sounds quite mechanical).
Overall a good read
Overall a good read
August 9, 2025
Intricate Romantasy
If romantasy, sword & sorcery fantasy, or magical realism are part of your reading list, welcome to a new and profoundly thought-out world.
Rich characters, from royalty to rogues, fill these pages as seemingly everyone pursues their own interests. There are those who will do anything to wear the crown, those who don't want the weight of said crown, and those who appear to be merely servants of the same. But many of these people are not as they seem, having personal agendas that outweigh the needs of the kingdom in their eyes.
Then there is the conflict between the old ways of the Druids and the invasion of the Christian religion- one that is bound to produce chaos as old and "new" collide. In the middle of this unsettled realm is a young princess, Catherine, who doesn't realize what she's destined for, and a young Norman prince, Phillip, who is coming to wed Catherine's younger sister. Forbidden love now seems to be the force that will bring the kingdom down.
Treachery, loyalty, and being true to one's nature are main themes here as the characters struggle with each other and the nature of change within the world. Fans of this genre will find much to love about both Catherine and Phillip; two truly star-crossed lovers navigating a very confusing world.
Please note that this book is narrated by AI (Virtual Voice). While not quite up to human standards, AI narration has made great strides. There are moments when the inflections and tone are not in perfect sync with the intention of the author, but they are not many and are not major detractors from the storyline. However, if this is an issue, please consider getting the book instead of the audiobook.
If romantasy, sword & sorcery fantasy, or magical realism are part of your reading list, welcome to a new and profoundly thought-out world.
Rich characters, from royalty to rogues, fill these pages as seemingly everyone pursues their own interests. There are those who will do anything to wear the crown, those who don't want the weight of said crown, and those who appear to be merely servants of the same. But many of these people are not as they seem, having personal agendas that outweigh the needs of the kingdom in their eyes.
Then there is the conflict between the old ways of the Druids and the invasion of the Christian religion- one that is bound to produce chaos as old and "new" collide. In the middle of this unsettled realm is a young princess, Catherine, who doesn't realize what she's destined for, and a young Norman prince, Phillip, who is coming to wed Catherine's younger sister. Forbidden love now seems to be the force that will bring the kingdom down.
Treachery, loyalty, and being true to one's nature are main themes here as the characters struggle with each other and the nature of change within the world. Fans of this genre will find much to love about both Catherine and Phillip; two truly star-crossed lovers navigating a very confusing world.
Please note that this book is narrated by AI (Virtual Voice). While not quite up to human standards, AI narration has made great strides. There are moments when the inflections and tone are not in perfect sync with the intention of the author, but they are not many and are not major detractors from the storyline. However, if this is an issue, please consider getting the book instead of the audiobook.
November 25, 2024
I just finished reading Helyn Dunn’s book Sacrifice, and I’m spellbound. The story is fascinating, with lots of surprises, magic, luscious imagery, and truth in it. And the way it’s written is truly magical. I believe that art is magic, and as such, Helyn Dunn is an incredible magician. The stunning beauty of her visual arts, which she applied to grace us with the sumptuous images of two of the main characters on the book’s front and back covers, is matched by her poetic spilling out of this story, which gets better and better as one reads on. I learned things, new words and concepts that actually changed me! And I shed tears, especially in the last pages, mostly from being filled with profound, beautiful realities. Magic. I’m left with magic having become more real than ever, which is important to me! Thank you, Helyn! I’m so glad I bought the paperback. I treasure it! And I can’t wait for the second book to come out!
July 19, 2024
Sacrifice by Helyn Dunn is peerless pleasure of plot & pacing. Drawn into the dazzle of imagery, emotion and action… it left me "in an eternal moment of breathless abeyance” (Helyn’s phrase). It is … ineffable.
Frequently pausing to process, or savor and settle, what I’d witnessed… Its depth is at once enthralling, empowering, harrowing, exquisite, spirited, poetic, renouncing, exalting, heretical and magical.
Dunn’s passionate characters transcend those of lesser, cliched works of similar genres with their audacious, visceral vibrancy, running the gamut of emotions from deathly villainous to joyful caring. Her complex storytelling is purifying; grounding and elemental yet numinous and visionary.
Tearjerking, bittersweet and joyful, this book will leave you hollowed and hallowed. How this tale visits all these places in under 400 pages is unique, brilliant author magic you owe yourself to discover.
If you dare go there, buy the book.
Enjoy it.
Savor it.
Share it.
Contemplate it.
Reread it.
Await, with the rest of us, the opening of the second portal… to the next Enchantment!
Frequently pausing to process, or savor and settle, what I’d witnessed… Its depth is at once enthralling, empowering, harrowing, exquisite, spirited, poetic, renouncing, exalting, heretical and magical.
Dunn’s passionate characters transcend those of lesser, cliched works of similar genres with their audacious, visceral vibrancy, running the gamut of emotions from deathly villainous to joyful caring. Her complex storytelling is purifying; grounding and elemental yet numinous and visionary.
Tearjerking, bittersweet and joyful, this book will leave you hollowed and hallowed. How this tale visits all these places in under 400 pages is unique, brilliant author magic you owe yourself to discover.
If you dare go there, buy the book.
Enjoy it.
Savor it.
Share it.
Contemplate it.
Reread it.
Await, with the rest of us, the opening of the second portal… to the next Enchantment!
October 12, 2024
No depth to the story.
The idea that two people could fall in love with only a few words spoken between them is ludicrous. The story line itself is sound, hence the three stars. But without background or any character development, the story is flat and frankly boring.
The idea that two people could fall in love with only a few words spoken between them is ludicrous. The story line itself is sound, hence the three stars. But without background or any character development, the story is flat and frankly boring.
July 7, 2025
Beautiful story
I loved the connection Catherine/Ena had with Phillip. It's a shame that they cannot be together. On to the next booking the series.
I would align this book more with Kate Moss Languedoc Trilogy than The Mists of Avalon. Especially since it takes place in France in the Carcasonne region of France and the Knights Templar and the feminine Devine of Mary Magdelene.
I loved the connection Catherine/Ena had with Phillip. It's a shame that they cannot be together. On to the next booking the series.
I would align this book more with Kate Moss Languedoc Trilogy than The Mists of Avalon. Especially since it takes place in France in the Carcasonne region of France and the Knights Templar and the feminine Devine of Mary Magdelene.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews