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The Silent Sacrifice: Dragons and Darkness Book 1
Born of both life and death, Hilja lives a life of pain and rejection, superstition making her a pariah until she is needed to make the ultimate sacrifice. Silent she stands for her people until Death himself rises up to thrust her into a world of dragons and magic. The line between good and evil isn't as clear as she was led to believe and in the end she must embrace the light or let the darkness consume her.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2022
105 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
About the author
R.A Pack
11 books16 followersAuthor of Dragons and Darkness series as well as the Monster Wave series! Find me on Tiktok, Instagram and Facebook
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 17, 2023
3.5 stars
Mixed feelings about this one.
The plot has a lot of potential. The story of Hilja an abused and mute young woman who is sacrificed by her tribe to Death (In the form of a dragon until shifts to human form). The tribe believes she is a bad omen, not being able to speak, and think her sacrifice will bring them prosperity.
After her “death” (was sacrificed), she and Death can communicate, and she finds out she is in fact his bound mate.
From there the plot continues on their relationship, learning to trust, her growing powers and a black mage who is after them, wanting Death’s soul piece (apparently pieces of souls can be distributed and used for power by mages).
I understand this story has a lot of Finnish (?) folklore in it.
So why the 3.5 stars?
To begin with, it was not until 40% that the h and H finally meet. The first 40% are descriptions of her being abused, the cruelty of her tribe, her only friend trying to save her and the man she was fond of betraying her. Admittedly, I found this primitive and exhausting, with all the internal dialogue and I skimmed through at some point.
The part with death was also very “heavy”. A lot of internal dialogue, and part dialogues to let the reader know what is going on, together with immature reactions of both h and H. I found Death to be underdeveloped, having only 2-3 moods. The descriptions of the background, the world building and the idea behind the plot were interesting, but with the h and H being almost “robotic” in their interactions, it didn’t hold my interest.
Perhaps it’s the author’s writing style, which is very descriptive, and in that sense impressive. Or perhaps I was wrong expecting a “romance” and getting romantic Finnish folklore, which had an air of “old style” story rather than a modern fairy tale or fantasy, either way I DNF’d this at 73%. The slow burn was boring and tiring considering the plot.
Mixed feelings about this one.
The plot has a lot of potential. The story of Hilja an abused and mute young woman who is sacrificed by her tribe to Death (In the form of a dragon until shifts to human form). The tribe believes she is a bad omen, not being able to speak, and think her sacrifice will bring them prosperity.
After her “death” (was sacrificed), she and Death can communicate, and she finds out she is in fact his bound mate.
From there the plot continues on their relationship, learning to trust, her growing powers and a black mage who is after them, wanting Death’s soul piece (apparently pieces of souls can be distributed and used for power by mages).
I understand this story has a lot of Finnish (?) folklore in it.
So why the 3.5 stars?
To begin with, it was not until 40% that the h and H finally meet. The first 40% are descriptions of her being abused, the cruelty of her tribe, her only friend trying to save her and the man she was fond of betraying her. Admittedly, I found this primitive and exhausting, with all the internal dialogue and I skimmed through at some point.
The part with death was also very “heavy”. A lot of internal dialogue, and part dialogues to let the reader know what is going on, together with immature reactions of both h and H. I found Death to be underdeveloped, having only 2-3 moods. The descriptions of the background, the world building and the idea behind the plot were interesting, but with the h and H being almost “robotic” in their interactions, it didn’t hold my interest.
Perhaps it’s the author’s writing style, which is very descriptive, and in that sense impressive. Or perhaps I was wrong expecting a “romance” and getting romantic Finnish folklore, which had an air of “old style” story rather than a modern fairy tale or fantasy, either way I DNF’d this at 73%. The slow burn was boring and tiring considering the plot.
August 7, 2022
I keep waffling between 2 and 3 stars. In my opinion, this book is wonderfully written. In this household we fully support strong friendships and I would lay down my life for Bjork. The interactions between the MC and love interest are great, we also fully support dragons in this household. But what I can't get behind is this story (slight spoiler ahead, do not read if you don't want a bit of a spoiler!) being 40% grueling and explicitly detailed torture. I almost stopped reading but I kept thinking, this can't continue right? It has to end at some point. Partially I get why it happened, I don't understand why it had to be so incredibly graphic to the point where I kind of wished I hadn't read the book to begin with. I honestly don't know how to feel because the storyline is fantastic and like I stated before, it is a beautifully written book (and if you look at it in a different line, I guess it's a good thing the author can invoke such strong feelings?) but I can't get behind that level of graphic torture, I did end up having to skip ahead several pages during several parts.
With that said, I will most likely read the second book because I need some retribution for a certain character. Just some hardcore revenge please. But with that said the second I think there's going to be another torture scene, I'm out.
With that said, I will most likely read the second book because I need some retribution for a certain character. Just some hardcore revenge please. But with that said the second I think there's going to be another torture scene, I'm out.
July 23, 2025
This was another TT book that got me - and not in a good way. I considered DNF'ing at 84% but finished the book. I will be DNF'ing the series.
The story started off strong but after a while, I couldn't get over the spelling errors that occurred. There were also a few paragraphs that were the same thought process and it felt like the paragraph was being repeated but in different verbiage. There were also a few times I found words that were misused (example: "nubile fingers" - I believe the author meant "nimble fingers"). I kept thinking - where were the editors?
I also found the though processes of the FMC (who went through some MAJOR TRAUMA) and MMC were repetitive in nature - which to some degree I understand but it doesn't help the story progress. There were also times that we would be in one scene/area for a while and then a few days would go by without a trace. I also understand that as a reader you will not get every second of every day, but this felt odd and against the previously established 40% of the book.
I was originally excited about this book: I love a silent and fierce protagonist, it has dragons, but it didn't have consistency.
I will not continue this story. I do not recommend.
The story started off strong but after a while, I couldn't get over the spelling errors that occurred. There were also a few paragraphs that were the same thought process and it felt like the paragraph was being repeated but in different verbiage. There were also a few times I found words that were misused (example: "nubile fingers" - I believe the author meant "nimble fingers"). I kept thinking - where were the editors?
I also found the though processes of the FMC (who went through some MAJOR TRAUMA) and MMC were repetitive in nature - which to some degree I understand but it doesn't help the story progress. There were also times that we would be in one scene/area for a while and then a few days would go by without a trace. I also understand that as a reader you will not get every second of every day, but this felt odd and against the previously established 40% of the book.
I was originally excited about this book: I love a silent and fierce protagonist, it has dragons, but it didn't have consistency.
I will not continue this story. I do not recommend.
January 2, 2023
Unexpected
Found title on booktok. Proof it works? The teaser was enough to make me pay attention. When I started it, the characters grabbed the heart with a fist and refused to let go. I've been staying away from fated mates lately, the relationships feel forced and often lack the chemistry that will ingage me. Not only was I enthralled from the beginning, hardships, forbidden love, betrayal, all within chapters, but watching their relationship form was beautiful, even if fated, they had to build it. And the fact that the trauma from what happened is actually used, it's not 'you are my fated mate, everything is perfect and fine,' makes it every victory sweeter.
5 stars. I laughed, I cried, and enjoyed every minute of it.
Found title on booktok. Proof it works? The teaser was enough to make me pay attention. When I started it, the characters grabbed the heart with a fist and refused to let go. I've been staying away from fated mates lately, the relationships feel forced and often lack the chemistry that will ingage me. Not only was I enthralled from the beginning, hardships, forbidden love, betrayal, all within chapters, but watching their relationship form was beautiful, even if fated, they had to build it. And the fact that the trauma from what happened is actually used, it's not 'you are my fated mate, everything is perfect and fine,' makes it every victory sweeter.
5 stars. I laughed, I cried, and enjoyed every minute of it.
December 18, 2023
This would have gotten 5 stars if it weren’t for a few things. I did enjoy this story and the concept. I haven’t read a story with a storyline like this. So for me it was a unique story. It was well plotted and flowed really nice. One thing that took away for the story was there were some editing errors. I would find sentences that didn’t flow or had misspellings. They weren’t anything crazy so I could still understand what was going on. I did find it a little slow at the end and was starting to lose interest a little. But I still plan on continuing the series because for the most part I enjoyed my time.
August 7, 2022
there are editing errors but get over them
This book is such a great read. Although I almos feel like she forgot it was supposed to contain smut and then threw it in like 75% of the way in haha. If you can get over some of the editing errors the book is really great. Great characters and let me tell you…I was waiting for her revenge.
This book is such a great read. Although I almos feel like she forgot it was supposed to contain smut and then threw it in like 75% of the way in haha. If you can get over some of the editing errors the book is really great. Great characters and let me tell you…I was waiting for her revenge.
September 5, 2022
This was one of those books that you lose yourself in. The world building, character development and story line are fantastic. Spicy near the end if that matters to you. I can not wait for the next installment!
September 11, 2022
Given the length of the book, it was little too slow getting to the two main characters meeting and a little too quick going from enemies to lovers.
However, I really liked the overarching story. I’m excited to read the rest of the series!
However, I really liked the overarching story. I’m excited to read the rest of the series!
September 30, 2022
cannot wait for book 2!!
So found this on TikTok, I’m so glad I gave it a chance, fantastic world building, romance and spice 🌶
Wish book 2 was out as I read this in one day lol
Cannot wait for more hilja and hel , love the characters
So found this on TikTok, I’m so glad I gave it a chance, fantastic world building, romance and spice 🌶
Wish book 2 was out as I read this in one day lol
Cannot wait for more hilja and hel , love the characters
September 11, 2022
💜💜
It was an amazing book! It was so exciting the whole way through and kept me engaged the entire time!
It was an amazing book! It was so exciting the whole way through and kept me engaged the entire time!
November 15, 2022
Great Read
This book is quite fantastical. I can’t wait to see how Hilja’s journey continues. I am absolutely enamored with this fmc.
This book is quite fantastical. I can’t wait to see how Hilja’s journey continues. I am absolutely enamored with this fmc.
April 4, 2023
Dragons are always my favorite, this was so good 😊
Going right into the second book 📚
Going right into the second book 📚
May 12, 2023
The map at the beginning is soooo bad, but I get that it’s supposed to represent the map that the characters in the book have…
February 27, 2024
Captivating story
The characters were easy to connect with and the world building is very naturally weaved into the story without being too long winded. On to the next book.
The characters were easy to connect with and the world building is very naturally weaved into the story without being too long winded. On to the next book.
July 17, 2023
Dragons!
A bit slow in the beginning but you really get to know the MC. If you like dragons and romance you won’t go wrong here :)
A bit slow in the beginning but you really get to know the MC. If you like dragons and romance you won’t go wrong here :)
December 25, 2022
Can't wait for book 2
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews