What do you think?
Rate this book
Elias and The Legend of Sirok
Out of print
- - -
Into the World of Dreams and Fears… Elias, an artist, is at odds with his life on his father’s farm, and is forced to make a decision about his future. His grandmother, Nagymama, prepares him for a journey of discovery that takes him from his Hungarian village into a supernatural world. Here he faces powers and mystical beings—some that he strives to understand, while others he is forced to battle. With help from Zoltan, a wise man, he finally confronts the Sarkany, a dragon that changes shape at whim and will. Will Elias triumph over the dark powers around him? If he survives, what will he learn—about life and himself?
- - -
Into the World of Dreams and Fears… Elias, an artist, is at odds with his life on his father’s farm, and is forced to make a decision about his future. His grandmother, Nagymama, prepares him for a journey of discovery that takes him from his Hungarian village into a supernatural world. Here he faces powers and mystical beings—some that he strives to understand, while others he is forced to battle. With help from Zoltan, a wise man, he finally confronts the Sarkany, a dragon that changes shape at whim and will. Will Elias triumph over the dark powers around him? If he survives, what will he learn—about life and himself?
- GenresFantasy
142 pages, Paperback
First published January 17, 2013
216 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 14, 2016
A Hungarian Pilgrim's Progress, interesting journey of Elias the middle son of a wheat farmer. The advice of Nagymama his grandmother is to seek out his fortune and find himself. Wrought with peril from without and within Elias does triumph.
June 26, 2019
“So now what? What do you think I should do?” “Elias, don’t ask me. Ask yourself.”
Published in 2013, this was the seed for The Amulet - Journey to Sirok, published in 2017. Kardos suggests you start with the final story; I agree. Rough and repetitious, but shows promise.
“It is the natural order of things. It is the way of being one. One nature, one heart, and one soul. It is about being who you are.”
An allegory of the Pilgrim’s Progress ilk, though with a muddled message. More about self-actualization than finding truth. Quasi-medieval setting with many cultural and geographic references to Hungary.
“We allow our victim to destroy himself. Most of mankind does not need help from anyone or anything to destroy who they are.”
Kardos touts following one’s heart, but also tries to create a theistic if not Christian work. Hard to have it both ways. The Bible, believe it or not, is ambivalent. “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) “Follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22) I’ll leave sorting that to the theologians.
“It is only when you are empty that you may become full.”
Published in 2013, this was the seed for The Amulet - Journey to Sirok, published in 2017. Kardos suggests you start with the final story; I agree. Rough and repetitious, but shows promise.
“It is the natural order of things. It is the way of being one. One nature, one heart, and one soul. It is about being who you are.”
An allegory of the Pilgrim’s Progress ilk, though with a muddled message. More about self-actualization than finding truth. Quasi-medieval setting with many cultural and geographic references to Hungary.
“We allow our victim to destroy himself. Most of mankind does not need help from anyone or anything to destroy who they are.”
Kardos touts following one’s heart, but also tries to create a theistic if not Christian work. Hard to have it both ways. The Bible, believe it or not, is ambivalent. “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) “Follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22) I’ll leave sorting that to the theologians.
“It is only when you are empty that you may become full.”
April 20, 2013
Read my full review: http://bit.ly/10zC3Dn
My opinion: This book is definitely targeted towards a younger audience- I would say middle school or early young adult. However, I read this as an adult and still enjoyed it.
When I was approached to review this book by the author, I immediately jumped at it. I am in the process of doing a genealogical search on my great grandparents who came to the US from Hungary and am very proud of my Hungarian heritage, so I have been thirsty for anything that is set in or can teach me about Hungary. On that note, I was disappointed that the story didn't offer a deeper imagery of Hungary. I really felt that it could have been set anywhere. Imagery in any novel is incredibly important to me, particularly if I love where it is set and I really found this to be lacking. I can't see this impacting a pre-teen's enjoyment of a novel though.
My overall impression of the book was that it was a wonderful read for a young male reader. This story a nice introduction to fantasy literature with no swearing and clean writing is one that I would let my young reader gladly read. I do agree with another reviewer who felt that the writing could be a bit tighter in his writing, but have to say that I think most young readers would miss this. Another point is that there is a bit of religious/biblical reference in this book. Just be forewarned if that isn't your thing, but young Elias is fighting demons.
My opinion: This book is definitely targeted towards a younger audience- I would say middle school or early young adult. However, I read this as an adult and still enjoyed it.
When I was approached to review this book by the author, I immediately jumped at it. I am in the process of doing a genealogical search on my great grandparents who came to the US from Hungary and am very proud of my Hungarian heritage, so I have been thirsty for anything that is set in or can teach me about Hungary. On that note, I was disappointed that the story didn't offer a deeper imagery of Hungary. I really felt that it could have been set anywhere. Imagery in any novel is incredibly important to me, particularly if I love where it is set and I really found this to be lacking. I can't see this impacting a pre-teen's enjoyment of a novel though.
My overall impression of the book was that it was a wonderful read for a young male reader. This story a nice introduction to fantasy literature with no swearing and clean writing is one that I would let my young reader gladly read. I do agree with another reviewer who felt that the writing could be a bit tighter in his writing, but have to say that I think most young readers would miss this. Another point is that there is a bit of religious/biblical reference in this book. Just be forewarned if that isn't your thing, but young Elias is fighting demons.
March 19, 2013
Ed Kardos has a promising concept and an interesting storyline. This is a quest story--a boy, Elias, trying to find his way in the world, seeks his fortune and answers to his big question: what should he do with his life? Should he stay on the farm like his brothers? Or should he pursue his artistic dreams?
The story does get muddled at times. I never was quite clear on the outcome of Elias's quest--whether he truly found what he was searching for. The story has action and some suspense, and it contains quite a few interesting fable-like snippets as Elias meets strange but helpful people during his travels, each with their own motivating stories. But all the good advice of these people seem to fall on deaf ears--Elias never really grows or learns from these meetings, at least not to my satisfaction.
The beginning is slow and the action and adventure don't start until well into the book. Kardos does a good job describing the Hungarian countryside and the people, but Elias never quite came to fruition for me. He never developed as a standout hero--he relied more on people telling him what to do than developing his own conclusions. I believe with some retooling this story could truly grip its readers. The morals in the tale are good ones--be true to yourself, follow your dreams. I'm just not convinced Elias took them to heart in the end.
The story does get muddled at times. I never was quite clear on the outcome of Elias's quest--whether he truly found what he was searching for. The story has action and some suspense, and it contains quite a few interesting fable-like snippets as Elias meets strange but helpful people during his travels, each with their own motivating stories. But all the good advice of these people seem to fall on deaf ears--Elias never really grows or learns from these meetings, at least not to my satisfaction.
The beginning is slow and the action and adventure don't start until well into the book. Kardos does a good job describing the Hungarian countryside and the people, but Elias never quite came to fruition for me. He never developed as a standout hero--he relied more on people telling him what to do than developing his own conclusions. I believe with some retooling this story could truly grip its readers. The morals in the tale are good ones--be true to yourself, follow your dreams. I'm just not convinced Elias took them to heart in the end.
July 23, 2013
Just like Jonathan Livingston Seagull was more than a story about a bird, this novel is more than a story about Elias and his journey. From the very first page, Elias and the Legend of Sirok is told like a legend. It reads like it should be told aloud to an eagerly listening audience.
Elias is an artist, but his father is a farmer. His father gives Elias a month, until his sixteenth birthday, to decide on his future. With his grandmother’s help, Elias sets off on a quest to discover his destiny.
Along the way, Elias meets people in situations that are symbolic of all the choices truly available to any of us. Adult readers will appreciate the parallels between Kardos’ characters and real life situations. This novel is billed as a young adult fantasy, but I think a more adult audience will better understand the nuances of the story. If readers are expecting epic fantasy like Harry Potter, they will be disappointed. This is a coming of age story, yes, but it is more of a parable than a fantasy. It would be fun to read aloud with my students and discuss each situation Elias encounters, to help them make those connections.
Elias is an artist, but his father is a farmer. His father gives Elias a month, until his sixteenth birthday, to decide on his future. With his grandmother’s help, Elias sets off on a quest to discover his destiny.
Along the way, Elias meets people in situations that are symbolic of all the choices truly available to any of us. Adult readers will appreciate the parallels between Kardos’ characters and real life situations. This novel is billed as a young adult fantasy, but I think a more adult audience will better understand the nuances of the story. If readers are expecting epic fantasy like Harry Potter, they will be disappointed. This is a coming of age story, yes, but it is more of a parable than a fantasy. It would be fun to read aloud with my students and discuss each situation Elias encounters, to help them make those connections.
July 11, 2013
Elias and the Legend of Sirok by Edward G. Kardos
rating 4****
This book was provided from the author in exchange for honest literary review
Elias is a boy with a mission. After being threatened to be thrown out of his homè, he must figure out what it is that he wants from life. Aside from what the townsfolk and even his father has said, Elias must realize what in fact his true calling is. With more than a few obstacles and confrontation with creatures from what he thought was folklore, it also becomes a road to self.confidence.
I did like this story. I actually think this is one who's main appeal audience is young men, especially from 11-18. That makes this book a definite plus because there just aren't many books out there written either on a male point of view or geared to young boys. Definitely interesting and entertaining.
Michelle McQueen
YATR REVIEW PANEL
rating 4****
This book was provided from the author in exchange for honest literary review
Elias is a boy with a mission. After being threatened to be thrown out of his homè, he must figure out what it is that he wants from life. Aside from what the townsfolk and even his father has said, Elias must realize what in fact his true calling is. With more than a few obstacles and confrontation with creatures from what he thought was folklore, it also becomes a road to self.confidence.
I did like this story. I actually think this is one who's main appeal audience is young men, especially from 11-18. That makes this book a definite plus because there just aren't many books out there written either on a male point of view or geared to young boys. Definitely interesting and entertaining.
Michelle McQueen
YATR REVIEW PANEL
Read
July 5, 2017This book has been out of print since February 2014. Thank you. E.G.Kardos
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews