Review
#1 New Release in Teen & Young Adult Folklore & Mythology
"At that moment, a sparkling aqua and sapphire-colored dragonfly landed on Elias' knuckle ... I have never read such a spiritually-informed fantasy. The Donum, the trials, the Elixir, and "page seventy-two of the ancient book known as The Book of the Land that Doesn't Exist" offer a lot about the Cosmos, timelines, and life's journey ... Read this to find a unique adventure where time plays some major tricks."
Reader - Sudipta Nandi, 4 stars
"E.G. Kardos' The Elixir: Journey On is a fantastic book that takes one on a fantasy journey... During his journey, he comes across people who help him navigate his path. The book also explores the strength behind having hope in any situation.
It's a book that contains a lot of moral lessons that one can apply to our daily lives, like a battle between good and evil. The protagonist's growth was remarkable; it gave me an insight into the level of persistence required to make a call that one may have. I love the blend the author used in making characters climax as you read... I enjoyed how the author mixed the elements of magic and mystery. I recommend this book to all those who love fantasy books and adventure books ... "
Reader - Ibekwe Onyedika, 5 stars
Unfolding on the Isle of Eahta, E.G. Kardos' book, The Elixir: Journey, intriguingly captures the duel of evil and good. Ordak, the ruler of the kingdom of Gold, also known as The Conveyor of Evil, wants a swig of Elixir, which he believes will grant him eternal life, and the only person standing in his way is a mere boy. Elias may be a boy, but he's the chosen one tasked with safeguarding the Elixir of Life. And so the journey begins for our hero, with the enemy not far away. The story kicks off with both the protagonist and antagonist at a disadvantage; Elias finds himself lost, with no recollection of where he is or how he got there, and on the other hand, Ordak is defeated, dying slowly, so that Hubish gets to stand over him and laugh. Despite this, they both rise and heed their calls. Elias meets Zoltan, during which he realizes what's at stake and what he must do to stop Ordak, who uses his power to access the Isle of Eahta.
The protagonist is in the company of reliable friends. There's Kelsa, who helps Elias with simple mathematics; Zoltan, a sorcerer full of wisdom and with inspiring stories to tell—such as the story of a water bug—Nattymama, Elias's grandma; and above all, there's Cimbora, a wonderful dog. Whereas the villain is all alone, he's powerful and is all set as far as meeting his goal is concerned.
The book delivers an engaging hero's journey story thanks to its well-executed aspects. First, the dialogue is well done, as it reveals a lot about the characters and helps advance the plot. When Zoltan says he's going to the Land that Doesn't Exist, it is clear he has fulfilled his purpose and is well-prepared for what lies ahead. Second, the plot is straightforward; the journal of Captain James Killybegs flashforwards it. Third, the prose is simple and vividly depicts the scenes. Speaking of the scenes, the majority memorably stand out, notably Ordak-Hibush's confrontation, Elias talking with Ambrosia for the first time, and Ordak posing as a sixteen-year-old when talking with a griffin.
Overall, The Elixir is a must-read for fans of fantasy novels. It is a well-crafted blend of magic, cryptic creatures, and sword-wielding."
Reader, Emily Dacho, 5 Stars
"Immersion fantasy fans who have enjoyed series like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter will find that The Elias Chronicles' last volume, "Elixir: "A Journey On," takes the adventure enthusiasts back to the enchanting, miraculous yet also amazingly wondrous place.
The readers now follow sixteen-year-old Elias as he embarks on a new voyage, which passes through the Isle of Eahta, where narrow escapes, battles with evil forces, and the finding of self-redefining realities become his core activities ... Kardos skillfully guides the readers through an amazing world with mesmerizing animals, captivating characters, and compelling magic which she uses in the story of courage, friendship, and self-discovery marvelously.
"Elixir: "Journey On" being a part of the trilogy "The Amulet: Journey to Sirok" and "The Rings: Journey Beneath Sirok" that came before it, can account for the fact that it has a great flow... The story, established in previous novels, continues and then is closed with a fulfilling finale, which is staged by featuring various plots from novels that have gone before woven in with Elias's experience. "Elixir: The symbol of "Journey On" is the fact that the first series of Outlander has ended as how "The Deathly Hallows" did for Harry Potter and "The Return of the King" did for the Lord of the Rings.
Such a story that Kardos weaves using descriptive and interesting language, the reader is being transported on a journey where magic appears around every corner and danger is slyly and quietly waiting. Skillfully depicted characters, locations, and the mystical atmosphere will leave readers in childlike awe, reminiscent of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings.
In summary, considering the characteristics of the book, with its adventurous trip and enjoyable parts in the end, it is not a bad finish to the chronicle of Elias. There is no doubt that the novel lives up to the Epic Fantasy expectation set by fans, who yearn for the tale of bravery, friendship, as well as the quest for self-discovery. Now the book can be rightly called one of the most beloved fantasy franchises."
Reader - A. Samudra, 5 Stars
"The Elixir: Journey On, written by E.G. Kardos, is the third book in The Elias Chronicles. The book follows Elias as he embarks on his quest to stop the evil pixie Hibush from acquiring the most dangerous power from the Isle of Eahta. The book starts off with Elias waking up in unknown lands after following a portal that should lead him home with his friends. Unaware that sending him to this unknown land was a deliberative act, Elias became determined to discover why he separated from his friends and found himself in these lands. Did he succeed in stopping Hibush from attaining this power, or did he fall victim to his cunning schemes? Dive into this book to follow Elias on his adventure.
The most striking emotion I felt was when Elias woke up in the middle of nowhere. Elias's sense of disorientation resonates deeply with me, as I have personally experienced it. When Elias kept calling for Zoltan and the rest of the team, I could feel the turmoil of not knowing where you were or whether your friends had made it out alive. One lesson I learned from this is that most times, we are so focused on what's happening outside that we fail to find the calmness to help us look for our answers. When Elias stopped panicking in this scene, he was able to see things with a clear mind and focus on what really needed attention. I loved this scene because, despite being in a book with magic, I was able to pick up an important lesson from it. I loved the way the dialogue was written... I loved the adventure in this book. From the encounter with the sea serpent, to the finding of the chamber key and lots more.
... I've discovered that the desire for power remains unquenchable, regardless of our level of achievement. It's clear from Hibush's character that even in today's world, people are willing to go to great lengths in pursuit of power. I give this book a rating of five out of five stars. I loved the book's ideas of fairies, pixies, and magic. I recommend this book to lovers of the fantasy genre."
Reader - Victor Okocha, 5 Stars
"The Elixir: Journey On by E. G. Kardos is a mystic and magical book. I found this book interesting as it creates more than just an imaginative experience for the reader. It shares more than just a creative experience from the author with us but also gives inspirational quotes to the living and spectrum of existence, giving a thorough background of good and evil that truly exists amongst us and the opportunity to choose with understanding. In the book, it says, "Good is the greater of two, and evil is a relentless parasite. Understanding them allows for the extinguishing of one or both." I enjoyed how the writers used subtle suspense and high unpredictability in their writing. The book was well-paced and a progressive read.
I rate this book a 4 out of 5 because it was an intentional and personal read for me, even if Elias was the main character. I discovered that to navigate each person's journey uniquely, support, care, wisdom, and association are all necessary. I honestly appreciated the introduction and development of each character ... The book left me with a heightened awareness of how most of what was shared could be related to the world we live in, like the selfish and personal gain of people and the consciousness that there could be another world with seamless living with no effort—who knows?
It is a great read, and I recommend it to readers who are meticulous and devoted to fantasy and creative fiction."
Reader - Eniwoghale Ekpoh, 4 Stars
