The Purple Heart of Erlik
Erlik, a young Mongolian warrior, is determined to prove himself worthy of the Purple Heart, a symbol of courage and honor among his people. He sets out on a quest to find the legendary Heart, a quest that will take him across the steppes of Mongolia and into the depths of the Gobi Desert. Along the way, he must face many dangers, including fierce enemies, treacherous terrain, and the mysterious forces of the supernatural. Erlik's journey is filled with adventure and peril, but it is also a journey of self-discovery. As he faces the challenges of his quest, Erlik learns more about himself and his place in the world. He discovers the true meaning of courage and honor, and ultimately finds the courage to accept his destiny.
By Robert E. Howard · First published 1928 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction · 5,982 words
First lines
-"You'll do what I tell you--or else!" Duke Tremayne smiled cruelly as he delivered his ultimatum. Across the table from him Arline Ellis clenched her white hands in helpless rage. Duke Tremayne, world adventurer, was tall, slim, darkly mustached, handsome in a ruthless way; and many women looked on him with favor. But Arline hated him, with as good reason as she feared him.
But she ventured a flare of rebellion.
What this Textopian page supports
The Purple Heart of Erlik is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert E. Howard, dated 1928 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Robert E. Howard
- Date: 1928 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Romance
- Length: 5,982 words
- Structure: 1 section, 199 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Purple Heart of Erlik by Robert E. Howard
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Fantasy — The book is set in a mythical world and features supernatural elements such as Erlik, a god of death.
- Adventure — The book follows the protagonist's journey as he searches for the Purple Heart of Erlik, a powerful artifact.
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in a historical period and features characters and events based on real-world history.
- Romance — The book features a romantic subplot between the protagonist and a female character.
Tags
fantasy · adventure · sword and sorcery · mythology · heroism · ancient civilizations · magic · action · Robert E. Howard · pulp fiction · dark themes · epic battles