What do you think?
Rate this book
The Claimed Realm #1
Legacy's Edge
A leader. A secret. A return home to a land in crisis.
The beginning of an epic destiny...
When Alaric returns home from a failed crusade, he finds a home changed beyond recognition. It's a land drowning in chaos and overrun with lawlessness.
He is a battle-hardened general who has faced countless foes and navigated the intricate political alliances of the Cardinal King’s Court in the Holy Land. But now he confronts his greatest challenge yet — reclaiming his homeland of Dekar.
Grappling with loyalty, duty, and the burden of leadership, Alaric must face the grim realities of war and the weight of a destiny he does not want as he unravels the mysteries of what ruined Dekar. Otherwise, he might lose his home forever...
Marc Alan Edelheit invites readers to immerse themselves in a new Epic Military Fantasy saga that is as emotionally compelling as it is action-packed. Enter a meticulously crafted world featuring progression fantasy and kingdom-building elements, where the stakes are high and the battles are so visceral you can almost smell the blood.
The story begins here…
The beginning of an epic destiny...
When Alaric returns home from a failed crusade, he finds a home changed beyond recognition. It's a land drowning in chaos and overrun with lawlessness.
He is a battle-hardened general who has faced countless foes and navigated the intricate political alliances of the Cardinal King’s Court in the Holy Land. But now he confronts his greatest challenge yet — reclaiming his homeland of Dekar.
Grappling with loyalty, duty, and the burden of leadership, Alaric must face the grim realities of war and the weight of a destiny he does not want as he unravels the mysteries of what ruined Dekar. Otherwise, he might lose his home forever...
Marc Alan Edelheit invites readers to immerse themselves in a new Epic Military Fantasy saga that is as emotionally compelling as it is action-packed. Enter a meticulously crafted world featuring progression fantasy and kingdom-building elements, where the stakes are high and the battles are so visceral you can almost smell the blood.
The story begins here…
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2024
465 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Marc Alan Edelheit
47 books862 followersBestselling author Marc Edelheit has traveled the world, from Asia to Europe, at one point crossing the border at Check Point Charlie in Berlin toward the end of the Cold War.
Marc is the ultimate history fan and incorporates much of that passion into his work to bring greater realism to his fans. He is also an avid reader, devouring several books per week, ranging from history to science fiction and fantasy.
Marc is the ultimate history fan and incorporates much of that passion into his work to bring greater realism to his fans. He is also an avid reader, devouring several books per week, ranging from history to science fiction and fantasy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 31, 2025
Good stuff.
November 20, 2024
A military fantasy page-turner with a few twists and turns and hinting of a larger story to come. In the context of a faux medieval world during the Crusades, Alaric, heir to the earldom of Dekar situated in the far off island of Kevhan has been sent off ten years previously aged only sixteen to represent his father and the King in the realm of the infidel "ash men" of the desert where the crusaders under the Cardinal King claimed a state through fire and blood.
However, the enemy has recently turned up a genius warlord who has united the desert people and started defeating the crusaders, while the Cardinal King is a greedy fool bent on pillaging rather than on a holy mission as unfortunately are most of his priests, so Alaric, now a seasoned warleader with his own dominion and fortress town where he rules as a vassal to the Cardinal King, has grown tired both of war and of what the Crusades turned into. A deeply faithful man with charisma and a reputation for justice and keeping his word, Alaric has lost quite a few of his original soldiers, but has attracted others - including many locals - into his service, so when he decides to return home both his old and new soldiers as well as a motley group of followers decide to go with him.
Following another decisive victory for the enemy including the capture of the fool King, Alaric has a little breathing room to organize his retreat and he hires a sea-captain/pirate to take him and his followers home. On the way they fight enemy pirates and rescue a true "Lumina" - a magician woman accepted as a holy emissary in Alaric's religion at least as long as she proves to be a true such (by throwing bolts of fire for example) and not an imposter to be burned at the stake.
As it turns out Alaric has his own (family) secrets though he really doesn't want to have anything to do with them as he thinks he is done with war and fighting and ready to go home and be a good son and heir; of course fate decrees otherwise as strength is the only thing truly respected in this world...
And so it goes with almost non-stop action until the good stopping point and its twist, making the next book a huge asap.
Excellent stuff and lots of promise for the series
However, the enemy has recently turned up a genius warlord who has united the desert people and started defeating the crusaders, while the Cardinal King is a greedy fool bent on pillaging rather than on a holy mission as unfortunately are most of his priests, so Alaric, now a seasoned warleader with his own dominion and fortress town where he rules as a vassal to the Cardinal King, has grown tired both of war and of what the Crusades turned into. A deeply faithful man with charisma and a reputation for justice and keeping his word, Alaric has lost quite a few of his original soldiers, but has attracted others - including many locals - into his service, so when he decides to return home both his old and new soldiers as well as a motley group of followers decide to go with him.
Following another decisive victory for the enemy including the capture of the fool King, Alaric has a little breathing room to organize his retreat and he hires a sea-captain/pirate to take him and his followers home. On the way they fight enemy pirates and rescue a true "Lumina" - a magician woman accepted as a holy emissary in Alaric's religion at least as long as she proves to be a true such (by throwing bolts of fire for example) and not an imposter to be burned at the stake.
As it turns out Alaric has his own (family) secrets though he really doesn't want to have anything to do with them as he thinks he is done with war and fighting and ready to go home and be a good son and heir; of course fate decrees otherwise as strength is the only thing truly respected in this world...
And so it goes with almost non-stop action until the good stopping point and its twist, making the next book a huge asap.
Excellent stuff and lots of promise for the series
November 20, 2024
This is not a cure for insomnia & will cause sleep deprivation because you can’t stop reading it :->
A new compelling, fast paced and action-packed military fantasy not in the Karus/Stiger/Eli universe/storyline.
NOTE: this is not a cure for insomnia and will probably cause sleep deprivation because you can’t stop reading it…
Marc Alan Edelheit (MAE) is best known for writing extraordinary historical fiction, specifically the Stiger and Karus series plus the spinoffs all set in the same fantasy universe. They are some of the very best books I have ever read. In case you haven’t read them, I HIGHLY recommend them.
This book is just as good as MAE’s other books, but in a new, well thought out, fully developed and compelling fantasy universe all its own. The main character, Alaric, is as well developed as Stiger and Karus. Alaric is also a true leader, who like Karus and Stiger, genuinely cares for his people. You can’t help yourself but cheer him on as Alaric overcomes any and all obstacles in his path. The fight scenes and action scenes are absolutely as good as MAE’s other books. There is even a naval battle which is every bit as good as any I have read by other authors. There are even some eye-opening surprises concerning supporting characters.
If you like new vistas and well thought out descriptions of other worlds/realities, this book is for you. If you like fast paced action-packed stories, this book is for you. If you like books with strong moral characters who aren’t afraid to do what’s right no matter the cost, this book is for you. If you don’t want to be bored by what you are reading, this book is for you.
Otherwise go read “The Sun Also Rises” which led to great sleep for me in High School AP English. I honestly don’t remember if I ever finished it because I fell asleep so many times trying to read it…
A new compelling, fast paced and action-packed military fantasy not in the Karus/Stiger/Eli universe/storyline.
NOTE: this is not a cure for insomnia and will probably cause sleep deprivation because you can’t stop reading it…
Marc Alan Edelheit (MAE) is best known for writing extraordinary historical fiction, specifically the Stiger and Karus series plus the spinoffs all set in the same fantasy universe. They are some of the very best books I have ever read. In case you haven’t read them, I HIGHLY recommend them.
This book is just as good as MAE’s other books, but in a new, well thought out, fully developed and compelling fantasy universe all its own. The main character, Alaric, is as well developed as Stiger and Karus. Alaric is also a true leader, who like Karus and Stiger, genuinely cares for his people. You can’t help yourself but cheer him on as Alaric overcomes any and all obstacles in his path. The fight scenes and action scenes are absolutely as good as MAE’s other books. There is even a naval battle which is every bit as good as any I have read by other authors. There are even some eye-opening surprises concerning supporting characters.
If you like new vistas and well thought out descriptions of other worlds/realities, this book is for you. If you like fast paced action-packed stories, this book is for you. If you like books with strong moral characters who aren’t afraid to do what’s right no matter the cost, this book is for you. If you don’t want to be bored by what you are reading, this book is for you.
Otherwise go read “The Sun Also Rises” which led to great sleep for me in High School AP English. I honestly don’t remember if I ever finished it because I fell asleep so many times trying to read it…
July 30, 2025
An outstanding story with only some minor flaws
I liked the realistic despiction of the setting with all the petty intrigues and the the failure of the crusade due to greed, arrogance and fanaticism. I also enjoyed the emphasis on the mostly overlooked dangers of sea travel refreshing.
The second half of the book felt a bit weaker, especially the fort scene.
Criticism and comments
I would have enjoyed a bit more world building by Alaric reminiscenting about the crusade before his stand off with the priest. The story that was given felt too bare boned to me.
Oathbreaker is a very contra productive name for an ancestral sword of a noble house.
I found the rape scene on the already half flooded deck in the sinking ship very unbelievable. One would think that the man rather would leave ship through an oar gap than to have a last shag and drown..
The mindless slaughter of the bandits was really moronic as they should have interrogated them..
I found the part about the lumina and the luminary a bit confusing. Their trips names were too similar as well for my taste.
A knife strike in the belly would not kill so fast especially if he hit himself.. i found it bizarre that Alaric would let the scene play out that way..
I found it idiotic that they didn't finish off the sleeping enemies when they had the chance..
I didn't quite understand how the soldiers would climb the pallisades without ladders or ropes and found it unbelievable that the counter attack would work so well with so many bodies lying around. Not to mention the moat and the spikes..
I liked the realistic despiction of the setting with all the petty intrigues and the the failure of the crusade due to greed, arrogance and fanaticism. I also enjoyed the emphasis on the mostly overlooked dangers of sea travel refreshing.
The second half of the book felt a bit weaker, especially the fort scene.
Criticism and comments
I would have enjoyed a bit more world building by Alaric reminiscenting about the crusade before his stand off with the priest. The story that was given felt too bare boned to me.
Oathbreaker is a very contra productive name for an ancestral sword of a noble house.
I found the rape scene on the already half flooded deck in the sinking ship very unbelievable. One would think that the man rather would leave ship through an oar gap than to have a last shag and drown..
The mindless slaughter of the bandits was really moronic as they should have interrogated them..
I found the part about the lumina and the luminary a bit confusing. Their trips names were too similar as well for my taste.
A knife strike in the belly would not kill so fast especially if he hit himself.. i found it bizarre that Alaric would let the scene play out that way..
I found it idiotic that they didn't finish off the sleeping enemies when they had the chance..
I didn't quite understand how the soldiers would climb the pallisades without ladders or ropes and found it unbelievable that the counter attack would work so well with so many bodies lying around. Not to mention the moat and the spikes..
January 7, 2025
Holy schnikes !
This was a very pleasant surprise. I have been a fan of Mr. Edelheit for some time. He is a talented author who never fails to please. I picked this up to cover the time until the further adventures of the 7th and Karus are realsed. This story was absolutely amazing. Drew me in right off the bat. It is a page turner. Thanks Marc now I have another series to wait on , lol. Good job , Sir.
This was a very pleasant surprise. I have been a fan of Mr. Edelheit for some time. He is a talented author who never fails to please. I picked this up to cover the time until the further adventures of the 7th and Karus are realsed. This story was absolutely amazing. Drew me in right off the bat. It is a page turner. Thanks Marc now I have another series to wait on , lol. Good job , Sir.
May 30, 2025
Amazing story, worth every minute in a busy day!
Enjoyed the new personalities, whether the shadow guard, the Lumina or Alaric himself. a great mix of people with depth. Humor and more to learn about. Looking forward to reading the next book. If you have not read this yet, it is well worth the effort. Thank you Marc, you have done it again. A series of stories to move my thoughts and my heart!!
Enjoyed the new personalities, whether the shadow guard, the Lumina or Alaric himself. a great mix of people with depth. Humor and more to learn about. Looking forward to reading the next book. If you have not read this yet, it is well worth the effort. Thank you Marc, you have done it again. A series of stories to move my thoughts and my heart!!
November 24, 2024
Can’t wait for the next!
I have enjoyed all of MAE’s books, but this one is the best written of them all. He has become a masterful weaver of words along with his ability to write excellent stories and characters. I could almost see and hear the battles as they unfolded on the page. Very well done… now when is book 2 expected?!
I have enjoyed all of MAE’s books, but this one is the best written of them all. He has become a masterful weaver of words along with his ability to write excellent stories and characters. I could almost see and hear the battles as they unfolded on the page. Very well done… now when is book 2 expected?!
November 27, 2024
Marc does it agin
Marc does what he does best world building and excellent storytelling. Alaric and his personal guard and veteran warriors return from te crusades they find themselves in another battle to reclaim his families land and rescue his mother from invader’s who have invaded his home and lands. Great story from start to finish. Highly recommended reading.
Marc does what he does best world building and excellent storytelling. Alaric and his personal guard and veteran warriors return from te crusades they find themselves in another battle to reclaim his families land and rescue his mother from invader’s who have invaded his home and lands. Great story from start to finish. Highly recommended reading.
December 3, 2024
Best Edelheit in Forever
I like this book. It reminds me of some of MAE’s first few books. The book has great characters, and he has refrained from the usual girl boss stuff that had been in the last number of books, Awesome male and female characters without one denigrating the other. Culture war stuff gone.
I like this book. It reminds me of some of MAE’s first few books. The book has great characters, and he has refrained from the usual girl boss stuff that had been in the last number of books, Awesome male and female characters without one denigrating the other. Culture war stuff gone.
January 14, 2025
great new series
I’ve read some of the authors other books and always enjoyed them and their gritty reality. This one follows in the footsteps of the others with strong military writing and magic woven in. It seems like a play on King Arthur which I’ve always enjoyed. I highly recommend it.
I’ve read some of the authors other books and always enjoyed them and their gritty reality. This one follows in the footsteps of the others with strong military writing and magic woven in. It seems like a play on King Arthur which I’ve always enjoyed. I highly recommend it.
April 12, 2025
A great roaring tale!
This is swell written tale, the characters are finely cast and the story flows with zest and pizzaz. It's a PhD turner that keeps you anxious to find out what will happen in each paragraph and chapter. I am anxious to start on the following book. This was my second discovery of what an excellent writer Marc Alan Effluent is.
This is swell written tale, the characters are finely cast and the story flows with zest and pizzaz. It's a PhD turner that keeps you anxious to find out what will happen in each paragraph and chapter. I am anxious to start on the following book. This was my second discovery of what an excellent writer Marc Alan Effluent is.
April 24, 2025
A decent full on fantasy book from MAE!
This is the first fantasy book I’ve read from the author, and to be honest i resent it a little since it pushes back another Stiger book! But MAE acquitted himself well with a little less exposition than i would have liked, but a good start, for sure.
This is the first fantasy book I’ve read from the author, and to be honest i resent it a little since it pushes back another Stiger book! But MAE acquitted himself well with a little less exposition than i would have liked, but a good start, for sure.
November 28, 2024
Exciting new story from a master storyteller.
I am looking forward to the next in the series. This book laid the foundation for a new and exciting new world. The first part of the story brought to mind Robin Hood Prince of Theives.
I am looking forward to the next in the series. This book laid the foundation for a new and exciting new world. The first part of the story brought to mind Robin Hood Prince of Theives.
December 13, 2024
WOW! What a read.
WOW, this book is a fantastic read. Love the main characters. A new world, plenty of action, and a fantastic story, what's not to love. 💚 I started in the morning and finished that night. Thank you.
WOW, this book is a fantastic read. Love the main characters. A new world, plenty of action, and a fantastic story, what's not to love. 💚 I started in the morning and finished that night. Thank you.
February 14, 2025
Another fantastic story !!
Crusades,pirates,large scale battles,naval warfare,sword fighting and magic and that’s just Alaric getting home !! I’m anxiously awaiting the next book. Nothing this man has written has ever disappointed me.
Crusades,pirates,large scale battles,naval warfare,sword fighting and magic and that’s just Alaric getting home !! I’m anxiously awaiting the next book. Nothing this man has written has ever disappointed me.
April 13, 2025
good start to a good series
I started reading mark with his stiger series. He has a very good style of writing that makes you not want to put the book down till it’s done. I really like the action. I have always been a fan of military sci-fi and fantasy.
I started reading mark with his stiger series. He has a very good style of writing that makes you not want to put the book down till it’s done. I really like the action. I have always been a fan of military sci-fi and fantasy.
May 27, 2025
IDK
IMO, there are too many similarities between characters and the plot of Karus. I will say that it's been years since I read The Karus Saga so I could be wrong. I will still be reading the rest of the series.
IMO, there are too many similarities between characters and the plot of Karus. I will say that it's been years since I read The Karus Saga so I could be wrong. I will still be reading the rest of the series.
August 31, 2025
Awesome
Mr. Edelheit is one of my favorite authors. This book was an awesome read. I really enjoyed the story and it has lots of action. I highly recommend this book series along with the author.
Mr. Edelheit is one of my favorite authors. This book was an awesome read. I really enjoyed the story and it has lots of action. I highly recommend this book series along with the author.
November 24, 2024
A fantastic start
Wow wow wow what a great introduction to fantastic character s thank you Marc for another masterpiece,gripping from start to finish well done
Wow wow wow what a great introduction to fantastic character s thank you Marc for another masterpiece,gripping from start to finish well done
November 26, 2024
It was an interesting. but I found it a plain fantasy story. It was well written with no plot holes i could find.
December 4, 2024
Captivating tale of adventures land & sea, of clashing religions & peoples, of things ancient and of the inner thoughts of a principled returning leader.
As a master story teller Edelheit will encourage you to stay up late turning pages as his story unfolds.
As a master story teller Edelheit will encourage you to stay up late turning pages as his story unfolds.
December 11, 2024
A good read.
February 2, 2025
Excellent book!
A must read. An excellent book, full of interesting characters and an ever evolving story line. Looking forward to second book.
A must read. An excellent book, full of interesting characters and an ever evolving story line. Looking forward to second book.
March 17, 2025
Excellent new story with the usual story telling from Marc and there is more to tell....
August 22, 2025
Heroic Fantasy.
This was a fun read. And is a great example of heroic fantasy that’s not gritty and dark. Likeable characters, though they did seem to have hints of Robin Hood returning from the Crusades. (Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman??).
(Provoked to wonder about the use of the words ‘engine’ and ‘Spartan’. Origins must be from the days of the Ordinate).
This was a fun read. And is a great example of heroic fantasy that’s not gritty and dark. Likeable characters, though they did seem to have hints of Robin Hood returning from the Crusades. (Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman??).
(Provoked to wonder about the use of the words ‘engine’ and ‘Spartan’. Origins must be from the days of the Ordinate).
September 2, 2025
A solid first entry into what I presume will be a very enjoyable trilogy. This has everything you expect from an Edelheit novel, and if it's your first, get ready for some fast-paced military fantasy that doesn't skimp on plot or character development, and oh, the battles \m/ Starting book 2 right away and would recommend.
June 2, 2025
A strong start to a new series from Marc. I've enjoyed following Stiger's journey from disgraced legionnaire captain to emperor and Legacy's Edge protagonist Alaric is cast from the same mold, although younger and less jaded. He's something of an Übermensch, I'll admit, a stoic do-gooder with titanium plot armor who lacks, so far, the depth of Stiger's character and personally tragic backstory, but I'm willing to give the much younger Alaric a pass—his failing or lack-thereof is intertwined with the failure of the Crusade as a whole.
Like Marc's previous work, his dedication to accurately portraying pre-modern warfare is commendable. He grapples with the challenges leaders faced issuing commands and motivating their men, the importance of exploiting terrain (especially against a numerical superior foe), and the visceral, abrupt brutality of combat, but he doesn’t stray into the grotesque as some “dark fantasy” tends to. Instead, the action sequences are kinetic and immersive, bringing the reader into this early medieval world.
In terms of negatives, I feel like the structure and composition of Marc’s prose has taken a step back; it’s just not as tightly written as The Stiger Chronicles, with repetition and superfluous descriptions that are couched as inner dialogue, but feel like padding. Obviously this didn’t impede my enjoyment of the novel, but the verbose, sometimes rambling text was a digression from Marc’s previous work.
Like Marc's previous work, his dedication to accurately portraying pre-modern warfare is commendable. He grapples with the challenges leaders faced issuing commands and motivating their men, the importance of exploiting terrain (especially against a numerical superior foe), and the visceral, abrupt brutality of combat, but he doesn’t stray into the grotesque as some “dark fantasy” tends to. Instead, the action sequences are kinetic and immersive, bringing the reader into this early medieval world.
In terms of negatives, I feel like the structure and composition of Marc’s prose has taken a step back; it’s just not as tightly written as The Stiger Chronicles, with repetition and superfluous descriptions that are couched as inner dialogue, but feel like padding. Obviously this didn’t impede my enjoyment of the novel, but the verbose, sometimes rambling text was a digression from Marc’s previous work.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews