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The Crown of Dusk: A Ranger’s Tale
The gods are not finished with him...
Eli has survived war, betrayal, dark magic, and the long scars of memory—but survival has come at a terrible price. Bound by an unspoken debt to Nyx, the dark goddess who spared his life, Eli is no longer entirely his own. And when she calls, refusal is not an option.
Eli is wrenched onto a new path—one that leads north into lawless, burning lands where kings are dead, power is contested, and the mysterious Crown of Dusk stands empty. Behind him, war spreads. Ahead of him, something far worse is waiting.
With Mae at his side and a rescued girl named Kora in their care, Eli is drawn toward a destiny he neither understands nor trusts. Nyx demands payment. Not in gold. Not in blood alone.
In service.
And whatever waits in the shadows of the north may well reshape the fate of nations.
The Crown of Dusk is the explosive fifth installment in The Eli Chronicles —a dark, sweeping epic of war, gods, forbidden bargains, and the terrible cost of survival. Perfect for fans of gritty fantasy, morally complex heroes, and high-stakes adventure where victory is never clean and the gods always collect!
Eli has survived war, betrayal, dark magic, and the long scars of memory—but survival has come at a terrible price. Bound by an unspoken debt to Nyx, the dark goddess who spared his life, Eli is no longer entirely his own. And when she calls, refusal is not an option.
Eli is wrenched onto a new path—one that leads north into lawless, burning lands where kings are dead, power is contested, and the mysterious Crown of Dusk stands empty. Behind him, war spreads. Ahead of him, something far worse is waiting.
With Mae at his side and a rescued girl named Kora in their care, Eli is drawn toward a destiny he neither understands nor trusts. Nyx demands payment. Not in gold. Not in blood alone.
In service.
And whatever waits in the shadows of the north may well reshape the fate of nations.
The Crown of Dusk is the explosive fifth installment in The Eli Chronicles —a dark, sweeping epic of war, gods, forbidden bargains, and the terrible cost of survival. Perfect for fans of gritty fantasy, morally complex heroes, and high-stakes adventure where victory is never clean and the gods always collect!
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2025
About the author
Marc Alan Edelheit
48 books892 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
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 20, 2025
After their escape from the goblins and their dark god; Eli, Mae and their Ranger-in-Training Kora have to divert their pursuit of Mik'Las. Eli'Far has a debt to pay, and Nyx means to extract her payment.
Sending Eli (and his friends) north into hostile territory, Eli finds opportunities to get that excitement he's always craving. Once again hounded by adversaries, Eli has to satisfy the demands of a deity who is pulling him along onto a course that could shape the politics of Istros for a very long time.
There's lots of action (or course... Eli, right?) and Eli gets a chance to shine here; to protect his party, himself, and to finish the task set in front of him. Showing that to dance with Eli in combat is to dance with death, and Eli likes to lead.
Sending Eli (and his friends) north into hostile territory, Eli finds opportunities to get that excitement he's always craving. Once again hounded by adversaries, Eli has to satisfy the demands of a deity who is pulling him along onto a course that could shape the politics of Istros for a very long time.
There's lots of action (or course... Eli, right?) and Eli gets a chance to shine here; to protect his party, himself, and to finish the task set in front of him. Showing that to dance with Eli in combat is to dance with death, and Eli likes to lead.
March 5, 2026
The Crown of Dusk: A Rangers Tale (Eli Chronicles Bk 5)
Show stopping , Jaw dropping turn of events. This book did not disappoint. From start to end entertainment. Eli, Mae and Kora (even in her newly developed stage) were a force to contend with. Love this book as well as the past 4 and can’t wait till the 6th book. Good thing it’s 2026 which means I shouldn’t have to wait very long.
Show stopping , Jaw dropping turn of events. This book did not disappoint. From start to end entertainment. Eli, Mae and Kora (even in her newly developed stage) were a force to contend with. Love this book as well as the past 4 and can’t wait till the 6th book. Good thing it’s 2026 which means I shouldn’t have to wait very long.
January 22, 2026
Yet, another rushed novel in my opinion! Take more time Marc! In a way these are almost too short to be novels. Perhaps, a long short story!! I hope the level of writing improves. Again I have issues with the heavy use of 'Americanisms'. Holed up, brush, spent, toss, hike...........waiting, undergrowth, exhausted, throw, march. Very disappointed.
December 22, 2025
Another absorbing tale from Marc Alan Edelheit
This tale is what i've come to expect from Marc.
It keeps you hooked, wanting to finish the book.
Now anticipating the next chapter of Eli, Mae and Kora's lives.
This tale is what i've come to expect from Marc.
It keeps you hooked, wanting to finish the book.
Now anticipating the next chapter of Eli, Mae and Kora's lives.
February 24, 2026
A fine story
I read the first book out of curiosity. That curiosity turned into anticipation of the next book in the series. Eli’s adventures with Stiger were good reading. This series is GREAT reading. Looking forward to book six.
I read the first book out of curiosity. That curiosity turned into anticipation of the next book in the series. Eli’s adventures with Stiger were good reading. This series is GREAT reading. Looking forward to book six.
March 21, 2026
another outstanding Eli novel
I think I’ve read all the new novels in this Universe. I enjoy them all but the books centered on Eli are practically enjoyable.
Can’t wait for the next adventure!!?
I think I’ve read all the new novels in this Universe. I enjoy them all but the books centered on Eli are practically enjoyable.
Can’t wait for the next adventure!!?
April 25, 2026
Next book, when?
How many books in this series? When will the next one be dropping? It is impudent to leave your readers hanging out on a series! You are the first author I have read that doesn’t self-promote by revealing upcoming books. Think on it!
How many books in this series? When will the next one be dropping? It is impudent to leave your readers hanging out on a series! You are the first author I have read that doesn’t self-promote by revealing upcoming books. Think on it!
December 22, 2025
better than the last one
I really like battle action. I like this book much better and had much more interesting scenes going on than the last book. look forward to the next one.
I really like battle action. I like this book much better and had much more interesting scenes going on than the last book. look forward to the next one.
December 22, 2025
Top notch
Once again Marc delivers ,from start to finish a great journey plenty of action and trail law looking forward to the next GIMorson
Once again Marc delivers ,from start to finish a great journey plenty of action and trail law looking forward to the next GIMorson
December 26, 2025
Marc and Eli at their best
Marc has put together another compelling read. Eli is definitely out of Stiger's shadow and has become another great character all of his own.
Marc has put together another compelling read. Eli is definitely out of Stiger's shadow and has become another great character all of his own.
December 30, 2025
Exciting and fast paced
Superb story telling, with deep plot and fast paced action and adventure. Created the eagerness to flip to next page.
Superb story telling, with deep plot and fast paced action and adventure. Created the eagerness to flip to next page.
January 2, 2026
Amazing Development
The story is really unfolding and we see a part of Eli’s character developed into more than the past. Great read.
The story is really unfolding and we see a part of Eli’s character developed into more than the past. Great read.
January 2, 2026
This book really shows the character and development of Eli that we haven’t been aware of in the past. Great read and tells a deeper story of what’s to come.
January 13, 2026
Brith!
I truly enjoy reading the books of this author I love his descriptive terms the way he describes the setting it helps you paint a picture in your mind that is Truly unique.
I truly enjoy reading the books of this author I love his descriptive terms the way he describes the setting it helps you paint a picture in your mind that is Truly unique.
February 27, 2026
The action and excitement we need needed following the 4th instalment… intrigued by the story arc developing. Hopeful that the next book in the series is longer than ~250 pages.
August 7, 2026
Marc does it again!!
The continued story of Eli and Mae was outstanding. Marc is an excellent story teller as he makes it seem as you are there. All of his books are truly amazing.
The continued story of Eli and Mae was outstanding. Marc is an excellent story teller as he makes it seem as you are there. All of his books are truly amazing.
December 22, 2025
Marc did it again!!!
Another excellent book! Had a hard time putting it down. If you like the other Eli books this one won’t disappoint. Will be waiting for the next chapter.
Another excellent book! Had a hard time putting it down. If you like the other Eli books this one won’t disappoint. Will be waiting for the next chapter.
December 22, 2025
Could Not Put Down
Once I started the book I could not stop. The action was intense and non stop. Introduced more new characters and intrigue to the overall story.
Reading each book opens up more questions, especially if you have read each book in the Last War set. I feel like I am missing pieces that I hope to get answered in the next book. Keeps me wanting more.
Keep up the great work and look forward to the next one.
Once I started the book I could not stop. The action was intense and non stop. Introduced more new characters and intrigue to the overall story.
Reading each book opens up more questions, especially if you have read each book in the Last War set. I feel like I am missing pieces that I hope to get answered in the next book. Keeps me wanting more.
Keep up the great work and look forward to the next one.
December 25, 2025
Thin Gruel
“The Crown of Dusk: A Ranger’s Tale (The Eli Chronicles Book 5)” is a thin gruel based on ceaseless repetition of words and phrases from earlier in the narrative. It is indicative of an author’s utilization of writing software templates, possibly AI-driven, that create the flaws, faults of repeating loops. Given all those involved in producing the content: author, agent, editorial assistants, & a bevy of betas, the suboptimal result is most likely by intent. In addition, the author has made his protagonist, ‘Eli’ a pagan god’s champion, as done with an earlier series’ protagonist. The bandwidth is painfully shallow for what amounts to a bloated novella.
Read fully via KU with some Notes & Highlights on Goodreads.
“The Crown of Dusk: A Ranger’s Tale (The Eli Chronicles Book 5)” is a thin gruel based on ceaseless repetition of words and phrases from earlier in the narrative. It is indicative of an author’s utilization of writing software templates, possibly AI-driven, that create the flaws, faults of repeating loops. Given all those involved in producing the content: author, agent, editorial assistants, & a bevy of betas, the suboptimal result is most likely by intent. In addition, the author has made his protagonist, ‘Eli’ a pagan god’s champion, as done with an earlier series’ protagonist. The bandwidth is painfully shallow for what amounts to a bloated novella.
Read fully via KU with some Notes & Highlights on Goodreads.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews