Thomas Grimhorn has spent his life seeking approval, dutifully following the path of a paladin while wrestling with his own inner demons. But when destiny awakens and he becomes the Veilbreaker, the stakes are larger than he could have imagined.
In Michael Schustereit’s Rise of the Veilbreaker, personal doubt collides with cosmic upheaval, forcing a deeply human hero to confront his fears, wield extraordinary power, and fight for the survival of all he holds dear.
About the Book
Quick Look:
- Genre: Epic Fantasy
- Published Date: September 1, 2025
- Print Length: 334 pages
- Where to Buy: Amazon | Bookshop | IngramSpark | Barnes & Noble
Q&A with Michael Schustereit
Q: What is your book about and what inspired you to write it?
A: I’ve been coming up with stories since I was a kid. When my children were little I would tell them tales and write them down, never daring to do more than store them in my notebook. One morning as I was going through my old notebooks I stumbled upon a passage and the story came back to me. I’ve spent the last two years getting it into print.
Q: When did you start writing, and what made you decide to publish this book?
A: My first story was written when I was eleven. I turned in a story instead of a book report and my teacher was impressed, but not enough to overlook the missing book report. I passed this novel around to my friends and children who pushed me to seek publication. It has been a journey, but a very rewarding one.
Q: Which character was the most fun—or most challenging—to write, and why?
A: The main character has been the hardest to write. Thomas is plagued with doubt because of his childhood. Desperately seeking approval, he embraced the life of a paladin, dutifully serving his goddess, while combatting his own inner demons. Writing him really made me face my own insecurities and wrap them in this character and his troubled world.
Q: What themes or messages do you hope readers take away from your book?
A: I want readers to see how imperfect, deeply human individuals can still rise to the occasion when faced with challenges. The story explores how people can come together for the greater good, confront what they thought they knew, and grow in the process. A recurring theme is the cost of success. Sometimes it requires personal sacrifice, and sometimes means accepting that we don’t always get what we want from life. Even in loss, there is meaning. Even in struggle, there is strength.
Q: Were there any real-life experiences that influenced your story or characters?
A: At its heart, the story grew out of deeply personal experiences. The sense of never quite fitting in shaped how I wrote characters who move between worlds, always searching for belonging. I wanted to challenge the idea of what a “good life” is supposed to look like. Pushing against expectations to reveal something authentic and hard-won. Woven through it all is the pain of loss, the kind that leaves you a little hollow but also reshapes who you are.
Q: What question do you wish readers would ask you about the book?
A: Why did I put so much emphasis on the existence of the owlbear in the story? The owlbear is not part of the original creation but a being that was made rather than born. It is an allegory for finding worth in what feels unfamiliar or outside the expected order. Through them, the story challenges the idea that value only lies in what we understand, instead suggesting that beauty and purpose can emerge from the unexpected.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote or moment from the book you’d like to share?
A: “I pray to Aleara to give me more patience, but She just gives me things that piss me off.” – Thomas Grimhorn
Q: What was the biggest challenge in writing or publishing it?
A: Self-doubt. I’m my harshest critic. If it wasn’t for the urging of my friends and children, it would have never seen the light of day. I published it because I wanted to show my children that despite doubt, putting something out there in the world that might stir an imagination or cause someone else to take on the challenge of writing was worthy of my time.
Q: What’s next for you as a writer?
A: I wrote a novella which I have for free on my author page that is a prequel of sorts. It delves into a mysterious sect of wizards and how they created the first owlbear. I’m currently working on the sequel to Rise of the Veilbreaker.
Reviews
Monica – “This book was a refreshing surprise in the fantasy genre… The ending delivers a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that left me immediately wanting the sequel.” ⭐
David A. – “It makes you afraid of the gods. Their power left me shaken long after I finished reading.” ⭐
Jason – “I couldn’t put the book down! Priests with divine magic, shapechanging druids, and paladins converge to fight Klydos.” ⭐
Perfect for Readers Who…
- Love epic fantasy with morally complex heroes
- Appreciate stories where flawed, human characters rise to the occasion
- Want a mix of dark fantasy and high-stakes adventure
Author Bio & Where to Buy
Michael Schustereit is an epic and dark fantasy author based in Texas. His works are shaped by a lifelong fascination with myth, faith, and the gray spaces between good and evil. Rise of the Veilbreaker is his first published novel. When he is not writing, Michael enjoys classic fantasy novels, researching world mythologies, and exploring the outdoors on his side-by-side, often getting stuck in the mud. He is married to Leah and has six grown children, with a gaggle of grandchildren.
Social Media & Author Website:
- Instagram: @mikeschustereit
- Website: Mystic Vault Society
Where to Buy:
Amazon | Bookshop | IngramSpark | Barnes & Noble
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