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The Servant
In the opulent halls of Château Saignoral, young Radcliffe von Schule is nothing more than a servant boy—unwanted heir to a ruthless father and bound by secrets he dares not share. When betrayal strikes, Rad is forced to flee into a world of thieves, shadows, and hidden magic long buried by ancient druids. Hunted by mercenaries and drawn toward a legacy of forbidden power, he must decide whether to remain the outcast his father intended—or claim the destiny that could unravel empires.
Fans of Terry Brooks and Joe Abercrombie will be swept into a dark, character-driven fantasy where survival demands wit, courage, and the willingness to defy blood itself.
In the crumbling estates and shadowed streets of Ornst, power is measured in blood, secrets, and coin. For Radcliffe von Schule—called Rad, the cast-off son of a ruthless noble—the struggle to survive has always been a game played against impossible odds. Branded a servant in his own ancestral home, Rad learns early that trust is fragile, betrayal inevitable, and strength often found in shadows.
When a violent attempt on his life forces him to flee Château Saignoral, Rad escapes into a city where thieves rule from hidden halls, mercenaries barter loyalty like coin, and ancient magic stirs beneath forgotten ruins. Drawn into the criminal brotherhood of Leskaré, Rad discovers that his wits and audacity are his only weapons in a world of double-crosses and clandestine wars. Every theft, every secret he uncovers, draws him deeper into a labyrinth of intrigue that threatens to consume him.
But Rad’s personal battles are only the beginning. Magic long buried by the druids—dark knowledge bound within forbidden Librums—has begun to resurface. Factions in shadow, from nobles to cults to foreign powers, all hunger for its return. To most, it is myth. To Rad, it becomes the unspoken current pulling every rival closer to war. Though he does not yet understand it, the struggle over these ancient secrets will one day entwine his fate with Heather Manawove, a young druid whose trials will echo his own.
In this first chapter of the Keeper of the Deer saga, Rad’s journey is one of survival and transformation. From desperate servant to cunning infiltrator, he battles not only the enemies that hunt him, but also the rage and mistrust festering within. He vows to rise above the legacy of his father, Xavier von Schule, whose wealth and cruelty defined his childhood, and to claim a power that cannot be stolen from him. Yet the cost of ambition is steep, and each victory carves away pieces of what he once was.
The Servant is more than a tale of escape and revenge—it is the opening strike in a saga of epic conspiracies, lost magic, and a world standing on the edge of upheaval. As Rad steps into the underworld of Ornst, every alliance he forms may be a trap, every secret uncovered a spark to ignite war. His greatest challenge is not the blade or spell turned against him, but the question that haunts will he remain a servant to vengeance, or rise to something greater?
Fans of dark, character-driven fantasy in the tradition of Joe Abercrombie, Scott Lynch, and Terry Brooks will find a world rich with intrigue, treachery, and hard-won triumph. The Servant sets the stage for an expansive epic where thieves, druids, nobles, and cults collide—and where the return of ancient Librums threatens to unravel the balance of power across all the realms of men.
Step into a story of betrayal, hidden legacies, and rising rebellion. Begin the journey with Radcliffe von Schule—because his fight is only the beginning.
Paperback available at books-dot-by/books-by-paul.
Fans of Terry Brooks and Joe Abercrombie will be swept into a dark, character-driven fantasy where survival demands wit, courage, and the willingness to defy blood itself.
In the crumbling estates and shadowed streets of Ornst, power is measured in blood, secrets, and coin. For Radcliffe von Schule—called Rad, the cast-off son of a ruthless noble—the struggle to survive has always been a game played against impossible odds. Branded a servant in his own ancestral home, Rad learns early that trust is fragile, betrayal inevitable, and strength often found in shadows.
When a violent attempt on his life forces him to flee Château Saignoral, Rad escapes into a city where thieves rule from hidden halls, mercenaries barter loyalty like coin, and ancient magic stirs beneath forgotten ruins. Drawn into the criminal brotherhood of Leskaré, Rad discovers that his wits and audacity are his only weapons in a world of double-crosses and clandestine wars. Every theft, every secret he uncovers, draws him deeper into a labyrinth of intrigue that threatens to consume him.
But Rad’s personal battles are only the beginning. Magic long buried by the druids—dark knowledge bound within forbidden Librums—has begun to resurface. Factions in shadow, from nobles to cults to foreign powers, all hunger for its return. To most, it is myth. To Rad, it becomes the unspoken current pulling every rival closer to war. Though he does not yet understand it, the struggle over these ancient secrets will one day entwine his fate with Heather Manawove, a young druid whose trials will echo his own.
In this first chapter of the Keeper of the Deer saga, Rad’s journey is one of survival and transformation. From desperate servant to cunning infiltrator, he battles not only the enemies that hunt him, but also the rage and mistrust festering within. He vows to rise above the legacy of his father, Xavier von Schule, whose wealth and cruelty defined his childhood, and to claim a power that cannot be stolen from him. Yet the cost of ambition is steep, and each victory carves away pieces of what he once was.
The Servant is more than a tale of escape and revenge—it is the opening strike in a saga of epic conspiracies, lost magic, and a world standing on the edge of upheaval. As Rad steps into the underworld of Ornst, every alliance he forms may be a trap, every secret uncovered a spark to ignite war. His greatest challenge is not the blade or spell turned against him, but the question that haunts will he remain a servant to vengeance, or rise to something greater?
Fans of dark, character-driven fantasy in the tradition of Joe Abercrombie, Scott Lynch, and Terry Brooks will find a world rich with intrigue, treachery, and hard-won triumph. The Servant sets the stage for an expansive epic where thieves, druids, nobles, and cults collide—and where the return of ancient Librums threatens to unravel the balance of power across all the realms of men.
Step into a story of betrayal, hidden legacies, and rising rebellion. Begin the journey with Radcliffe von Schule—because his fight is only the beginning.
Paperback available at books-dot-by/books-by-paul.
583 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2025
857 people want to read
About the author
Paul Heisel
15 books8 followersPaul Heisel is the author of the Keeper of the Deer fantasy series, beginning with The Servant. His writing blends intrigue, magic, and family conflict in a grounded style inspired by Tolkien, Terry Brooks, and Terry Goodkind.
Heisel has been building the world of Elarandor for decades — a realm of ancient relics, druid councils, and fractured loyalties where survival often depends on wit as much as courage.
When he isn’t writing, Paul lives in Texas, where he enjoys food, wine, fast cars, and Friday-night martinis. He continues to expand the series with upcoming volumes, collector’s editions, and immersive lore for readers who like to lose themselves in a richly detailed world.
Follow his work at paulheisel.com
or on Instagram @paulhbooks.
Heisel has been building the world of Elarandor for decades — a realm of ancient relics, druid councils, and fractured loyalties where survival often depends on wit as much as courage.
When he isn’t writing, Paul lives in Texas, where he enjoys food, wine, fast cars, and Friday-night martinis. He continues to expand the series with upcoming volumes, collector’s editions, and immersive lore for readers who like to lose themselves in a richly detailed world.
Follow his work at paulheisel.com
or on Instagram @paulhbooks.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 10, 2025
From the very first chapter, The Servant completely pulled me in. By the end of Chapter 1, I was fully invested in Radcliffe and the compelling cast of supporting characters. Paul Heisel has created a world filled with suspense, intrigue, and wonder that’s both original and immersive. Every scene feels purposeful, and the emotional depth of the story keeps you turning pages. The writing is vivid, the pacing tight, and the plot reveals are perfectly timed.
It’s rare to find a debut that feels this confident and complete. I was both blown away by the journey and the depth of the characters. By the final page, I wasn’t ready to leave—and now I’m anxiously awaiting The One Tree, the second book in the series, coming December 2025.
Highly recommend to any fantasy lover, written in the style of Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind and even J.K. Rowling, looking for something fresh, heartfelt, and unforgettable!
— Kevin S.
It’s rare to find a debut that feels this confident and complete. I was both blown away by the journey and the depth of the characters. By the final page, I wasn’t ready to leave—and now I’m anxiously awaiting The One Tree, the second book in the series, coming December 2025.
Highly recommend to any fantasy lover, written in the style of Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind and even J.K. Rowling, looking for something fresh, heartfelt, and unforgettable!
— Kevin S.
October 12, 2025
Book Review: The Servant (Keeper of the Deer Book 1) by Paul Heisel
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉The Servant is a dark and compelling introduction to Paul Heisel’s Keeper of the Deer saga, a series that promises to blend epic fantasy with intimate character drama. At its center is Radcliffe von Schule, or Rad, a young man who has never truly belonged to the world around him. Branded as a servant in his own ancestral home by a ruthless father, Rad grows up with betrayal as a constant companion and with survival as his only certainty. His life takes a dramatic turn when an attempt on his life forces him to abandon everything he has known and step into the shadows of Ornst, a city where danger rules every corner and power is bartered like coin.
👉The strength of this novel lies in its ability to create a layered story that balances personal struggle with a wider sense of political and magical upheaval. Ornst is not simply a backdrop but a living, breathing place where thieves, mercenaries, nobles, and hidden cults move within a web of shifting loyalties and secret wars. Within this city Rad finds himself tested at every step, learning that cunning, boldness, and mistrust are his most reliable weapons. His entry into the criminal underworld of Leskaré sets him on a path where every choice demands sacrifice, and every alliance has the potential to turn into betrayal.
👉At the same time, Heisel carefully introduces the greater forces at work in the world. Magic once buried by druids begins to resurface through forbidden Librums, ancient texts that hold power feared and coveted by many. These whispers of old power suggest that Rad’s journey is not only a fight for survival but also a step into something far larger than himself. The novel positions him at the threshold of destiny, hinting at future ties with Heather Manawove, a druid whose own trials will intertwine with his. The theme of legacy runs strongly throughout the book—Rad’s determination to rise above the cruelty of his father, Xavier von Schule, becomes the emotional anchor of his story, even as ambition and vengeance threaten to reshape him into something darker.
Happy reading 😁
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉The Servant is a dark and compelling introduction to Paul Heisel’s Keeper of the Deer saga, a series that promises to blend epic fantasy with intimate character drama. At its center is Radcliffe von Schule, or Rad, a young man who has never truly belonged to the world around him. Branded as a servant in his own ancestral home by a ruthless father, Rad grows up with betrayal as a constant companion and with survival as his only certainty. His life takes a dramatic turn when an attempt on his life forces him to abandon everything he has known and step into the shadows of Ornst, a city where danger rules every corner and power is bartered like coin.
👉The strength of this novel lies in its ability to create a layered story that balances personal struggle with a wider sense of political and magical upheaval. Ornst is not simply a backdrop but a living, breathing place where thieves, mercenaries, nobles, and hidden cults move within a web of shifting loyalties and secret wars. Within this city Rad finds himself tested at every step, learning that cunning, boldness, and mistrust are his most reliable weapons. His entry into the criminal underworld of Leskaré sets him on a path where every choice demands sacrifice, and every alliance has the potential to turn into betrayal.
👉At the same time, Heisel carefully introduces the greater forces at work in the world. Magic once buried by druids begins to resurface through forbidden Librums, ancient texts that hold power feared and coveted by many. These whispers of old power suggest that Rad’s journey is not only a fight for survival but also a step into something far larger than himself. The novel positions him at the threshold of destiny, hinting at future ties with Heather Manawove, a druid whose own trials will intertwine with his. The theme of legacy runs strongly throughout the book—Rad’s determination to rise above the cruelty of his father, Xavier von Schule, becomes the emotional anchor of his story, even as ambition and vengeance threaten to reshape him into something darker.
Happy reading 😁
December 7, 2025
The Servant by Paul Heisel is the story of Radcliffe von Schule, the youngest son of a rich family. His father despises him and always take the side of his eldest son who regularly bullies Rad. Rad gets revenge but is then demoted to being a servant and not allowed the von Schule name. His sister Abby secretly continues to communicate with him. He works with the horses and forms a relationship with the Hadley, the horse master. During this time, he learns the secrets of his family, which are extensive.
The characters are well-developed, so when some characters died, I felt sad. There are also characters I dislike. The world is vein developed, and I am curious about some aspects that have been hinted at but haven’t been major points in the story yet.
There was one place where the pages were out of order, so I wondered if a couple other places where it seemed a little disordered might have been paragraphs or sentences in the wrong order. Nevertheless, it was understandable.
I want to continue reading this series. I rate it 4 stars. I received this book for free via Goodreads..
The characters are well-developed, so when some characters died, I felt sad. There are also characters I dislike. The world is vein developed, and I am curious about some aspects that have been hinted at but haven’t been major points in the story yet.
There was one place where the pages were out of order, so I wondered if a couple other places where it seemed a little disordered might have been paragraphs or sentences in the wrong order. Nevertheless, it was understandable.
I want to continue reading this series. I rate it 4 stars. I received this book for free via Goodreads..
December 22, 2025
If you are as drawn in by the first chapter as I was, this book will be a pure delight. I had Heisel recommended to me while working my way through Joe Abercrombie’s First Law trilogy, and was happy to have taken the detour.
Paul’s writing style has the character development pull you along as you watch the plot unfold. Each mystery lead me to want to know where it would lead, but even more deeply how it would change Rand.
The “fantasy” aspects are background to the characters in this one, but clearly this is a huge story with plenty of room to grow, and I look forward to finding out where we are taken next.
Paul’s writing style has the character development pull you along as you watch the plot unfold. Each mystery lead me to want to know where it would lead, but even more deeply how it would change Rand.
The “fantasy” aspects are background to the characters in this one, but clearly this is a huge story with plenty of room to grow, and I look forward to finding out where we are taken next.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews