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The Devil's Workshop: A Metaphysical Extravaganza Kindle Edition

3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

In a world with witches and devils, the scariest ones are the pirates.
In a setting modeled on the Caribbean, c. 1700, Deirdre, Queen of the Witches, has finally succeeded in killing her long-time antagonist, the Son of Light. Now the world is at her mercy.
Tom and Katie are two lovers who become separated when Tom embarks on a three year sailing voyage. After he departs, Katie finds she is pregnant. In the new, dangerous world they inhabit, trouble is breaking loose everywhere. Amidst an Indian war and a slave revolt, pirates come in search of the marvelous emerald that is the eye of Madibimbo, the one-eyed monkey god.
Katie’s unborn child is destined to be the next Son of Light, and Tom and Katie must traverse a dangerous terrain in their quest to reunite. When she miscarries, can the situation be saved?
So go up and click
Read Now and Buy Now to learn the incredible chain of events that follows next.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In Tom and Katie, Miller delivers fully developed protagonists in whom readers can become invested. . . the author offers crackling dialogue." -- Kirkus Reviews

"If there were ever a book that deserves to be torn apart (and I mean that in the best possible sense) and be studied in depth to have all the hidden meanings exposed this is it. . . . I enjoyed how all the characters seem to cross paths at one point or another in ways that are more natural than forced by the author. All the trials that Tom and Katie are willing to endure in an attempt to see each other again restore a person's faith in humanity and love. At the same time, the book forces the reader to question just what is love and why will we go to the ends of the Earth for it .. . I rate this book to be a perfect 4 out of 4. . . . There is a wonderful plotline and a beautiful love story (thankfully not a mushy one) that takes place throughout the book if readers are willing to take their time and look." -- Night Reader Reviews


"It is extremely imaginative, with a diverse and downright stunning character pool, written in a masterful hand by a clearly talented writer. It deals with crazy concepts, weird circumstances and philosophical musings that range from deep and meaningful to apparently absurd . . . If books like Anathem are high on your list of favourites, you'll probably love this one too. " --The Magic Book Corner

"The Devil's Workshop by Donnally Miller . . . is an exceptional and brilliant book from the very start to the very last page. I have read many books by indie authors and nothing quite compares to this. It is compelling and imaginative, and one of the best indie reads that I have read . . . I found the text extremely accessible and the philosophical aspects enjoyable . . . Miller's writing style is captivating . . . His descriptions are well-worded and imaginative, and he gives us enough broad strokes to allow us to paint the picture beautifully . . . I cannot fault the quality of the writing; it is brilliant . . . We meet Tom and Katie, the main characters, as well as pirates, slaves, indians, the mysterious Mr. X, police officers, and the hilarious Colophus with his crazy ideas about where the brain lies. There are dozens of characters and each one is well written and likeable from the moment that they are introduced. Miller seems to have a way of making characterization look easy, and, combined with his sentence structure and descriptions, he really brings them to life. The plot . . . is a joy to read. We move seamlessly from event to event, from travelling on boats to being eaten by sea monsters, and the action scenes are concise and bloody enough to make sure that the pacing is just right . . . the philosophical aspects . . . are lofty in subject matter but they are not overly long . . . they add to the narrative rather than bog down the story." -- Andrew D. Gracey, Author of The Dust and the Dark Places

From the Back Cover

Tom and Katie are deeply in love, but Tom has just departed on a lengthy sea voyage, one he is confident will make him his fortune. No sooner has his ship left harbor, however, than Tom and Katie find their hopes thwarted at every turn.
The tide has changed in the affairs of the Coast because Deirdre, Queen of the Witches, has finally succeeded in killing the Son of Light.
Now the two lovers must struggle to find one another across a landscape made perilous by rebellious slaves, savage Indians, and bloodthirsty pirates.
And little do they know, the plan to create the new Child of Light rests in their hands . . .

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07D4745C1
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dreamy Moon Press (June 19, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 19, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5704 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 428 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

About the author

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Donnally Miller
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Donnally Miller has appeared in the pages of many magazines and anthologies. One of the most important new writers of science fiction, he is known for the vivid dreamlike quality of his prose. He resides in Florida with his wife, Bernice. There is an interview with him here: https://dariospeaks.wordpress.com/2018/06/18/the-devils-workshop-an-interview-with-author-donnally-miller/ and you can learn more about him on his web page here: https://www.donnallymiller.com/

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
43 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the philosophical content profound and fascinating. They describe the book as interesting and well-worth reading, with a complex plot. However, opinions differ on the storytelling, writing style, and character development. Some find the tale interesting and engaging, while others feel the leads lack interest. The writing style is described as nice, clever, and talented, while others find it stiff and wordy. There are mixed reviews regarding the character development, with some finding them realistic and interesting, while others consider them unlikable or weak.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

12 customers mention "Philosophical content"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the philosophical content profound and interesting. They appreciate the imaginative and thoughtful writing style that explores themes like love and death. Readers also mention the book has vivid settings and strong emotions.

"...While the writing is crisp, highly descriptive and dense, it seemed like there were more characters than necessary...." Read more

"...It’s a deep read but well worth it with the plot turns and philosophical perspectives." Read more

"...I'm a student of human nature, so the metaphysical discussions were intriguing, though not universally enjoyed...." Read more

"...in this book--they all have their own personalities and goals and motives and it was impressive to see them interact with each other so..." Read more

19 customers mention "Storytelling"12 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the storytelling. Some find it interesting and well-worth reading, with a detailed world and crisp storytelling. Others feel the novel seems uninterested in the leads for large sections of the story. The plot is complex, but the book starts on a promising note. However, some readers feel the journey into a weird land is exasperating and long.

"...It's a classic tale of good vs. evil. But in this telling, it seems like evil is winning the day. I was intrigued by the opening scene...." Read more

"“The Devil’s Workshop” is a love story/philosophical thriller that definitely would not be out of place a few centuries ago...." Read more

"‘The Devil’s Workshop’ is a protracted, exasperating journey into a weird land, crammed with characters and incredible tales...." Read more

"...Overall, the tale was interesting and there were many parts that made you really stop and think...." Read more

13 customers mention "Writing style"7 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style. Some find it nicely written, clever, and well-drawn. Others feel it's wordy, rambling, and unfocused, with long paragraphs and lack of white space. The book is described as a deep read but well worth it with plot twists.

"...While the writing is crisp, highly descriptive and dense, it seemed like there were more characters than necessary...." Read more

"...It’s a deep read but well worth it with the plot turns and philosophical perspectives." Read more

"...Some parts (that can be called fantasy) are nicely written. I would have called it brilliant but it is marred by lengthy and unnecessary discourses...." Read more

"...I could tell that the author really did a great job. His writing style is impeccable, he weaves a clever web of intrigue around Tom and Katie, the..." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"5 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed reviews about the character development. Some find the characters realistic and engaging, while others feel they are unlikable and the character list is extensive. The central character is described as passive and reactive.

"...’ is a protracted, exasperating journey into a weird land, crammed with characters and incredible tales...." Read more

"...This makes him a weak central character, as he's passive and reactive...." Read more

"...Some darlings needed killing. Katie was a great character, but her behavior shifted often and abruptly...." Read more

"Donnally Miller is a master storyteller who has a knack for developing realistic characters and a plot that draws one in and holds attention to the..." Read more

5 customers mention "Book length"0 positive5 negative

Customers find the book too long and difficult to read.

"...The book is too long. Some darlings needed killing. Katie was a great character, but her behavior shifted often and abruptly...." Read more

"...It’s a long book, and it’s not for everyone." Read more

"...If you don't, you will probably find this book to long, and a hard read." Read more

"...This way, you can track where the characters are moving. This book is a bit long (428 pages) but that shouldn’t deter you from reading it." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2019
    The Devil's Workshop reads like a traditional allegory but with a modern and unique voice. It's a classic tale of good vs. evil. But in this telling, it seems like evil is winning the day.

    I was intrigued by the opening scene. Meet Tom, a smart and capable young mad who seems both smart and capable. It's the dead of night and he's been hired to dig a grave under what seem like questionable circumstances; perhaps even dangerous ones. Next we meet Katie. She loves Tom, perhaps more than he loves her. After a parting kiss, Tom leaves for a two-year stint on the high seas. Nothing will ever be the same for either character. (Shades of Thomas Hardy) The third, important character is the devil. He sets out to cast his net of self-doubt, destruction, mayhem and revenge upon anyone unfortunate to cross his path. (There are numerous characters that meet this fate.)

    While the writing is crisp, highly descriptive and dense, it seemed like there were more characters than necessary. Perhaps because, I only really cared about Tom and Katie and their stories were upstaged by the host of other characters and situations. (Many of which were unique, well drawn and fascinating.)

    If you are looking for a somewhat long philosophical tale/treatise that explores the age-old questions of good, evil, love and hate, this will be a satisfactory read.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2021
    “The Devil’s Workshop” is a love story/philosophical thriller that definitely would not be out of place a few centuries ago. It’s the tale of Tom and Katie, star-crossed lovers who are determined to be together. Tom has to leave for a voyage overseas in order to provide a good life for Katie, but little did he know that supernatural forces are against his return. Deirdre, the Queen of the Witches, has been trying to kill the Son of Light for, like, ever, and has finally done the job. This sets off a chain of events in which savages fill the landscape, making it deadly for Katie and Tom to find each other again. This would be hard enough, but because, unbeknownst to them, they’re destined to create the new Child of Light together, of course, the bad guys don’t want them to reconnect and the good guys are trying to get them together. It’s a deep read but well worth it with the plot turns and philosophical perspectives.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2020
    ‘The Devil’s Workshop’ is a protracted, exasperating journey into a weird land, crammed with characters and incredible tales. It paints a grim picture of the world where wickedness rules, people have strange names and love has been cursed. The plot is complex but the book starts on a promising note, keeps you turning pages till it becomes absurd and ambiguous. The narrative oscillates between abstract ideas and a real story of Tom and Katie. It fails to hold attention at a number of places as all the stories lack coherence.

    Miller’s characters have a sinister streak; almost all of them evoke aversion, as they lack emotional connections. A little liking for Tom and Tavish evaporates by the time the story exposes their weaknesses. Whether it is Colophus or Harry Blackstone, General Hobsbawm or Barnacle Jack, every new character has his own tale to relate and there are many digressions that make you wonder what is this book about!

    A thick thread of negativity runs through the book: “Nothing will last.” “…They call it progress because every step forward is a means to destroy more and yet more.”
    “I was brought up to be dishonest in your presence…” - that may be true in some cases but it is a sordid comment on people, especially a relationship that it exhibits – that of a father and a son!
    “All love leads to death.” Really?

    Some parts (that can be called fantasy) are nicely written. I would have called it brilliant but it is marred by lengthy and unnecessary discourses. It suddenly picks up pace at some places but is quite slow and sadistically imaginative. If you have elephant memory and the patience of a saint, you may like this book.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2020
    This book definitely isn't for everyone. It is definitely dark, so don't expect any happily ever after. I'm a student of human nature, so the metaphysical discussions were intriguing, though not universally enjoyed. There were a ton of characters, but not all were fun. When it all settled, and I turned the last page, I felt it was a solid 3.5 star book. Tom, Tavish, Katie, Barnacle Jack, Colophus, and Crazy Dog were what made the story worth it. The other characters (too many to list) made an already long story TOO long. The rest of my review will have spoilers.

    The Good.
    Half of the philosophical discussions.

    The beginning part of Half Moon and the first nation characters.

    Tom not having Brutus' back after the card fight. He was a coward and deserved his suffering throughout the story.

    Ramsey making the 8 or 80 lash mistake. He was too proud to take it back. How many have suffered for pride? There's a reason why it is a deadly sin.

    The Colophus/Tom fish/purgatory discussions. They were my favorite of the book.

    Tom losing his eyes. I though plot armor would take him through. I always enjoy it when the consequences are real.

    The bargaining between Vicenzo and Tavish. The scene ended a bit rough, but the front part was fun.

    The Bad.
    There aren't any scene breaks. We simply hop from one POV to a completely different one in a new location with the simple stroke of the enter key to start a new line. If you aren't paying attention, you'll have to re-read.

    The book is too long. Some darlings needed killing.

    Katie was a great character, but her behavior shifted often and abruptly.

    The other half of the philosophical discussions.

    The dialogue was off. People would be stabbed/dying yet dictate the pain as if it didn't count. Here is an actual line of dialogue "My God! You've put out my eye! Oh, it hurts!" Duh. What did you expect it to feel like?

    Akoko's broken English was annoying.

    Many paragraphs were super long. The lack of white space was tedious.

    The Technical.
    The book is 3rd person omniscient.

    There is rape and brutal violence.

    Words like "squaw" and "negro" are used often.

    New characters are introduced as POVs well into the final act.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Mary Markstrom
    4.0 out of 5 stars A page turner
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 13, 2020
    I found The Devil's Workshop a bit daunting at first because of the large number and variety of characters and the complicated plot but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. The book is an epic story of two lovers, Tom and Kate and their battle to be re-united after he left her to go on a sea journey. The characters are multi-dimensional, like Crazy Dog, a sadistic killer with a mother complex who cut off a man's ear. Barnacle Jack who beat up Ramsay over a bag of stolen money. Despite the violence and brutality, they talk of philosophy, 'an un-examined life is not worth living.'
    I love books with strong female characters, like Ruby, the second mate on a pirate ship who was injured in the fighting over an emerald.
    Other reviewers have commented on the switching of POV from one character to another and I must admit that I
    had to back track a bit to refresh my memory on which character was speaking but this was not a big problem.
    The characters and situation were very diverse. Famularies, the slave leader, sets up a religious cult which was more like a socialist state where everything is shared, there was no private property, money didn't exist and alcohol and tobacco was banned.This is in contrast to the lame high priest, Kanbold, who fights over the holy gem stolen from the temple.
    The use of language is a bit unusual with words like, 'whoresom clown,' and, 'the silence was angry he'd spoken, but no answer came back.'
    There was also poetry and medieval songs as Fergus sang using words like, 'w'erloathe,' and, 'with a hey and a ho...'
    This book has something for every taste and I really enjoyed reading it. The only down side was that it didn't have a happy ending which I would've preferred but despite this, a very worthwhile read.
  • Shane Spentki
    4.0 out of 5 stars Epic-styte fantasy with a twist
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 29, 2018
    For those who like old-school fantasy with historical motifs, this will be an enjoyable read. It has epic battle scenes and involved characters that keep you turning the page.
  • Elara
    2.0 out of 5 stars “All love leads to death”
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 21, 2019
    In brief, this is an allegory. The eponymous Devil’s Workshop is this world - well not exactly this world but an oddly dated wild west version of this world. Tom is paid to help bury a box containing a clearly still alive person in a deep hole, then abandons the woman he loves to go to sea. It turns out the person in the box was the Son of Light, the source of all good and now the Devil himself and various inner (and actual) demons and monsters come out to play and everyone notices that things seem to have changed…

    What I enjoyed:
    The odd moments of humour. I started this book assuming it was a parody, as the cover shows a cartoony bad guy on it, the dialogue was written in a weird, over formal way - in fantasy parody style, while the narrative had things like horses suddenly appearing out of nowhere and no one even commenting on the fact that happened. But I quickly realised that whilst it does include some Monty Python like scenes and place names like ‘Lost Bastard Island’ and ‘Cutthroat Bay’, it was anything but humorous and took itself very seriously indeed.
    The setting. Think Pirates of the Caribean meets the Wild West with a hefty side helping of fantasy of a sort of Peter Pan nature. The author evokes the mix well, although I was not entirely a fan of his way of doing so. We have slaves saying ‘massah’ and a tribe of people referred to as ‘Indians’ with names like ‘Half Moon’ and ‘Storm Panther’ and the woman (it had to be a woman - of course) who kills the Son of Light and summons the Devil is a saloon whore, meanwhile the crew of a pirate ship led by Crazy Dog seeks a mysterious magical gem.

    What I struggled with:
    The writing style. The author seems to revel in using awkward phrasing in both dialogue and narrative. This, together with the rapid switches from character to character and a very distant style of writing which forced me to be an observer on the outside rather than allowing me feel in the head of any character, made it anything but smooth reading.
    The characters. It was a bit of a challenge to me to relate to any of them or find them likable. The most sympathetic, IMO, was Katie, but to me she seemed rather inconsistent. For example in the early part of the book she is shown as strong and principled when she bravely stands up to defend a puppy from being tortured (trigger warning - the description is pretty graphic), but then can’t face the social censure of having the child of the man she supposedly madly in love with out of wedlock and seeks an abortion rather than do so. At times when I would expect her to show strong emotions she seems oddly unreactive and the one time where her compassion is most needed she is spectacularly cold hearted.
    The chunks of philosophy. I found the frequent drift from the story into rather dull and ill-founded philosophy or random philosophical stories, very irritating. If the philosophy had been original or profound I might have been able to go with it, but I didn’t find it so although perhaps some people would.
    The end. Without too many spoilers, the end is hopeless, dismal, bleak and seemed to make the whole book pointless. I had thought it would have a profound and uplifting final statement to make, that Tommy Dog was a kind of Aslan-like Christ figure, which would have made sense of the sadistically overplayed suffering he endures, but the end proved me wrong. It seemed indeed that it simply wanted to prove “all love leads to death”.

    Overall thoughts:
    I’m not really sure who this book is aimed at or who it would appeal to. It is not really so much a fantasy book as a book using fantasy. Fantasy fans would find it dull and heavy because of the drawn out philosophical sections. Those looking for more philosophical writing would, IMO, find it rather lacking in that department.

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