Devil's Harvest

Doormaker #0.5

by Jamie Thornton

TWO HOURS. ONE INTERSTELLAR DRUG DEAL.

One family rule has shaped Esson’s life: never open a door. Esson comes from a family of doormakers—people who unleash otherworldly violence when they open something even as simple as a refrigerator door.

Esson’s family lied to him.
Esson didn’t die when he opened a door.

But if Esson doesn’t track down some magical drugs within the next two hours, the drug dealer he got involved with might just kill him anyway.

Genres: Fantasy

37 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 19, 2017

About the author

I am a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of science fiction and fantasy novels. I like my characters strong and wounded, and my adventures thrilling and dark.

Try out one of my books for free when you sign up at JamieThornton.com

I'm a voracious reader in many genres. I do sometimes judge a book by its cover art. Life is too short to spend time reading or reviewing bad books so you'll see my library, ratings, and reviews represent books I believe are worth sharing.

I live in Northern California with my husband, two dogs, a garden, lots of chickens, a viola, and a bicycle. My anthropology degree shapes my fiction. I write dark adventures (science fiction, fantasy, post-apocalyptic, coming-of-age) with a hint of romance. Follow me at JamieThornton.com

Reviews

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie Thornton is one of my favorite authors. Her FEAST OF WEEDS series is a phenomenal read and was what cemented the name JAMIE THORNTON in my mind as a a writer with a rare talent for creating worlds and characters that are not only believable, but also intriguing and entertaining.

In this prequel to her new DOORMAKER SERIES, she has once again crafted a story that pulls the reader in and does not let them go - even after the final page. Once you finish this novella you will immediately want to read the first book in the Doormaker series. DEVIL'S HARVEST is just that good.

Imagine not being able to open a door without mistakenly opening a portal to another world. It might sound glamourous to some people, but this "gift/curse" occurs whenever any type of door is opened, even a refrigerator. Talk about inconvenient!!!

This prequel introduces readers to Esson's family. Every member of the family is afflicted with the same "gift." Esson is the eldest son and feels a  responsibility to help his parents pay the bills, even though he is only thirteen.

It is the desire to help his family that gets Esson into a situation that is well over his head; he has been stealing drugs through a portal he opened. He is in too deep now and even if he wanted to stop using his gift to steal drugs, the drug dealer he has been supplying will never let him go.

So, will Esson find a way out of his current situation? Or will he resign himself to being a 13 year old drug dealer? Will the cash potential be too much of a lure to keep him from getting out? Or will he try to escape and be killed in the attempt?

You need to read DEVIL'S HARVEST to find out!!!

Once again Jamie Thornton has created a winner. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series. If past books and this prequel are anything to judge by, the rest of the trilogy will also be 5 Star worthy.

I rate DEVIL'S HARVEST as an enthusiastic 5 out of 5 Stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

To read more of my reviews visit my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com

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[Rosemary Standeven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This prequel is a very fast-paced short story, that begins with the 13 year-old hero running as fast as he can, to beat a two-hour ultimatum that will mean the security for his family. If he fails – well, the drug dealer, Dustin, “had a reputation. A violent, cruel reputation, especially for those who failed him”. First, Esson neds to pee, then he needs to ditch Dustin’s son Barth, so that he can get the drug without exposing his – and his family’s – secret knack with doors to ‘other’ places. First thing is relatively easy – but Barth will NOT go. Esson is the type of boy, who will “act first and think later and it wasn’t going to end well”. Soon, Barth is not the only problematic observer that Esson has. The thoughtless actions multiply, and a happy ending looks increasingly less likely, but the pace does not let up for a moment.
Esson has grown up with a family ban on ‘opening doors’, but apart from being repeatedly warned that opening doors leads to death and destruction, he neither understands why, nor understands who he and his family really are. He doesn’t want to hurt anyone, but time is ticking on ….
Finally, opening another door is the only option available, a door to ….?
The ending is abrupt, and leaves you with many more questions than answers. Is the sanction on all doors (would make normal life impossible) or just ‘doors’ to ‘other’ places. Where or what is ‘other’? Did we start on Earth? Where is Esson now? Can he ever get home? What will happen to his family?
I am straight on to the next book to try and find out. This is a great read that bodes well for the rest of the Doormaker series.
I received this copy from the author in exchange for an honest review

[Beverly Laude · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick introduction to the series that makes the reader rabid to see what happens next!

Well-written, great characters and lots of tense moments. Can't wait to read the next installment!

[Ramona Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devil's Harvest is a great little short story written by Jamie Thorton. This one is a nice one that helps filling in the gaps. I enjoyed how the author takes the time to write the little short stories and novellas to explain all the little side stories that she just can't really get to in her books that focus on the story of Maella. She addresses the questions like in this one on what happened to Esson. I always had a feeling it wasn't good and my gut instinct was right. Of course there is still a mystery on where is he now, and I am curious to see when we will find out when maybe his journey will reunite him with Maella?

I do enjoy how the author puts little Easter eggs in her main books that she picks up in this short stories and you get these "aha" moments. Of course when you read them you try to put it together but once you get confirmation it is fun to get your detective work pan out, or not at times.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not kindle unlimited

TWO HOURS. ONE INTERSTELLAR DRUG DEAL. One family rule has shaped Esson’s life: never open a door. Esson comes from a family of doormakers—people who unleash otherworldly violence when they open something even as simple as a refrigerator door. Esson’s family lied to him.
Esson didn’t die when he opened a door. But if Esson doesn’t track down some magical drugs within the next two hours, the drug dealer he got involved with might just kill him anyway.


Doormaker series
Torchlighters (A Short Novel) short novel takes place in Tower of Shadows, just before Maella arrives.
Devil's Harvest (A Short Story Prequel 0.5} also in Marked by Fate: Origins: Beginnings. Secrets. Deleted Scenes.
Rock Heaven 1 part of the Marked by Fate anthology too
Tower of Shadows 2
Library of Souls 3

[Candy Robosky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short prequel has enough to decide if this is your kind of story...for me it is not really the kind of story I usually read. Its main character Esson is an impulsive selfish child who does not seem to care who he hurts as long as he is seen as being an adult, which neither he nor his actions are. This story is done well for how short it is but just is not my cup of tea.
I received a free copy of the book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do Not Open the Door

This is an interesting prequel to a fantasy series. Reading it left me wanting to know more. Just exactly, what happens when Esson opens that door? I look forward to reading the first book in this series, and I hope it answers my questions. This is a promising beginning. I originally read this story as an eBook. Listening to the audio, narrated by the author brought the story to life.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great teaser and warm up to the Doormaker series and give you some background to the Doormakers, as well as to the characters you will meet in Doormaker: Rock Heaven (Book 1). This isn't a necessary to read prior to book 1 but found it was good as it does tie in a bit to conversations had in book one.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world-building was good. The action got pretty intense.
The author did a good job of actually making me sympathize with a character making horrible choices, which I did not expect to do.
The rest of the series was pretty nicely set up without the story getting bogged down.
Really looking forward to the rest of this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short tale is enough to whet your appetite and make you want to read more. I actually read this after reading books 1 and 2, but I think I would have enjoyed the couple of revelations had I read this first. The ending makes me hope that our protagonist survived and is discovered in a later book. I want to know where he has been for the last few years. Who has he become now.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super quick read. Pretty much the first chapter of what would probably be a great read. This book definitely grabs your attention. Peaks your interest. The only reason I gave it 3 stars was the book is just too short. The author really didn't flesh out the the characters or the world. Definitely an interesting concept. I'd really like to see where the author goes with it.

[Tara Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a prequel to the Doormaker Series and is well worth the read. There's danger and excitement throughout this short story which makes me want to read more about the adventures the characters discover on the other side of the door!

[Athena Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually a fan of short stories, but darn was this one good!! It caught my attention at the first page and didn't let go until I was done. All I can say is WOW! Excellent beginning to a series. I can't wait to read the next one!
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Chris Mckay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a prequel to a series that is a good enough short story that makes me interested in giving the series a chance.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read. Action-packed from start to finish. Definitely going to read book 1 next.

[Josh Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent pacing, good characterization. I'm certainly intrigued enough to get my hands on the first full book of this series (Rock Heaven) and see what's going on with these people...

[Liesbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It really explains what happend to Esson, her brother why he disappeared too and actually it ties into the end of the first book. Did he survive is still an open end... I like to explore further.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of my Seat

It was very good kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to read more. I will be reading the rest

[Shruti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the whole concept of doormakers and the beautiful world the author has created. I'm soon going to read the next book. Can't wait.

[Julian White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very brief - barely a chapter - introduction to a new series that will, if up to this author's usual standard, be nothing less than intriguing.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this prequel, good short story that grabbed you & left me wanting to read the rest of the series!

[Hector · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good starting point for the book esson made a new enemy and the plot got really good if you're into magic and gateway get this asap

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

listened to this prequal which sets up the tone and events for the series

[Michelle Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read any of this series before but thought I would take a chance on it and see what I thought. I really like it. I can’t want to see what happens in book 1

[Silver Surfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I liked to listen to this. Great narration, unusual storyline. Short, sharp listen. Bodes well for the next one. Recommended listen.

[Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very promising start! I'm so glad there are 4 more books in this series.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic too short story. Esson comes from a strange family. He’s been told not to open doors or there’s danger. Was this really true. Draws you in to find out the truth.

[Lorena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great set up for book 1. Too bad book 1 sucks compared to this one…

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate it when characters make the wrong decisions.

[Priscila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished listening to this one but I'm still not sure how I feel about that ending. The story was really short, and it works as a prequel. Esson pulled me into his predicament, wanting me to know how it all was going to play out and if he was going to achieve his goal or not, but I don't think I was exactly rooting for him, especially with the decisions he made along the way (use of drugs, violence). Still, even though there's some kind of resolution to the story (we're told whether he makes it or not), it leaves the reader with more questions about the series.

As for the narrator, she did great with all the nuances and the storytelling, but I think there's room for improvement in her male voices (there wasn't much difference between Esson and Barth's voices when both were involved in a conversation). ~3.5 stars

Content: drug use, some violence (punches/fists fly, a girl's knocked against a doorframe), a bit of language (I think?)