A young boy named Krabat enters a mysterious mill to learn a trade, only to discover he has become an apprentice in a sinister school of dark magic. Krabat seeks to master the craft of milling, but he soon realizes the mill serves as a front for a malevolent master who demands absolute obedience from his pupils. The narrative follows Krabat as he navigates the rigid, hierarchical structure of the mill, where the price of knowledge is often his own humanity. The story unfolds through a third-person perspective that emphasizes the oppressive atmosphere of the setting and the psychological toll of the master's influence. Krabat must balance his desire for power with the need to preserve his moral integrity against the forces of darkness.

Readers frequently highlight the dark, immersive atmosphere that permeates the narrative from the opening chapters. Discussion often centers on the effective use of folklore to ground the supernatural elements in a tangible, historical reality. Critics note the balance between the slow-burn tension of the apprenticeship and the eventual high-stakes confrontation with the master. Many readers appreciate how the story avoids simplistic moralizing, instead focusing on the internal conflict of the protagonist as he faces impossible choices. The prose is often described as precise and evocative, contributing to the enduring status of the work within European literature.