Luis Almonte's Blog
November 2, 2017
Critically Acclaimed YA Novel 'Rise' on Track for Crowd-Funded Publishing Contract with Inkshares
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Author Luis Almonte kicks off crowd-funding campaign for the 2nd edition of his contemporary young adult fantasy novel 'Rise', with plans to donate 10% of net profits to the national suicide prevention & awareness organization, The Trevor Project.
The first edition of Almonte's fantasy tale of witchcraft and vampires received top marks from Young Adult Books Central and OnlineBookClub.org, and was favorably reviewed online at Publishers Weekly.
The new edition of Rise is available for pre-order via Inkshares Publishing. The deadline for pre-orders is January 28, 2018. Bonus content will be included in this edition of Rise: additional chapters, fan art, and a preview of Reign, the second installment of the Trifecta Series.
To read the full press release click here.
Author Luis Almonte kicks off crowd-funding campaign for the 2nd edition of his contemporary young adult fantasy novel 'Rise', with plans to donate 10% of net profits to the national suicide prevention & awareness organization, The Trevor Project.
The first edition of Almonte's fantasy tale of witchcraft and vampires received top marks from Young Adult Books Central and OnlineBookClub.org, and was favorably reviewed online at Publishers Weekly.
The new edition of Rise is available for pre-order via Inkshares Publishing. The deadline for pre-orders is January 28, 2018. Bonus content will be included in this edition of Rise: additional chapters, fan art, and a preview of Reign, the second installment of the Trifecta Series.
To read the full press release click here.
June 26, 2017
Rise is an Indie Book Connect Club Pick!
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Indie Book Connect for including Rise as part of its May subscription book club box. The experience was very pleasant and I highly recommend all Indie authors who are serious about their craft to inquire about their submission guidelines.
I also would like to thank the Indie Book Connect subscribers who read my debut novel and took the time to write a review. You guys rock!
If you are an avid reader and support Indie authors please give this subscription service a try. To read some of the reviews that the book club members are posting about Rise click below:
Molly *Loves to Read* review click here
Alyssa *Reading Goddess* review click here
Katie Trujillos review click here
Here is a collage of some of the bookstagrams that were taken. Enjoy!
I also would like to thank the Indie Book Connect subscribers who read my debut novel and took the time to write a review. You guys rock!
If you are an avid reader and support Indie authors please give this subscription service a try. To read some of the reviews that the book club members are posting about Rise click below:
Molly *Loves to Read* review click here
Alyssa *Reading Goddess* review click here
Katie Trujillos review click here
Here is a collage of some of the bookstagrams that were taken. Enjoy!
June 15, 2017
Editorial Review: Publishers Weekly
Rise was selected for a children's book review by Publishers Weekly.
"Almonte excels at making the fantastical seem commonplace, particularly in his empathic descriptions of the pressures and anxieties associated with passing the Trials." -Publishers Weekly
With this editorial review Rise receives national attention, and we are excited to have been selected out of all eligible YA Indie submissions.
To read the full review click here
"Almonte excels at making the fantastical seem commonplace, particularly in his empathic descriptions of the pressures and anxieties associated with passing the Trials." -Publishers Weekly
With this editorial review Rise receives national attention, and we are excited to have been selected out of all eligible YA Indie submissions.
To read the full review click here
December 12, 2016
Editorial Review: YA Books Central
November 16, 2016
Editorial Review: More Praise for Rise
Looks like Rise continues to cast a spell over you.
In the latest bewitching editorial review, Kelly, the official book reviewer for Family Footnote, writes that "the best parts of the book revolve around 'The Trials' and Alexia's training," and that the "inter-workings of the witching society make for an interesting read ..."
Kelly observes that "fans of the 'Matched Trilogy' by Ally Condie or the famous 'Twilight Series' by Stephenie Meyer will probably enjoy this book."
Our take: any comparisons to the successful Twilight Series is probably a good thing. Here's hoping! You can read Kelly's full review by clicking on the link below.
http://familyfootnote.com/2016/11/15/...
In the latest bewitching editorial review, Kelly, the official book reviewer for Family Footnote, writes that "the best parts of the book revolve around 'The Trials' and Alexia's training," and that the "inter-workings of the witching society make for an interesting read ..."
Kelly observes that "fans of the 'Matched Trilogy' by Ally Condie or the famous 'Twilight Series' by Stephenie Meyer will probably enjoy this book."
Our take: any comparisons to the successful Twilight Series is probably a good thing. Here's hoping! You can read Kelly's full review by clicking on the link below.
http://familyfootnote.com/2016/11/15/...
November 14, 2016
Book Riot Live NYC 2016
What an absolutely incredible time I had at the Book Riot Live Reader Expo in NYC. It was amazing to meet and interact with avid book readers from across the country and the world, and to welcome new fans to the Trifecta Series family.
More importantly, thank you to all who picked up a signed author copy of Rise. In the month of November ten percent of all net profits will be donated to the wonderful folks who provide teen suicide prevention and awareness over at http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Here is a collage from the event, and below is a link to the blog where all pictures can be viewed.
To view all of the amazing pictures from Book Riot Live please visit the Trifecta Series Blog by clicking here.
More importantly, thank you to all who picked up a signed author copy of Rise. In the month of November ten percent of all net profits will be donated to the wonderful folks who provide teen suicide prevention and awareness over at http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Here is a collage from the event, and below is a link to the blog where all pictures can be viewed.
To view all of the amazing pictures from Book Riot Live please visit the Trifecta Series Blog by clicking here.
November 7, 2016
Editorial Review: Rise Receives 5/5 Stars From Young Adult Books Central
It is my great pleasure to announce that Rise has received another perfect editorial review from the Young Adult Books Central Team - what an amazing honor! Below is a snapshot of the review.
A paranormal world with a difference.
Rise (Trifecta: Book One) by Luis Almonte
The Characters:
It is so refreshing to read a young adult novel where the main character has to struggle alongside everyone else. It is clear there is something special about Alexia, but at the same time she does not automatically excel at each and every thing. This makes for a three-dimensional protagonist. The strength of the relationships Alexia has with her siblings, parents, coven, and friends reinforces the feeling of a true Witch Coven. Alexia’s maturity, her ‘true-teen reactions’, and honesty make her an enjoyable read.
The World:
A paranormal world with a difference. Nothing is black and white—within each paranormal sect we meet there are good and bad characters, and the result is an emotionally-complex story. The cultural aspects of the Witch covens come across natural and my suspense of belief was absolute. The magic system was unique with great spell names, and the depth of development this author had gone to while exploring the witch trials is to be commended. The brief glimpses of witch history add depth to the novel without dragging the pace down.
The Readability
I put this book down once—only because I had to. It is fast-paced and very well edited. We are thrown directly into action during the prologue, and this adds an element of suspense to the entire story as we wait for the ball to drop.
Final Verdict:
This novel has everything for the YA paranormal fantasy fan; love, friendship, family, magic, complexity, unpredictability, action, and emotional depth."~YABooksCentral Official Review
To read the full review please click on the link below:
http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaindie...
A paranormal world with a difference.
Rise (Trifecta: Book One) by Luis Almonte
The Characters:
It is so refreshing to read a young adult novel where the main character has to struggle alongside everyone else. It is clear there is something special about Alexia, but at the same time she does not automatically excel at each and every thing. This makes for a three-dimensional protagonist. The strength of the relationships Alexia has with her siblings, parents, coven, and friends reinforces the feeling of a true Witch Coven. Alexia’s maturity, her ‘true-teen reactions’, and honesty make her an enjoyable read.
The World:
A paranormal world with a difference. Nothing is black and white—within each paranormal sect we meet there are good and bad characters, and the result is an emotionally-complex story. The cultural aspects of the Witch covens come across natural and my suspense of belief was absolute. The magic system was unique with great spell names, and the depth of development this author had gone to while exploring the witch trials is to be commended. The brief glimpses of witch history add depth to the novel without dragging the pace down.
The Readability
I put this book down once—only because I had to. It is fast-paced and very well edited. We are thrown directly into action during the prologue, and this adds an element of suspense to the entire story as we wait for the ball to drop.
Final Verdict:
This novel has everything for the YA paranormal fantasy fan; love, friendship, family, magic, complexity, unpredictability, action, and emotional depth."~YABooksCentral Official Review
To read the full review please click on the link below:
http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaindie...
November 3, 2016
Editorial Review: Rise Receives 4/4 Stars From OnlineBookClub.org
I'm proud to announce that the official review from onlinbookclub.org is in, and Rise has received a perfect 4/4 stars. I'm both humbled and honored that the reviewer thought so highly of my debut novel, and more importantly, of my potential as an author.
The reviewer writes that the decision to give Rise 4 stars was in part because, "there are very few occasions lately that I feel totally consumed by a book. More often than not, I've found myself discouraged and let down with what I have read. Rise by Luis Almonte is the true exception. Published in August of 2016, Almonte takes us on an original journey in his first novel, a contemporary Young Adult fantasy story. Rise is book one in the Trifecta series, with the other books still pending release. At a length of 212 pages, Rise is a short but totally consuming novel." To read the entire review, please click here
The reviewer writes that the decision to give Rise 4 stars was in part because, "there are very few occasions lately that I feel totally consumed by a book. More often than not, I've found myself discouraged and let down with what I have read. Rise by Luis Almonte is the true exception. Published in August of 2016, Almonte takes us on an original journey in his first novel, a contemporary Young Adult fantasy story. Rise is book one in the Trifecta series, with the other books still pending release. At a length of 212 pages, Rise is a short but totally consuming novel." To read the entire review, please click here
October 27, 2016
Rise Selected as Book to TV Series Recommendation
Looks like Rise has cast a spell over you. It is with great honor that I announce that Rise has been selected as one of five novels that should be adapted into a TV Series by top U.K. Blogger Benjamin Oftomes
What an amazing honor. I'm humbled by your inclusion of Rise alongside the other four amazing novels you've selected. Now does anyone have the number to the CW? Gossip Girl meets The Craft - I totally dig it!
To see Benjamins YouTube post in its entirety, please click on the link below:
YouTube:Book to TV Series Video
What an amazing honor. I'm humbled by your inclusion of Rise alongside the other four amazing novels you've selected. Now does anyone have the number to the CW? Gossip Girl meets The Craft - I totally dig it!
To see Benjamins YouTube post in its entirety, please click on the link below:
YouTube:Book to TV Series Video
October 16, 2016
Welcome to the South Haven Academy for the Gifted and Talented!
High school. It can be a melting pot of rampant pubescent emotions, bashful insecurities, bitter rivalries, lifelong friendships, and first love. High school can be pretty tough, but it helps to have friends that can step in whenever things get rough.
The South Haven Academy for the Gifted and Talented (SHAGT) is a public magnet high school that hosts some of the best and the brightest students from South Haven, Michigan and its surrounding areas. Beautifully located near the lake, the school is an idyllic setting where all is not what it seems. You see, rumors of paranormal activity are the talk of the town, and should make for a very interesting school year.
Among the student body is 15-year-old high school sophomore Alexia Wick. Alexia is a lot like her peers; she wants to succeed in school and make her parents proud, and she wants to fit in with her classmates. Unknown to the other students, however, is the fact that Alexia is secretly a witch. There are others like Alexia hiding in plain sight, but these kids aren't as different as you would think. In fact, they are just like the rest of us, and at SHAGT you've got a cauldron of possibilities where the impossible is also magical.
Adding to the pressure is an annual rite of passage competition among the covens- a contest among the best and the brightest teen witches from across the country. This year, Alexia may get called upon to represent her coven, Alerium, at Annual Trials. She will train hard with her mentor, Darren Smalls, to get her competition ready by pushing her magic and spell casting abilities to their absolute limit.
The pressure to succeed is indeed mounting for Alexia. Will she find the strength and personal courage to do well at Trials, or will she buckle under the weight of the immense pressure?
The South Haven Academy for the Gifted and Talented (SHAGT) is a public magnet high school that hosts some of the best and the brightest students from South Haven, Michigan and its surrounding areas. Beautifully located near the lake, the school is an idyllic setting where all is not what it seems. You see, rumors of paranormal activity are the talk of the town, and should make for a very interesting school year.
Among the student body is 15-year-old high school sophomore Alexia Wick. Alexia is a lot like her peers; she wants to succeed in school and make her parents proud, and she wants to fit in with her classmates. Unknown to the other students, however, is the fact that Alexia is secretly a witch. There are others like Alexia hiding in plain sight, but these kids aren't as different as you would think. In fact, they are just like the rest of us, and at SHAGT you've got a cauldron of possibilities where the impossible is also magical.
Adding to the pressure is an annual rite of passage competition among the covens- a contest among the best and the brightest teen witches from across the country. This year, Alexia may get called upon to represent her coven, Alerium, at Annual Trials. She will train hard with her mentor, Darren Smalls, to get her competition ready by pushing her magic and spell casting abilities to their absolute limit.
The pressure to succeed is indeed mounting for Alexia. Will she find the strength and personal courage to do well at Trials, or will she buckle under the weight of the immense pressure?
