Michael Almich's Blog

Amazon Review: The Huldra Hostility

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read for All Ages!, April 11, 2014By Lynn Morales - See all my reviewsThis review is from: The Huldra Hostility (Camp Lac Igam) (Kindle Edition)After thoroughly losing myself in the enjoyment of Mike Almich's debut novel, "The Fossegrimen Folly," I was anxious for the second Camp Lac Igam novel, "The Huldra Hostility" to be published. As soon as it was available I purchased it, and from the first page I was swept back into the clever and exciting universe Almich has created. As a middle school language arts teacher I often struggle to find books that all of my students will enjoy, regardless of gender, reading ability, and genre-preference. To his credit, Mike Almich has found a way to engage all readers, including adults, with engaging characters, thrilling action sequences, imaginative landscapes, and a spectacular climax. "The Huldra Hostility" will keep you hooked from start to finish!

First review on Smashwords: 5 outta 5 starts!

Review by: joe robin on April 04, 2014 :      
Amazing! This book is one that you won't want to put down for anything and just keep reading. The suspenseful ending will have you waiting anxiously for the 3rd book.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Patrick's Rune

“At Tara in this fateful hour,
I place all Heaven with its power,
And the sun with its brightness,
And the snow with its whiteness,
And the fire with all the strength it hath,
And the lightning with its rapid wrath,
And the winds with their swiftness along their path,
And the sea with its deepness,
And the rocks with their steepness,
And the earth with its starkness:
All these I place,
By God's almighty help and grace
Between myself and the powers of darkness!” 
― Madeleine L'Engle,  A Swiftly Tilting Planet

Taa Daaa!

Ta daaa! I have officially completed The Huldra Hostility, Camp Lac Igam - Book 2.
You can purchase the book as of now for most e-readers (i.e. Kindle, Nook, etc) from the smashwords.com page below. I will be publishing separately on Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc soon. Paperback version is also forthcoming but takes a little longer.

If and when you read this, please publish a short review (even just a few words) on whatever site you buy it from. Thanks for your support!!!

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/423108

Book 2 Update: Almost there!

I haven't written on here in a year and three months or so, but who is counting. I am at about 70,000 words now on book 2 and expect it to go about 85,000. It's tough to find time to write. It really is. I keep plugging away, envious of those who can sit down and write until their hearts content... 6,000 or more words a day. Bah! Who needs it! I have always been a grinder anyway. Here is the first look at the full new cover for Book 2:

Deadlines, schmeadlines

So, I am behind. Way behind. I had planned on writing all summer and getting Book Two completed by now. Life got in the way... and is still doing so. After realizing I would not make my self imposed deadline, I reset my goals. I would start writing intensely again once school got back in session. Well, schools back in and I'm not writing. I am currently preparing for some job interviews and that is taking up most of my writing time. So, here we go again: After the job situation is resolved, I will start writing intensively. I hope to complete and publish the book right around the holidays. I am still excited about it, and it eats away at me because I know what great adventures Shy is going to have..... red caps be damned!

Update: Book 2

I am having a hard time making progress now, what with life getting in the way! I am 12,500 words into book 2. I have tons of ideas floating in my head that I would like to get down on paper, but haven't yet. I will probably not make a lot of progress this coming week either, as I am speaking at Kaleidoscope Charter School in Otsego, MN, about my writing and publishing experience! Should be interesting. It will be two presentations to two separate groups of students. If this goes well, I may try to set up more for next school year. I know it sounds hokey, but if I can convince or persuade just a few kids to make that leap and really dive into a book... you know, where they really disappear into their imagination... well, I will count that as giving something back.

BTW, I was sick recently, and in my drug induced sleep I had a very vivid dream that I really think may be the basis for my next series of books! I can still see one of the creatures in my mind's eye! Kinda creepy actually...

Book 2

Well, Shy is well on his way to Camp Lac Igam for summer 2. I have started the book and my tenative launch date is September 1. I have the rough outline and 2 chapters completed. A new character is introduced in this book. His name will be Moriarty... the boys will call him Morrie for short. He is a professor of Folklore and Mythology during the school year, and is an evil character in this book... one of the prime obstacles that the boys will need to overcome this summer. Can anyone guess how I came up with the name Moriarty for this character? No cheating by using Mr. Google, or Mrs. Wikipedia.....

My working title for book 2 is: The Huldra Hostility. What is a Huldra? To answer that, you should read book 1, The Fossegrimen Folly!

5 stars!

5.0 out of 5 stars The visuals alone make this book a good read., April 28, 2012 By Chad Holm - See all my reviewsThis review is from: The Fossegrimen Folly (Camp Lac Igam) (Kindle Edition) When I began reading this, I wasn't sure what to expect. I thought it would be something that only young kids and teens would enjoy... I was wrong. I am 39 and loved it! Being that my favorite Author is Stephen King, I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed this fantasy book. I usually lean toward the suspenseful/horror/supernatural genre. I am now looking forward to the next book like you anticipate the next weekly episode of your favorite television show.

For a first time author, Michael Almich created a visual story that you would expect from a seasoned author. I am hoping that this becomes a movie. There are so many things that would be really cool to be seen, not just imagined. I really believe the story is just begging for a screenplay.

I have many favorite parts but what I liked most was the beginning of summer camp and the discovery of... well, I don't want to give anything away. The last 20 pages or so really kept me on my toe's anticipating what was going to happen. I was happy with the ending unlike many books that leave you asking.... What?

Great first book Mr. Almich. Bring on book two!!!

First Amazon Review

Shawn gave 5 stars to: The Fossegrimen Folly (Camp Lac Igam)Today, April 23, 2012, 6 hours ago [image error] Shawn reviewed:
The Fossegrimen Folly (Camp Lac Igam) by Michael Almich Amazing, April 23, 2012 Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Fossegrimen Folly (Camp Lac Igam) (Kindle Edition) This book is awesome. The author does an amazing job of painting a picture and letting your mind run wild throughout the pages of the book. He has a great cast of characters, and does a very good job of introducing them to you. The book has a great lesson and shows that you can overcome any obstacle if you believe in yourself. Although I am not a big fantasy genera reader this book got me hooked, and I will defiantly be buying the next book as soon as it comes out!!!! This is a must read for anyone that enjoys a great book and wants to get lost in a not so distant place full of mystery and adventure.