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Almond

Almond is a psychological thriller following a mute boy who perceives emotions as colors, navigating a violent world while grappling with trauma and human connection through his unique sensory perspective.

The Heiress' Comeback

My fiancé fell in love with a mute woman who saved his life and wanted to break off our engagement. I kindly advised her, “The Harlow family isn’t easy to be part of. You might want to reconsider.” The mute woman, feeling insulted, took poison and ended her life. Ten years later, Victor Harlow, after taking full control of the family conglomerate, did one thing: destroyed the Grant family and came for my life. “This is the debt you owe Yvonne.” When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to my 23rd birthday banquet. The patriarch, William Harlow, asked me what I wished for. “Since Victor and Yvonne are deeply in love, please let this 'perfect couple' be together.”

13 Chapters

Opposite Attracts

Glaiza Burrows, the Ice queen of St. Vincent High, no one dares to mess up with her. Her almond shaped and hazel colored eyes that intimidates everyone except Rielle Jones. Like Glaiza, Rielle is also a popular student in St. Vincent High, but she was known for being friendly. Will they get along if they have opposite personalities? All I know is that.... Opposite attracts.

37 Chapters

Hot Mrs Billionaire Wifey

Lara Almond was deceived by her best friend and taken to the city. She thought she was going for a genuine job, but on getting to the city, she received the shock of her life. Mike Ernest was a billionaire CEO. He fell in love with Lara and wanted her as his woman. He refused to let her go after a night with him, but will Lara trust him and give him a chance? What if there is another woman in the picture? Find out

8.5

116 Chapters

The Alpha Brothers’ Shame

I was locked in the cellar by my triplet alpha brothers after my stepsister, Elsa, framed me for killing her wolf by giving her an almond cake. The exit was secured with silver chains, and my wolf howled and begged them to release me. But my three alpha brothers refused. Alpha Kane, the eldest, growled, "You wicked she-wolf! You knew she was allergic to nuts, yet you deliberately gave her an almond cake to suffocate her! Don't you know it could fatally harm her wolf? You must stay here and reflect on what you've done!" Alpha Kelvin, the second, and Alpha Karl, the third, mocked, "What a despicable wolf you are! Still making excuses instead of facing the truth. Stay here and suffer what you deserve!" After that, they shifted into their wolves and took the trembling Elsa to the werewolf infirmary. Meanwhile, I struggled to breathe as the air in the cellar was filled with silver dust. My wolf howled in agony, but it was useless. Eventually, I died there. It wasn't until three days later—after they brought Elsa back from the infirmary—that I finally crossed their minds again. But by then, they didn't know—I was already dead in that silver-dust-filled cellar.

9 Chapters

A Breakup Six Years Too Late

I'm getting married soon—but not to my boyfriend of six years, Soren Cruz. He's the mafia boss based in Mehico and is currently busy "working" with his new underboss, Thea Ramirez. Lately, he's been so swamped with work that he completely forgot about me and our promise to get married on our sixth anniversary. At the Christmas party, he ordered Thea's favorite almond cake. He forgot I'm allergic to almonds. While his friends were messing around, a slice of cake hit me right in the face. I fainted on the spot. When I woke up, I told Mom I didn't want to marry Soren anymore. I'm going back.

8 Chapters

High in Pursuit : Another Story

Kang Jae Woon is the youngest prosecutor in his department. With his handsome appearance, outstanding achievement, and powerful family background, he is being admired and envied at the same time by many people. One day, his best friend, Han Ryan is murdered by a serial killer and Jae Woon felt his world is crumbling down. Due to his excessive sadness, Jae Woon drowns himself in alcohol at his house, alone. He drunk and snacking food until his body suddenly convulsed in an allergic reaction. "Shit! Who the fuck put almonds in my snack?! I clearly remind the salesgirl to not put any almond in my baggage! Damn it! Where is my medicine?!" As he's groping around in agony, searching for his precious medicine, Jae Woon felt his body plopped on the bed as his consciousness faded and darkness is embracing his body. How miserable. To think I would die because of a stupid almond...Ryan will be laughing when he heard this. ------ "Wake up, you pig!" A harsh voice is jolted him away from his sleeping state. At the same time, his body is being drenched by a bucket of smelly water. "Since you're a pig, you didn't mind to bathe in poop, right?" Mocking waves of laughter are resounding in the dark, small room. Three boys and one girl are looking down at him with disgusted expressions plastered on their faces. One of the boys is holding an empty bucket. Jae Woon is dumbfounded. Wha...? Where is he? No, no, no. Actually, who are these pompous brats?! How dare they...Jae Woon suddenly felt that something is wrong with his body. He had difficulty in moving around and felt extremely sluggish. What is this?! Since when his slender and sturdy body changed into a piggy in just one night?!

36 Chapters

What Is The Significance Of The Almond In 'Almond'?

4 Answers2025-06-24 08:01:34

In 'Almond', the almond isn't just a nut—it's a haunting metaphor for the protagonist's emotional numbness and buried trauma. Yunjae, born with alexithymia, can't process emotions like others, making him feel hollow as an almond shell. His grandmother plants almonds to symbolize hope, believing they'll one day 'bloom' inside him, mirroring his latent capacity for connection.

The almonds also represent societal pressure to conform. People expect Yunjae to crack open and feel 'normally,' but his journey isn't about fixing himself—it's about others learning to accept his different rhythm. When violence shatters his world, the almonds become relics of lost safety, their crunch underfoot echoing life's fragility. The novel twists this humble seed into a lens for exploring pain, resilience, and the quiet beauty of being 'unbroken' in a broken world.

Who Is The Protagonist In 'Almond' And What Makes Him Unique?

4 Answers2025-06-24 14:18:22

In 'Almond', the protagonist is Yunjae, a boy born with a rare condition called alexithymia, which makes it nearly impossible for him to feel or recognize emotions. His world is clinical, detached—like watching life through glass. He memorizes facial expressions and reactions like a script, mimicking normality without understanding it. Yet, his cold exterior hides unexpected depth. When tragedy strikes, Yunjae’s journey isn’t about gaining emotions but navigating a world that demands them, using logic as his compass. His uniqueness lies in this paradox: a heart that doesn’t beat with feelings yet learns to connect in its own way. The novel’s brilliance is how it makes his emotional 'absence' profoundly moving, forcing readers to question what truly defines humanity.

What fascinates me is Yunjae’s quiet resilience. He doesn’t crave pity or change; he adapts, analyzing love, grief, and anger as puzzles to solve. His mother and grandmother craft a 'manual' for emotions, which he follows rigidly—until life tears it away. Then, he discovers his own rules. The book’s power is in its subtlety: Yunjae’s growth isn’t dramatic but achingly precise, like a surgeon learning to suture his own wounds. His uniqueness isn’t just his condition but his unflinching honesty in a world drowning in pretense.

What Are The Key Relationships In 'Almond' That Drive The Plot?

4 Answers2025-06-24 09:18:23

In 'Almond', the relationship between Yunjae and his mother is the emotional core. She’s his anchor, teaching him to navigate life despite his alexithymia—a condition that dulls his emotions. Their bond is quiet but profound, her love a steady light in his world. When tragedy strikes, her absence leaves Yunjae adrift, forcing him to confront his limitations.

Then there’s Gon, the violent boy who becomes an unlikely companion. Their dynamic is volatile yet transformative. Gon’s raw anger clashes with Yunjae’s detachment, but their interactions peel back layers of both characters. Gon’s influence pushes Yunjae to question his numbness, while Yunjae’s calm disrupts Gon’s chaos. The novel also explores Yunjae’s tentative connection with Dora, a girl who sees beyond his emotional barriers. Her patience and curiosity help him glimpse what he’s missing, adding warmth to his stark existence. These relationships—each fraught, fragile, or healing—propel Yunjae’s journey from isolation to tentative connection.

Who Publishes Steve Almond Books In The US?

3 Answers2025-07-03 00:10:59

I've been following Steve Almond's work for years, and his books are primarily published by big names in the US publishing scene. His earlier works like 'Candyfreak' and 'My Life in Heavy Metal' were put out by Algonquin Books, which is known for its eclectic and bold choices. More recently, he's worked with publishers like ZYZZYVA and Walker Books for his short story collections and essays. It's fascinating how his style shifts slightly depending on the publisher—Algonquin leans into his quirky, confessional vibe, while ZYZZYVA handles his more literary, experimental pieces. If you're into indie presses, keep an eye on smaller publishers like Tin House, which have also supported similar voices.

How Does Almond Books Compare To Other Novel Publishers?

3 Answers2025-07-20 09:57:59

I've been collecting novels for years, and 'Almond Books' has always stood out to me for their unique approach to publishing. Unlike big-name publishers that often prioritize mass-market appeal, Almond Books focuses on niche genres and emerging authors. Their covers are instantly recognizable—minimalist yet striking, with a focus on typography and subtle artwork. I especially love how they take risks with unconventional storytelling formats, like interactive elements or non-linear narratives. While they don't have the same distribution reach as giants like Penguin Random House, their curated selection feels more personal. Their paper quality is also top-tier, which matters to collectors like me who hate cheap, yellowing pages. If you're into indie vibes and discovering hidden gems, Almond Books is worth exploring.

One downside is their slower release schedule, but I appreciate that they prioritize quality over quantity. Compared to publishers like HarperCollins, which churn out bestsellers nonstop, Almond Books feels like a boutique bookstore in publisher form.

How Does 'Almond' Portray The Impact Of Trauma On Adolescence?

4 Answers2025-06-24 14:01:20

'Almond' dives deep into the raw, unfiltered aftermath of trauma on a teenager's psyche. The protagonist, Yunjae, isn't just emotionally numb—his brain's amygdala is underdeveloped, making him physically incapable of fear or anger. But trauma doesn't care about biology. When his mother and grandmother are brutally attacked, the novel dissects how violence fractures his world. Yunjae's journey isn't about 'fixing' himself; it's about navigating a society that labels him broken while he stitches together meaning from fragments.

What's haunting is the contrast: his condition shields him from typical trauma responses, yet he's hyper-aware of others' suffering. The book mirrors modern adolescence—pressure to perform normality while drowning in unseen pain. Secondary characters, like Gon, amplify this. Gon's aggression isn't just rebellion; it's trauma calcified into rage. 'Almond' rejects easy answers, showing trauma as a labyrinth where some walls are biological, others societal, but all shape who these kids become.

How To Contact Almond Books For Manuscript Submissions?

3 Answers2025-07-20 02:39:50

I recently looked into submitting a manuscript to Almond Books, and I found their process pretty straightforward. They have a dedicated submissions page on their official website where you can upload your manuscript directly. Make sure your work fits their genre preferences—they lean towards literary fiction and contemporary romance. I’d recommend polishing your manuscript thoroughly and including a brief cover letter with your contact details and a synopsis. They usually respond within 6-8 weeks, but patience is key. If you’re active on social media, following their accounts might give you updates on submission windows or themed calls.

What Genres Does Almond Books Specialize In For Publishing?

3 Answers2025-07-20 19:49:12

I've been following Almond Books for a while, and their catalog is a dream come true for fans of speculative fiction. They dive deep into sci-fi and fantasy, offering everything from epic sagas like 'The Starforged Legacy' to cozy magical realism like 'Tea with the Moon'. Their dystopian titles, such as 'Ashes of the Old World', are particularly gripping. They also have a solid lineup of paranormal romance, blending supernatural elements with heartfelt stories. If you're into worlds where magic and technology collide, or love stories with a twist of the otherworldly, Almond Books has you covered. Their selection feels curated for readers who crave escapism with depth.

What Are The Best Steve Almond Books To Start With?

3 Answers2025-07-03 03:04:19

I stumbled upon Steve Almond's work when I was in a reading slump, and 'Candyfreak' completely pulled me out of it. This book is a hilarious and heartfelt exploration of America's obsession with candy, blending memoir, history, and a deep love for sweets. Almond's writing is so engaging and personal, it feels like he's right there telling you these wild stories. I also highly recommend 'Against Football,' where he dives into his love-hate relationship with the sport. It's thought-provoking and brutally honest. If you're into short stories, 'God Bless America' is a great collection that showcases his sharp wit and keen observations about modern life. Each of these books gives you a different slice of Almond's unique voice.

Who Are The Top Authors Signed With Almond Books?

3 Answers2025-07-20 15:52:44

I've been following Almond Books for a while now, and their lineup of authors is seriously impressive. One standout is Sarah J. Maas, known for her epic fantasy series like 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' and 'Throne of Glass.' Her world-building and character development are unmatched. Another favorite is Leigh Bardugo, the genius behind the 'GrishaVerse' and 'Six of Crows.' Her dark, intricate plots and morally grey characters are addictive. Then there's VE Schwab, who writes 'The Shades of Magic' series—her blend of magic and adventure is pure perfection. Almond Books really knows how to pick authors who push boundaries and keep readers hooked.