Nick Hawthorne and the Banefires of Autumn
FANTASY ACTION ADVENTURE APOCALYPTIC YOUNG ADULT
Contemporary,Across Centuries
Craig Booker
Submision Type
book
Logline
It’s almost the time of the Conjunction in Albion, and the witch Nightshade is seeking to unleash Armageddon. Derbyshire youth Nick Hawthorne is plunged into this maelstrom of alien malevolence when he accidentally finds the only talisman capable of stopping her.
Genre
Fantasy,Action,Adventure,Apocalyptic,Young Adult
Short Summary
Present Day England: Nick Hawthorne, who lives with his uncle on the Derbyshire moors, dreams one night that he's found a golden talisman in a wood nearby. He is immediately attacked by a hideous creature, but (with otherworldly help) escapes. When he wakes up, he finds the artefact is real!
Setting
England (Derbyshire, London), Albion (alternative fantasy version of England)
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain,Internal Journey/Rebirth,Quest,Voyage and Return
Plot - Other Elements
Twist,Coming of Age
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Nick Hawthorne
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Desperate,Empathetic,Engaging,Faithful,Insecure,Underdog,Modest,Selfless
Additional Character Details
Name: Sir Benedict Harkness
Age: Thirties
Gender: Male
Role: Mentor
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aspiring,Charming,Confident,Decisive,Engaging,Faithful,Heroic,Honorable,Leader,Visionary,Outspoken,Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: The Eyes of the Wind (The Rider)
Age: Early forties
Gender: Male
Role: logical
Key Traits: Adventurous,Complex,Confident,Decisive,Empathetic,Heroic,Honorable,Masculine,Selfless,Skillful,Secretive
Additional Character Details
Name: Nightshade
Age: Ageless
Gender: Female
Role: logical
Key Traits: Confident,Decisive,Badass,Aggressive,Crazy,Villainous,Power Hungry,Manipulative
Genre
DRAMA, FANTASY
Brief
A young boy is transported to a land of magic and fantasy to help defeat an evil witch and save the land.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: FAIR
Characterization: FAIR
Commerciality: FAIR
Franchise Potential: FAIR
Pace: FAIR
Premise: FAIR
Structure: FAIR
Theme: FAIR
Accuracy of Book Profile
Yes, it does reflect the book.
Draw of Story
At first, he narrative that mixes many elements of fantasy.
Possible Drawbacks
At times, this feels like a derivative fantasy novel. There is nothing fresh or unique about it. It would need something to make it stand out from others like it. Diving more into the character’s backstories and exploring what makes them different and why would remedy this issue.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES HEAVILY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The problem is that the story sounds unoriginal. It needs a different twist or new elements from stand out within the genre.
Fanbase Potential
If the book becomes a bestseller before the movies get made, it can carry its fanbase.
Awards Potential
As it is, no.
Envisioned Budget
LARGE BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
LORD OF THE RINGS, GAME OF THRONES, HARRY POTTER
What’s New About the Story
Like I said, the whole thing is a derivative mixture of existing fantasy tropes. It would have to be started over using different elements.
Lead Characters
They are all fairly cliche at the time. I don't know how they could be fixed with the current story. New elements could improve their narrative arcs and interior growth.
Uniqueness of Story
As it is right now, this is neither rare nor a gem. This is an average story that can be improved by the use of elements that freshen up the genre.
Possible Formats
Film - Studio
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
While the story has many positive points, it has room for improvement (see possible paths below). If you can't change the story at this point, my suggestion is using your notes as a guide to highlight the best aspects of it when taking the next steps, either putting a pitch page together, a treatment, or a presentation.
Tips for Improvement
Creating character arcs and themes developing throughout the story rather than just following the magical “savior” archetype. The basic ideas for the story are cool and creative, which is good, but the narrative and the writing need more development in order for it to have any appeal for the public. Therefore, it needs a full, careful revision, maintaining the elements that work for the story and rethinking the ones that feel too simplistic.