The Prince Returns, Keeper of Dragons Book 1
GENRE
FANTASY
Core Theme
OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF A PROFOUND DESTINY.
TIME PERIOD
Contemporary
COMPARABLE TITLES
GAME OF THRONES, DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON.
CHARACTER LIST
• COLE: 18. LEAD. FAITHFUL, INTELLIGENT, CARING, OPEN TO NEW IDEAS, HEROIC, POWERFUL.
• EVA: 18. SIDEKICK. BADASS, HEROIC, CAPABLE, LOYAL, POWERFUL.
• JERICHO: 400. MENTOR. WISE, STUBBORN, LOYAL, POWERFUL.
• RYLAN: 300-400. DRAGON KING. ROYAL, PROTECTIVE, INTELLIGENT, POWERFUL.
• SILA: 300-400. DRAGON QUEEN. ROYAL, INTELLIGENT, PROTECTIVE, POWERFUL, CARING.
• QUEEN TANA: 25. EVIL FAIRY QUEEN. AMBITIOUS, EVIL, GREEDY, CLEVER.
Logline
Cole’s human life is upended on his 18th birthday when he discovers his true dragon heritage and the prophecy that awaits him. Can he rise to the challenge? An epic fantasy page-turner!
Target Audiences
Age: 13-17
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
Clover, Texas (fantasy)India, Ochana (Dragon Home)
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: self-published
Year Published: 2016
Starting Description
On Cole's 18th birthday he finds out that his biological parents are dragons. Not just any dragons, but the King and Queen of dragons, which makes him the Prince. Through a series of events, Cole is tasked with keeping all true beings safe from nefarious creatures.
Ending Description
Cole stops the Farros (fallen fairies) from destroying the dragons and has his coronation initiating him as the Keeper of Dragons.
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
Yes
ISBN
Information not completed
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age, Meaningful Message, Twist
Plot - Premise
Quest,Overcoming Monster/Villain
Main Character Details
Name: Cole Jameson
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Clumsy, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Strong Moral Code, Underdog, Empathetic, Faithful, Heroic, Honorable, Visionary,Strong Moral Code,Underdog
Additional Character Details
Name: Eva
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Role: Sidekick
Key Traits: Visionary, Confident, Educated, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Faithful, Honorable, Leader,Adventurous,Badass,Leader
Additional Character Details
Name: Jericho
Age: 400
Gender: Male
Role: mentor
Key Traits: Educated, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Heroic, Honorable, Leader, Aggressive, Blunt, Complex,Lone Wolf,Strong Moral Code,Leader
Additional Character Details
Name: Queen Tana
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Aggressive, Confident, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Greedy, Leader, Sarcastic, Adventurous, Blunt, Power-hungry, Unapologetic, Villainous,Villainous,Narcisstic,Crazy,Power Hungry
Genre
ACTION, SUSPENSE, DRAMA, WAR, FANTASY
Brief
When Cole turns 18, his parents tell him he is not their natural son and his real parents come to take him. Cole's real parents are also (royal) dragons and bring Prince Cole to the realm of Ochana. With the help of his friend Eva who is also a dragon, they become the Keeper of Dragons and wage war with the farros, a form of evil fairies. They defeat the farros and return home to learn what it means to be royal dragons.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: EXCELLENT
Characterization: EXCELLENT
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: EXCELLENT
Pace: GOOD
Premise: GOOD
Structure: GOOD
Theme: GOOD
Accuracy of Book Profile
The book profile does depict the book properly.
Draw of Story
A fantasy world where dragons and other magical creatures exist.
Possible Drawbacks
Nothing made me put the book down - this story is good.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES HEAVILY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS.
Primary Hook of Story
An 18 year old kid discovers he's a powerful dragon.
Fanbase Potential
It could have a large fan base since the genre is always popular, especially in the YA realm.
Awards Potential
Not really, YA fantasy doesn’t traditionally gain awards.
Envisioned Budget
LARGE BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
GAME OF THRONES, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS
What’s New About the Story
There isn't much originality, but it's a time-tested genre story. It would be more unique if there were real life-threatening situations for the leads and more original antagonistic creatures.
Lead Characters
Cole is an average boy who accepts his enormous responsibilities and royal lineage with courage. It’s relatable.
Uniqueness of Story
It could use a more complex plot, better developed characters, and bigger action sequences.
Possible Formats
Film - Streaming, Film - Studio
Analyst Recommendation
CONSIDER
Justification
It has the requisite story structure and points for a successful YA film. Dragons are almost always a draw. The narrative is crafted with an effective structure that could be adapted to the screen. While the novel can use some polishing, there's clear potential for this to be a feature or series. The protagonist is also established well at the beginning.
Brief
Cole’s human life is upended on his 18th birthday when he discovers his true dragon heritage and the prophecy that awaits him. He is whisked to a realm of dragons and must become their protector against a nefarious race of enemy creatures. Can he rise to the challenge? An epic fantasy page-turner!
What We Liked
- Escaping the ordinary world is usually an appealing story, especially when superpowers are added. Dragons are always fun, and this story has plenty. The lead is likeable and empathetic. There is danger and betrayal and some good battles as the lead finds out more about what he is and what he can do along his journey from average boy to a prince of dragons.
- This story would best be told on the big screen because of its special effects. New worlds and dragons are the staples, and the structure of the story is conducive to a movie.
- Key points: Dragons; Empathetic/likeable protagonists; Evil enemies; A cool journey; Action and battles
Synopsis
COLE, 17, laments his lack of prospects after graduating high school. His grades weren’t good enough for college and he can’t find a job. His parents, upset, sit him down and tell him they protected him too much growing up. They tell him he’s special, a protector himself, and they promised to give him back to his real parents when he turns 18. In two days. He had no idea he was adopted and his parents are very sad but tell him this is the best decision. Cole’s mind is all over the place. They eat dinner on his 18th birthday, and Cole feels a weird energy surging through him and passes out. He wakes up and his birth parents are there. RYLAN and SILA, both of whom look around 35, both big and good looking. They tell him they have to leave soon, while it’s still dark out. Cole is reeling, having no idea what to do, so he just goes along with it. They say they are taking him to Ochana; surely his parents told him all about it. They decide they’ll have to show him who they are. Rylan turns into a giant green dragon. Sila tells him they are called Leslos, and are the protectors of Ochana. Sila tells Cole he’s a dragon too and a lot is expected of him. They speak to him telepathically, and he gets on his father’s back while Sila turns into her dragon form. “Mahier” is the force that powers them. They tell him Ochana is in the clouds near Greenland and they’ll be there in two hours. Cole hopes he doesn’t fall off. They land in Canada and eat and rest. Sila tells Cole that Rylan has to rest because he was using his mahier to keep from being detected by humans for the flight. She tells Cole he will be left alone to “find his dragon.” He concentrates, then transforms into a dragon. He flies up to meet his parents. They land at an island in the clouds, Ochana. Cole is introduced to the council who have been waiting to meet him. They are in human form and all have different colored eyes. They go through a cave behind a waterfall and there are paintings of dragons and humans on all the walls. They reach a chamber that has a different dragon on each wall - red, blue, silver and green. Sila explains that greens are the leaders. Blues protect and nurture. Silvers are the workers. Reds are the warriors. Rylan is their king. LUKE and JULES wonder if Cole is a dramon, half human/half dragon. The council doesn’t like this prospect. Cole has scales of all four colors though which makes him special. Rylan is upset when he explains that a powerful dragon named Jago lost his mahier and therefore couldn’t survive on Ochana. He was Rylan’s brother.
The next morning, Cole is awoken by MIRA, who is his personal assistant, and JERICHO, who is to be his trainer. Jericho tells him he’s already failed - he let a stranger into his room with strange food and a man whom he didn’t know and trust. He makes his way to the throne room where his parents hold court. His uncle ZANE is there, and Jericho doesn’t seem to like him. A guard rushes in, saying there is a security breach. Jericho gives orders and Cole is taken by guards to a room deep inside the mountain, separate from his parents for the security of the royal family. He waits for a long time, then is taken back to the council room. On monitors, they watch security footage. They recognize a big dragon named CAIRO, who flies with a smaller dragon-like human who is said to be a dramon - but they’re not supposed to be able to come to Ochana. Cole thinks he recognizes her but isn’t certain. Security is increased on Cole, while everyone searches for Cairo and the mystery girl. Jericho takes Cole to the command center, full of the highest tech-looking machines Cole has ever seen. Jericho wants to know what he knows about the girl and Cole confesses it looks like his best friend EVA. Jericho wants him to show him a cabin that was a safe space for Cole and Eva when they were growing up. She might be there. Jericho, some other red dragon guards or “Wolands,” and Cole, fly to Cole’s hometown in Texas. At the cabin, Cairo comes out in human form. He says Eva is the one from the prophecy. She comes outside and greets them. Then, there is a loud boom from the direction of Cole’s old home. Jericho says they must leave now. Carnites, a mixture of trolls and giants, are attacking other dragons near Cole’s home. Back in Ochana, the council assembles and they bring out a huge book of “Aprella’s” prophecy, which says a golden dragon will come in a time of great fear (Eva) - and a warrior of the four dragon colors (Cole) would fight by her side. Confused, Eva asks for an explanation, and Sila begins: Aprella was the first dragon but no one knew where she came from. She (like Cole) was comprised of each of the four dragon colors and their mahiers. She gave birth to four sons, one of each color, and passed on her mahier to each of them. One day, a golden dragon, a true “draman,” would come during a time of great need and save them all from creatures that wanted to take over Ochana. With her would be a warrior comprised of all four mahiers. Cole and Eva together are the “Keeper of Dragons.” They are to defend the entire planet.
In the control room, all of the screens turn off. Jericho, Rylan and Cole watch the big screen where a small fairy woman with white hair and sharp teeth addresses them. She is Queen TANA, a “Farro,” and she says they will stop waging war against the dragons if they give them the Keeper of Dragons. Cole and Eva are summoned to the council room where they vote whether to send them right out and into battle or keep them there for training. The vote is to send them to war. It is explained to Cole and Eva that the Farros used to be good fairies but became greedy and evil and split from the others. Then, Cole and Eva meet JUDE, head of the five warrior red dragons that will protect and fight for them. Cole, Eva and a giant group of Wolands fly to India where the Farro live. Eva senses a trap. They stop for dinner - one of the Wolands roasts an elk alive. When they arrive to the area where the Farrows live, it is explained to Cole that they are there to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. All hundred or so dragons land in a beautiful region where there are snow covered mountains. When an avalanche starts they try to use their mahier to stop it but it keeps coming. Eva and Cole jump into a cold lake and start swimming. Then the avalanche stops and the whole area turns into a frozen tundra. Queen Tana appears and greets them. They are in Farro Grove, and Tana reaches out to Eva and Cole and invites them to join her. They decline. The other dragons can’t intervene for some reason. Their mahier is gone. Tana tells Eva and Cole that the Farro have watched them since birth. Eva and Cole are incredulous. Then, Zane appears. He’s a traitor. Zane has power from the Farro as well as his mahier, and he uses it to take all the power from the Farro. He was a double agent. Cole is told to decide the fate of the incapacitated Farro, but fairies arrive. They ask Cole if they can have the Farro to judge them - Farro were once fairies and they feel they are their responsibility. Cole agrees and the fairies fly off with the Farro. Back at Ochana, Zane explains that it took him years to gain the Farro’s trust and absorb some of their powers. For a hundred years, the Farros have been making alliances with other creatures who have been in hiding. Also, they had been watching Cole and Eva, planning on recruiting them when they came into their power. Back in Ochana now, Cole is coronated as prince in a grand ceremony where he is presented with a scepter, a robe, a sword and a crown. Cole and Eva are then officially named The Keeper of Dragons.