Daughter of Destiny
EPIC FANTASY FOLKTALE HISTORICAL FICTION ROMANCE DRAMA
17th Century or Earlier
Nicole Evelina
TaleFlick Top Pick!
Logline
Game of Thrones meets The Mists of Avalon in the first book ofthe USA Today bestselling Guinevere’s Tale Trilogy. Before queenship and Camelot, Guinevere was apriestess of Avalon with no idea of her fate; she loved another before Arthur,a warrior who would one day betray her.
Genre
Epic, Fantasy, Folktale, Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama
Short Summary
In war-torn 5th-century Britain, young Guinevere must choose: stay with her family or go to Avalon to understand the horrific visions that haunt her. In Avalon, she meets Morgan, a woman destined to become her rival, becomes a priestess, and falls in love, never suspecting another destiny awaits her
Years later, Guinevere leaves Avalon only to be exiled from her home. While negotiating a new land, she is reunited with her lover from Avalon. Unbeknownst to her, her father is negotiating marriage with King Arthur, a move that that will break her heart and seal her fate.
Setting
Wales, England, Glastonbury, Avalon
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age, Twist
Mature Audience Themes
Nudity
Main Character Details
Name: Guinevere
Age: 14
Gender: Female
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Aspiring, Educated, Romantic, Strong Moral Code, Visionary, Beautiful, Decisive, Engaging, Outspoken, Blunt, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Leader, Complex, Religious
Additional Character Details
Name: Morgan
Age: 14
Gender: Female
Role: Antagonist
Key Traits: Badass, Leader, Manipulative, Power-hungry, Visionary, Confident, Seductive, Unapologetic, Aggressive, Beautiful, Complex, Narcissistic, Outspoken, Charming, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Villainous
Additional Character Details
Name: Isolde
Age: 14
Gender: Female
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Badass, Confident, Faithful, Adventurous, Beautiful, Seductive, Engaging, Flexible, Perseverance, Skillful, Sexy, Charming, Complex, Outspoken, Secretive
Additional Character Details
Name: Aggrivane
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Role: tempter
Key Traits: Adventurous, Confident, Heroic, Romantic, Sophisticated, Complex, Empathetic, Gracious, Honorable, Masculine, Heartthrob, Sexy, Charming, Faithful
Development Pitch
After the runaway success of Game of Thrones, television is hungry for the next big fantasy series. It can be found in the USA Today bestselling saga The Guinevere’s Tale Trilogy. Library Journal calls the first installment, Daughter of Destiny, “A new twist on an old tale that gives agency, sympathy, and personality to a woman typically cast as a one-dimensional adulteress,” as it explores the early life of the infamous Queen Guinevere of Camelot. Filled with mystical magic from the isle of Avalon, more than one forbidden romance, quite a bit of nasty political maneuvering, and a war that will determine the fate of Dark Age Britain, it is sure to satisfy nearly every fantasy lover’s tastes. The Guinevere we are used to seeing lives in the shadows of her two famous lovers, but Daughter of Destiny shows that she was an independent woman from the beginning. This coming-of-age tale shines light on the life lessons that made her into a successful queen, as well as on the root of her enmity with Morgan, which initially has nothing to do with Arthur. Daughter of Destiny is unlike other fantasy stories in which women are maligned or killed before they can exert power; here, they band together to weather life storms and triumph over adversity. Television and movie audiences have heard the stories of King Arthur and Merlin for decades; now it is time for Guinevere to tell her tale and emerge as a much-needed heroine in the fantasy genre to inspire future generations.
Genre
SUSPENSE, ACTION, ROMANCE, FANTASY
Brief
Guinevere recalls lessons learnt in Avalon, including competition with Morgan and her love story with Aggrivane. Known as the unfaithful queen of King Arthur, Guinevere claims the right to tell her story from her own point of view.
Overall Rating
EXCELLENT
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: EXCELLENT
Characterization: EXCELLENT
Commerciality: EXCELLENT
Franchise Potential: EXCELLENT
Pace: EXCELLENT
Premise: EXCELLENT
Structure: EXCELLENT
Theme: EXCELLENT
Accuracy of Book Profile
The Book Profile reflects the book accurately.
Draw of Story
This is a highly compelling story. King Arthur's tales are well known, but a female gaze into the narrative, especially Guinevere's - reclaiming her right to tell her own story -, is refreshing.
Possible Drawbacks
Nothing made me want to put the book down: the story is interesting, characters are well built and the narrative's structure and writing are a pleasure to read.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
Retelling old stories out of a female gaze and adding depth to female characters is a very welcoming and necessary movement. The sisterhood described in Guinevere's early days in Avalon brings a surprising taste of Jane Austen in the middle of a very well built new gaze at Arthurian legends.
Fanbase Potential
This adaptation could have a large fanbase as it is an original female perspective to high fantasy genre.
Awards Potential
It has great awards potential as scenarios are amazingly described, scenes are visually lavish, characters are rich in depth and effects described are tasteful.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
GAME OF THRONES, THE MISTS OF AVALON, LORD OF THE RINGS
What’s New About the Story
The most original thing about this story is a female gaze to Arthurian tales, which are mostly told through masculine points of view.
Lead Characters
Guinevere is a smart, charming and strong willed girl growing into a woman when she goes to Avalon. As a character with many layers, she shares her feelings and tells her story in detail - a story that goes way beyond the authority of King Arthur. Morgan is also a character with many layers, and her competition with Guinevere highlights both women's talents and intelligence.
Uniqueness of Story
This is a rare gem as the idea of reclaiming the story of female characters which may have been misjudged due to sexist bias is original and is also skillfully written.
Possible Formats
Film - Studio, Film - Streaming, TV Series - Streaming, TV Series - Network, TV Series - Limited Run / Mini-Series, TV Series - Cable
Analyst Recommendation
RECOMMEND
Justification
I highly recommend it as it is a much welcome and adequate breath of fresh air into high fantasy trend.