2021 Into the Darkness

Troy A. Skog

Book Cover

GENRE

ADVENTURE APOCALYPTIC FANTASY ACTION

    Core Theme

    GOOD VS. EVIL

    TIME PERIOD

    Contemporary

    COMPARABLE TITLES

    I AM LEGEND, THE WALKING DEAD

    CHARACTER LIST

    CARL: 50S, LEAD, LONER, MILITARY MAN, DETERMINED, BRAVE, LIGHT BEARER

    JACK: 10, POWERFUL, NAÏVE, YOUNG LIGHT BEARER, CARL’S CHARGE

    HAILEY: 20S, THE MOST POWERFUL LIGHT BEARER

    DAVE/PETE: 20S, STRONG MORAL CODE, LIGHT BEARERS

    HATAI: 1000, WRAITH, CRUEL, AMBITIOUS, LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF HIS POWERFUL FATHER

    BOB: 40S, COWARDLY, CRUEL, MILITIA MAN

    Logline

    2021…The year the Earth was banished into the darkness. Dark wraiths swarm the surface, owning the hours of darkness, feasting on the very souls of the humans that they hunt without mercy. One man, an army veteran, possesses the power of light, the ability to fight back. Drawn to fulfill his destiny, he searches for those along his path like himself to join in the fight. His dream to gather an army of lightbearers to save those precious few souls that cling to life the hope that drives him forward.

    Target Audiences

    Age: 13-17,18-34,35-54,55+

    Target Gender: Universal

    Setting

    United States

    Based on a True Story

    No

    Publishing Details

    Status: Yes: self-published

    Publisher: Self Published

    Year Published: 2017

    Starting Description

    In the year 2021 the world goes dark, all electronics and machinery quit working, leaving humans without any of their technology. It soon becomes apparent what caused the breakdown as wraiths (grim reapers with fangs) come up from the underworld to steal the souls of the humans at night.

    Ending Description

    Main character and team of light bearer's travel to the final battle location and fight back against the wraiths to save humanity.

    Group Specific

    Information not completed

    Hard Copy Available

    Yes

    ISBN

    1976175674

    Mature Audience Themes

    Information not completed

    Plot - Other Elements

    Happy Ending, Meaningful Message

    Plot - Premise

    Overcoming Monster/Villain

    Main Character Details

    Name: Carl

    Age: 55

    Gender: Male

    Role: Protagonist

    Key Traits: Aspiring, Underdog, Desperate, Empathetic, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Faithful, Honorable, Leader, Perseverance, Strong Moral Code,Selfless,Religious,Masculine,Honorable,Leader,Strong Moral Code

    Additional Character Details

    Name: Hatai

    Age: 1000

    Gender: Male

    Role: Antagonist

    Key Traits: Confident, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Manipulative, Power-hungry, Unapologetic, Villainous, Aggressive,Villainous,Narcisstic,Secretive,Manipulative,Power Hungry

    Additional Character Details

    Name: Hailey

    Age: 20

    Gender: Female

    Role: protagonist

    Key Traits: Desperate, Educated, Adventurous, Aspiring, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Honorable, Leader, Modest, Beautiful, Complex,Lone Wolf,Sarcastic,Modest,Educated,Selfless,Heroic,Badass

    Additional Character Details

    Name: David

    Age: 20

    Gender: Male

    Role: sidekick

    Key Traits: Complex, Desperate, Educated, Heroic, Modest, Obedient, Adventurous, Empathetic, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Masculine, Selfless, Strong Moral Code,Honorable,Heroic,Strong Moral Code

    Genre

    ACTION, THRILLER, DRAMA

    Brief

    The power has gone out all over Earth and wraiths have come up from Hell to harvest the souls of the living. A group of survivors who possess magic light that can kill the wraiths, must find each other and prepare for an epic showdown.

    Overall Rating

    GOOD

    Point of View

    FIRST PERSON

    Narrative Elements

    Authors Writing Style: GOOD

    Characterization: GOOD

    Commerciality: EXCELLENT

    Franchise Potential: EXCELLENT

    Pace: FAIR

    Premise: GOOD

    Structure: GOOD

    Theme: GOOD

    Accuracy of Book Profile

    The profile accurately reflects the book.

    Draw of Story

    The apocalyptic story setting is immediately interesting to the reader.

    Possible Drawbacks

    The disjointed quest the characters take to get together is arduous. By the time they are all finally gathered for battle, the story wraps up so quickly and predictably that it is anti-climatic.

    Use of Special Effects

    THE STORY RELIES HEAVILY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS

    Primary Hook of Story

    Wraiths coming up from Hell to steal the souls of human survivors and a strong hook.

    Fanbase Potential

    This might be able to bring in a relatively large given the style and genre. It would work well as a summer popcorn movie.

    Awards Potential

    This would most likely not have awards potential since it lacks a real message. It is strictly escapism and entertainment value.

    Envisioned Budget

    LARGE BUDGET

    Similar Films/TV Series

    I AM LEGEND, THE WALKING DEAD

    What’s New About the Story

    Wraiths are kind of a unique choice for the villain of the story. Having mythology about the gift the light bearers possess and the lead up to the world going dark would be a way to make the story more original.

    Lead Characters

    Only one of the characters actually has much development. The only thing the reader really discovers about him is that he is a loner and a former military man. Characterization is certainly not the focus of the story.

    Uniqueness of Story

    This could be improved by speeding up the journey and allowing the group of characters to gel together into a cohesive unit before the final confrontation. Explaining what the magical light is and how the characters came to have it would also be a welcome addition.

    Possible Formats

    Film - Indie, Film - Studio, TV Series - Limited Run / Mini-Series

    Analyst Recommendation

    CONSIDER

    Justification

    It is worth considering given that it is an incredibly marketable concept.

    Brief

    With the earth plunged into darkness, wraiths come up from Hell to harvest human souls. Only the few given the gift of magic light stand a chance against the wraiths. Drawn together by their magic, the light bearers engage in an epic battle with the wraiths to save humanity.

    What We Liked

    Wraiths take the place of vampires or zombies which makes this a refreshing take on the genre. The age old story of good versus evil makes this relatable and appealing.

    Film: A feature adaptation of the story would need the pace adjusted to allow the characters to come together more quickly and prepare to go up against the wraiths as a more coherent and cooperative group. There is also franchise potential.

    TV: This could be adapted for a television series style format as it follows the travels of the lead character in his fight against the wraiths from Hell.

    Key points: Universal theme of good vs. evil; Magic; Special effects; Potential franchise opportunity; Battle sequences

    Synopsis

    In the year 2021, Earth has been thrown into darkness. Shrieking wraiths have emerged from Hell to steal human souls.Humans are only safe from the wraiths in daylight and many have already been killed. Survivors must hide in the darkness, but some of them have been given the power to manifest magical light that can kill the wraiths. Carl, a loner and military veteran, bears such light. He decides to venture out into danger to fulfill his destiny of destroying the wraiths. He knows that there must be others like him so he sets out to find them. As he follows his instincts, he leaves behind clues along the way, hoping that the others will find him. He takes refuge in a barn where he meets Ted and his son, Jack. Ted is suspicious of Carl, even though Jack possesses the magical light too and can benefit from Carl’s guidance. Ted sends Carl on his way the next day, but when Carl sees that wraiths are on their way to kill Ted and Jack, he doubles back in an effort to save them. It is too late for Ted, but Carl is able to save Jack. He takes him under his wing and they travel together.

    Other light bears, Dave and Pete, sense Carl. They follow his clues as they make their way towards him. Meanwhile, Hailey, a very powerful light bearer, is also traveling with a group and trying to fight off wraiths. When she begins to sense Carl as well, she starts to lead her group in her direction. News of Hailey’s immense power has spread. Bob and his militiamen hold her and her friends hostage and plan to use them to begin repairing all that has been lost on Earth. Hatai, the leader of the wraiths, has ambitions to take over the power of Heaven, Earth and Hell. As he creates a fog that allows him and the wraiths to hunt in the daylight. He believes if he can lure all the light bearers to a battle, he will be able to defeat them and take their magic.

    Finally all three groups of light bearers manage to unite with each other. They defeat Bob and the militiamen, but sadly lose some of Hailey’s group in the process. Carl, Jack and Hailey work together with the others to prepare for a final battle with Hatai and the wraiths. The wraiths all file into a large stadium to do battle. The light bearers merge their magic together and are able to defeat the wraiths, vaporizing them and sending the rest back to Hell. The victorious light bearers have saved the world and can now look forward to a bright future as a newly formed family.

    About The Author

    Prolific fantasy writer, Troy, can be found keeping up with his children, biking, traveling with his wife and always looking for his next adventure when not indulging in his passion for writing.