King of Corium

Book Cover

SUSPENSE/THRILLER ROMANCE GOTHIC

Contemporary

J.L. Beck & C. Hallman

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Submision Type

book

Logline

After her father crosses the wrong person, a young woman is sent to study at a hidden University meant for the offspring of high profile criminals.

Genre

Suspense/Thriller,Romance,Gothic

Short Summary

Aspen is sent to Corium University thinking she'll be safe but as soon as she arrives she realizes she's not. Everyone has it out for her, including the teachers, and staff. She runs into the son of the man her father tried to pin for a crime. She needs his protection from all her enemies.

Setting

Alaska and Castle that is a secret university

Based on a True Story

No

Plot - Premise

Overcoming Monster/Villain

Plot - Other Elements

Twist

Mature Audience Themes

Sexual Abuse, Language/Profanity,Extreme Violence

Main Character Details

Name: Aspen Mathers

Age: 18

Gender: Female

Role: Protagonist

Key Traits: Underdog,Insecure,Empathetic,Desperate,Obedient,Sexy,Selfless

Additional Character Details

Name: Quinton Rossi

Age: 18

Gender: Male

Role: Antagonist

Key Traits: Villainous,Narcisstic,Power Hungry,Funny,Sarcastic,Unapologetic,Aggressive,Sexy,Seductive,Manipulative,Leader,Desperate,Decisive,Criminal

Additional Character Details

The author has not yet written this

Additional Character Details

The author has not yet written this

About The Author

J.L. Beck and C. Hallman are a romance writing duo and the founders of Bleeding Heart Press. They write dark romance in numerous genres, including romantic suspense, and new adult. They love flawed characters and making the reader root for the Villain. You'll never read a book by them that isn't satisfying.

Target Audiences

Age: 18-34

Target Gender: Universal

Group Specific

Information not completed

Publishing Details

Status: Yes: self-published

Publisher: Bleeding Heart Press

Year Published: 2021

Hard Copy Available

Yes

ISBN

Information not completed

Genre

DRAMA

Brief

Quinton and Aspen have started their first year at the school for criminal’s children, Corium University. Aspen wants to lay low after her father snitched on his colleagues and is not serving prison time. Quinton plans to torture Aspen for her father’s wrong doings and constantly finds ways of insulting her. Quinton and Aspen tumultuous encounters stir up feelings between the both of them until Quinton believes Aspen has stolen from her sister.

Overall Rating

GOOD

Point of View

THIRD PERSON

Narrative Elements

Authors Writing Style: FAIR

Characterization: GOOD

Commerciality: FAIR

Franchise Potential: GOOD

Pace: GOOD

Premise: GOOD

Structure: GOOD

Theme: GOOD

Accuracy of Book Profile

It is accurate.

Draw of Story

The story has an interesting plot , centering around a school for well-known criminal’s children. They are sent to train and learn how to maintain their families’ empires.

Possible Drawbacks

This story explores sexual assault, rape and violence in an almost positive light. Quinton is horrible to Aspen in so many ways yet she finds herself attracted to him and wanting a relationship with him. While this can be a realistic scenario, there needs to be balance in the conversation about how unacceptable his treatment of her is. This story plays out like a teenage romance but with Aspen experiencing horrible and demeaning treatment from the love interest. The intention might be to show how the children of criminals have been raised to behave and how they mimic it in their own little world; audiences will not accept Aspen’s treatment and her behavior towards her tormentor as acceptable or entertaining.

Use of Special Effects

THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS

Primary Hook of Story

The hook is that Aspen and Quinton are trying to get away from the major changes in their lives by attending the university. Due to recent circumstances, they are enemies with Quinton taking pleasure in abusing Aspen, who he holds responsible for his family's troubles. This movie would be difficult to watch as Aspen is sexual assaulted constantly yet forms an attraction to her abuser, Quinton.

Fanbase Potential

This story would not have a large fanbase. It deals with serious topics in a careless way that would be very triggering for some audiences. Without the sexual violence, there is a solid, entertaining story. Young adult stories surrounding boarding school like institutions tend to drama the teen and tween demographic.

Awards Potential

This could have awards potential is stylized well. The story is about children of criminals and mob bosses. They are bringing the rules and the world they know to Corium University. It is an interesting concept and if made gritty and dramatic, could garner awards notice.

Envisioned Budget

MEDIUM BUDGET

Similar Films/TV Series

FATE: THE WINX SAGA, MOTHERLAND, LEGACIES, DESCENDANTS

What’s New About the Story

The story is original because it focuses on the offspring of major criminals and crime lords who have created a university to train their children. The drama is specific to the rules of the criminal underworld but in the structure of an academic teen drama.

Lead Characters

Quinton stands out because of his rage and excitement for violence, specifically towards Aspen. Aspen stands out for her increasing attraction to Quinton who is assaulting her and making her life a hell at school. Both characters have major emotional and mental health pitfalls that need to be addressed.

Uniqueness of Story

This is an interesting take on a teen, high school drama. There are elements that could be developed more with more characters explored. The main plot should be less of a rapey, revenge story instead exploring the dynamic between the characters and their relationship with their parents.

Possible Formats

Film: Streaming TV Series: Network, Cable, Streaming

Analyst Recommendation

WORK IN PROGRESS

Justification

This is a work in progress because the sexual assualt theme and possible Stockholm syndrome between the main characters will not be found entertaining by audiences.

Tips for Improvement

For this to be a consider or recommend, the love story between Quinton and Aspen should be changed drastically. Aspen is treated terribly with little opposition from her or the people around her. It sends the wrong message considering the demographic of this story. There doesn’t seem to be much hope from Aspen’s position with little balance. Quinton holds the power. While the story ended with a sequel in mind, the current story needs to show Aspen coming into her own.