BENEATH

Book Cover

ADVENTURE YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE HORROR SUSPENSE/THRILLER FANTASY

Contemporary

Maureen A. Miller

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Submision Type

book

Logline

What if there are shipwreck survivors still alive at the bottom of the ocean? This is what a family discovers after their ship capsizes in a storm on the Atlantic.

Genre

Adventure,Young Adult,Romance,Horror,Suspense/Thriller,Fantasy

Short Summary

A terrible storm at sea capsizes a fishing boat and sends a family of four and a friend into the Atlantic Ocean. Instead of drowning, a rogue current drags them down to the bottom of the sea, where they emerge into an oxygen-filled cave.

Setting

Atlantic Ocean - 100 miles off coast of New Jersey

Based on a True Story

No

Plot - Premise

Voyage and Return,Tragedy

Plot - Other Elements

Twist

Mature Audience Themes

Information not completed

Main Character Details

Name: Stella Gullaksen

Age: 19

Gender: Female

Role: Protagonist

Key Traits: Aspiring,Educated,Modest,Lone Wolf,Insecure

Additional Character Details

Name: COLIN WEXLER

Age: 22

Gender: Male

Role: Protagonist

Key Traits: Adventurous,Masculine,Gracious,Romantic,Educated,Heroic,Honorable,Leader

Additional Character Details

Name: JILL WEXLER

Age: 19

Gender: Female

Role: sidekick

Key Traits: Adventurous,Confident,Funny

Additional Character Details

Name: DONALD WEXLER

Age: 50's

Gender: Male

Role: skeptic

Key Traits: Aggressive,Desperate,Outspoken,Blunt

About The Author

USA TODAY bestselling author, Maureen A. Miller worked in the software industry for fifteen years. She crawled around plant floors in a hard hat and safety glasses hooking up computers to behemoth manufacturing machines. The job required extensive travel. The best form of escapism during those lengthy airport layovers became writing. Maureen’s first novel, WIDOW'S TALE, earned her a Golden Heart nomination in Romantic Suspense. After that, she became hooked to the genre. As hooked as she was, childhood fantasies still danced around in her head––little voices calling for her to write the young adult science fiction BEYOND series. To her it was still romantic suspense…just on another planet! She now divides her time between romantic suspense and young adult novels.

Target Audiences

Age: 18-34

Target Gender: Female Leaning,Universal

Group Specific

Information not completed

Publishing Details

Status: Yes: self-published

Publisher: Maureen A. Miller

Year Published: 2018

Hard Copy Available

No

ISBN

978-1977087423

Genre

DRAMA, SUSPENSE, FANTASY

Brief

Stella and the Wexler family are on their usual fishing trip when a huge storm throws them overboard. They are dragged down and into a oxygen filled cave where they meet survivors from other shipwrecks, living there for more than 40 years. Colin and Stella uncover dark secrets about the cave and it's occupants before trying to reach the surface.

Overall Rating

GOOD

Point of View

THIRD PERSON

Narrative Elements

Authors Writing Style: GOOD

Characterization: EXCELLENT

Commerciality: EXCELLENT

Franchise Potential: EXCELLENT

Pace: GOOD

Premise: EXCELLENT

Structure: GOOD

Theme: GOOD

Accuracy of Book Profile

Yes, the book profile accurately reflects the book.

Draw of Story

The story dives immediately into the plot with Stella explaining the horrible circumstances the family is facing. The fishing boat is rocking violently in a storm and her best friend has already been lost at sea. The description of Stella being dragged down to the depths of the ocean and resurfacing into an unknown cave is vivid and enthralling.

Possible Drawbacks

The story's pace could be heightened with less moments focusing on the human interactions. The mystery of the Chimaera could be delved into more. It could heighten the suspense in the story earlier on.

Use of Special Effects

THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS

Primary Hook of Story

The hook is that a boating accident brings Stella and the Wexler family to a hidden cave deep under the ocean's surface. They believe they are doomed but find other occupants of the cave who have been there for more than 40 years. I would watch the movie for the ideology and science behind the underwater cave, the survivors and the mystery of possible creatures living there.

Fanbase Potential

This could have a large fanbase as a series. Recent sci fi films haven't garnered much attention or praise outside of comic book movies. The story is unique enough to differentiate from other stories with many different characters with potential diverging storylines.

Awards Potential

This could have awards potential for cinematography and set design. The underwater cave has the potential to be many things as well as the creatures that share the cave with the humans. The story focuses on the circumstances of the characters and less of character development.

Envisioned Budget

MEDIUM BUDGET

Similar Films/TV Series

LOST, PROMETHEUS, UNDERWATER

What’s New About the Story

The story is original because of the science of how the characters got to there underwater tomb. They weren't ego driven scientist trying to uncover a mystery with sophisticated technology. They were swept down by a natural current into a cave with a pocket full of air. It could be made more unique by exploring the dynamics of the characters and the effects on them, mentally. More suspense could be built with unusual interactions with the Chimaera.

Lead Characters

The lead characters do not stand out individually. They are typical characters for this genre of film. Colin is confident, brave and self assured while Stella is scared but pushes herself to do more. They are in typical gender roles especially considering they end up in a romantic relationship. This could be shaken up a bit to reflect modern views on gender roles.

Uniqueness of Story

This is a solid science fiction story that has entertaining elements. It does not revolutionize anything about the genre but has the potential to present a new world and fun story. There definitely could be some diversity to the cast and more character development.

Possible Formats

Film: Studio, Streaming TV Series: Streaming, Cable

Analyst Recommendation

CONSIDER

Justification

This is a consider because the story is entertaining and suspenseful. It is a well rounded story with human emotions, creepy creatures, mystery and adventure. This would work best as a series, slowly revealing the mysteries of the cave, its' occupants and heightening the relationships between the characters. Science fiction series are more popular than many films with more time for world building and character development.