The Lunar Codex
GENRE
ADVENTURE YOUNG ADULT FANTASY ACTION FAMILY FUNNY
Core Theme
COMING OF AGE, OVERCOMING MONSTER
TIME PERIOD
Contemporary
COMPARABLE TITLES
TWILIGHT, SHADOWHUNTERS, BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE, SHIVER, TEEN WOLF, CHARMED
CHARACTER LIST
JACE: 14-15. LEAD. HEROIC AND EMPATHETIC.
IZZIE: 15. JACE’S ROMANTIC INTEREST, BONDED TO HIM, MARCUS, AND BRIAN.
MARCUS:15. CLOSE FRIEND TO JACE, BONDED TO HIM, IZZIE, AND BRIAN.
ROMAN: LOOKS 45. JACE’S UNCLE WHO RAISED HIM AFTER HIS PARENTS’ ALLEGED DEATH.
CORA: LOOKS 45. JACE’S AUNT AND ROMAN’S MATE.
BRIAN: 18. FRIEND TO JACE, IZZIE, AND MARCUS WHO SHARES THE BOND WITH THEM.
Logline
Jace Northall is an average 14-year-old whose life is turned upside down when he learns his entire life has been a lie to protect his true identity. As his birthday approaches, strange events start happening. When he accidentally sets off a spell, his Aunt and Uncle are forced to reveal the truth.
Target Audiences
Age: 13-17,18-34
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
Starts in Williston, Florida and culminates in Millstone Landing, South Carolina
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: self-published
Publisher: Self-published
Year Published: 2021
Starting Description
Jace Northall had a normal life until he was three, when his parents died, and he was adopted. The next twelve years consisted of frequent moves, which left him lonely. Their most recent move becomes a catalyst to forging strong friendships, learning the truth about his parents and who he truly is.
Ending Description
In a cruel twist, Jace learns his parents never died, and he was kidnapped. He discovers his parents are supernatural beings who could not conceive until his Aunt tricked them using fairy magic. Now that fairy is trying to collect, and the race is on to find his parents and defeat the fairy king.
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
Yes
ISBN
B09Z8MWS3M
Mature Audience Themes
Language/Profanity
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age,Twist
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain,Internal Journey/Rebirth,Quest
Main Character Details
Name: Jace Northall
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Empathetic,Faithful,Gracious,Heartthrob,Heroic,Educated,Selfless,Strong Moral Code,Leader
Additional Character Details
Name: Isabelle (Izzie) Lewis
Age: 15
Gender: Female
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Aspiring,Confident,Faithful,Gracious,Heroic,Honorable,Selfless,Skillful,Strong Moral Code,Leader
Additional Character Details
Name: Marcus Hunter
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Underdog,Charming,Faithful,Heroic,Insecure,Funny,Sarcastic,Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: Roman Northall
Age: appears 45 in human years, but is actually over 200 years old
Gender: Male
Role: mentor
Key Traits: Charming,Complex,Empathetic,Engaging,Faithful,Heartthrob,Educated,Skillful,Secretive,Leader
Genre
ACTION, DRAMA, FANTASY
Brief
As his 15th birthday nears, an orphan learns that magic and fantastical creatures are real and he’s one of them. His fairy uncle and aunt kidnapped him, and his very alive parents have never been able to track him down. He’s a rare witch-werewolf hybrid being hunted by an evil fairy king who wants to take over the mortal realm. With the help of his new friends and real parents, he defeats the king… for now.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: FAIR
Characterization: FAIR
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: FAIR
Premise: GOOD
Structure: FAIR
Theme: EXCELLENT
Accuracy of Book Profile
Yes, the Book Profile accurately reflects the book. It leans heavily into the author deciding to create the book after being inspired by her own son and his genre preferences. While this is heartwarming, it’s likely the kind of detail that’s better served to an interview than a pitch. Toning this element down slightly and focusing more on the book itself might be wise.
Draw of Story
The story focuses heavily on the teen drama elements for the first half of the book, and it does so really well. Jace’s struggles of feeling like an outsider are relatable, and they’re widely accessible to most audiences. He’s thrilled to finally be making friends, and we want that for him. He’s trying to keep his anger in check while growing into the man he knows his family would be proud of. This is something nearly everyone can connect with on some level, and it deepens his characterization.
Possible Drawbacks
The fantasy elements are completely absent for the first half of the book, and it’s not a short book. It’s unclear what the premise of the book is until well over 200 pages in. Jace’s powers show around page 109 with the “ghost,” but it’s not clear he was responsible for the table moving. There are a couple moments where it’s obvious something strange is happening, but Jace isn’t fully aware of it so neither is the audience. Accelerating the first 200 pages will solve this. Getting to the reveal of what Jace is earlier is necessary for the twist to work.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES HEAVILY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The supernatural fantasy elements are unique, and using werewolves, witches, and fairies in this way is great. They’ll hook any fans of fantasy, and balancing it with the young adult elements is a great way to reach out to a wider audience as well. The Fairy Court is really interesting, and it would be great if we spent more time there to really explore it.
Fanbase Potential
Yes, it’s easy to see this having a large fanbase thanks to the fact that it’s both young adult and fantasy. Werewolves also tend to be very popular.
Awards Potential
Because of the genre and intended audience, it’s unlikely to have traditional awards potential.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
TWILIGHT, SHADOWHUNTERS, BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE, SHIVER, TEEN WOLF, CHARMED
What’s New About the Story
The fantastical elements are so original, but they’re not being tapped into enough. In addition, the story isn’t progressing in a logical way due to the disconnect between the first and second half of the book. There’s no cause and effect narrative driving the story forward, and while it ends up being entirely about Elashor’s thirst for power, we have no idea Elashor even exists until the last 50 pages of the book. Jace is just living is life day to day as a seemingly normal teen for 200 pages, and then he’s hunted by werewolves, and then suddenly he’s taken to the fairy world. There needs to be an arc that an audience can follow and be invested in to let what’s unique really shine.
Lead Characters
Jace is pretty well drawn, and he, Marcus, and Brian are all allowed to have their moments to shine. They’re memorable characters, whereas Izzie is not. She is largely a damsel in distress, and she continuously needs saving and adds very little to the story overall. She’s underutilized in this way, as she’s shown to be smart and kind, but she spends most of her time being attacked and/or hurt by men. She’s even almost hurt in the rescue effort by a collapsing walkway when none of the men seem to be. Cora is also a weaker character than Roman, and seems to be much weaker as a fairy than him. The same goes for Callista in comparison to Luca. Almost none of the female characters have much of an impact on the story, and fewer have agency. Working on the female characters would help to make this feel more rounded. After all, Jace deserves a strong love interest.
Uniqueness of Story
There is so much potential in the fantasy elements to help make this a rare gem, but unfortunately they’re not being utilized right now. Getting to those parts of the book faster would help to improve it, and it would help to better join the two halves together. Jace barely has time to live as a werewolf/witch, and we hardly get to see his abilities. Right now this is meeting more genre conventions for YA novels, rather than fantasy and/or supernatural ones.
Possible Formats
Film: Studio TV Series:Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
CONSIDER
Justification
Despite the changes that could be made to both the structure and the characters, this is a really strong contender. What’s on the page is effective, and Jace is a compelling protagonist. Young adult fantasy fare can always find an audience, and it often does well. It’s also a genre that’s adapted quite often, which increases the chances of success tenfold. There are truly unique ideas here, and delving into the magical aspects sooner and in greater way will make this a stronger showing overall. There’s enough of an original hook here to make it well worth a second look.
Brief
Since the mysterious death of his parents over a decade before, a teen boy has moved frequently across the country with his aunt and uncle. He begins to make friends for the first time when they arrive in a small Florida town, but as his 15th birthday approaches, his guardians are forced to finally tell him the truth. His parents are alive, his supernatural powers are blossoming, and someone evil is after him.
What We Liked
Jace’s adventure is ideal for any younger audience member to see themselves reflected in. Regardless if they’re the heroic lead or the funny sidekick, there’s a little something for everyone in this story, and it’s ripe for an adaptation. The main narrative centers closely on positive themes of friendship and family, and it often engages with both clear communication and forgiveness. These are important lessons for anyone to learn, no matter their age. The story is also so enjoyable, as it errs on the lighter side of supernatural fantasy. Despite having darker elements, it has a positive, relatable message which is heartening.
Film: The audience of this story is perfect for a feature film, as young people typically make up a sizable percentage of the box office. Given there are so few films aimed at them, it’s easy to imagine a fantasy feature like this garnering a lot of attention. The fact that it’s based on a book is even better, as it allows fans to really sink their teeth into the whole world, enabling a fandom to grow up around it and the characters. These kinds of devoted fans will want to see every sequel, and will be free press as they spread the popularity of the film through word of mouth.
TV: It’s so easy to see this as a television show. Young adult fantasy and/or supernatural series are prevalent, and they’re prevalent because they’re always popular and often successful. The age of the characters is perfect, because they have several seasons to grow up yet are still mature enough to be relatable to an adult audience. There are a number of compelling characters that can be focused on throughout the series, and they can have their own rich subplots to be explored. This will be the next must-see show on any network or streaming service.
Synopsis
JACE moves with his UNCLE ROMAN and AUNT CORA to a small town in Florida. He’s lived in nearly 20 places since his parents died 12 years ago, so he’s never really had friends. Jace quickly befriends IZZIE and MARCUS. Though most of the other teens in town accept Jace, ETHAN is immediately jealous as he has his eye on Izzie. Ethan attacks Jace, and Jace somehow manages to protect himself at lightning speed despite never having any self defense training. Jace and Marcus go to a party that night with Izzie, her older sisters ZOE and ALYSSA, and Zoe’s boyfriend BRIAN. Jace and Marcus later find Ethan trying to sexually assault Izzie in a cavern. They rescue her but realize SOMETHING ELSE is in the cave with them. Despite fighting Ethan, Jace then has to help him get out. Jace is worried Izzie is angry with how aggressive he was, but Izzie kisses him. When Jace wakes up the next morning, SHERIFF POWELL is in their house, interrogating first Roman and Cora, and then Jace himself. Ethan is claiming Jace assaulted a girl at the Grotto.
After Powell leaves, Jace talks to Marcus on the phone. Jace realizes Marcus has no memory of the previous day. Roman and Cora are forced to tell Jace the truth, as his powers are growing stronger near his 15th birthday. Jace is the son of a witch and a werewolf. This makes him very special, and the reason they’ve moved so often is because people (or rather, creatures) are after him. His parents are still alive, though Roman and Cora don’t know where they are. They ran with Jace as soon as they knew something was wrong to protect him, on his parents’ orders. His dad, LUCA, is a werewolf who was facing down the evil ALPHA of his pack. Roman and Cora are fairies who are hundreds of years old. As Jace has both burgeoning werewolf abilities and witch ones, he accidentally cast a protection spell that wiped all mortal memories for the last 24 hours. With his guardians’ help, Jace is able to psychically reach out to his mom CALLISTA, and astrally she helps them reverse the damage of the spell.
Marcus, Izzie, and her sisters all see something strange happening in Jace’s house while he performs the counter spell. He comes clean, as he doesn’t want to lie to his new friends. They accept him, and when WEREWOLVES descend on the town to find him with Powell’s help, they help protect him. On Zoe’s orders, Brian drives Jace, Izzie, and Marcus north, trying to find Jace’s parents. The werewolves cause Brian’s truck to crash, and the teens are taken to the werewolf den. Jace is able to channel his powers and heal the other three of their injuries. This binds the four of them together, so that they can sense each other’s emotions, and he can even communicate telepathically with Marcus as he has witch blood. Luca and Callista arrive, and it’s revealed that Luca is actually the alpha of his pack, and they’ve been searching for him.
They were only able to conceive because Cora snuck a potion to Callista without her knowledge, and this caused a fairy pact to be made which entitles the fairy king ELASHOR ownership over Jace. Trying to protect him from their own kind, Cora and Roman kidnapped Jace. Jace is barely able to come to terms with the survival of his real parents, and the betrayal of his adopted ones, before he’s taken again — this time by Elashor himself. Elashor forces Jace to turn into a wolf for the first time in the fairy realm, and he plans to use Jace to take over the mortal realm. Cora tries to protect Jace and is killed, and Jace barely manages to protect Roman from Elashor’s rage while in wolf form. Luca, Callista, and the rest of the wolf pack and Jace’s friends arrive to save him. Elashor is scared off but not killed, and he escapes with the ring. Luca helps Jace to turn back into a human, and brings him to stay with the pack to get a handle on his powers. Luckily Jace’s psychic bond with his friends remains strong, so he can still connect with them.