The Legend of the Lost Child: Book Two of the Codex Chronicles
GENRE
SCIENCE FICTION; FANTASY
Core Theme
JACE WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM HIS FAMILY AT THE AGE OF 3 BY HIS AUNT AND UNCLE. AS A TEENAGER AND BACK TO HIS PARENTS, DISCOVERING HE IS HALF WITCH, HALF WEREWOLF, HE HAS TO GET USED TO EMERALD CREEK, NEW FRIENDS AND GET ACQUAINTED WITH HIS DAD’S PACK. BUT THIS ISN’T JACE’S HAPPY ENDING YET, AS HE IS STILL BEING HAUNTED BY FAIRIES AND HAS TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER MAGICAL CREATURES AT THE SAME TIME HE LEARNS HOW TO USE HIS NEWLY FOUND POWERS.
TIME PERIOD
Contemporary
COMPARABLE TITLES
TWILIGHT, SUPERNATURAL, STRANGER THINGS
CHARACTER LIST
• JACE: 20’S, PROTAGONIST. BRAVE, HONEST, VULNERABLE, EMPATHETIC,
POWERFUL.
• IZZY: TEENAGE GIRLFRIEND;
• MARCUS: BEST FRIEND;
• BUDDY: DOG BEST FRIEND;
• CALISTA VOLK: MOM AND WITCH;
• LUCA VOLK: DAD AND WEREWOLF.
Logline
With a new family and new name, he is returning to the home he thought he lost. Learning he is being hunted, his survival requires him to learn to control his powers at an accelerated rate. Failure could mean death for him, his family, and his friends.
Target Audiences
Age: 13-17
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
Contemporary Eastern United States - SC and PA then mythical land called Emerald Creek
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: No
Starting Description
Being a forbidden combination of witch and werewolf, he is being hunted and all those he is close to are in danger.
Ending Description
The author has not yet written this
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
No
ISBN
Information not completed
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain
Main Character Details
Name: Jace Volk
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Empathetic, Funny, Gracious, Engaging, Aspiring, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Badass, Complex, Heartthrob, Educated, Flexible, Faithful, Heroic, Honorable, Masculine, Insecure, Leader, Selfless, Visionary, Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: Izzy Lewis
Age: 15
Gender: 15
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Adventurous, Blunt, Empathetic, Sexy, Engaging, Charming, Gracious, Sarcastic, Aspiring, Leader, Visionary, Complex, Faithful, Heartthrob, Strong Moral Code, Heroic, Selfless, Educated, Confident
Additional Character Details
Name: Marcus Hunter
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Role:
Key Traits: Blunt, Empathetic, Funny, Honorable, Charming, Engaging, Gracious, Insecure, Modest, Sarcastic, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Perseverance, Faithful, Complex, Educated, Strong Moral Code, Heroic, Selfless, Underdog
Additional Character Details
Name: Brian Mitchell
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Role: Sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous, Blunt, Empathetic, Sexy, Engaging, Charming, Gracious, Sarcastic, Aspiring, Leader, Visionary, Complex, Faithful, Heartthrob, Strong Moral Code, Heroic, Selfless, Educated, Confident
Genre
ACTION, DRAMA, FANTASY, SUSPENSE, ROMANCE
Brief
This narrative takes place after what was supposed to be Jace’s happy ending. After finding his family, he should be starting anew peacefully with his family and new friends. But he is nowhere near peace. Even though he lives in a place where nearly everyone has special powers, he seems to be struggling to fit in and has to learn how to deal with his talents as part witch and part werewolf, and is yet again in constant danger.
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
It is accurate.
Draw of Story
Apart from the narrative style that is outstanding and the fact that the author is skilled enough to make reading hundreds of pages seem easy, the folklore inspiration for the magical beings taking place in the story is interesting enough to keep audience hooked.
Possible Drawbacks
Nothing made me want to put the book down, however action scenes may get sometimes a bit confusing as things happen fast and there is a considerable number of characters (the presence of parents of most teenagers involved could be reconsidered).
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES HEAVILY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
I would watch this movie because even though it portrays a world where Jace and other characters have supernatural powers, their struggles are very much human and are relatable for teenagers/young adults or people of all ages that deal with the lingering feeling of not belonging.
Fanbase Potential
It has potential for having a large fanbase as the protagonist is a charismatic teenager and his motivations are relatable, and the presence of witches, faes and other magical creatures make it even more interesting for the highly engaging audience of teenagers.
Awards Potential
It could have awards potential if adapted, with even more potential regarding special effects and art direction. Author creates visually enticing scenes and is able to project great imagery in descriptions.
Envisioned Budget
LARGE BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
TWILIGHT, SUPERNATURAL, STRANGER THINGS
What’s New About the Story
The most original about this book is that Jace, the protagonist, is surprised with the realization that he still feels like an underdog even after his “happy ending”, and doesn’t get acquainted to the sense of belonging he expected to after finding his parents. This and other surprising turn of events are a call to reflection among a narrative filled with action.
Lead Characters
The charisma surrounding Jace’s character is outstanding, and he is a journey of self-knowledge that is deep and at the same time very honest, making him a hero that is also able to be vulnerable.
Uniqueness of Story
This is a rare gem.
Possible Formats
Film: Studio, Indie, Streaming TV Series: Network, Cable, Limited Run / Mini-Series, Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
RECOMMEND
Justification
I recommend this story because the author is definitely able to deliver a page turner, the sequence of events is interesting and enticing, and there is an underlying more profound reflection about life, belonging and self-knowledge, and all this combines into a very entertaining narrative with captivating characters.
Brief
This narrative takes place after what was supposed to be Jace’s happy ending. After finding his family, he should be starting anew peacefully with his family and new friends. But he is nowhere near peace. Even though he lives in a place where nearly everyone has special powers, he seems to be struggling to fit in and has to learn how to deal with his talents as part witch and part werewolf, and is yet again in constant danger.
What We Liked
Even though this thrilling narrative portrays a world where most people have super powers, their struggles are very much human and are relatable for teenagers/young adults or people of all ages that deal with the feeling of not fitting in.
What comprises this original aspect of this story is that Jace, the protagonist, is surprised with the realization that he still senses he is an underdog even after his “happy ending”, and doesn’t feel the sense of belonging he expected to after finding his parents and understanding where he comes from. This and other surprising turn of events are a call to reflection among a narrative filled with action, danger and magical creatures inspired by folklore tradition.
The charisma surrounding Jace’s character is also outstanding, and he is a journey of self-knowledge that is deep and at the same time very honest, making him a hero that is also vulnerable and therefore relatable.
Film: This would also make for a great film not only because of its marvelous scenes and possibilities of great shots and effects but also because the story is well tied, and the cliffhanger in the end keeps audience eager for a sequel. Think Stranger Things but folklore inspired with a hint of Twilight magic.
TV: This would be a great adaptation for TV because characters are charismatic enough for people to root for them and allow themselves to be touched by their development; and this can take place in many adventures and action scenes with magical beings this book and sequels bring.
Key points: Young adults with superpowers; Solid character development; Incredible action scenes; well-constructed narrative; charismatic and relatable protagonist.
Synopsis
Jace is getting back to his former life with his family in Emerald Creek, where paranormality seems to be more the norm than the exception. But things are not as calm as they seem, and Jace notices it right from the beginning, when something tries to attract him to a trap in the woods using Izzie’s voice. Even though Buddy, his dog, is able to save him, Jace is now aware of being hunted.
As he gets acquainted to his pack, school, and struggles to understand how his community works and how to use his powers, he is able to connect with what he understand as his “inner wolf”. Many thrilling happen then: he is attacked by Alex, gets to know Marissa, gets in trouble with Daegen, is hunted by a drakaina and many faes; and the climax is reached when, along with Izzie, Jace gets swallowed by a tree and they disappear for 2 days into the fae world, leaving their families in desperation.
Marcus helps Jace realize that what he thought was his ”inner wolf”, Christian, was actually a familiar voice setting him on traps. He still tries to make sense of things while thinking confusedly. Jace, Izzy and Eric face the drakaina and her name is Titha. He understands she is only trying to protect her daughter, a dragon princess. As Titha is attacked, Jace promises to save her daughter Micha, and the story finishes at this cliffhanger.