The Adoption - A Psychological Thriller

Book Cover

HORROR SCI-FI SUSPENSE / THRILLER ACTION ADVENTURE ACTION ADVENTURE HORROR SUSPENSE/THRILLER SCI-FI CRIME

2000s

Greg Meritt

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Logline

Claire Keller would do anything to have a child. Unable to conceive, she's overjoyed when she and her husband bond with the five-year-old girl they adopt. But Claire's hopes for a perfect family shatter when her daughter stands before her covered in blood and prophesying death...

Genre

Horror, Sci-Fi, Suspense / Thriller, Action, Adventure,Action,Adventure,Horror,Suspense/Thriller,Sci-fi,Crime

Short Summary

As the child exhibits more strange supernatural abilities, the frightened Kellers find themselves caught up in a dark plot. Hunted by a shadowy organization hellbent on claiming the girl, the family is forced on the run.

Setting

Seattle

Based on a True Story

No

Plot - Premise

Overcoming Monster/Villain,Internal Journey/Rebirth

Plot - Other Elements

Meaningful Message, Twist, Happy Ending,Twist,Philosophical Questions

Mature Audience Themes

Extreme Violence

Main Character Details

Name: Claire Keller

Age: 37

Gender: Female

Role: Protagonist

Key Traits: Faithful, Gracious, Strong Moral Code, Confident, Empathetic, Educated, Funny, Leader, Perseverance, Selfless, Underdog, Adventurous, Charming,Funny,Gracious,Adventurous,Charming,Confident,Engaging,Honorable,Strong Moral Code,Sophisticated

Additional Character Details

Name: Sylvia Tran

Age: 30

Gender: Female

Role: Mentor

Key Traits: Aggressive, Badass, Perseverance, Charming, Skillful, Crazy, Honorable, Underdog, Adventurous, Beautiful, Confident, Engaging, Selfless, Strong Moral Code,Badass,Adventurous,Sexy,Secretive,Faithful,Heroic,Educated,Honorable

Additional Character Details

Name: Logan Keller

Age: 47

Gender: Male

Role: skeptic

Key Traits: Confident, Funny, Underdog, Adventurous, Heartthrob, Selfless, Educated, Heroic, Honorable, Modest, Perseverance, Sarcastic, Sophisticated, Strong Moral Code, Decisive, Flexible, Masculine, Faithful,Complex,Strong Moral Code,Sarcastic,Funny,Masculine,Charming,Faithful,Engaging,Heartthrob,Educated,Honorable,Naive

Additional Character Details

Name: Samantha Jennings

Age: 5

Gender: Female

Role: emotional

Key Traits: Obedient, Skillful, Strong Moral Code, Beautiful, Charming, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Honorable, Modest,Adventurous,Selfless,Sophisticated,Strong Moral Code,Honorable,Heroic,Gracious,Faithful,Engaging,Empathetic,Desperate,Complex

About The Author

Greg Meritt is an award-winning author. His short story "The Attic," was included in the Writer's Digest 2013 short, short story competition anthology. That same year, Mardibooks, the London-based publisher, also included his work in an anthology. In 2014, his short story "Affliction" was an editors pick on Book Country, the online website run by Penguin Books. After writing over fifty short stories, Greg turned his attention to longer works. "The Adoption" is his debut novel and he is hard at work on the sequel.

Target Audiences

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

Target Gender: Universal,Female Leaning

Group Specific

Information not completed

Publishing Details

Status: Yes: self-published

Publisher: SGC Publishing LLC

Year Published: 2016

Hard Copy Available

Yes

ISBN

B01N56RWEE

Genre

ACTION, SUSPENSE, FANTASY

Brief

A couple adopts a child with supernatural abilities previously unknown. They are torn between two secret organizations, one that wants the girl for experiences and one that wants to help them. In the end, they defeat their enemies.

Overall Rating

GOOD

Point of View

THIRD PERSON

Narrative Elements

Authors Writing Style: GOOD

Characterization: GOOD

Commerciality: EXCELLENT

Franchise Potential: EXCELLENT

Pace: GOOD

Premise: FAIR

Structure: GOOD

Theme: GOOD

Accuracy of Book Profile

Yes, it does depict the book.

Draw of Story

It is written in a way that makes you wonder what is going to happen next.

Possible Drawbacks

The overall plot is a little predictable and derivative, but it doesn't actually hurt the reading experience.

Use of Special Effects

THE STORY RELIES HEAVILY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS

Primary Hook of Story

Besides dealing with the adoption itself, a couple must deal with their little daughter's special powers and a bunch of maniacs who want to capture her for evil purposes.

Fanbase Potential

It could, especially because it is a kind of story that has attracted large audiences.

Awards Potential

Maybe Awards given to fantasy movies.

Envisioned Budget

LARGE BUDGET

Similar Films/TV Series

STRANGER THINGS - A TV SERIES ABOUT A GIRL WITH SPECIAL POWERS WHO FIGHTS SCIENTISTS THAT WANT TO IMPRISON HER. CARRIE - A CLASSICAL MOVIE THAT TELLS THE TRAGIC STORY OF A TROUBLED TEENAGER WITH PARANORMAL ABILITIES.

What’s New About the Story

The fact that the story is centered on a couple of middle-aged parents having to deal with utterly dangerous situations. However, the plot could be a little more unique if it didn't repeat some of the main characteristics of other famous narratives.

Lead Characters

The main adult characters show courage and determination when they find themselves in unexpected situations. The little girl is cute and adorable, and also shows she is very loyal and willing to defend the ones she loves.

Uniqueness of Story

Not really. It should be more original and unique in order to become one.

Possible Formats

Film - Studio, Film - Streaming, TV Series - Streaming

Analyst Recommendation

CONSIDER

Justification

Because the narrative is very well-written and built, it makes us care about the characters and the situations they find themselves in. The characters are also well-developed and credible in this specific universe, and they carry the action very successfully. In general, it is a good book that, with some minor alterations, could be adapted into a good movie, with the potential to become a blockbuster franchise. However, there are some concerns about the general content of the book. It is very reminiscent of other narratives. The little girl with supernatural abilities, the couple that adopts a child who turns out to be much more trouble than expected, the secret organization that runs experiments on special little kids... These are all sci-fi/horror tropes that have been extensively used in the last few decades. The book does have aspects and characters that make it stand out for itself, but some changes could be made to turn it into a much less derivative product, not as comparable to other successful works as it is now. Other than that, it is a competently made book that could be adapted into a compelling, very interesting film.