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Willful Machines

Tim Floreen

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Similar in characterization + relationships

These books are ranked using the characterization + relationships labels extracted for Willful Machines. Books rank higher when they are close on every selected axis.

Characterization labels used: closeted teen, gay protagonist, nerdy teen, robotics geek, shy protagonist, anxious protagonist, depressed protagonist, suicidal ideation, self-deprecating protagonist, president character, angsty teen, eccentric boy, Shakespeare geek, AI antagonist, sympathetic villain, supportive best friend, protective family pressure

Relationships labels used: m/m romance, first love, secret relationship, closeted relationship, father-son conflict, best friends, romantic distrust, power imbalance, family secrecy

This does not mean the books share the same plot, setting, quality, or difficulty. It means their characterization + relationships embeddings are close.

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It Came From the Sky

Chelsea Sedoti · 2020

A teen science nerd and his prankster brother fake an alien invasion, and their small-town lie spirals wildly out of control.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: introverted protagonist · science nerd · awkward teen · gay teen · boy genius · prankster brother · supportive parents · neurodivergent-coded protagonist · anxious protagonist · self-focused protagonist · character growth · dry wit

Relationships labels: brother bond · sibling rivalry · first boyfriend · secret romance · family dynamics · friendship · parent-child tension · supportive relationship · romantic secrecy

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1183

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Milo and Marcos at the End of the World

Kevin Christopher Snipes · 2022

A closeted Christian teen reunites with his first crush as uncanny disasters test their love and faith.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: closeted teen · anxious protagonist · churchgoing boy · religious teen · atheist love interest · charismatic love interest · stubborn love interest · supportive friend · messy teens · self-sabotage · self-acceptance arc · fearful character · defiant character · quieter lead · brash lead

Relationships labels: teen romance · secret relationship · forbidden attraction · best friendship · supportive friendship · parent-child conflict · religious family conflict · community judgment · romantic reunion · miscommunication

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1333

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Otherearth

Jason Segel, Kirsten Miller · 2018 · Last Reality

On the run from a powerful game company, Simon and friends dive back into VR as reality begins to fracture.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · flawed protagonist · maturing protagonist · traumatized protagonist · hacker character · tech genius · evil conglomerate · secretive ally · romantic interest · sentient nonhuman characters · antagonistic friend · supportive side character

Relationships labels: teen romance · childhood friends · friends on the run · found family · allyship · betrayal · parent-child conflict · stepfamily conflict · romantic partnership · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1466

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A Complicated Love Story Set in Space

Shaun David Hutchinson · 2021

Three confused teens wake aboard a failing spaceship and must solve the mystery of how they got there while falling in love.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · flawed protagonist · angsty teen · sarcastic protagonist · sunshine love interest · protective love interest · witty side character · holographic guide · depressed protagonist · traumatized protagonist

Relationships labels: male/male romance · found family · friendship trio · romantic tension · past relationship trauma · trust issues · supportive friendship · forced proximity · healthy relationship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1525

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Project Nought: A Graphic Novel

Chelsey Furedi · 2023

A 1990s teen wakes in 2122 as part of a time-travel school program—and uncovers secrets, danger, and a crush.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · shy protagonist · anxious protagonist · relatable protagonist · wholesome protagonist · student guide · excitable character · withdrawn character · jaded character · friendly character · lovable characters · distinct personalities · ensemble cast · rule-follower · rebellious lead · golden retriever energy

Relationships labels: m/m romance · crush · slow-burn romance · friendship · found family · friend group · romantic friction · queer romance · hugs · rivalry · trust betrayal · student guide relationship · companionship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1544

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More Happy Than Not

Adam Silvera · 2015

A Bronx teen considers a memory-erasing procedure that could free him from pain—or erase his true self.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · queer teen · troubled youth · self-loathing · complex protagonist · supportive girlfriend · new best friend · homophobic peers · flawed characters · emotionally damaged

Relationships labels: friendship · romance · love triangle · supportive girlfriend · new friendship · familial loss · parent-child strain · peer betrayal · chosen family · cheating

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1547

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Traumaland

Josh Silver · 2025

A numb teen enters a secret VR club that sells nightmares, then uncovers a dangerous truth about his own trauma.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: emotionally numb protagonist · sarcastic protagonist · witty protagonist · gay protagonist · teen protagonist · traumatized protagonist · psychologically complex characters · morally compromised behavior · misfit protagonist · cunning protagonist

Relationships labels: family tension · romance · queer romance · therapist-patient · friendship · supportive bond · betrayal · parent-child conflict · brother relationship · protective relationship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1584

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The Death House

Sarah Pinborough · 2015

After a blood test sends him to an isolated house for “Defectives,” Toby faces illness, fear, and first love.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · angsty teen · withdrawn protagonist · loner · reluctant leader · protective older boy · free spirit · bullies · skeptical adults · ghostly staff · sympathetic ensemble

Relationships labels: first love · teen romance · friendship · found family · dorm alliances · brotherly care · rivalry · cliques · romantic bond · caregiver power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1592

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Hero

Perry Moore · 2007

A closeted gay teen with superpowers joins a superhero league, risking family fallout and a hidden conspiracy.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: closeted teen · gay protagonist · healer · outcast hero · misfit heroes · disgraced father · homophobic father · older woman mentor · angry teammate · brooding love interest · likable lead · static character · angsty protagonist · underdeveloped characters · toxic masculinity

Relationships labels: father-son relationship · family conflict · friendship · romance · love interest · team bonding · found family · trust issues · parental abandonment · acceptance · rivalry · mentor-like support

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1599

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Pandemic

Yvonne Ventresca · 2014

A traumatized teen stockpiles for disaster, then must survive a deadly flu outbreak while her town falls apart.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: anxious protagonist · paranoid protagonist · germaphobe · hoarder · resourceful teen · withdrawn teen · survivor arc · pessimistic protagonist · likable love interest · levelheaded character · traumatized teen

Relationships labels: love triangle · friend triangle · best friends · parent-child separation · absent parents · found family · romantic tension · trust issues · community support · rivalry

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1599

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Weave a Circle Round

Kari Maaren · 2017

A quiet teen’s life unravels when strange neighbors arrive next door and pull her into a mythic time-travel mystery.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: introverted protagonist · angsty teen · angry teen · invisible girl · relatable teen · awkward teen · deaf character · geeky sibling · genius sibling · eccentric outsider · mischievous characters · morally ambiguous characters · immortal characters · character growth

Relationships labels: blended family · step-siblings · sibling rivalry · absent parents · family tension · friendship · power imbalance · romance-free · community tension

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1609

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A Trick of Light

Stan Lee, Kat Rosenfield · 2019 · Stan Lee's Alliances

Two teens with cyber-powered abilities connect online and are pulled into a fight that could save—or doom—the world.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen outsider · nerd protagonist · YouTube wannabe · hacker heroine · isolated girl · controlling father · cyberkinetic hero · ordinary boy with powers · lonely protagonist · insecure protagonist · relatable hero

Relationships labels: budding romance · online relationship · father-daughter conflict · protective father · friendship · power imbalance · team-up · found connection · dependency

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1618

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