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A Neon Darkness

Lauren Shippen

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Similar in characterization + relationships

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

Characterization labels used: morally gray, unlikable protagonist, troubled teen, lonely protagonist, manipulative, self-centered, anti-hero, complex villain, tragic backstory, questionable choices, white male privilege

Relationships labels used: found family, friend group, peer conflict, power imbalance, manipulation, boundary violation, dependency, acceptance, family rupture

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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The Sudden Appearance of Hope

Claire North · 2016

A woman everyone forgets becomes a thief and gets pulled into a battle against a manipulative self-optimization app.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: antiheroine · loner · thief · cunning protagonist · grey morality · isolated protagonist · female lead · morally conflicted

Relationships labels: family estrangement · social isolation · failed romance · one-sided connection · friendship loss · parent-child distance · rivalry · informal alliance · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1301

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Last Chance Live!

Helena Haywoode Henry · 2025

An 18-year-old death row inmate joins a reality show where America votes on who lives, who dies, and who gets a second chance.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: unlikable protagonist · flawed heroine · teen offenders · morally gray cast · traumatized teen · angry narrator · impulsive · calculating · manipulative · vulnerable · rude · self-centered · sympathetic antagonist · damaged youth · foundational trauma

Relationships labels: found family · sibling bond · friendship under pressure · betrayal · alliances · competition rivalry · protective sibling · community and belonging · conditional trust · caregiver conflict

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1301

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Snowglobe

Soyoung Park · 2024 · Snowglobe Duology

In a frozen future, a poor teen is pulled into a domed reality-TV city by taking the place of a dead star.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · impoverished heroine · lookalike protagonist · aspiring director · aspiring actor · flawed heroine · optimistic protagonist · morally gray characters · celebrity · ruthless authority

Relationships labels: family bonds · twin sibling · idolatry · imitation · mentor manipulation · friendship · power imbalance · betrayal · parasocial relationship · class divide

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1307

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The Kingdom of Liars

Nick Martell · 2020 · The Legacy of the Mercenary Kings

A disgraced noble son recounts a regicide trial while untangling court lies, memory-erasing magic, and revolt.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: flawed protagonist · antihero · reluctant hero · morally gray lead · rash protagonist · tortured protagonist · family-loyal · stubborn · resourceful · con man · streetwise · coming-of-age · bad decision-making

Relationships labels: family legacy · father-son conflict · siblings · found family · friendship group · foster family · mentor relationship · class divide · power imbalance · betrayal · loyalty

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1347

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Torchfire

Moira Buffini · 2025 · The Torch Trilogy

In a fractured post-apocalyptic world, hunted youths, rival powers, and a new outsider POV push fragile peace toward collapse.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · morally grey · complex characters · likable and unlikable characters · character growth · redemption arc · survivor · rebellious youth · corrupt ruler · captive character · questioning beliefs · traumatized characters

Relationships labels: found family · romantic triangle · messy romance · multiple love interests · queer relationships · friendship bonds · family conflict · siblings · betrayal · loyalty · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1352

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The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

Kiersten White · 2018

An orphaned girl enters the Frankenstein household and learns survival may depend on controlling the boy she’s meant to serve.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: morally gray protagonist · cunning heroine · manipulative protagonist · resourceful survivor · volatile genius · unrepentant villain · brooding psychopath · complex character arcs · side character focus · female friendships

Relationships labels: toxic relationship · co-dependent relationship · abusive relationship · obsessive love · twisted romance · female friendship · found family · family dependency · mentor-like bond · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1365

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36 Streets

T.R. Napper · 2022

A hard-boiled gang enforcer in occupied future Hanoi is pulled into a murder mystery tied to a memory-warping VR game.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: antihero · morally gray · hard-boiled protagonist · damaged protagonist · outsider · gang enforcer · fighter · drug user · alcohol use · ruthless · unlikeable protagonist · traumatized

Relationships labels: found family · sibling conflict · mother conflict · gang loyalty · mentor relationship · boss employee · family duty · betrayal · power dependency

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1387

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Prime Meridian

Silvia Moreno-Garcia · 2018

A struggling young woman in near-future Mexico City clings to the dream of Mars while surviving precarious work and heartbreak.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: morally gray · unlikable protagonist · bitter protagonist · depressed protagonist · rootable protagonist · lonely woman · drifting young adult · underemployed · resourceful · self-aware · complex characters · character-driven · female protagonist

Relationships labels: estranged sister · sibling tension · ex-boyfriend · fractured romance · unresolved relationship · friendship for hire · client relationship · intergenerational bond · unequal relationship · family responsibility

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1391

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Beyond the Blue Event Horizon

Frederik Pohl · 2000 · Heechee Saga

A wealthy survivor funds a perilous alien-food-factory mission while his guilt and new discoveries pull him deeper into Heechee secrets.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: flawed protagonist · wealthy protagonist · guilt-ridden · morally gray · teen protagonist · AI companion · diverse cast · more mature protagonist

Relationships labels: family crew · parent-child tension · romantic grief · marriage · power imbalance · dependency

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1395

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Game Changer

Neal Shusterman · 2021

A privileged teen football player starts jumping through altered realities and is forced to confront injustice in new ways.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: privileged teen · white male protagonist · cis male protagonist · straight protagonist · socially unaware · self-reflective arc · philosophical teen · popular athlete · conflicted protagonist · growth arc

Relationships labels: best friends · brother relationship · family dynamics · abusive relationship · romantic tension · friend group · community belonging · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1406

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Spark

Amy Kathleen Ryan · 2012 · Sky Chasers

A stranded teen crew fights sabotage, shifting loyalties, and a power struggle while racing to rescue their captured parents.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · morally gray characters · flawed characters · traumatized teens · young leaders · religious leader · power-hungry leader · suspicious outsider · redemptive arc · darker character arc

Relationships labels: love triangle · fiancé · romantic conflict · friendship · rivalry · betrayal · trust issues · parent-child separation · leader-follower · community tension

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1407

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Mujina into the Deep, Vol. 1

Inio Asano · 2025 · MUJINA INTO THE DEEP

In a near-future city where human rights are for sale, a disillusioned man is drawn into the world of rightsless assassins.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: outlaw · assassin · marginalized · antihero · sexually obsessed · morally grey · cynical · apathetic · lonely · runaway kid · unlikeable · complex

Relationships labels: found family · power imbalance · mentorless · class divide · predatory sexuality · rivalry · protective impulse · estrangement · coercive society

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1430

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