Cover of Anathem by Neal Stephenson

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Anathem

Neal Stephenson

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Similar in characterization + relationships

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

Characterization labels used: young protagonist, student, monk-scholar, intellectual, naive narrator, rational, curious, likable cast, supportive cast, academic rivals, mentor figures

Relationships labels used: mentor-student, brotherhood, sisterhood, community bonds, intellectual camaraderie, romantic subplot, intergroup alliance, us-vs-them, outside-inside divide, friendship

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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Cover of Storm Warning by Mercedes Lackey

Storm Warning

Mercedes Lackey · 1995 · Valdemar: Mage Storms

A Karsite envoy’s young secretary enters Valdemar just as magic storms and political tensions threaten the whole world.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young protagonist · outsider protagonist · naive newcomer · earnest hero · scholar hero · priest protagonist · mentor figure · traumatized character · healing arc · xenophobic-to-trusting arc · ambiguous antagonist · villain with depth · ensemble cast · supportive cast · competent side characters

Relationships labels: mentor-student · friendship · cross-cultural friendship · platonic bond · political alliance · enemy-turned-ally · romantic subplot · healing relationship · teamwork · community building · companionship bond

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1455

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Cover of Mageling by J.L. Mullins

Mageling

J.L. Mullins · 2023 · Millennial Mage

A debt-burdened new mage leaves academy life behind to survive, learn fast, and earn her place in a dangerous magic world.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young mage · overpowered protagonist · curious protagonist · headstrong protagonist · naive protagonist · resourceful protagonist · risk-taker · self-taught learner · female protagonist · underestimated protagonist · sheltered protagonist

Relationships labels: mentor-student · friendship · professional camaraderie · debt coercion · family debt · low romance · chaste

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1625

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Cover of The Glass Bead Game by Hermann Hesse

The Glass Bead Game

Hermann Hesse · 1998

A future-biography of a brilliant scholar in an intellectual utopia whose mastery of a mysterious game leads to doubt.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: gifted student · intellectual elite · philosopher-scholar · meditative protagonist · mature seeker · elite insider · young prodigy · teacher-mentor · wise elder · servant figure · restless idealist · dutiful administrator · isolated intellectual

Relationships labels: mentor-student · master-apprentice · teacher-pupil · friendship · male homosociality · outside-insider tension · institution versus individual · community belonging · intergenerational exchange · withdrawal from society

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1657

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Cover of A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

A Wizard of Earthsea

Ursula K. Le Guin · 2004 · Earthsea Cycle

A gifted boy enters a wizard school, unleashes a shadow, and must learn true power through balance and self-knowledge.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: flawed protagonist · arrogant youth · gifted child · apprentice wizard · brooding wizard · wise mentor · true friend · rival apprentice · relatable protagonist · self-correcting arc

Relationships labels: mentor-apprentice · friendship · rivalry · classroom rivalry · dependence · guidance · responsibility · self vs self · community ties · platonic friendship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1708

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Cover of The Glitch in Sleep by Michael Wexler

The Glitch in Sleep

Michael Wexler, John Hulme · 2007 · The Seems

A 12-year-old recruit becomes a Fixer in a hidden world and races to stop a Sleep glitch from unraveling reality.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young prodigy · child hero · competent kid · reluctant recruit · professional child · apprentice · fixer · briefer · sidekick · supporting cast · wish fulfillment · brave protagonist

Relationships labels: mentor-student · partner duo · workplace teamwork · assistant relationship · friendship · peer support · authority hierarchy · community

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1716

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Cover of The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver

Lois Lowry · 1999 · The Giver

A boy chosen to receive hidden memories discovers the cost of his community’s perfect, controlled sameness.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young protagonist · curious protagonist · selected outsider · mentor figure · emotionally restrained community · assigned roles · authoritarian elders

Relationships labels: mentor-student · family unit · community control · friendship · parent-child

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1719

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Cover of Absolute Promethea, Book One by Alan Moore

Absolute Promethea, Book One

Alan Moore · 2009 · Absolute Promethea

A college student’s research into a mythic heroine pulls her into an occult, reality-bending role as Promethea.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: student protagonist · female lead · living avatar · mythic heroine · reluctant hero · incarnated identity

Relationships labels: mentor-student · friendship · rivalry · inheritance · succession · women's bond

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1806

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Cover of Descent of Angels by Mitchel Scanlon

Descent of Angels

Mitchel Scanlon · 2007 · The Horus Heresy

A Dark Angels prequel on Caliban follows a young knight aspirant as an isolated warrior culture collides with the Imperium.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young protagonist · knight aspirant · mentor figure · rivalry · secretive leader · proud warrior · earnest hero · naive youth · promising recruit · internal conflict

Relationships labels: brotherhood · mentor-student · rivalry · adoptive family · factional conflict · loyalty test · betrayal seed · friendship · brotherly bond

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1820

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Cover of The Sword of Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks

The Sword of Shannara Trilogy

Terry Brooks · 2002 · The Original Shannara Trilogy

A fantasy trilogy of linked quests in the Four Lands, where successive heirs battle rising evil with magic and courage.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: mysterious mentor · reluctant hero · young hero · heroic companion · half-elf protagonist · ensemble cast · archetypal characters

Relationships labels: mentor-student · sibling bond · family legacy · romantic subplot · companion group · quest fellowship · parent-child lineage · loyalty · betrayal · sacrifice

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1829

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Cover of The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar

The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain

Sofia Samatar · 2024

A boy lifted from a mining ship’s underclass and a professor from within the system uncover the chains binding them both.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: archetypal characters · unnamed protagonists · boy · woman · professor · prophet · mentor-mentee dynamic · artistic outsider · marginalized student · careerist academic · symbolic characters

Relationships labels: mentor-mentee · teacher-student · class divide · solidarity · community · power imbalance · oppressor-oppressed · family legacy · collegial rivalry · dependency

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1834

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Cover of Against the Fall of Night by Arthur C. Clarke

Against the Fall of Night

Arthur C. Clarke · 2003

A curious young man in Earth’s last city uncovers buried truths that could shatter a stagnant immortal civilization.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young hero · curious protagonist · rebellious youth · brash protagonist · explorer · observer · wise elder · keeper of records · tutor · telepath · immortal citizens · flat characters · paper-thin characters · archetypal characters

Relationships labels: mentor-student · youth vs elders · protagonist vs society · civilizational divide · cultural isolation · power imbalance · community conformity · two societies · rival societies

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1848

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Cover of Star Trek by Alan Dean Foster

Star Trek

Alan Dean Foster · 2009 · Star Trek: Movie Novelizations

A Star Trek reboot novelization with an alternate timeline, a revenge-driven threat, and added character depth.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: ensemble cast · young hero · stoic outsider · genius protagonist · hotheaded protagonist · complicated characters · character backstory · character development

Relationships labels: mentor-mentee · friendship · romance · crew cohesion · family conflict · rivalry · respect · command hierarchy

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1853

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Cover of The Empire Strikes Back - So You Want to Be a Jedi? by Adam Gidwitz

The Empire Strikes Back - So You Want to Be a Jedi?

Adam Gidwitz · 2015 · Star Wars Disney Canon Junior Novel

A middle-grade Star Wars retelling puts you in Luke Skywalker's shoes and adds Jedi-training exercises between chapters.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: mentor figure · young hero · wise teacher · foil · villain with emotions · fleshed-out antagonist · child-friendly characterization

Relationships labels: mentor-student · family conflict · parent-child conflict · romance subplot · friendship · found family · loyalty · betrayal

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1855

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Cover of Bring the Jubilee by Ward Moore

Bring the Jubilee

Ward Moore · 2001

In an alternate America where the Confederacy won, a bookish young historian is drawn toward a revelation that may reshape history.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: bookish protagonist · self-taught scholar · passive hero · dreamer · coming of age · intellectual outsider · historian protagonist · unlikely protagonist · flawed women · eccentric intellectuals · philosophical characters

Relationships labels: love triangle · romantic interests · mentor influence · friendship · intellectual community · community fellowship · power imbalance · dependency · secret organization

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1866

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Cover of All-New X-Men, Vol. 3: Out of Their Depth by Brian Michael Bendis

All-New X-Men, Vol. 3: Out of Their Depth

Brian Michael Bendis, Stuart Immonen · 2013 · All-New X-Men (2012) (Collected Editions)

Time-displaced young X-Men face future shock, fractured loyalties, and a psychic crisis as their future unfolds around them.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · unstable psychic · gifted student · mentor figure · rebel mutant · radical leader · brooding authority · character-driven · interpersonal conflict · team dynamics · moral ambiguity · coming of age

Relationships labels: mentor-student · siblings · brother reunion · romantic tension · love triangle · friendship · team fracture · rivalry · authority conflict · group loyalty

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1872

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Cover of Oasis by Dima Zales

Oasis

Dima Zales, Anna Zaires · 2016 · The Last Humans

A sheltered young man in the last habitable enclave on Earth hears a voice that may be real—and may expose everything.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young male protagonist · immature adults · naive characters · rebellious protagonist · loyal protagonist · heroic protagonist · street smart · curious protagonist · confused protagonist · mysterious companion · invisible guide · two main characters · small cast

Relationships labels: friendship · companionship · mentor-like guidance · dependency · secret alliance · romance subplot · taboo romance · lost friendship · chosen duo · trust issues

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1888

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Cover of The Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Earthsea Trilogy

Ursula K. Le Guin · 1979 · Earthsea Cycle

Three linked Earthsea tales follow Ged across youth, maturity, and old age as magic, identity, and death entwine.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young wizard · flawed protagonist · headstrong youth · humble damaged man · female priestess · young prince · wise mentor · powerful mage · symbolic characters

Relationships labels: mentor-student · male friendship · companion quest · priestess and outsider · family estrangement · institutional control · self versus shadow · community responsibility

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1891

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Cover of Naslouchač by Petra Stehlíková

Naslouchač

Petra Stehlíková · 2016 · Naslouchač

A disguised young girl in a post-war dystopia joins elite warriors and uncovers secrets about her people and world.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young heroine · child protagonist · cross-dressing · secret-keeping · curious protagonist · resourceful · sympathetic cast · warrior band · oppressed laborers · ambiguous age portrayal

Relationships labels: mentor-student · captor-captive · class divide · power imbalance · friendship · tutelage · protective group

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1893

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Cover of Mother of Learning: ARC 2 by Domagoj Kurmaić

Mother of Learning: ARC 2

Domagoj Kurmaić · 2022 · Mother of Learning

A trapped young mage keeps looping the same month, growing stronger while racing to unravel the cause and avert disaster.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: driven protagonist · introverted protagonist · bookish protagonist · intellect-driven hero · progressive growth · moral development · power growth · mind mage · reckless ally · wholesome duo · supporting cast expansion · teacher characters · family-focused growth

Relationships labels: friendship · alliance building · mentor-student · siblings · brother-sister · trust building · teamwork · complicated family · rivalry · dependency · companionship · romantic absence

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1893

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Cover of Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey

Dragonsinger

Anne McCaffrey · 2003 · Harper Hall of Pern

A gifted teen musician enters Harper Hall, where training, jealousy, and prejudice test her path to belonging.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young prodigy · modest protagonist · shy protagonist · misfit girl · talented musician · apprentice · supportive mentors · jealous peers · mean girls · male-dominated environment · underestimated heroine · determined heroine · self-doubting heroine · gifted artist · child prodigy · supportive adult allies

Relationships labels: mentor-apprentice · friendship · female rivalry · peer jealousy · teacher-student · parental abuse · platonic love · community belonging · found family · supportive adults

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1907

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Cover of Little Myth Marker by Robert Lynn Asprin

Little Myth Marker

Robert Lynn Asprin · 2006 · Myth Adventures

A young magician’s lucky poker win sparks a child-sized complication, a reputation threat, and a new dose of responsibility.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young magician · apprentice wizard · demon teacher · responsible hero · kind protagonist · humble protagonist · growing up · character arc · motley crew · new cast members · supportive ensemble

Relationships labels: mentor-apprentice · friendship · found family · parenting · adoptive responsibility · team loyalty · romance subplot · mob patronage · rivalry · protective group · community bonds

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1908

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Cover of The Language of Liars by S.L. Huang

The Language of Liars

S.L. Huang · 2026

A young alien linguist infiltrates a secretive species to study them, but understanding their language may destroy everything.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young protagonist · linguist · spy · scholar · naive · curious · academically inclined · hapless · rule-breaking · morally conflicted · resource-constrained civilization

Relationships labels: mentor-student · hierarchical control · colonizer-colonized · infiltration relationship · species dependence · institutional pressure · community duty · exploitative exchange · cultural assimilation

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1918

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Cover of Layers by Ursula Poznanski

Layers

Ursula Poznanski · 2015

A runaway teen wakes beside a murder victim and is pulled into a secretive refuge that hides a dangerous conspiracy.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: runaway teen · homeless youth · naive protagonist · skeptical protagonist · sympathetic protagonist · morally ambiguous characters · mysterious benefactor · youth ensemble

Relationships labels: instalove · romantic subplot · mentor-mentee · power imbalance · trust and betrayal · found community · peer friendship · protective attraction

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1921

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Cover of Elite by Mercedes Lackey

Elite

Mercedes Lackey · 2016 · Hunter

A newly promoted hunter investigates sewer deaths and rising monster attacks while a citywide conspiracy closes in.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen heroine · competent protagonist · resourceful · independent · team player · reluctant leader · young adult protagonist · responsible · rational · self-reliant · strong female lead · Mary Sue (contested) · growth arc

Relationships labels: mentor-uncle · boyfriend · romantic subplot · team bond · pack bond · friendship · rivalry · betrayal · romantic tension · family loyalty · working alliance · leadership hierarchy

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1922

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