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We Could be Villains

Megan McCullough

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Similar in characterization + relationships

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

Characterization labels used: fangirl protagonist, relatable heroine, emotionally reactive, brave heroine, morally gray villain, charismatic villain, snarky villain, redeemable villain, sidekick hacker, found family cast, teaM-based

Relationships labels used: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, blackmail, found family, friendship, sibling-like banter, romantic tension, parent-child conflict, mentor-like adult, power imbalance

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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Imagine Me

Tahereh Mafi · 2020 · Shatter Me

A memory-shattered rebel faces a final clash for identity, love, and control as old enemies close in.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong heroine · memory-wiped heroine · carried-by-sidekick · morally gray love interest · ruthless love interest · protective friend · found family · side character focus · character regression · villain-coded authority

Relationships labels: enemies to lovers · soulmates · romantic couple · friendship bond · found family · fraternal tension · parent-child conflict · betrayal · rescue dependency

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1464

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Harvest Day

Tamar Sloan, Heidi Catherine · 2023 · The Sovereign Code

In a bee-haunted future split by survival zones, two teens face an immunity test that could change everything.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · strong heroine · naive hero · stubborn protagonist · feisty heroine · loyal character · rule follower · rebel · resourceful heroine · sheltered upbringing · questioning authority · shady character · villainous leader · morally gray characters

Relationships labels: enemies to lovers · forced proximity · love triangle · siblings · twin bond · romance subplot · friendship · family loyalty · mentor relationship · power imbalance · betrayal

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1478

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Disruption

Jessica Shirvington · 2014 · Disruption

In a surveillance-driven near future, a determined teen uses a powerful heir to try to rescue her vanished father.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong heroine · antiheroine · manipulative protagonist · determined protagonist · flawed heroine · smart heroine · witty heroine · cold-blooded heroine · naive love interest · heir character · hacker side character · protective mother · distant brother · absent father

Relationships labels: hate-to-love · forbidden romance · family loyalty · father-daughter bond · romantic manipulation · friendship banter · enemy to allies

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1505

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Reactive

Becky Moynihan · 2018 · The Elite Trials

In a walled dystopian city, a scarred teen fights deadly trials for freedom when a boy from her past returns with secrets.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong heroine · snarky heroine · headstrong heroine · vulnerable heroine · trained warrior · protective love interest · mysterious love interest · secretive character · tyrannical ruler · abusive guardian · outsider · supporting cast · relatable protagonist · badass heroine · flawed heroine · traumatized protagonist

Relationships labels: enemies to lovers · forbidden attraction · slow burn romance · protective romance · family separation · mother-daughter bond · adoptive family · power imbalance · betrayal · rivalry · sibling reveal · trust issues · romantic tension

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1516

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Monsters Born and Made

Tanvi Berwah · 2022

A desperate teen cheats into an elite monster-chariot race to save her family in a brutal, caste-bound island world.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen heroine · fierce protagonist · determined protagonist · angry protagonist · protective sibling · chronically ill sibling · abusive father · morally gray love interest · ex-boyfriend · elite rival · headstrong heroine

Relationships labels: siblings · family duty · exes to rivals · friends to allies · enemies to lovers · romantic subplot · parent child conflict · class divide · protective sisterhood · romantic tension

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1548

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Cities of Smoke and Starlight

Alli Earnest · 2022 · Gate Chronicles

A scholar and a pilot must survive a perilous mission to unite rival powers before war erupts on their world.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: misunderstood hero · broody hero · cocky bad boy · scholarly heroine · feisty heroine · headstrong heroine · awkward heroine · flawed protagonists · traumatized characters · angry characters · found family cast · ragtag crew · side character ensemble

Relationships labels: enemies to lovers · slow burn · forced proximity · found family · bickering pair · complicated family relationships · sibling loss · friendship bonds

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1577

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The Mechanics of Memory

Audrey Lee · 2024

A woman with a missing year enters a luxury memory clinic, only to find her memories and reality are being rewritten.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: unreliable protagonist · strong female lead · vulnerable protagonist · determined protagonist · traumatized protagonist · believable characters · quirky side characters · ensemble cast · love interest · medical staff · corporate villain · morally gray characters · found family

Relationships labels: romantic relationship · found family · friendship · caregiver power imbalance · trust betrayal · partner betrayal · family expectations · us vs them

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1580

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Thin Air

Rachel Caine · 2007 · Weather Warden

An amnesiac weather warden must recover her identity while a demon steals her life and factions turn against her.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: amnesiac protagonist · strong female lead · kickass heroine · resourceful heroine · vulnerable heroine · snarky protagonist · powerful heroine · troubled love interest · temperamental character · manipulative antagonist · female ensemble · traumatized character · morally gray characters

Relationships labels: love triangle · romantic tension · established couple · sister rivalry · protective friendship · demon impersonation · trust issues · family grief · loyalty conflict · power imbalance · betrayal

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1588

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Meet Me at World's End

Jordan Rivet · 2020 · Bunker

As a comet threatens Earth, two young adults in different roles race through a bunker program built to save a chosen few.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: soft-spoken protagonist · hot-headed hero · privileged heroine · working-class hero · angry young man · eager to please · passive heroine · resourceful heroine · protective sibling · responsible older brother · authoritarian elder · morally compromised leader · relatable characters · flawed characters · character growth

Relationships labels: enemies to lovers · romance · slow burn · class divide · family conflict · grandparent grandchild · siblings · brotherly bond · betrayal · romantic tension · dependency · power imbalance · trust issues

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1617

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Blood Scion

Deborah Falaye · 2022 · Blood Scion

A hidden-power teen soldier infiltrates a brutal regime, risking her humanity as she fights for survival and revenge.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: morally gray protagonist · fierce heroine · driven protagonist · brave protagonist · angry protagonist · survivor · antiheroic lead · complex characters · mature teens · child soldiers · oppressed characters · secondary allies

Relationships labels: found family · familial bond · mother-daughter bond · mentor-student tension · enemy romance · forbidden romance · betrayal · loyalty · friendship · power imbalance · oppressor/oppressed relationship · romantic conflict

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1626

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Chill Factor

Rachel Caine · 2005 · Weather Warden

A weather-controlling heroine races to Las Vegas to stop a power-drunk teen, while rival factions and hidden agendas close in.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: snarky heroine · strong heroine · reactive protagonist · determined protagonist · resourceful heroine · overmatched heroine · troubled teen · mysterious ally · morally compromised leaders · corrupt authority · protective love interest · martyr complex · tenacious heroine · emotionally battered protagonist

Relationships labels: romantic tension · forbidden trust · betrayal · manipulation · dependency · power imbalance · secret alliance · conflicted loyalty

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1636

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The Gender Game

Bella Forrest · 2016 · The Gender Game

A rebellious young woman from a gender-divided nation goes undercover across a toxic river and risks everything to survive.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: rebellious heroine · hot-tempered protagonist · aggressive protagonist · protective heroine · strong female lead · juvenile delinquent · orphan protagonist · undercover agent · spy protagonist · brooding love interest · protective male lead · rebel character · mentor figure · ruler character · morally gray characters

Relationships labels: forbidden love · fake marriage · love interest · romantic tension · possible love triangle · sibling bond · parental loss · enemy romance · trust issues · power imbalance · forced partnership · betrayal

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1636

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