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Combine common axes
These books are ranked using the characterization labels extracted for The Unexpected.
Characterization labels used: moral center, solo protagonist, resourceful heroine, survival competence, guilt-prone, cautious, kindhearted, morally conflicted, underused protagonist, team absence, competent under pressure
This does not mean the books share the same plot, setting, quality, or difficulty. It means their characterization embeddings are close.
A stranded modern woman enters a mythic Viking world of magic, war, and romance, and must choose between home and love.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: competent heroine · strong heroine · independent woman · cautious heroine · trust issues · level-headed protagonist · alpha hero · grumpy hero · socially awkward hero · morally ambiguous hero · competent side character · mistrustful heroine · heroic rescuer
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1629
Camping in the Yukon, a broken man wakes to Earth remade as a deadly RPG and must survive, adapt, and get home.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: flawed protagonist · angsty hero · rage issues · loner · PTSD · survivor · brooder · self-destructive · reluctant leader · bisexual protagonist · POC protagonist · socially awkward · damaged goods · competent under pressure · emotionally repressed
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1650
A teen survivor and a silent toddler navigate a silent, monster-filled world, then uncover dangerous secrets in a refuge.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: resourceful heroine · kick-ass heroine · smart protagonist · resilient survivor · traumatized teen · protective caretaker · mature child character · toddler companion · rebellious protagonist · inquisitive heroine · flawed heroine · paranoid survivor
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1713
In a post-apocalyptic dictatorship, a teen girl is forced into a televised death contest that ignites rebellion.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: strong heroine · teen protagonist · survivalist · resourceful · protective sister · reluctant hero · self-sacrificing · guarded emotions · morally complex · traumatized protagonist · symbolic heroine · strategic ally
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1727
A poor teen girl volunteers for a televised death match and must survive while navigating power, media, and love.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: strong heroine · female protagonist · survivalist · resourceful · cunning · independent · brave · prickly · guarded · flawed heroine · emotionally detached · complex protagonist · kindhearted boy · mentor · side characters
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1733
A lone zombie-apocalypse scavenger makes one risky hospital run that turns into a brutal, creepy fight to escape.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: lone survivor · careful planner · resourceful · imperfect protagonist · gruff protagonist · morally rough · ordinary man · flawed hero · suspicious survivor · insane antagonist · creepy nurse · deranged villain · unheroic protagonist · darkly funny protagonist
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1755
A grieving teen survives the wilds, infiltrates the resistance, and faces a dangerous new mission and new love.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: survivor heroine · strong heroine · character growth · grieving protagonist · resilient · resourceful · rebellious · naive love interest · damaged characters · vulnerable characters
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1758
A wounded soldier must win survivors' trust, defend their camp, and keep a rebuild mission alive in an infected wasteland.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: soldier protagonist · trained leader · reluctant hero · wounded protagonist · resourceful survivor · tactical competence · determined · selfless · morally driven · flawed hero · secondary character growth · female characters
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1762
A sheltered woman flees a deadly compound conspiracy and must survive the wasteland with a guarded rescuer.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: sheltered heroine · naive protagonist · character growth · survival learning · protective hero · grumpy hero · capable survivor · mysterious survivor · kind caretaker · sister character · supportive duo · trauma response
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1771
A ship captain in Toe-Hold space faces extortion, hidden dangers, and personal recovery as old storylines converge.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: mature protagonist · competent lead · likable protagonist · good-hearted characters · crew ensemble · character driven · internal struggle · depression · PTSD · resourceful lead · ethical characters · believable individuals · supportive crew
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1805
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
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1806
A stranded survivor navigates a game-like apocalypse as monsters, politics, and dungeon threats keep escalating.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: flawed protagonist · angry loner · anti-social · self-loathing · emotionally repressed · divisive protagonist · survival-focused · power progression · character growth
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1818
