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iBoy

Kevin Brooks

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Similar in characterization + relationships

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

Characterization labels used: teen protagonist, ordinary boy, loner, sympathetic protagonist, morally gray, vigilante, protective, angry, traumatized girl, damsel in distress, hard-edged grandmother, one-dimensional villains, gang members, single-minded revenge

Relationships labels used: best friends, childhood crush, grandmother-grandson, family protection, romantic tension, revenge for assault, community fear, 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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A Neon Darkness

Lauren Shippen · 2020 · The Bright Sessions

A troubled teen with mind-control powers finds a superpowered friend group in L.A., but belonging comes at a dangerous cost.

Why this is here

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

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

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1518

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Curio

Evangeline Denmark · 2016 · Curio

A rule-following girl uncovers her hidden heritage and a cabinet-bound world that could change two oppressive societies.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong heroine · rebellious protagonist · outsider heroine · compassionate heroine · female lead · male friend · secretive family · villainous authority

Relationships labels: best friends · family secrets · parent-child · grandfather-granddaughter · romance · power imbalance · rivalry · community oppression

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1606

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Icons

Margaret Stohl · 2013 · Icons

In an alien-ruled future, four teens with strange emotional powers uncover why they survived The Day.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · orphaned heroine · empath · angry best friend · privileged love interest · jealous rival · secretive authority figure · artificial intelligence character · resilient girl · protective friend

Relationships labels: best friends · love triangle · friendship · romantic rivalry · hostage dynamic · parent-child · power imbalance · found family · loyalty · betrayal

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1615

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An Acceptable Time

Madeleine L'Engle · 1990 · Time Quintet

A teen sent to study with her grandparents slips through a time gate into a dangerous past of druids, tribes, and sacrifice.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · young adult protagonist · smart heroine · naive heroine · self-centered male character · illness-driven character · protective adults · skeptical elders · mature teenagers · romantic interest

Relationships labels: grandparents · parent-child · family legacy · romantic tension · love triangle · unbalanced power dynamics · friendship · intergenerational family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1633

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Strange Weather: Four Short Novels

Joe Hill · 2017

Four loosely linked novellas twist memory, weather, guns, and survival into unsettling, high-concept horror.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · young male protagonist · adult protagonist · strong female protagonist · bullied outsider · loner · inventive · reluctant hero · morally compromised · unhinged · paranoid · psychologically damaged · politically polarized · ordinary people · everyday hero

Relationships labels: parent child · friendship · mentor figure · romantic longing · unrequited love · rivalry · community under stress · family loss · power imbalance · betrayal · hero worship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1644

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The Chaos

Rachel Ward · 2010 · Num8ers

A teen who sees death dates and a girl haunted by a nightmare race to stop a near-future catastrophe in London.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · pregnant teen · orphan · grandmother raised · angry protagonist · defiant protagonist · sympathetic leads · troubled teen · wealthy girl · working-class teen · social outsider · burdened gift · morally gray teens

Relationships labels: mother-son · grandmother-grandson · romantic tension · forbidden attraction · family abuse · father-daughter abuse · protector dynamic · dependency · trust issues · young lovers · parental loss · community mistrust

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1660

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Genius Squad

Catherine Jinks · 2008 · Genius

A sheltered teen genius in foster care joins a secret hacker squad, but the offer may be another trap.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen genius · reformed villain · morally conflicted · socially awkward · suspicious · paranoid · vulnerable protagonist · bullied foster child · disabled genius · protective detective · empathetic social worker · corrupt adults · gifted kids · antagonistic guardian

Relationships labels: best friends · platonic bond · caregiver conflict · foster family · surrogate parent · adult-teen power imbalance · protective mentorship · rivalry with guardian · found family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1668

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The Loop

Ben Oliver · 2020 · The Loop Trilogy

A teen on death row in an AI-run prison must survive a world collapse and escape before the system kills him.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · bookish hero · relatable protagonist · flawed protagonist · sympathetic protagonist · morally gray characters · criminal inmates · prison warden · AI overseer · ragtag group · side characters (large cast) · friends and enemies

Relationships labels: found family · prison friendships · group survival · friendship under pressure · romantic tension · family rescue · enemy rivalry · authority conflict · teamwork · companionship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1673

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Blood Colony

Tananarive Due · 2008 · African Immortals

A hidden immortal clan must protect a teen with healing blood as rival sects, disease, and prophecy turn her into a target.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · immortal heroine · psychic powers · healer · rebellious teenager · naive protagonist · powerful child · mentor figures · secretive family · violent antagonists

Relationships labels: best friends · family conflict · parent-child conflict · protective family · chosen family · romantic subplot · arranged marriage · rival factions · power struggle · community bonds

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1677

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Shiny Happy People

Clay McLeod Chapman · 2025

A traumatized teen investigates a viral party drug that makes her town eerily perfect—and dangerously not themselves.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen girl protagonist · adopted protagonist · anxious protagonist · straight-edge protagonist · outsider protagonist · new kid ally · mysterious outsider · perfectionist · smart protagonist · controlling protagonist · traumatized protagonist · loner

Relationships labels: adoptive family · best friends · brother-sister relationship · romantic tension · friendship under pressure · peer pressure · trust issues · community conformity · family trauma · protective alliance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1686

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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: 0.1701

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Remember Me

Estelle Laure · 2022

In a near-future town, a teen discovers she erased painful memories and must decide whether to reclaim them.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · restless teen · emotionally traumatized · memory loss victim · supportive grandmother · best friends · love interest · doctor figure · non-binary side character · flawed adults · relatable characters

Relationships labels: first love · second chance romance · best friends · family conflict · grandmother-grandchild · parent-child tension · romantic memory bond · friend group · supportive friendship · adult distrust

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1703

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