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iBoy

Kevin Brooks

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Similar in tone + premise

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

Tone labels used: dark, gritty, bleak, edgy, suspenseful, tense, violent, thought-provoking, raw, morally uneasy, humorous (dark), emotional

Premise labels used: accidental powers, technology powers, vigilante revenge, gang violence, protecting loved one, digital connectivity, superhuman abilities

This does not mean the books share the same plot, setting, quality, or difficulty. It means their tone + premise embeddings are close.

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The Gap Into Power: A Dark and Hungry God Arises

Stephen R. Donaldson · 1992 · The Gap Cycle

A multi-POV space-opera of corporate power, alien threat, and betrayals as rival factions converge on a lawless shipyard.

Why this is here

Tone labels: dark · gritty · bleak · tense · unforgiving · morally queasy · claustrophobic · grim · suspenseful

Premise labels: political intrigue · corporate power · alien conflict · survival stakes · betrayal network · space crisis · pawns and manipulators

Semantic match: ranked by tone + premise

Distance: 0.1652

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After Death

Dean Koontz · 2023

A dead security chief returns with uncanny digital powers and must protect a mother and son while killers close in.

Why this is here

Tone labels: dark · hopeful · grim · serious · preachy · cynical · tense · thrilling · scary · opinionated · uplifting ending

Premise labels: resurrection · superhuman ability · digital access · good vs evil · protective mission · escape pursuit · government conspiracy · gang threat · assassin chase · cyberpower

Semantic match: ranked by tone + premise

Distance: 0.1703

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Lazarus, Vol. 1: Family

Greg Rucka · 2013 · Lazarus

In a resource-starved dystopia ruled by wealthy Families, one family’s near-immortal enforcer begins questioning her role.

Why this is here

Tone labels: dark · gritty · bleak · violent · tense · moody · serious · suspenseful · brooding · hard-edged

Premise labels: dystopian near-future · family power struggle · elite ruling class · genetically enhanced protector · enforcer for a family · scarce resources · feudal social order · hidden origins · loyalty conflict · protective warrior

Semantic match: ranked by tone + premise

Distance: 0.1736

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Vicious

V.E. Schwab, Victoria Schwab · 2013 · Villains

Two brilliant college rivals test a theory about near-death powers, then spend years hunting each other for revenge.

Why this is here

Tone labels: dark · gritty · macabre · eerie · haunting · sarcastic · wicked · twisted · dramatic · psychological · intense · unsettling · compulsive

Premise labels: superpowers · revenge · academic experiment · near-death experiences · morally grey characters · anti-heroes · hero villain ambiguity · villain origin story · competition · betrayal

Semantic match: ranked by tone + premise

Distance: 0.1736

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Santa Olivia

Jacqueline Carey · 2009 · Santa Olivia

A fearless outcast girl in a militarized border town uses her inherited abilities, boxing, and a saintly alter ego to fight injustice.

Why this is here

Tone labels: dark · hopeful · gritty · oppressive · emotional · fierce · tender · dystopian · engaging · somber

Premise labels: superhuman outsider · militarized border town · forbidden power · vigilante justice · coming of age · oppressed community · boxing pathway · saint identity · genetic experiment · fearlessness

Semantic match: ranked by tone + premise

Distance: 0.1754

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Hero

Michael Grant · 2022 · Monster

A superpowered teen team faces a new deadly villain and a reality-shaking truth in the final Monster installment.

Why this is here

Tone labels: dark · gritty · violent · gory · horrific · thrilling · action-packed · intense · bleak · mind-bending · existential · divisive

Premise labels: superpowered teens · mutant powers · hero vs villain · save the world · morally gray conflict · alien virus

Semantic match: ranked by tone + premise

Distance: 0.1759

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Jumper

Steven Gould · 2002 · Jumper

An abused teen discovers he can teleport anywhere he's been, and his escape power pulls him into danger, love, and revenge.

Why this is here

Tone labels: dark · serious · emotional · gritty · fun · heart-wrenching · poignant · suspenseful · intense · raw

Premise labels: teleportation · runaway teen · abusive father · survival · self-discovery · power with consequences

Semantic match: ranked by tone + premise

Distance: 0.1774

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Intercepts: A Horror Novel

T.J. Payne · 2026

A covert experimenter’s work turns personal when a hidden government weapon starts haunting his grieving daughter.

Why this is here

Tone labels: creepy · dark · unsettling · bleak · claustrophobic · dread-filled · tense · paranoid · grim · disturbing · atmospheric · macabre · heartbreaking · cinematic

Premise labels: human experimentation · secret facility · government conspiracy · remote viewing · psychic weaponization · sensory deprivation · revenge · father-daughter protection · mind control · surveillance state · hidden abilities

Semantic match: ranked by tone + premise

Distance: 0.1797

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Harbinger, Vol. 1: Omega Rising

Joshua Dysart · 2013 · Harbinger (2012)

A troubled teen psychic is hunted, recruited into a secret power network, and pushed toward a world-changing conflict.

Why this is here

Tone labels: dark · gritty · serious · angsty · tense · brooding · paranoia-tinged · violent · intense · raw · mature · ominous · uncompromising

Premise labels: superpowered teenager · psychic powers · government pursuit · secret school · secret network · recruitment offer · destiny burden · power with a price · fugitive hero

Semantic match: ranked by tone + premise

Distance: 0.1809

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Shatter Me Complete Collection

Tahereh Mafi · 2014 · Shatter Me

A deadly girl in a collapsing dystopia is pulled into a weaponized power struggle, forbidden romance, and rebellion.

Why this is here

Tone labels: emotional · intense · angsty · romantic · dark · dramatic · suspenseful · hopeful · melodramatic · visceral

Premise labels: deadly power · weaponization · imprisonment · escape · resistance · love triangle · forbidden love · superhuman abilities · oppressive regime · self-discovery

Semantic match: ranked by tone + premise

Distance: 0.1810

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Altered Carbon

Richard K. Morgan · 2018 · Takeshi Kovacs

A hardened ex-envoy wakes in a new body and is hired to solve a rich man’s apparent suicide in a brutal future.

Why this is here

Tone labels: gritty · dark · brutal · cynical · hard-boiled · noir · violent · misanthropic · disturbing · edgy · thought-provoking

Premise labels: body swapping · digital consciousness · immortality economy · murder investigation · private investigator · elite operative · rich elite · future crime · conspiracy · resleeving

Semantic match: ranked by tone + premise

Distance: 0.1826

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The Young Elites

Marie Lu · 2014 · The Young Elites

A scarred plague survivor discovers dangerous powers and is pulled into a brutal struggle for power, trust, and revenge.

Why this is here

Tone labels: dark · gritty · bleak · intense · brooding · violent · emotional · tragic · sexy · haunting

Premise labels: survivor powers · secret society · overthrow the throne · vengeful outcast · fated conflict

Semantic match: ranked by tone + premise

Distance: 0.1833

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