Exploring from

Strike

D.J. MacHale

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Similar in characterization + relationships

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

Characterization labels used: teen protagonist, reluctant leader, resourceful teen, smart teen, brave teen, group ensemble, loyal friend group, morally conflicted characters, traitor figure, strong female characters

Relationships labels used: friend group, romantic tension, brotherly bond, loyalty, betrayal, teamwork, sacrifice, found family, parent-child separation, group dependence

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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Alliance

Mark Frost · 2035 · The Paladin Prophecy

A teen with emerging powers stays at a secretive school over summer and uncovers deeper truths, betrayals, and danger.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · chosen friends · superpowered teens · leader protagonist · comic relief · loyal friend · genius sidekick · sarcastic sidekick · female love interest · betrayer within group · emotionally vulnerable protagonist · reluctant chooser · moral team

Relationships labels: friend group · team loyalty · betrayal · love triangle · romantic rivalry · friendship bonds · found family · trust issues · leadership dynamics · group dependency

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.0991

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Darkness, Be My Friend

John Marsden · 2006 · Tomorrow

A traumatized teen resistance group is sent back into occupied Australia for a sabotage mission that quickly goes wrong.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · ordinary kids · traumatized youth · resilient characters · flawed heroine · brave girl · reckless behavior · survivors · psychological scars · moral conflict · group ensemble · distinct personalities

Relationships labels: friend group · found family · romantic tension · group loyalty · protective bonds · family separation · military dependence · betrayal suspicion · community captivity

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1037

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Black Water

D.J. MacHale · 2004 · Pendragon

A teen Traveler reaches a cat-ruled territory where saving lives may require breaking the universe’s rules.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · maturing protagonist · resourceful hero · reluctant leader · clever villain · moral decision-maker · acolytes · traveler · indirect helpers · strong-willed female characters · frustrating choices · static-to-growing arc

Relationships labels: friendship · teamwork · mentor role · loyalty · betrayal · power imbalance · slavery · community conflict · cross-group alliance · romantic tension · family responsibility · allegiance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1087

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Exposure

Kathy Reichs · 2014 · Virals

A teen pack with dangerous powers investigates a school kidnapping while their own secrets and bonds begin to unravel.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · gifted teens · outcast group · pack dynamic · impulsive leader · brilliant protagonist · comic relief · brooding boy · resourceful hacker · protective love interest · antagonistic socialite · ruthless villain · secretive investigator · female friend

Relationships labels: romantic tension · friends-to-more · pack bonds · fractured friendship · team loyalty · parent-child tension · sibling bond · rivalry · forgiveness arc · betrayal · secret keeping · found family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1105

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The Invasion

K.A. Applegate, Katherine Applegate · 1996 · Animorphs

Five kids gain the power to turn into animals and must fight a hidden alien invasion no one else can see.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · group ensemble · reluctant hero · leader figure · sarcastic character · brave kids · well-defined cast · distinctive identities · emotionally burdened · overwhelmed teens · secret identities

Relationships labels: friend group · team loyalty · family pressure · mentor role · leader dynamics · best friends · crush tension · sibling relationship · enemy infiltration

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1108

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Criminal Destiny

Gordon Korman · 2016 · Masterminds

Freed cloned kids race through the real world to expose a secret experiment while dodging capture and moral collapse.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: smart kids · teen protagonists · cloned children · naive outsiders · resourceful · brave · fugitives · runaways · morally conflicted · character development · group dynamics · skillful · reluctant criminals

Relationships labels: found family · friend group · betrayal · loyalty · group teamwork · affection · trust issues · romance tension · family identity · power imbalance · friendship under pressure

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1125

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Maximum Ride, Vol. 5

NaRae Lee, James Patterson · 2011 · Maximum Ride: The Manga

A fugitive flock of winged teens heads west, facing betrayal, destiny, and a looming secret plan.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · found family · leader burden · reluctant leader · protective heroine · talkative side characters · betrayer · traitor · child experiment · creepy child · mad scientist · brooding love interest · annoyed rival

Relationships labels: found family · sibling bond · romantic tension · love confession · betrayal · authority conflict · team conflict · protector dynamic · family loyalty · friendship under pressure

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1134

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Fugitives

Alexander Gordon Smith · 2010 · Escape from Furnace

Fresh out of Furnace, Alex and his friends are hunted through a locked-down city as a new plague turns the streets into a nightmare.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · former delinquent · brave protagonist · determined protagonist · resourceful survivor · mutating protagonist · friend trio · male ensemble · menacing antagonist · monsterized enemy · supportive ally · new female character

Relationships labels: friendship bond · loyalty · found family · group survival · rivalry · pursuit · authority conflict · mentor-antagonist

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1145

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Execution

Alexander Gordon Smith · 2011 · Escape from Furnace

A teen monster-fugitive must stop the mastermind behind a world-spanning nightmare before he becomes its next weapon.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · reluctant hero · monstrous transformation · leader role · corrupted antagonist · calculating scientist · loyal friend · immune character · second-in-command · morally conflicted

Relationships labels: friendship bond · brotherhood · loyalty · found family · friend sacrifice · teamwork

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1168

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The Dead of Night

John Marsden · 2006 · Tomorrow

Teenagers in occupied Australia keep fighting, grieving, and planning rescue missions while war forces them to grow up fast.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: resourceful teens · flawed protagonist · reluctant leader · class clown leader · morally conflicted · traumatized teens · believable teenagers · strong female lead · adult survivors · antagonistic adults · growing up fast

Relationships labels: friend group · team loyalty · romantic tension · group conflict · adult-child tension · leader conflict · protective friendship · trust under pressure

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1168

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Your Life Has Been Delayed

Michelle I. Mason · 2021

A 17-year-old boarding a 1995 flight wakes in 2020 and must rebuild her life amid grief, fame, and changing loyalties.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · reluctant hero · journalist · curious · naive · immature · rule-following · supportive side characters

Relationships labels: best friends · former boyfriend · love triangle · parent-child · sibling relationship · found family · friend betrayal · support group · family secrecy · romantic tension

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1186

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Salt & Stone

Victoria Scott · 2015 · Fire & Flood

In a deadly survival race, Tella must cross ocean and mountain stages to win a cure for her brother.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · strong female lead · growth arc · independence arc · leader role · protective love interest · suspicious newcomers · animal companions · determined competitor · emotionally conflicted

Relationships labels: sibling bond · romantic tension · found family · team alliance · friendship under pressure · protective partner · trust issues · rivalry · loyal companions

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1189

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