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Kronos Rising

Max Hawthorne

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Similar in characterization + relationships

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

Characterization labels used: flawed hero, small-town sheriff, marine scientist, conservationist, corrupt politician, mercenary, villainous humans, traumatized characters, competent monster, antagonist with POV

Relationships labels used: romantic subplot, partners, teamwork, friendship, inner circle, hero-scientist chemistry, power struggle, human versus nature

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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Dark Rivers of the Heart

Dean Koontz · 1994

A man’s barroom attraction pulls him into a deadly government conspiracy, a hidden past, and a desperate chase with a dog.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: flawed hero · mysterious past · resourceful protagonist · dog character · tough heroine · shadowy antagonist · psychopathic villain · corrupt official · loner · obsessive protagonist · serial killer antagonist · abused animal

Relationships labels: romance subplot · chance meeting · dog companionship · pursuer pursued · mentorless alliance · attraction at first sight · rescue relationship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1875

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Origin

J.A. Konrath · 2009 · The Konrath Dark Thriller Collective

A secret U.S. program studies a buried, devil-like creature—until it wakes and demands answers, escape, and chaos.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: linguist · scientist · veterinarian · biologist · doctor · general · rabbi · priest · misfits · outsiders · damaged goods · secretive characters · brave lead · manipulative antagonist

Relationships labels: romance subplot · team dynamics · power imbalance · faith conflict · mentor-student · captor-captive · scientific collaboration · marital devotion · rival beliefs

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1876

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Claw

Katie Berry · 2019 · Claw

After an earthquake awakens a deadly prehistoric beast in fog-shrouded British Columbia, a conservation officer must stop it and the corrupt people behind it.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: conservation officer · town workers · science-minded character · professor · hunters · heroes · villains · corrupt officials · greedy characters · humorous side characters · relatable characters · believable characters · flawed characters · ordinary people · strong protagonists · good guys

Relationships labels: teamwork · friendship · budding romance · community under threat · family bond · rivalry · power corruption · trust and loyalty

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1883

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Mindbridge

Joe Haldeman · 1983

A rookie Tamer explores a new teleport-linked frontier and uncovers a telepathic alien contact that could reshape humanity.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: flawed protagonist · angry protagonist · rookie explorer · trained operative · competent crew · female leaders · brave female character · unstable human

Relationships labels: love story · romance subplot · crew bonds · mentor-student · father-son conflict · colonial contact · human-alien contact · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1900

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Merfolk

Jeremy Bates · 2021 · World's Scariest Legends

A disgraced marine-obsessed scientist leads a Sri Lanka expedition to prove merfolk exist, with deadly results.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: marine biologist · scientist protagonist · obsessive investigator · disgraced expert · supportive ensemble · likable characters · unlikable protagonist · strong personalities · well-fleshed characters

Relationships labels: friend group · romantic triangle · ex-fling · assistant-protagonist relationship · team expedition · professional rivalry · scientific community backlash

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1902

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Mind's Eye

Douglas E. Richards · 2014 · Nick Hall

An amnesiac man with brain implants can read minds and surf the web by thought, while assassins hunt him for answers.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: amnesiac protagonist · sympathetic hero · ordinary man · female ally · love interest · government interest · military interest · villainous mastermind · mercenaries · assassins · flat characters · one-dimensional characters · clichéd villains · good guy hero

Relationships labels: romantic subplot · allies · pursuer and pursued · trust issues · good vs evil · power struggle · partner dynamic · romantic tension · enemy pursuit · betrayal

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1920

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Time Salvager

Wesley Chu · 2015 · Time Salvager

A burned-out time salvager breaks the rules by rescuing a woman from the past, triggering a deadly chase across eras.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: antihero · burnt-out protagonist · flawed hero · alcoholic protagonist · cynical protagonist · troubled scientist · rigid enforcer · corrupt executive · snarky elder · convicted criminal · haunted protagonist · unlikable lead · competent operative

Relationships labels: romance subplot · forbidden rescue · pursuit dynamic · law versus rebel · fugitive partnership · workplace loyalty · rivalry · power imbalance · trust issues

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1926

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Leap

Michael C. Grumley · 2014 · Breakthrough

A marine biologist’s animal-translation breakthrough collides with military investigations into a secretive South American mystery.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: marine biologist · scientist · military investigator · Navy officer · specialist · billionaire · philanthropist · antagonist · likeable cast · highly competent heroes · superheroic characters · morally upright characters

Relationships labels: human-animal bond · team dynamics · collegial partnership · romantic subplot · mentor relationship · rescuer-rescued dynamic · scientist-military partnership

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1933

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The Short Victorious War

David Weber · 1994 · Honor Harrington

A wounded starship captain returns to duty just as rival powers launch a war meant to save a failing regime.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: competent heroine · female officer · flag captain · loyal crew · rival officer · political leaders · command hierarchy · wounded protagonist · reluctant vulnerability · larger-than-life hero

Relationships labels: romantic subplot · rivalry · command relationship · mentor-mentee · crew loyalty · hostile superior · power imbalance · old enemy · workplace tension

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1966

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The Receiver

Seth Jaffe · 2025

A hard-science first-contact thriller where scattered investigators uncover a cosmic mystery tied to secrecy and espionage.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: scientist protagonist · military investigator · ensemble cast · likable characters · competent characters · specialist characters · antagonist · morally dubious authority · character development · character-driven

Relationships labels: teamwork · working at cross-purposes · institutional conflict · military rivalry · romance subplot · power struggle

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1988

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Defiance of the Fall 12

TheFirstDefier, J.F. Brink · 2024 · Defiance of the Fall

Zac pushes through a perilous realm quest to break into a new power tier and help protect Earth.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: overpowered protagonist · progression-driven protagonist · lone operator · paranoid protagonist · stubborn protagonist · humorous side character · supporting cast

Relationships labels: romance subplot · friends and allies · banter · supporting cast bond · rival factions · romantic tension · friendship under pressure · mentor absence · group dynamics

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1998

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Fifty Degrees Below

Kim Stanley Robinson · 2007 · Science in the Capital

A Washington, DC scientist survives floods, surveillance, and a lethal climate shift while helping fight planetary collapse.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: scientist protagonist · bureaucrat scientists · workaholic · flawed lead · narcissistic man · loner · survivalist · political operative · mysterious woman · homeless protagonist · intellectual characters · socially conscious scientist · obsessive thinker · complex flawed character · adventure-seeking

Relationships labels: romantic subplot · spy romance · marriage · parent-child · mentor-boss · workplace ties · homeless community · scientific collaboration · political alliance · surveillance relationship · friendship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2010

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