Exploring from

Payback Is A Bitch

Michael Anderle

Find similar books by

Combine common axes

Similar in characterization + relationships

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

Characterization labels used: badass heroine, pregnant heroine, vampire heroine, vampire hero, protective parents, ensemble cast, AI companion, EI companion, older protagonists

Relationships labels used: romantic partnership, fiance relationship, parent-child, pregnancy, team loyalty, found family, protective bond, mentor-guide dynamic, enemy opposition

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

Exclude same author Exclude same listed series

Max ratings No limit

The End

Mark Tufo · 2011 · Zombie Fallout

A sarcastic survivor leads his family through a zombie apocalypse while a deadly vampire closes in from every side.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: reluctant hero · sarcastic protagonist · protective father · protective husband · self-described survivalist · crude humor · loyal companion · dog character · vampire antagonist · enigmatic guide · supporting ensemble · family-centered cast · martial competence · flawed hero

Relationships labels: family bonds · marriage · parent-child · group loyalty · found family · friendship · protective partnership · romantic engagement · betrayal · leadership conflict

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1765

Continue from here

Sweep of the Blade

Ilona Andrews · 2018 · Innkeeper Chronicles

A human widow and warrior must win her place on a vampire homeworld while navigating courtship, politics, and danger.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: badass heroine · competent heroine · smart heroine · tactical thinker · warrior woman · protective mother · widow · exile · outsider · politically savvy · underestimated heroine · vampire hero · alpha hero · patient hero · protective hero · honor-bound hero · fierce child · mini-warrior

Relationships labels: mother daughter · romantic tension · courtship · engagement · marriage proposal · extended family · in-law conflict · family approval · protective bond · found family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1768

Continue from here

The Good, the Bad and the History

Jodi Taylor · 2023 · The Chronicles of St Mary's

On the run and undercover, Max races through history and the future to stop a conspiracy before time itself breaks.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: feisty heroine · snarky narrator · self-deprecating · disaster magnet · undercover operative · bounty hunter · recovery agent · found family · mysterious ally · protective partner · matured protagonist · vulnerable protagonist · ensemble cast · character growth

Relationships labels: found family · partnership · romantic relationship · marriage · parent-child · team loyalty · mentor-mentee · bureaucratic conflict · betrayal

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1795

Continue from here

Barrayar

Lois McMaster Bujold · 2003 · Vorkosigan Saga (Publication Order)

On a feudal world, a newly married outsider must protect her family as a regency crisis erupts into violence.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong heroine · competent heroine · outsider protagonist · pregnant protagonist · mama bear · political operator · regent · bodyguard · damaged soldier · morally complex characters · flawed characters · capable adults · multi-layered characters · unwhiny protagonist · heroic under pressure

Relationships labels: marriage · romantic partnership · power couple · mutual support · parenthood · maternal bond · father-son conflict · friendship · bodyguard loyalty · family loyalty · romantic sideplot · protector-protected

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1802

Continue from here

Trials of Conviction

T.A. White · 2023 · The Firebird Chronicles

Kira races across dangerous worlds to rescue her loved ones, uncovering secrets that could reshape everything.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: badass heroine · strong female lead · ex soldier · salvager · loyal friend · protective ally · supportive partner · morally gray cast · complex characters · messy characters · brave child · impulsive teen · traitor figure · redeemed suspect · mentor figure · supporting ensemble · found family cast

Relationships labels: found family · soulmate bond · slow burn · romantic chemistry · team loyalty · sibling dynamics · parent-child bond · mentor-mentee · friendship bonds · protective partnership · betrayal and distrust · community ties · alliance building · sword and shield dynamic

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1805

Continue from here

Ascender, Vol. 2: The Dead Sea

Jeff Lemire · 2020 · Ascender

A young survivor and allies navigate a vampire-ruled galaxy as magic rises, secrets surface, and reunions turn tragic.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young protagonist · vampire hunter · villain sympathy · fleshed-out backstories · returning cast · new characters · protective adults · cynical adults · lovable characters · emotionally damaged

Relationships labels: parent-child · found family · romance · sapphic relationship · mentor-mentee · reunions · partnership · loyalty

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1807

Continue from here

Donate

Emma Ellis · 2023

In an overpopulated near-future society, a pregnant woman and her partner race to save their baby from state control.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: pregnant protagonist · reluctant mother · protective partner · optimistic partner · flawed protagonists · relatable heroine · complex heroine · one-dimensional characters · depressed protagonist · young professional · elder character · supportive grandmother · morally conflicted

Relationships labels: romantic partnership · pregnant couple · marital conflict · family sacrifice · grandmother bond · parent-child protection · partner betrayal · codependency · love under pressure · community solidarity

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1858

Continue from here

Paths Not Taken

Simon R. Green · 2005 · Nightside

A hidden-city detective journeys into the past to uncover his world’s origin and stop his own mother from destroying it.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: private eye · antihero · grey morality · overpowered hero · snarky protagonist · hard-boiled hero · gothic heroine · badass female · bounty hunter · probability manipulator · ancient being · godlike parent · reluctant ally · merciless hero · self-sacrificing

Relationships labels: parent-child · mother-son · romantic tension · partnership · loyalty · found family · friendship · betrayal · protective bond · travelling companions

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1862

Continue from here

Perilous Waif

E. William Brown · 2017 · Alice Long

An unusually gifted orphan flees a controlled upbringing and finds herself pulled into a dangerous far-future crew.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen heroine · overpowered protagonist · gifted child · badass girl · naive heroine · loyal protagonist · shy protagonist · resourceful survivor · superhuman growth · young soldier · transhuman protagonist

Relationships labels: found family · friend loyalty · mentor dynamic · crew bonds · protective relationships · romantic tension · bisexual attraction · subordinate power dynamic · female friendship · human-AI bonds

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1873

Continue from here

Molly Fyde and the Land of Light

Hugh Howey · 2010 · The Bern Saga

A teenage space pilot races across alien worlds to rescue her family, save a friend, and outrun a war.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · young woman · female hero · strong heroine · capable protagonist · protective male character · crew ensemble · alien characters · morally driven · resourceful

Relationships labels: parent-child · found family · crew bonds · romantic tension · friendship · protective relationship · enemy to ally · betrayal · loyalty

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1887

Continue from here

The Width of the World

David Baldacci · 2017 · Vega Jane

After escaping the Quag, Vega Jane finds a world built on hidden slavery and must rally allies to fight back.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young heroine · leader arc · underdog protagonist · loyal companions · talking animal companion · magical protagonist · teen protagonists

Relationships labels: friendship · romantic tension · love triangle · rivalry · loyalty · betrayal · teamwork · found family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1887

Continue from here

Emerald City

Astrid Cole · 2024 · Diamond City

A pizza-loving hybrid fights betrayal, genetic experiments, and city power struggles to protect her family and future.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong FMC · badass heroine · morally gray MMC · flamboyant MMC · warrior protagonist · resourceful protagonist · protective mother · pregnancy arc · traumatized character · emotionally complex characters · hybrid protagonist · independent heroine

Relationships labels: romance · fiancés · family protection · found family · banter · trust issues · betrayal · allies to lovers

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1892

Continue from here