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These books are ranked using the characterization labels extracted for Chilling Effect.
Characterization labels used: foulmouthed heroine, flawed protagonist, antiheroic, grey morality, streetwise, impulsive, reckless, selfish, loyal, secretive, hotheaded, competent, stubborn, snarky, misfit crew, one-dimensional side characters, mechanic alien, pilot, medic, PTSD
This does not mean the books share the same plot, setting, quality, or difficulty. It means their characterization embeddings are close.
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
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1475
A damaged ambassador must win an alien alliance while navigating politics, betrayal, and a lover lost to trauma.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: snarky heroine · kickass heroine · flawed protagonist · impulsive protagonist · matured heroine · reluctant diplomat · battered lover · emotionally damaged man · bounty hunter · AI companion · loyal friend · outcast ally · bodyguard · pilot · geneticist
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1505
A disabled former pilot infiltrates the empire that made her, plotting revenge through lies, seduction, and sabotage.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: disabled protagonist · former pilot · military veteran · bitter protagonist · ruthless protagonist · morally gray characters · schemer · charismatic narrator · female antagonist · ruling family
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1523
A traumatized space navigator with a rare gene escapes prison and joins rebels in a fight against corporate control.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: snarky heroine · kick-ass heroine · older heroine · traumatized protagonist · survivor · morally ambiguous · selfish heroine · broken hero · brooding hero · mind-reader · mercenary · crew ensemble · tortured protagonist · competent woman · antihero
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1547
A murderous time-war survivor guards the end of time, until future visitors force him to confront his broken mission.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: misanthrope · antihero · sociopath · curmudgeon · jaded veteran · ex-soldier · gatekeeper · murderous · sarcastic · self-aware villain · reluctant hermit · charismatic narrator · love interest as equal · obstinate characters · flawed protagonist
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1581
A snarky psychokinetic government operative has 24 hours to clear her name after a murder points straight at her.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: snarky heroine · sarcastic protagonist · young adult lead · prickly protagonist · relatable heroine · misfit crew · ragtag team · government handler · dangerous boss · antagonist with POV · flawed protagonist · combat-ready team · hacker · disabled side character · ex-con · best friend
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1585
A psychic supersoldier escapes her makers, joins a wary ship crew, and races to uncover who betrayed her.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: badass heroine · overpowered protagonist · ruthless protagonist · angry protagonist · damaged protagonist · mistrustful protagonist · loner · psychic supersoldier · engineered weapon · misfit crew
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1589
A furious teen enters a deadly mecha war system to avenge her sister and crack the rules that sacrifice girls.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: ruthless heroine · morally grey protagonists · angry protagonist · teen protagonist · female rage · unhinged heroine · complex trio · disabled protagonist
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1593
A defunded, misfit Space Force unit must fight grotesque aliens in a battle-royale invasion—with jokes flying as hard as bullets.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: misfits · snarky protagonist · female pilot · SEAL veteran · combat team · self-aware characters · irreverent characters · underqualified crew · competent women · bickering buddies · romantic leads · sidekick team · villainous aliens · egotistical hero type
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1600
A reluctant community-college coder discovers magic, channels it through AI, and gets blamed when monsters and deaths follow.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: reluctant heroine · snarky protagonist · messy protagonist · flawed heroine · rebellious heroine · cynical heroine · coder protagonist · introverted protagonist · reckless protagonist · impulsive protagonist · wounded protagonist · founder/creator · AI companion · grumpy love interest · ex-Navy Seal · outcast friend group
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1608
A disillusioned winged enforcer must confront her past, her leader, and her god in a divided city.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: flawed protagonist · adult female protagonist · older protagonist · weathered veteran · idealistic youth · jaded veteran · antiheroic lead · morally compromised protagonist · charismatic antagonist · abusive mentor · surrogate mother figure · reluctant rebel · ideological believer · disillusioned soldier
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1617
A secretive bounty hunter must team with a spaceship crew to catch a kidnapper, save a victim, and protect her own family.
Why this is here
Characterization labels: prickly heroine · bounty hunter · traumatized protagonist · morally gray · anxious protagonist · loner · protective medic · stoic MMC · secretive protagonist
Semantic match: ranked by characterization
Distance: 0.1618
