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Aetherbound

E.K. Johnston

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Similar in characterization + relationships

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

Characterization labels used: overlooked protagonist, resourceful heroine, soft strength, determined, tenacious, curious, survivor, abused child, genetically valued heirs, trans character, trans love interest, morally grey

Relationships labels used: found family, sibling bond, friendship, slow burn, love triangle, brothers, arranged marriage, family abuse, power imbalance, chosen family, romantic pining, family loyalty

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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Torchfire

Moira Buffini · 2025 · The Torch Trilogy

In a fractured post-apocalyptic world, hunted youths, rival powers, and a new outsider POV push fragile peace toward collapse.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · morally grey · complex characters · likable and unlikable characters · character growth · redemption arc · survivor · rebellious youth · corrupt ruler · captive character · questioning beliefs · traumatized characters

Relationships labels: found family · romantic triangle · messy romance · multiple love interests · queer relationships · friendship bonds · family conflict · siblings · betrayal · loyalty · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1304

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Ashes

Ilsa J. Bick · 2011 · Ashes Trilogy

After an EMP ends civilization, a terminally ill teen must survive the wilderness, the Changed, and unstable human survivors.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: resourceful heroine · terminally ill teen · survivor · orphan · annoying child · soldier · ex-soldier · protective dog · mysterious love interest · strong-willed · bratty child · traumatized teen · tough heroine · cautious survivor · morally pressured

Relationships labels: found family · protective bond · surrogate sibling · love triangle · caretaking · interdependence · romantic tension · group survival · trust issues · improvised family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1418

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Gates of Thread and Stone

Lori M. Lee · 2014 · Gates of Thread and Stone

A girl with hidden time magic hunts for her missing brother and uncovers secrets that could reshape her city.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong heroine · determined heroine · flawed protagonist · protective brother · mysterious love interest · secretive character · stubborn heroine · impulsive heroine · loyal character · resourceful heroine · naive heroine · self-sacrificing sibling · bad boy love interest · eccentric immortal

Relationships labels: siblings · adoptive siblings · foster siblings · childhood friends · slow burn romance · crush · love triangle · protective sibling bond · co-dependence · friendship · found family · romantic tension

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1436

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Cured

Bethany Wiggins · 2014 · Stung

A disguised teen joins a dangerous quest to find her missing brother and spread a cure across a ruined, raider-haunted world.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong female protagonist · resourceful heroine · sheltered heroine · boy disguised as girl · girl disguised as boy · survivor · mysterious ally · snarky love interest · brother figure · protective sibling · fierce heroine · vulnerable protagonist · enigma character · former beast

Relationships labels: siblings · family bond · romantic tension · instalove · found family · trust issues · betrayal · protective romance · friend group · married couple · dependency

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1437

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The Darkest Minds

Alexandra Bracken · 2012 · The Darkest Minds

A teen with dangerous psychic powers escapes a brutal camp and joins other fugitives while hunted by forces seeking to use her.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: traumatized heroine · reluctant protagonist · strong heroine · whiny protagonist · protective leader · sweet love interest · found family · creepy villain · child survivors · morally gray adults · character growth · emotionally guarded

Relationships labels: found family · slow-burn romance · protective friendship · camp survivors · mentor distrust · parental betrayal · group bond · romantic tension · unconditional love

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1470

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Manhunt

Gretchen Felker-Martin · 2022

In a virus-ravaged post-apocalypse, trans survivors hunt feral men, fight TERF militias, and cling to bodies, love, and hormones.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: flawed characters · messy characters · traumatized characters · morally grey · survivors · trans women protagonists · trans man protagonist · cis woman doctor · billionaire heir · militia leader · self-loathing · resourceful

Relationships labels: found family · friendship · romantic entanglement · t4t · queer intimacy · betrayal · power imbalance · rival factions · fragile alliances

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1471

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E

Kate Wrath · 2014 · E

An amnesiac girl must survive a brutal outpost, evade robotic law enforcers, and uncover who she was.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong female lead · female survivor · memory-erased protagonist · determined heroine · smart protagonist · resourceful protagonist · confused protagonist · loyal protagonist · morally complex characters · well-developed characters · secondary characters matter · supporting cast · survivor cast · protective male characters · villainous overlord · young boy character

Relationships labels: found family · protective bond · love triangle · romantic tension · trust issues · betrayal · group loyalty · family unit · caretaking · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1479

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Die Vernichteten

Ursula Poznanski · 2014 · Die Verratenen

In a dystopian future, a fugitive young woman races to stop a looming catastrophe while uncovering devastating truths.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong female lead · manipulative protagonist · analytical protagonist · intelligent heroine · resourceful heroine · morally gray characters · deep characterization · character growth · complex cast · sympathetic side characters · new allies · antagonistic leader · protective figure · reluctant survivor

Relationships labels: found family · love triangle · romantic subplot · friendship · loyalty · betrayal · group bond · family reunion · mentor-like bond · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1495

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The 5th Wave

Rick Yancey · 2013 · The 5th Wave

A teen survivor of an alien apocalypse must navigate shifting truths, dangerous allies, and a mission to find her brother.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong heroine · resourceful survivor · sarcastic protagonist · protective sibling · mysterious love interest · child soldier · witty protagonist · tough-but-vulnerable heroine

Relationships labels: siblings · brother-sister bond · insta-love · love triangle · trust issues · romantic tension · found family · mentor-protector dynamic

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1508

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Anchored

Bridget E. Baker · 2021 · Anchored

A runaway teen wakes between Earth and a hidden world, where her secret power could save—or doom—both realities.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong heroine · fierce heroine · spunky heroine · chosen one · runaway teen · orphaned protagonist · protective brother · telekinetic heroine · secret power · feminine anomaly · angsty teen · fierce female lead · morally conflicted heroine

Relationships labels: sibling bond · brother-sister bond · protective brother · family loyalty · love triangle · multiple love interests · soulmates · romantic tension · found family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1510

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Rising

Nelle Nikole · 2023 · State of the Union

In a post-nuclear world, a compound leader hunts the truth behind undead attacks while grief, magic, and betrayal close in.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: fierce heroine · flawed protagonist · female leader · morally gray characters · traumatized characters · grieving protagonist · vengeful heroine · broody love interest · tortured past · strong women · dynamic cast · distinct side characters · leader commander · alcoholism · antihero love interest · loyal companion · chosen family

Relationships labels: found family · enemies to lovers · reluctant allies · slow burn romance · budding romance · loyalty bonds · betrayal · friend group · leadership hierarchy · romantic tension · community bonds · chosen family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1543

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Nuclear Dawn #1-5: The Post-Apocalyptic Box Set

Kyla Stone · 2019 · Nuclear Dawn

After nuclear blasts hit U.S. cities, a guarded young woman and a troubled drifter race through fallout to rescue her sister.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong heroine · reluctant hero · flawed characters · traumatized survivors · former foster kid · alcoholic · haunted past · tough heroine · resourceful protagonist · redemption arc · complex villains · former gang member · faithful survivor · strong female lead

Relationships labels: sister bond · found family · trust issues · slow-burn romance · protective sibling · team alliance · romantic tension · loyalty bond · dependency · community under stress

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1544

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