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The Map of Tiny Perfect Things

Lev Grossman

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Similar in characterization + relationships

These books are ranked using the characterization + relationships labels extracted for The Map of Tiny Perfect Things. Books rank higher when they are close on every selected axis.

Characterization labels used: teen protagonist, male protagonist, female lead, lonely characters, curious characters, awkward teens, self-contained protagonist, reflective character arc

Relationships labels used: romance, meet cute, love interest, friendship, duo partnership, mutual understanding, emotional connection

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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君の名は 2 [Kimi no Na wa 2]

Ranmaru Kotone, 琴音らんまる, Makoto Shinkai, 新海誠 · 2016 · 君の名は。[Kimi no Na wa]

In the second volume of a body-swapping romance, a teenage boy searches for a girl who may be tied to a bigger time mystery.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: male lead · female lead · teen protagonists · relatable characters · endearing characters · emotional vulnerability · determined protagonist · active protagonist · supporting friends

Relationships labels: body-swapped pair · romantic connection · yearning · destined lovers · friend support · family ties

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1389

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Your name. 01

Ranmaru Kotone, Makoto Shinkai · 2017 · 君の名は。[Kimi no Na wa]

Two teens from different places begin waking up in each other’s lives, turning ordinary days into a fate-bound mystery.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: high school students · female protagonist · male protagonist · determined · curious · sympathetic leads · teen protagonists

Relationships labels: romantic tension · fated lovers · body-swap bond · friendship · family tension · student relationships

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1432

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Sex Criminals, Vol. 1: One Weird Trick

Matt Fraction · 2014 · Sex Criminals

Two lonely strangers discover their orgasms stop time, then use the impossible power for sex, love, and a bank heist.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: librarian protagonist · male counterpart · awkward protagonist · snarky protagonist · lonely characters · misfit leads · sex-positive characters · everyday people · broken characters · relatable characters

Relationships labels: new romance · young couple · shared intimacy · mutual attraction · bank-employee relationship · friendship · dependence · connection · loneliness

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1462

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As 220 Mortes de Laura Lins

Rafael Weschenfelder · 2020

Preso in a time loop, Daniel relives his best friend Laura’s death 220 times while racing to change the day.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young protagonist · best friend · determined protagonist · desperate protagonist · protective friend · evolving character

Relationships labels: friendship · best friends · protective bond · romantic tension · secret relationship · unspoken feelings · sacrifice

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1470

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Electro

Javier Ruescas, Manu Carbajo · 2015 · Saga Electro

A teen wakes to a ruined future world, then follows a mystery diary and a fugitive companion to uncover what happened.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · fugitive heroine · reluctant survivor · mysterious scientist · opposite-personality duo · character evolution · strong heroine · ordinary protagonist · resourceful heroine

Relationships labels: romance · opposites attract · buddy duo · protective partnership · friendship · family loss · trust · dependent relationship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1486

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Stranger Things: One Way or Another

Caitlin Schneiderhan · 2025 · Stranger Things

Nancy Wheeler and Robin Buckley investigate a new Hawkins mystery in the gap between Stranger Things seasons 4 and 5.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen detective · girlboss · amateur sleuth · bossy protagonist · determined protagonist · bi-coded protagonist · nervous sidekick · friendship duo · older teens

Relationships labels: female friendship · duo · romantic tension · love triangle · friendship chemistry · family dynamics

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1495

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Firefight

Brandon Sanderson · 2015 · The Reckoners

A teen superpower hunter follows clues to a flooded city, chasing a dangerous Epic and the girl he can’t forget.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · awkward hero · brave protagonist · impulsive protagonist · analytical protagonist · morally conflicted · self-improving · complex villain · female antagonist · new team members · supporting cast

Relationships labels: romance · crush · team dynamics · mentor relationship · rivalry · trust issues · moral conflict · friendship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1502

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ダンダダン 5 [Dan Da Dan 5]

Yukinobu Tatsu, 龍幸伸 · 2022 · ダンダダン [Dan Da Dan]

A cursed mountain-town visit turns into a chaotic mix of haunted-house mystery, monster attacks, and messy teen feelings.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · awkward boys · protective heroine · empathetic spirit · tragic antagonist · goofy friend · supportive ally · cursed victim · possessed body

Relationships labels: love triangle · friendship rivalry · childhood friends · romantic rivalry · buddy chemistry · group bonding · protective friendship · found family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1505

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Stupid Perfect World

Scott Westerfeld · 2012

In a perfected future, two teens must live ancient hardships for class and discover what their world lacks.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · slackerish hero · overachiever heroine · classmates · light characterization · coming-of-age · hormonal teen · dreaming protagonist · relatable teens

Relationships labels: teen romance · attraction · classmates · mutual help · growing closeness · love interest · teasing banter

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1534

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The Locket

Stacey Jay · 2011

A teen gets a magical do-over after cheating on her boyfriend, but changing one mistake scrambles everything.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen girl protagonist · popular jock · sweet best friend · self-centered boyfriend · insecure heroine · dependent protagonist · two love interests

Relationships labels: best friends · romantic triangle · boyfriend girlfriend · childhood friends · mutual friends · betrayal · unrequited love · friendship · first love

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1534

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The Time Bubble

Jason Ayres · 2021 · The Time Bubble

Two teens find a time bubble in a tunnel, and a harmless secret becomes a fast-escalating problem.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: Teen protagonists · Teen boys · Teen girl · Young adults · Adults · Police officer · Teacher · Town drunk · Likeable characters · Lively characters · Quirky characters · Realistic characters · Flat characters · Stereotypical adults · One-dimensional villain · Character development · Character arc · Coming of age · Insta love · Romantic intrigue

Relationships labels: Friendship · Teen romance · Young love · Pining · Pairing off · Adult trust gap · Peer secrecy

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1556

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Denton Little's Deathdate

Lance Rubin · 2015 · Denton Little

A teen who knows his exact death date has two days to find love, answers, and maybe a way to survive.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · flawed narrator · humorous narrator · best friend sidekick · love triangle · supportive family

Relationships labels: friendship · bromance · love triangle · girlfriend relationship · family dynamics · stepfamily · best friend

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1557

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