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Agents of Light and Darkness

Simon R. Green

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Similar in characterization + relationships

These books are ranked using the characterization + relationships labels extracted for Agents of Light and Darkness. Books rank higher when they are close on every selected axis.

Characterization labels used: private detective, talented finder, morally gray, badass, understated protagonist, colorful supporting cast, enigmatic past, tough female ally, overpowered antagonists, larger-than-life characters, character backstory, reputation-driven

Relationships labels used: partnership, friendship, parent mystery, ally dynamics, competitive factions, power struggle

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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Esperance

Adam Oyebanji · 2025

A Chicago detective and a mysterious traveler race to solve impossible murders tied to history, technology, and justice.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: detective protagonist · hard-boiled cop · racist cop · dying protagonist · mysterious woman · technologically enhanced character · superhuman character · naive companion · goth girl · flawed characters · sympathetic antagonist · alienated protagonist · fish-out-of-water · brilliant woman · morally gray

Relationships labels: friendship · unlikely alliance · parent-child tension · estrangement · family conflict · rivalry · trust and suspicion · community obligation · power imbalance · foil relationship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1572

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Alone

Scott Sigler · 2017 · The Generations Trilogy

A genetically engineered teen leader faces an alien siege, buried truths, and a final reckoning for her people and self.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong heroine · teen leader · complex protagonist · morally gray cast · large ensemble · character growth · traumatized characters · emotionally driven · reluctant allies · volatile behavior

Relationships labels: friendship · romance · love triangle · family conflict · leadership dynamics · betrayal · alliance · rivalry · group loyalty · power struggle

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1572

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Before the Incal

Alejandro Jodorowsky, Zoran Janjetov · 2013 · The Incal Saga

A young private detective’s early life in a corrupt dystopian megacity leads toward the events of The Incal.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young protagonist · reluctant hero · antihero · private detective · cynical protagonist · proactive protagonist · broken hero · strong-willed character · morally complex characters · strong female characters

Relationships labels: romance · friendship · mentor-protégé · family backstory · parent-child · allies · rival factions · power imbalance · institutional oppression

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1607

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The Disappeared

Kristine Kathryn Rusch · 2002 · Retrieval Artist

On the Moon, a new detective is pulled into cases where alien law demands brutal justice for human missteps.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: detective protagonist · rookie detective · experienced partner · private investigator · law enforcement · burned-out investigator · morally conflicted · sympathetic cop · imperfect characters · compassionate hero

Relationships labels: partner dynamic · professional partnership · cops vs fugitives · parents and children · power imbalance · alien-human tension · institutional conflict · betrayal

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1635

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Planetary, Volume 3: Leaving the 20th Century

Warren Ellis · 2005 · Planetary

Elijah Snow’s buried past surfaces as Planetary confronts a secretive enemy and the hidden history of the 20th century.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: brooding protagonist · omniscient protagonist · superhuman characters · detective-like protagonist · team-based cast · enigmatic antagonists · cynical hero

Relationships labels: team dynamics · rivalry · enemy alliance · secret organization · power struggle · revenge conflict · friendship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1706

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Waste of Space

Stuart Gibbs · 2018 · Moon Base Alpha

On a moon base facing oxygen failure, a kid detective must solve a poisoning before everyone has to evacuate.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young detective · adventurous child · smart protagonist · likable cast · headstrong protagonist · older brother · supporting characters

Relationships labels: family dynamics · friendship group · sibling relationship · adult-child tension · community conflict · same-sex relationship · romantic relationship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1755

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Only Forward

Michael Marshall Smith · 1994

A snarky PI hunts a missing person in a bizarre future city, then the case spirals into something far stranger and darker.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: private detective · fixer · hard-boiled protagonist · snarky narrator · cynical hero · damaged protagonist · flawed protagonist · relatable antihero · psychotic side characters · eccentric supporting cast · mysterious protagonist · emotionally guarded

Relationships labels: friendship · past relationship · love interest · family trauma · romantic betrayal · community ties · dependency · loyalty · betrayal

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1797

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Monsters of Men

Patrick Ness · 2014 · Chaos Walking

In a war-torn dystopia, Todd, Viola, and an alien witness are forced into brutal choices that could save or doom everyone.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young protagonists · antiheroic choices · morally gray characters · complex villains · charismatic villain · vengeful character · strong female lead · coming-of-age

Relationships labels: romantic bond · friendship · trust · loyalty · rivalry · power struggle · family conflict · leadership conflict

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1802

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Die Verschworenen

Ursula Poznanski · 2013 · Die Verratenen

A hidden-clan survivor hunts the truth behind a conspiracy while shifting loyalties and dangerous secrets reshape everything.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong female lead · morally grey · intelligent protagonist · resourceful protagonist · sympathetic ensemble · optimised superhumans · secretive characters · character development · loyal ally · warm-hearted love interest

Relationships labels: friendship · romance · love triangle · group bonds · rising attraction · betrayal · faction loyalty · protective bond · relationship tension · family-like group

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1803

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Ajin: Demi-Human, Vol. 3

Gamon Sakurai · 2015 · 亜人 [Ajin]

A fugitive demi-human faces escalating government pressure as rival factions, hidden powers, and brutal plans collide.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: cold protagonist · selfish protagonist · unlikeable characters · morally gray cast · ruthless antagonist · cunning villain · teamup ally · mysterious antagonist · character backstories · character development · antihero lead · secondary character focus

Relationships labels: rivalry · teamwork · faction split · family tension · sibling relationship · interrogation dynamic · prison alliance · enemy cooperation · power struggle · betrayal risk · uneasy partnership

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1823

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The Language of Power

Rosemary Kirstein · 2004 · The Steerswoman

A truth-seeking investigator returns to a frontier city to unravel wizard secrets, hidden technology, and a larger world mystery.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: analytical protagonist · truth-seeker · inquisitive protagonist · strong female lead · smart heroine · wandering scholar · outskirter companion · wizard antagonist · older characters · well-developed characters

Relationships labels: friendship · partnership · alliance · reunion · community ties · knowledge asymmetry · conflict between groups

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1828

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Zom-B Goddess

Darren Shan · 2016 · Zom-B

The final Zom-B volume unleashes betrayals, bloody twists, and a last battle that could decide who survives.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: female protagonist · teen protagonist · morally gray characters · villain mastermind · deceptive antagonist · powerless protagonist · character growth · ensemble cast · recurring character

Relationships labels: betrayal · power imbalance · control · family conflict · alliance · enemy alliance · loyalty · friendship · dependency · rivalry

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1842

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