Hiddensci-fi
Cover of The Ship Who Searched by Anne McCaffrey
Exploring from

The Ship Who Searched

Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey

Book page

Find similar books by

Combine common axes

← Back to graph Explore

Similar in characterization + relationships

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

Characterization labels used: precocious child, smart heroine, headstrong heroine, disabled protagonist, brainship, brawn partner, female lead, competent heroine, character-driven ensemble

Relationships labels used: brain and brawn, soul mate, romantic partnership, equal partnership, friendship, parent-child, professional partnership

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
No limit
Cover of The Ship Who Sang by Anne McCaffrey

The Ship Who Sang

Anne McCaffrey · 1985 · Brainship

A disabled girl becomes the mind of a starship and navigates missions, love, grief, and the ethics of her existence.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: disabled heroine · competent protagonist · emotionally complex · female lead · sentient protagonist · grieving character · witty character · strong-willed · humanized cyborg

Relationships labels: brain-brawn partnership · romantic bond · grief after loss · chosen partner · companionship · temporary partner · dependence · mutual admiration · romance and loss

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1753

Continue from here
Cover of Dangerous by Shannon Hale

Dangerous

Shannon Hale · 2014

A homeschooled teen with one hand wins astronaut camp and gets swept into aliens, powers, romance, and a world-saving crisis.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: smart heroine · witty heroine · sheltered heroine · homeschooled teen · disabled protagonist · strong female lead · supportive parents · best friend with crush · rich bad boy · eccentric scientist · moral ambiguity · team ensemble

Relationships labels: love triangle · insta-attraction · parent-child bond · supportive family · mixed signals · betrayal · team rivalry · romantic tension

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1862

Continue from here
Cover of Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger

Curtsies & Conspiracies

Gail Carriger · 2013 · Finishing School

A spy-in-training at an airborne finishing school uncovers a conspiracy, a kidnapping plot, and complicated new feelings.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: intelligent heroine · resourceful heroine · curious heroine · devious heroine · mischievous heroine · Mary Sue (contested) · self-assured heroine · proactive characters · good-hearted boy · evil genius students

Relationships labels: friendship · female friendship · best friends · love triangle · romantic tension · sibling relationship · class differences · teacher-student power · rival schools · boy meets girl

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1922

Continue from here
Cover of Acorna: The Unicorn Girl by Anne McCaffrey

Acorna: The Unicorn Girl

Anne McCaffrey, Margaret Ball · 2022 · Acorna

A unicorn-like alien girl is raised by space miners and drawn into a fight against child slavery on a distant world.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong heroine · gifted child · rapid maturation · protective guardians · found family · shallow characters · one-note characters · character growth · impulsive heroine · morally good protagonists · powerful allies

Relationships labels: found family · guardian child · adoptive fathers · protective companionship · romance · implied romance · friendship · mentorship · community care · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1949

Continue from here
Cover of Going Wild by Lisa McMann

Going Wild

Lisa McMann · 2016 · Going Wild

A new girl finds a mysterious bracelet that grants animal powers, drawing her into friends, secrets, and danger.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: relatable heroine · brave heroine · smart heroine · spunky heroine · new girl · supportive friends · loyal friend · bratty peer · mean girl · child protagonists · strong female characters · family-centered adults · scientist antagonists

Relationships labels: friendship · sibling bond · family move · parent-child relationship · teamwork · supportive friend group · romance-free · bullying · rivalry · trust

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1967

Continue from here
Cover of His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

His Dark Materials

Philip Pullman · 2007 · His Dark Materials

A child from one world and a boy from another are swept into a multiverse quest shaped by Dust, daemons, and authority.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: clever heroine · brave child · liar · schemer · street-smart · headstrong · resourceful · precocious · mature beyond age · moral ambiguity · mystery woman · intimidating patriarch · armored bear ally · witch characters · children in peril · adult antagonists · flawed protagonists

Relationships labels: friendship · child companionship · mentor-like ally · guardian tension · family separation · romance · first love · loyalty · betrayal · found family · parent-child conflict · power imbalance · community bonds

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1976

Continue from here
Cover of Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

Magonia

Maria Dahvana Headley · 2015 · Magonia

A sick teen glimpses a sky ship, then discovers a hidden cloud world, strange powers, and a war that may change both realms.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: chronically ill protagonist · sarcastic heroine · sassy heroine · resourceful heroine · genius boy · nerdy love interest · loyal friend · best friend · obsessive boy · chosen one · mature voice · quirky character

Relationships labels: best friends · friends to lovers · mutual pining · love triangle · childhood friends · romantic tension · supportive family · loyal friendship · separated lovers · protective friend

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1990

Continue from here
Cover of Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold

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: 0.1995

Continue from here
Cover of Perilous Waif by E. William Brown

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: 0.2011

Continue from here
Cover of Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold

Cetaganda

Lois McMaster Bujold · 1996 · Vorkosigan Saga (Publication Order)

Miles and his cousin Ivan attend a foreign state funeral and get pulled into a murder, frame-up, and imperial intrigue.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: brilliant protagonist · bratty hero · socially awkward genius · young officer · comic foil · loyal sidekick · handsome cousin · self-preserving character · arrogant hero · female power

Relationships labels: cousins · buddy duo · foils · comic partnership · loyalty · protective feelings · romantic infatuation · power imbalance · male-female contrast

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2015

Continue from here
Cover of Burn by Julianna Baggott

Burn

Julianna Baggott · 2014 · Pure

In a shattered world split between Dome and outcasts, rival survivors race toward a dangerous final choice.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young protagonists · flawed characters · morally conflicted · strong heroine · brooding hero · reluctant leader · depressed character · dynamic supporting character

Relationships labels: love triangle · romance · friendship · family conflict · parent-child conflict · loyalty tests · betrayal · power struggle · partnership · sibling bond

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2036

Continue from here
Cover of An Officer's Duty by Jean Johnson

An Officer's Duty

Jean Johnson · 2012 · Theirs Not to Reason Why

A precognitive soldier enters officer training while trying to prepare her family and the galaxy for a coming war.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: overpowered protagonist · precognitive heroine · strong female lead · career soldier · dutiful heroine · humanized powerhouse · idealized protagonist · female super-soldier

Relationships labels: family support · romantic tension · mentor relationship · friendship · comradeship · hierarchical loyalty · subordinate bonds · destined partners

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2041

Continue from here
Cover of The Assassins of Altis by Jack Campbell

The Assassins of Altis

Jack Campbell · 2015 · The Pillars of Reality

A mechanic and a mage flee assassins across a guild-controlled world while uncovering their planet’s hidden past.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young protagonists · chosen one · master mechanic · mage prodigy · emotionally guarded · supportive partner · strong female lead · recalcitrant heroine · dry wit · resourceful hero · overwhelmed heroine · developing leaders

Relationships labels: friends-to-lovers · romance · healthy relationship · enemies to allies · protective bond · partner dynamic · family reconciliation · teamwork

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2041

Continue from here
Cover of Wizard for Hire by Obert Skye

Wizard for Hire

Obert Skye · 2018 · Wizard for Hire

A lonely boy hires a questionable wizard to help find his kidnapped parents, and the quest gets stranger from there.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: resourceful child · naive protagonist · lonely child · resilient protagonist · quirky wizard · eccentric adult · talkative sidekick · sarcastic sidekick · sentient machine · smart kid · kind girl · mysterious mentor · self-proclaimed wizard · possible con artist

Relationships labels: parent-child bond · found family · friendship · companionship · mentor-protege · crush · trust · dependency · teamwork

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2047

Continue from here
Cover of The Steerswoman by Rosemary Kirstein

The Steerswoman

Rosemary Kirstein · 1989 · The Steerswoman

A truth-bound scholar follows mysterious jewels into a world where knowledge is power and magic may be science in disguise.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: competent heroine · female scholar · warrior woman · young apprentice · logical thinker · observant protagonist · ethically driven · curious protagonist · self-confident · no-nonsense · capable cast · character-driven · intellect over force · female friendship · odd couple · equal partnership

Relationships labels: female friendship · travelling companions · partnership · friendship · buddy dynamic · complementary duo · equitable relation · no romance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2047

Continue from here
Cover of Jessica Jones: The Pulse - The Complete Collection by Brian Michael Bendis

Jessica Jones: The Pulse - The Complete Collection

Brian Michael Bendis · 2014 · The Pulse

Jessica Jones takes a newsroom job, but murder, super-events, and pregnancy pull her deeper into Marvel chaos.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: private investigator · pregnant heroine · foul-mouthed heroine · sarcastic heroine · outsider · competent detective · supporting ensemble · veteran reporter · ex-superhero

Relationships labels: romantic partnership · pregnancy relationship · marriage · co-parenting · professional partnership · team-up · friendship · marital proposal · family formation

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2047

Continue from here
Cover of The Old Guard #1 by Greg Rucka

The Old Guard #1

Greg Rucka · 2017 · The Old Guard (Single Issues)

A secret team of immortal mercenaries takes on dangerous missions while trying to stay hidden in the modern world.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: immortal protagonist · team leader · badass heroine · female lead · one-dimensional characters · underdeveloped characters · believable characters · different ages · reserved protagonist · group dynamic

Relationships labels: team bond · group loyalty · respectful banter · romantic chemistry · same-sex couple · protective relationship · comradeship · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2056

Continue from here
Cover of The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

The Subtle Knife

Philip Pullman · 2018 · His Dark Materials

Two children from different worlds join forces to survive, uncover Dust, and wield a knife that can cut between realities.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: precocious child · brave heroine · street-smart child · mature for age · protective child · troubled boy · child carer · absent parents · new protagonist · morally conflicted characters · authority figures

Relationships labels: child friendship · protective bond · parent-child absence · missing father · caregiving · trust building · friendship under pressure · family trauma · mentor-like figures · rivalry with authority

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2057

Continue from here
Cover of Suicide Run by Nathan Lowell

Suicide Run

Nathan Lowell · 2018 · A Smuggler's Tale

Two young couriers take a high-stakes ship job and get pulled into corruption, sabotage, and a deadly space conspiracy.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young women · female protagonists · couriers · test pilots · engineer · engineering savant · capable heroines · outsiders · ordinary people · working people · quirky characters · proactive protagonists · smart leads · young and inexperienced · competent specialists · strong women · minor characters matter

Relationships labels: partnership · female duo · work partnership · crew dynamics · corporate power imbalance · pawns in a scheme · friendship · community · family ties · father mystery

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2061

Continue from here
Cover of Survive by Vera Nazarian

Survive

Vera Nazarian · 2020 · The Atlantis Grail

As Earth and Atlantis face annihilation, Gwen must survive the final battle while balancing love, family, and destiny.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: nerd heroine · awkward smart girl · strong female lead · problem solver · reluctant leader · passive heroine · competent heroine · heroic couple · secondary characters · villainous ruler · team ensemble · teen protagonists

Relationships labels: romantic relationship · wedding · marriage · family drama · in-laws · friend group · team loyalty · pairing up · love story · community bonds

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2064

Continue from here
Cover of Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau

Independent Study

Joelle Charbonneau · 2014 · The Testing

A memory-haunted student navigates deadly university testing, political intrigue, and a growing resistance in a controlled future society.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: smart protagonist · overpowered protagonist · perfect heroine · resourceful heroine · stubborn heroine · analytical heroine · chosen one · student protagonist · young leader · moral protagonist

Relationships labels: romantic relationship · boyfriend · trust issues · friendship · betrayal · rebellion alliance · mentor relationship · government power dynamics · family memory

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2067

Continue from here
Cover of Mecanoscrit del segon origen by Manuel de Pedrolo

Mecanoscrit del segon origen

Manuel de Pedrolo · 1995

Two young survivors navigate a ruined world, trying to stay alive, keep hope, and decide what humanity should become next.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: child survivors · premature maturity · resourceful protagonists · precocious children · resilient heroine · active female lead · naive adolescents · forced adulthood · culturally literate survivors · sexually taboo-crossing characters

Relationships labels: survival partnership · romantic relationship · age-gap relationship · family-making · dependency · co-survival · community loss · parent-child succession · power imbalance · reproductive partnership

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2076

Continue from here
Cover of The Companions by Katie M. Flynn

The Companions

Katie M. Flynn · 2020

In a quarantined near-future California, an uploaded teen companion breaks free and hunts for answers about her death.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · murdered girl · rogue companion · uploaded consciousness · sentient AI · stir-crazy child · caretaker · orphan · damaged character · sympathetic protagonist · underdeveloped cast · multiple body identities

Relationships labels: best friends · family custody · caretaker relationship · companion dependency · owner-servant dynamic · romantic relationship · friendship beyond death · power imbalance · rivalry · found connections

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2076

Continue from here
Cover of A Cold Legacy by Megan Shepherd

A Cold Legacy

Megan Shepherd · 2024 · The Madman’s Daughter

A fugitive young woman hides in a Scottish manor where gothic secrets, mad science, and family legacy collide.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong heroine · resourceful protagonist · flawed heroine · antiheroine · mad scientist · morally conflicted · brilliant but reckless · protective ally · loyal companion · brooding love interest · creepy child · enigmatic hostess · supporting cast with secrets · character development · character-driven

Relationships labels: love triangle · romantic triangle · best friends · engaged couple · secret-keeping · friendship under strain · protective loyalty · family legacy · parent-child conflict · dependency · caretaking

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.2078

Continue from here
Show more