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Cover of Lord of the Empty Isles by Jules Arbeaux
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Lord of the Empty Isles

Jules Arbeaux

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Similar in characterization + relationships

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

Characterization labels used: aroace protagonist, gender nonconforming lead, morally gray character, revenge-driven, grieving protagonist, privileged protagonist, sheltered protagonist, rebel figure, morally gray crew, complex side cast

Relationships labels used: queerplatonic relationship, found family, platonic bonds, sibling bond, enemy bond, fate bond, crew loyalty, friendship, familial love, non-romantic relationships

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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Cover of This Golden Flame by Emily Victoria

This Golden Flame

Emily Victoria · 2021

An ace orphan awakens a sentient automaton and flees a ruling regime while searching for her missing brother.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: aroace protagonist · asexual lead · aromantic lead · sentient automaton · nonhuman protagonist · orphan · missing sibling motivator · tough heroine · cinnamon roll character · identity quest · rebellious youth · pirate queen · best friend · traitor parent · visually impaired character · nonbinary character · gay character · queer cast

Relationships labels: sibling bond · platonic friendship · found family · friendship over romance · trust building · loyalty · chosen family · romance-free central bond · pirate crew · healthy queer relationship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1454

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Cover of Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye

Blood Scion

Deborah Falaye · 2022 · Blood Scion

A hidden-power teen soldier infiltrates a brutal regime, risking her humanity as she fights for survival and revenge.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: morally gray protagonist · fierce heroine · driven protagonist · brave protagonist · angry protagonist · survivor · antiheroic lead · complex characters · mature teens · child soldiers · oppressed characters · secondary allies

Relationships labels: found family · familial bond · mother-daughter bond · mentor-student tension · enemy romance · forbidden romance · betrayal · loyalty · friendship · power imbalance · oppressor/oppressed relationship · romantic conflict

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1600

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Cover of This Brutal Moon by Bethany Jacobs

This Brutal Moon

Bethany Jacobs · 2025 · The Kindom Trilogy

In a fractured star system, rebels and rivals race to stop tyranny, protect a hidden colony, and survive the final reckoning.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: morally grey · complex characters · flawed characters · broken people · ruthless leaders · reluctant leader · hacker · cleric · aristocratic families · rebels · assassin · figurehead · survivor · charismatic leader · new villain

Relationships labels: found family · romance · sapphic relationship · queer relationship · family conflict · sibling bond · loyalty · betrayal · alliance · unlikely allies · political coalition · devotion · friendship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1762

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Cover of Talonsister by Jen Williams

Talonsister

Jen Williams · 2023 · Talon Duology

Three journeys collide in a Britain-like fantasy world of griffins, memory-wiped soldiers, and imperial ambition.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: morally grey · complex characters · character-driven · traumatized · memory-wiped · retired soldier · spy · assassin · envoy · bone-crafter · druid · princess · orphaned child · wild child · raised by griffins · grumpy · hothead · curious · ambitious · loyal · protective · antihero

Relationships labels: found family · sibling bond · adoptive family · mentor-protégé · companionship · romantic subplot · queer relationships · community bonds · loyalty conflict · parent-child bond

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1773

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Cover of The Red Threads of Fortune by Neon Yang

The Red Threads of Fortune

Neon Yang, J.Y. Yang · 2017 · Tensorate

A grief-stricken prophet hunts giant naga with raptors, only to uncover a dangerous secret and a new love.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: fallen prophet · grieving mother · hunter · outlaw · flawed protagonist · damaged character · traumatized character · strong woman · older protagonist · nonbinary protagonist · mysterious stranger · alluring love interest · adult protagonist · abrasive character · morally gray character

Relationships labels: polyamory · open relationship · queer romance · same-sex relationships · sibling relationship · estranged spouse · marriage · supportive relationship · romantic partnership · family loss · betrayal · trust issues

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1803

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Cover of Dreamland by Rosa Rankin-Gee

Dreamland

Rosa Rankin-Gee · 2021

In a near-future Britain, a relocated teen navigates climate collapse, state abandonment, and a dangerous first love.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young protagonist · working class · teenager · single mother family · dysfunctional family · thief · queer narrator · mentor figure · charismatic antagonist · vulnerable heroine · resourceful survivor · morally gray cast

Relationships labels: first love · queer romance · mother-daughter relationship · sibling bond · family loyalty · friendship · community bonds · power imbalance · dangerous attraction · lover secrecy

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1815

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Cover of Across a Field of Starlight by Blue Delliquanti

Across a Field of Starlight

Blue Delliquanti · 2022

Two non-binary teens stay connected across war and distance as their opposing worlds collide.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: non-binary protagonists · teen protagonists · child soldier · scientist · soldier · war orphan · pacifist · medic · inquisitive · queerplatonic · trans side characters · fat protagonist · caring

Relationships labels: platonic bond · queerplatonic · found friendship · long-distance friendship · best friends · chosen family · secret correspondence · mentor relationship · parental-figure love · obligational kiss · nonromantic intimacy

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1832

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Cover of La furia y el laberinto by Iria G. Parente

La furia y el laberinto

Iria G. Parente, Selene M. Pascual · 2021 · Olympus

A mercenary crew crosses the galaxy to claim a bounty on a rebel leader, but the hunt unravels their loyalties.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: moral gray · gray characters · ambiguous morality · antiheroic · villainous arc · torn loyalties · protective friend · tough protagonist · obsessive drive · lethal competence · leal companion · class-divided cast

Relationships labels: found family · friendship · rivalry · betrayal · loyalty · ship tease · sibling bond · best friends · crew dynamics · family loyalty · chosen family · romantic tension

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1857

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Cover of Torchfire by Moira Buffini

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: 0.1863

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Cover of A House of Rage and Sorrow by Sangu Mandanna

A House of Rage and Sorrow

Sangu Mandanna · 2019 · The Celestial Trilogy

A betrayed heir wages war across a mythic galaxy, guided by a sentient warship, as family secrets and gods collide.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: morally gray protagonist · angry heroine · vengeful heroine · ruthless protagonist · strategist · trickster god · sentient AI · bodyguard · golden child · shy side character · complex side characters · codependent rivals · cunning protagonist

Relationships labels: siblings · mother-daughter conflict · family betrayal · forbidden/strained family loyalty · found family · romance · bodyguard-charge relationship · friendship · rivalry · sibling rivalry · queer romance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1896

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Cover of Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee

Phoenix Extravagant

Yoon Ha Lee · 2020

A nonbinary painter in an occupied homeland is forced to animate war machines, then risks everything with a dragon.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: artist protagonist · nonbinary protagonist · pacifist protagonist · ordinary person protagonist · naive protagonist · reluctant collaborator · underdog · oblivious protagonist · morally gray characters · sentient dragon · duelist · older sister · revolutionary sibling

Relationships labels: sibling conflict · sibling bond · enemies to lovers · romantic subplot · queer relationship · polyamorous relationship · poly parents · human-dragon bond · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1898

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Cover of Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire

Suzanne Collins · 2009 · The Hunger Games

After surviving the Games, Katniss is forced back into a new arena as rebellion brews and the Capitol closes in.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong heroine · traumatized protagonist · survivor · reluctant leader · emotionally conflicted · self-critical · resourceful · fierce · protective · sarcastic mentor · self-sacrificing love interest · charismatic side character · angry rebel · loyal friend · morally gray cast · complex protagonist · ordinary hero · non-Mary Sue

Relationships labels: love triangle · forced romance · public couple · friend to lover · friendship tension · mentor bond · found family · sibling protection · romantic rivalry · dependency · unspoken feelings · protective love · team dynamics · alliance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1898

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