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The Dollmakers

Lynn Buchanan

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Similar in characterization + relationships

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

Characterization labels used: unlikable protagonist, flawed heroine, arrogant protagonist, stubborn protagonist, brash protagonist, childish behavior, violent temper, redemption arc, traumatized character, reclusive character, guard dollmaker, apprentice, mentor, reclusive expert, complex side characters, sentient dolls

Relationships labels used: mentor-student, friendship, rivalry, protective bond, community role, shared trauma

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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Land of the Lustrous, Vol. 1

Haruko Ichikawa · 2017 · 宝石の国 [Hōseki no Kuni]

A fragile gem being is given an odd assignment and pulled into a strange war against moon-dwellers in a far-future Earth.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: fragile protagonist · stubborn protagonist · comical protagonist · inept protagonist · outcast · loner · tragic characters · complex characters · distinct personalities · morally flawed characters · identity struggle · character development

Relationships labels: mentor-student · caretaker figure · peer bonds · friendship · protective bond · outsider connection · found family · community structure · dependence

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1186

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A Wizard of Earthsea

Ursula K. Le Guin · 2004 · Earthsea Cycle

A gifted boy enters a wizard school, unleashes a shadow, and must learn true power through balance and self-knowledge.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: flawed protagonist · arrogant youth · gifted child · apprentice wizard · brooding wizard · wise mentor · true friend · rival apprentice · relatable protagonist · self-correcting arc

Relationships labels: mentor-apprentice · friendship · rivalry · classroom rivalry · dependence · guidance · responsibility · self vs self · community ties · platonic friendship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1301

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ガチアクタ 5 [Gachiakuta 5]

Kei Urana, 裏那圭 · 2023 · ガチアクタ [Gachiakuta]

A revenge-driven cleaner crew uncovers a dangerous new ally, a bizarre power, and a trauma-soaked mystery.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: angry protagonist · reckless hero · complex characters · traumatized girl · disturbed character · villainous woman · mentor figure · antihero traits · emotionally unstable · character growth · parental inheritance · morally gray

Relationships labels: mentor-student · found family · betrayal · manipulation · protective fixation · trauma bond · family legacy · parent-child

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1309

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宝石の国 2 [Hōseki no Kuni 2]

Haruko Ichikawa, 市川春子 · 2014 · 宝石の国 [Hōseki no Kuni]

A gem-bodied outcast dives into the sea for answers, uncovering buried world secrets and a widening conflict.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: outcast protagonist · reluctant hero · fragile protagonist · persistent protagonist · emotionally burdened characters · immortal beings · distinctive side cast · suspicious authority figure · moodily stoic characters

Relationships labels: mentor-student · rival groups · protective friendship · caretaking · power imbalance · betrayal · dependence

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1368

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Vortex

S.J. Kincaid · 2013 · Insignia

A rebellious cadet in a corporate-run future must choose between career advancement, friends, and his ideals.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: stubborn protagonist · arrogant protagonist · rebellious protagonist · idealistic protagonist · reckless protagonist · self-destructive protagonist · smart protagonist · hyperintelligent protagonist · immature teen · loyal friend · fierce heroine · strong female character · sarcastic supporting cast · morally resistant protagonist · anti-authority

Relationships labels: friend group · found family · romance subplot · rivalry · friendship tested · loyalty conflict · mentor-student tension · betrayal · power imbalance · protective friendship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1385

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Traitor

Matthew Woodring Stover · 2002 · Star Wars: The New Jedi Order

Captured and tortured, a young Jedi is pushed into a dangerous new understanding of the Force.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: introspective protagonist · tortured protagonist · traumatized character · enigmatic mentor · manipulative guide · mysterious antagonist · philosophical character · morally conflicted character · redeeming side character · captor-victim dynamic

Relationships labels: mentor-student · captor-captive · manipulation · trust and suspicion · adversarial alliance · family grief · sibling bond · redemption arc

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1496

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Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality

Eliezer Yudkowsky · 2015 · Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality

A science-minded Harry Potter retools magic with logic and rationality in a sprawling alternate-universe first year.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: child prodigy · hyperintelligent child · rationalist protagonist · manipulative protagonist · arrogant protagonist · know-it-all · science nerd · social manipulator · cynical mentor · smart rival · out of character cast · villain intelligence uplift · character growth · morally ambiguous

Relationships labels: mentor-student · friendship · rivalry · romantic tension · parent-child · found family · power imbalance · manipulation

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1518

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The Sunlit Man

Brandon Sanderson · 2023 · The Cosmere Universe

A fugitive world-hopper lands on a sun-killed planet and must choose between escape and helping rebels survive.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: mysterious protagonist · fugitive hero · broken hero · complex backstory · reluctant ally · moral conflict · emotionally tormented · redeemer · talkative protagonist · outlaw · villainous tyrant · complex character development

Relationships labels: mentor-student · companionship · banter · resistance movement · tyrant-oppressed · power imbalance · allegiance shift · protective bond · friendship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1530

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The Secret Crusade

Oliver Bowden · 2011 · Assassin's Creed

An Assassin must redeem himself through a deadly series of missions while uncovering a hidden conspiracy.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: arrogant protagonist · mentor figure · master assassin · redemption arc · coming-of-age · character growth · morally conflicted · tragic hero · warrior woman · betrayer · lone assassin

Relationships labels: mentor-student · brotherhood bonds · rivalry · betrayal · family tragedy · romance · marriage · friendship · loyalty conflict · power struggle

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1539

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Hunter

Mercedes Lackey · 2015 · Hunter

A teen monster hunter is sent to a celebrity-filled city where walls, magic, and politics hide a deadly conspiracy.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: reluctant heroine · special chosen one · competent heroine · kind heroine · resourceful heroine · young hunter · rural outsider · political figure · bully antagonist · mentor figure · psionic character · religious minority character

Relationships labels: mentor-student · uncle-niece · friendship · romantic tension · rivalry · team camaraderie · human-hound bond · political dependency · community protection

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1546

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The Curse of Chalion

Lois McMaster Bujold · 2002 · World of the Five Gods (Publication)

A battered ex-soldier returns home, only to be pulled into court intrigue, divine schemes, and a kingdom’s curse.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: broken hero · middle-aged protagonist · traumatized protagonist · disabled protagonist · reluctant hero · loyal servant · humble hero · introspective protagonist · thoughtful hero · self-sacrificing · mature protagonist · strong female lead · feisty heroine · politically savvy heroine · well-rounded cast · villainous nobility · complex antagonists · mentor hero · unlikely hero

Relationships labels: mentor-student · protector charge · loyalty bond · court alliances · family succession · romantic subplot · friendship · service relationship · power imbalance · betrayal · faction rivalry

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1571

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Generation Why

G. Willow Wilson, Jamie McKelvie · 2015 · Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson

Kamala Khan teams up with Wolverine and a giant teleporting dog to stop a bizarre villain and learn what kind of hero she is.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen heroine · fangirl · relatable protagonist · muslim heroine · non-white teenage girl · humorous protagonist · curious protagonist · awkward teen · self-discovery arc · resourceful heroine · likable heroine · young hero · mentor-seeking

Relationships labels: mentor-student · family conflict · parent-child tension · teamwork · friendship · hero sidekick · pet companion · community support · hero-cameo · cross-generation conflict · rivalry

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1586

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