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Overgrowth

Mira Grant

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Similar in characterization + relationships

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

Characterization labels used: alien protagonist, trans man, quirky side characters, outcast, socially awkward, neurodivergent-coded, introvert, morally grey, compulsive truth-teller, character study

Relationships labels used: found family, romantic partnership, boyfriend, friend group, chosen family, biological family, friendship, loyalty conflict

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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I Think I'm in Love with an Alien

Ann Aguirre · 2025

A stranded alien and a space-obsessed human fall for each other after their online friend group meets at a sci-fi con.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: alien protagonist · human protagonist · nerdy heroine · awkward heroine · lonely heroine · socially anxious heroine · gray ace heroine · bisexual heroine · alien outsider · pragmatic alien · dry wit · lonely outsider · sweet hero · fish out of water · supportive side characters

Relationships labels: friends to lovers · found family · online friendship · group chat friendship · secret relationship · crush · consent-focused · chosen family · power imbalance · family estrangement · toxic family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1516

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Imago

Octavia E. Butler · 1989 · Xenogenesis

A hybrid outsider becomes the first of a new alien-human form and must master dangerous powers before they reshape everyone.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: hybrid protagonist · genderless protagonist · nonbinary character · firstborn outsider · exiled outsider · mistrusted child · alienated protagonist · shape-shifter · healer · genetic manipulator

Relationships labels: family bonds · found family · parent-child · sibling bond · mate bonding · sexual dependency · power imbalance · coercive intimacy · cross-species relationship · community conflict · resistance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1642

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The Prettiest Star

Jadzia Axelrod · 2022 · Galaxy

An alien princess hiding as a human boy on Earth must choose between safety and living openly when she falls in love.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: trans girl · alien princess · teen protagonist · basketball player · closeted protagonist · conflicted protagonist · supportive girlfriend · protective guardian · supporting sibling · talking corgi · robot companion · disabled supporting character · Black lesbian supporting character

Relationships labels: romantic relationship · first love · family tension · protective parent · supportive mother · supportive sibling · adoptive family · found family · guardian-child · queer relationship · friendship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1643

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Leonard

Carlie Sorosiak · 2021

An alien meant to spend a month as a human on Earth accidentally lands in a cat’s body and finds a friend.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: quirky protagonist · socially awkward girl · animal lover · empathetic friend · alien scholar · immortal being · hive mind · lonely child · supportive grandmother · lovable side character · weird kid · outsider · rescuer · curious observer · catlike behavior

Relationships labels: found family · friendship · human-animal bond · grandmother-grandchild · mother-daughter · stepfamily tension · chosen family · mentor friendship · rescue relationship · companionship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1657

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Pluralities

Avi Silver · 2023

A burned-out retail worker and a runaway alien prince move through parallel journeys of identity, purpose, and gender euphoria.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: burned-out retail worker · rogue prince · alien prince · sentient spaceship · AI companion · nonbinary protagonist · trans protagonist · questioning protagonist · future-seer · runaway · overworked worker · identity-seeking · self-accepting arc · supportive friend · supportive mother · anxious protagonist · cautious protagonist

Relationships labels: platonic love · best friends · found family · supportive friendship · parent-child relationship · mother-child relationship · T4T relationship · body-self relationship · human-AI bond · dependence · trust · communication struggles · interpersonal understanding · connection across difference

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1668

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My Name Isn't Paul: A Cosmic Horror Novella

Drew Huff · 2025

An alien mimic living as a salesman unravels as his species’ breeding cycle forces a crisis of self and hunger.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: self-loathing protagonist · alien protagonist · hyper-empathetic being · eldritch abomination · bug-like creatures · shapeshifter · traveling salesman · married man disguise · blue-collar protagonist · sibling group · found family · parenthood anxiety · moral struggle

Relationships labels: marriage · wife · siblings · found family · family reunion · community · estrangement · rivalry with own species · dependency · self vs group · human/alien intimacy

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1677

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Manhunt

Gretchen Felker-Martin · 2022

In a virus-ravaged post-apocalypse, trans survivors hunt feral men, fight TERF militias, and cling to bodies, love, and hormones.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: flawed characters · messy characters · traumatized characters · morally grey · survivors · trans women protagonists · trans man protagonist · cis woman doctor · billionaire heir · militia leader · self-loathing · resourceful

Relationships labels: found family · friendship · romantic entanglement · t4t · queer intimacy · betrayal · power imbalance · rival factions · fragile alliances

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1678

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Future Feeling

Joss Lake · 2021

A jealous trans dog walker’s revenge curse backfires, launching him into a surreal queer quest for a stranger’s rescue.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: trans man protagonist · antihero protagonist · unlikable protagonist · jealous protagonist · self-absorbed narrator · flawed characters · messy characters · underemployed millennials · influencer figure · witch roommate · hacker roommate · trans masc cast · awkward characters · self-loathing · gloomy · solipsistic · growth arc · redemptive arc · resentful · matured protagonist

Relationships labels: found family · queer friendship · roommates · rivalry · jealousy · forced proximity · collaboration · chosen family · peer support · community care · mentor-like care · familial estrangement · dependency

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1682

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Awakened

A.E. Osworth · 2025

A newly Awakened queer Brooklynite joins a coven of trans witches to confront a malicious AI and find belonging.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: trans ensemble · nonbinary lead · teen witch · older queer adults · seer · portal traveler · caretaker · found family members · messy adults · cynical protagonist · vulnerable undercurrent · morally complex villain · sentient AI

Relationships labels: found family · chosen family · mother-daughter · romance · polyamory · queer community · caretaking · trust issues · intergenerational tension · group conflict · friendship · family building

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1688

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The Trials of Koli

M.R. Carey · 2020 · Rampart Trilogy

Exiled from his village, Koli travels through a deadly future England while a second narrator reveals what’s unfolding back home.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: naive protagonist · coming-of-age · sensitive protagonist · skeptical companion · trans girl · healer · sentient AI · mature female narrator · found family group · mismatched companions

Relationships labels: found family · romantic interest · former love interest · childhood friend · companionship · mentor relationship · trust issues · marriage · community conflict · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1696

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Boys Weekend

Mattie Lubchansky · 2023

A newly out trans artist’s assistant endures a chaotic bachelor weekend at a lawless resort that hides cults and monsters.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: newly out trans protagonist · transfeminine protagonist · artist assistant · supportive community · unsupportive friends · tech bros · cult members · ambivalent ally · strong protagonist

Relationships labels: old friends · college friends · found family · friendship drift · friendship repair · misgendering · deadnaming · marriage · wife · romantic partnership

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1703

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Animales difíciles

Rosa Montero · 2025 · Bruna Husky

In 2111 Madrid, detective Bruna Husky investigates a tech-company attack while facing a new body, a new fear of death, and an AI crisis.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: detective protagonist · replicant protagonist · android protagonist · fragile protagonist · angry protagonist · morally complex protagonist · emotionally conflicted · self-destructive · existential protagonist · female lead

Relationships labels: found family · friendship · partnership · romantic tension · professional partnership · loyalty · betrayal · caregiving · chosen family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1712

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