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School of Shards

Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko

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Similar in characterization + relationships

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

Characterization labels used: female protagonist, teacher protagonist, academy administrator, brother character, twins, next generation, morally compromised, controlling, transformative arc, inscrutable protagonist, forceful protagonist

Relationships labels used: teacher student, family duty, siblings, former lovers, parent child, mentor student, peer group, power imbalance, intergenerational

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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The Inventor's Secret

Chad Morris · 2013 · Cragbridge Hall

In a futuristic school where students experience history firsthand, twin siblings race to uncover a family secret.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: twin protagonists · female protagonist · male twin · ordinary heroine · genius student · inventor grandfather · relatable characters · bullied outsider · hidden talents · brilliant students · young students

Relationships labels: siblings · twin siblings · grandparent grandchildren · family bond · friendship · bullying · trust issues · teacher-student tension · mentor figure

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1294

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Vita Nostra

Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko · 2018 · Vita Nostra (English)

A coerced teen enters a terrifying secret school where studying remakes reality, identity, and the self.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teenage protagonist · gifted student · reluctant student · domineering mentor · scary teachers · morally grey characters · isolated protagonist · resilient heroine · authoritarian authority figures

Relationships labels: mother-daughter · mentor-student · teacher-student · peer relationships · coercive relationship · family endangerment · complicated family bond

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1333

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The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer

Neal Stephenson · 2000

In a nanotech future, a stolen interactive primer reshapes a poor girl’s life and the society around her.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young girl protagonist · female coming-of-age · brilliant engineer · inventor · guardian figure · mysterious figure · child protagonist · orphans · strong female lead · catalyst protagonist

Relationships labels: father-daughter · mother-daughter · sibling relationship · mentor-student · guardian ward · intergenerational · power imbalance · class divide · community belonging · chosen affiliation

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1415

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Thief!

Malorie Blackman · 2004

After being framed at school, a bullied girl is hurled into a bleak future where her choices have changed everything.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young female protagonist · new girl · little brother · bullied child · likeable protagonist · vulnerable protagonist · framed victim · tyrant · queen bee · heroic child · bitter future self · corrupted future self

Relationships labels: sibling bond · friendship · peer pressure · bullying · school clique · betrayal · family support · friendship fallout · community hostility · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1441

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Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 5

Hiromu Arakawa · 2006 · 鋼の錬金術師 [Hagane no Renkinjutsushi]

A detour through automail country leads the brothers into new bonds, hard truths, and the start of a painful origin story.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: brother duo · teen protagonists · strong female characters · mentor figure · mechanic heroine · no-nonsense women · supportive sibling dynamic

Relationships labels: siblings · mentor-student · childhood friends · romantic tension · family bond · chosen family · teacher and students · parent-child

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1444

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A Wind in the Door

Madeleine L'Engle · 1976 · Time Quintet

Meg must help save her gifted, bullied brother by journeying into a strange inner world where love, naming, and evil collide.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: gifted child · bullied child · sick child · protective sibling · intuitive heroine · brilliant child · teacher figure · mentor figure · skeptical protagonist · supportive parent

Relationships labels: sibling bond · friendship · parent-child · mentor-student · bully-victim · teamwork · caregiving · family support

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1462

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Assassin of Reality

Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko · 2023 · Vita Nostra (English)

A gifted student returns to an eerie magical institute where language shapes reality and failure could remake the world.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: stubborn protagonist · older protagonist · intellectual curiosity · transcendent being · ambitious student · alienated protagonist · dark mentor · fascinating protagonist · humanity vs concept

Relationships labels: student-teacher rivalry · mentor-protégé · romance · pilot love interest · classmate distrust · peer support · familial leverage · protective friends · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1520

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The Black Tides of Heaven

Neon Yang · 2017 · Tensorate

Twin heirs of an authoritarian realm grow up under prophecy, rebellion, and a radical system of chosen gender.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: twin protagonists · prophet · rebel · ruler child · authoritarian parent · sibling contrast · nonbinary cast · queer cast · powerful women · morally compromised parent · agency-seeking protagonist

Relationships labels: sibling bond · twin bond · parent-child conflict · romance · queer romance · family duty · power imbalance · mentor-student

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1566

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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: 0.1574

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Harry James Potter-Evans-Verres and the Methods of Rationality

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

An alternate-universe Harry Potter uses science and rationality to probe magic, challenge Hogwarts, and remake his fate.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: child prodigy · rationalist · smart protagonist · annoying genius · arrogant protagonist · self-centered protagonist · overly mature child · relatable flaws · dark lord aspiration · logical villain · over-the-top characterization · female characters weak

Relationships labels: friendship · unlikely friendship · mentor-student tension · rivalry · family change · adoptive family · found family · student-teacher conflict · power imbalance · uncertain friendship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1595

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Tunnel in the Sky

Robert A. Heinlein · 2005

A survival exam on a remote planet goes wrong, stranding students who must build order, shelter, and leadership from scratch.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonist · young adults · school students · competent women · strong female characters · flawed hero · young leader · teacher mentor · political rival · coming-of-age protagonist · capable survivors · pragmatic leader

Relationships labels: peer group · teacher-student · sibling support · rivalry · romantic pairing · coalition building · group consensus · community bonds · power struggles · marriage

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1599

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The Rock Eaters: Stories

Brenda Peynado · 2021

A debut collection of strange, allegorical stories where speculative twists expose immigration, class, grief, and otherness.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young women · teen protagonists · collective communities · outsiders · immigrant characters · Latina protagonists · marginalized women · strong-willed characters

Relationships labels: family · parent-child · siblings · friendship · romance · same-sex relationship · community tension · cross-cultural relations · class rivalry · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1601

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