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Defy Me

Tahereh Mafi

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Similar in characterization

These books are ranked using the characterization labels extracted for Defy Me.

Characterization labels used: traumatized heroine, powerful heroine, character development, backsliding arc, brooding love interest, complex love interest, comic relief, loyal friend, competent ally, villainous parents, abusive parent, morally gray cast, emotional fragility, badass heroine, protective love interest

This does not mean the books share the same plot, setting, quality, or difficulty. It means their characterization embeddings are close.

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Unravel Me

Tahereh Mafi · 2013 · Shatter Me

A powered teen in a rebel stronghold trains to fight a regime while a dangerous immunity mystery and love triangle intensify.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: traumatized heroine · whiny heroine · self-doubting heroine · growing confidence · powerful heroine · morally gray love interest · brooding love interest · possessive love interest · comic relief sidekick · scene-stealing side character · level-headed ally · broken hero · villain with depth · protector dynamic · character growth

Semantic match: ranked by characterization

Distance: 0.0986

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Shatter Me Series 6-Book Box Set: Shatter Me, Unravel Me, Ignite Me, Restore Me, Defy Me, Imagine Me

Tahereh Mafi · 2021 · Shatter Me

A deadly-touch teen becomes a weapon to a regime, then fights to reclaim her power and freedom amid romance and rebellion.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong FMC · fragile heroine · badass heroine · isolated protagonist · morally gray hero · cold love interest · protective love interest · funny side character · comic relief · complex characters · character development · character growth · emotionally damaged · obsessive love interest · supportive friend · villain to love interest · redemption arc · powerful heroine

Semantic match: ranked by characterization

Distance: 0.1014

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The Darkest Minds

Alexandra Bracken · 2012 · The Darkest Minds

A teen with dangerous psychic powers escapes a brutal camp and joins other fugitives while hunted by forces seeking to use her.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: traumatized heroine · reluctant protagonist · strong heroine · whiny protagonist · protective leader · sweet love interest · found family · creepy villain · child survivors · morally gray adults · character growth · emotionally guarded

Semantic match: ranked by characterization

Distance: 0.1158

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Rising

Nelle Nikole · 2023 · State of the Union

In a post-nuclear world, a compound leader hunts the truth behind undead attacks while grief, magic, and betrayal close in.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: fierce heroine · flawed protagonist · female leader · morally gray characters · traumatized characters · grieving protagonist · vengeful heroine · broody love interest · tortured past · strong women · dynamic cast · distinct side characters · leader commander · alcoholism · antihero love interest · loyal companion · chosen family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization

Distance: 0.1169

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In the Afterlight

Alexandra Bracken · 2014 · The Darkest Minds

A traumatized teen and her allies race to expose a government cover-up while balancing power, trust, and love.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: fierce heroine · angsty heroine · flawed heroine · leader arc · hero complex · bitterness · strong protagonist · brooding love interest · sweet love interest · comic relief sidekick · complex villain · character development · found family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization

Distance: 0.1303

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The Bone Season

Samantha Shannon · 2024 · The Bone Season

A clairvoyant crime-gang operative in dystopian London is captured and forced to survive a secret world of power, control, and escape.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young heroine · strong female lead · snarky heroine · brave heroine · stubborn heroine · resourceful heroine · moral grayness · mysterious love interest · protective love interest · immortal love interest · mentor figure · powerful antagonist · complex side characters · large cast

Semantic match: ranked by characterization

Distance: 0.1312

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Realms of Wrath and Ruin

Alli Earnest · Gate Chronicles

A traumatized pilot and scholar reunite for a dangerous homeward trip as war, secrets, and a slow-burn romance intensify.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: pilot · scholar · brother · family man · flawed characters · traumatized characters · anxious heroine · cocky hero · bubbly heroine · grumpy hero · headstrong heroine · smart hero · selfless growth · reluctant allies · relatable arcs · morally gray characters

Semantic match: ranked by characterization

Distance: 0.1341

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Saint

Chani Lynn Feener · 2024 · The Demons of Foxglove Grove

Nix must navigate shifting trust, desire, and danger as a dark why-choose power game and mystery deepen.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: matured protagonist · confident protagonist · power bottom · possessive love interest · protective love interest · gentle love interest · remorseful character · stoic character · flirty character · genius character · gray morality · bullying love interests · shared protagonist

Semantic match: ranked by characterization

Distance: 0.1361

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Rook

Sharon Cameron · 2015

In a tech-banned future Paris, a disguised rescuer and her betrothed hide secrets in a dangerous revolutionary game.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: strong heroine · badass heroine · clever heroine · reckless heroine · underestimated heroine · witty heroine · resourceful heroine · masked vigilante · charming love interest · witty love interest · dangerous villain · insane villain · secretive characters · feminist heroine · smart couple · morally gray characters

Semantic match: ranked by characterization

Distance: 0.1376

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The Memory Thief

Lauren Mansy · 2019

In a memory-trading dystopia, a guilt-ridden teen joins rebels to save her mother and steal a prison map.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen heroine · gifted protagonist · guilty protagonist · broken heroine · morally gray lead · strong female lead · naive protagonist · trusting heroine · protective daughter · brooding love interest · loyal ally · ruler antagonist · power-hungry villain · desperate mother · young rebel · parentally motivated

Semantic match: ranked by characterization

Distance: 0.1400

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Incarnate

Jodi Meadows · 2012 · Newsoul

A shunned new soul seeks answers in a reincarnated society where her existence may upend everything.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: abused heroine · defensive protagonist · naive heroine · curious protagonist · strong female lead · resourceful heroine · sweet love interest · protective hero · older soul · outcast · abusive parent · reluctant trust

Semantic match: ranked by characterization

Distance: 0.1413

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Pawn

Aimee Carter · 2013 · The Blackcoat Rebellion

A ranked dystopian teen is forced into a powerful dead girl's life and must survive court intrigue and rebellion.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young female protagonist · naive protagonist · smart heroine · spunky heroine · resourceful heroine · morally conflicted · reactionary protagonist · loyal boyfriend · secretive love interest · powerful ruling family · villainous patriarch · supporting cast depth · gray characters · multi-layered characters

Semantic match: ranked by characterization

Distance: 0.1430

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