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The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

Kiersten White

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Similar in characterization + relationships

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

Characterization labels used: morally gray protagonist, cunning heroine, manipulative protagonist, resourceful survivor, volatile genius, unrepentant villain, brooding psychopath, complex character arcs, side character focus, female friendships

Relationships labels used: toxic relationship, co-dependent relationship, abusive relationship, obsessive love, twisted romance, female friendship, found family, family dependency, mentor-like bond, power imbalance

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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On Vicious Worlds

Bethany Jacobs · 2024 · The Kindom Trilogy

A fractured alliance faces political backstabbing, a murder mystery, and the fallout of revolution across the stars.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: morally gray · complex characters · unhinged characters · competent characters · traumatized characters · flawed characters · intelligent characters · creative characters · ruthless character arc · character-driven · savior role · martyr role · saint role · survivor mindset

Relationships labels: messy relationships · codependent relationship · toxic relationship · romantic tension · polyamorous relationship · sapphic romance · queer romance · platonic love · familial love · rivalry · betrayal · all-consuming bond · complicated history · power dynamic

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1253

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Prime Meridian

Silvia Moreno-Garcia · 2018

A struggling young woman in near-future Mexico City clings to the dream of Mars while surviving precarious work and heartbreak.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: morally gray · unlikable protagonist · bitter protagonist · depressed protagonist · rootable protagonist · lonely woman · drifting young adult · underemployed · resourceful · self-aware · complex characters · character-driven · female protagonist

Relationships labels: estranged sister · sibling tension · ex-boyfriend · fractured romance · unresolved relationship · friendship for hire · client relationship · intergenerational bond · unequal relationship · family responsibility

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1254

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Villain

Natalie Zina Walschots · 2026 · Hench

Anna, now the Auditor, escalates her war on superhero institutions while navigating power, grief, and a dangerous boss-romance.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: morally compromised · antihero · villain protagonist · disabled protagonist · intelligent protagonist · sarcastic protagonist · unreliable morals · control issues · emotionally complex · grief-stricken · alienated · calculating · messy characters

Relationships labels: toxic romance · abusive relationship · power imbalance · boss romance · coercive control · sexual tension · messy relationships · workplace relationship · found family · friendship · rivalry · loyalty conflict · betrayal · codependency

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1284

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The Scarlet Throne

Amy Leow · 2024 · The False Goddess

A young living goddess hides a demon and claws to keep her throne as priests move to replace her.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: villainess · morally gray heroine · unapologetic antiheroine · ruthless protagonist · ambitious protagonist · self-serving protagonist · paranoid protagonist · desperate protagonist · traumatized protagonist · unreliable narrator · young ruler

Relationships labels: mother-daughter trauma · parent-child dynamic · sibling relationship · found family · mentorship · power imbalance · girlhood bond · rivalry · dependency · manipulative relationship · demon-bond

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1296

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The Take

Kelly Yang · 2026

A young writer and a fading producer enter a risky blood-transfusion bargain that trades youth, money, and power.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: morally gray characters · ambitious women · unlikable characters · naive protagonist · ruthless rival · aging executive · aspiring writer · powerful producer · mentor figure · manipulative character

Relationships labels: mentor-mentee · toxic relationship · toxic friendship · female friendship · women supporting women · women against women · power imbalance · transactional relationship · codependent relationship · family obligation · immigrant parent-child · marital infidelity · betrayal

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1297

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The Luminous Dead

Caitlin Starling · 2019 · The Luminous Dead

A liar joins a solo cave expedition on an alien planet and must survive a deadly descent with only one unstable voice above.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: inexperienced caver · liar · ambitious protagonist · damaged women · morally gray · reliable? no · handler · manipulative authority · secretive character · obsessive character · self-destructive · stubborn · resourceful · paranoid · emotionally conflicted · strong-willed

Relationships labels: f/f relationship · queer romance · enemies to lovers · toxic relationship · dependency · mutual distrust · power imbalance · handler-protégé · work relationship · trauma bonding · romantic tension · co-dependence · mother daughter · abandonment

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1299

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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: 0.1300

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These Burning Stars

Bethany Jacobs · 2023 · The Kindom Trilogy

A hacker’s stolen secret draws her into a deadly interstellar chase through a corrupt theocratic empire.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: morally grey · villain protagonist · ruthless · brutal · charismatic · unlikable · compelling villain · stoic · ambitious · scheming · obsessive · competent · complex · enigmatic · mentor figure · protege · hacker · con artist · thief · cleric · heir · assassin · holy woman · nonbinary character · genius hacker · former assassin · antagonistic lead

Relationships labels: toxic relationship · obsessive relationship · mentor-protege · cat and mouse · rivalry · power imbalance · complicated bonds · queer relationship · sapphic relationship · nonsexual obsession · family loyalty · family power · childhood bonds · former classmates · chase dynamic

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1305

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A Neon Darkness

Lauren Shippen · 2020 · The Bright Sessions

A troubled teen with mind-control powers finds a superpowered friend group in L.A., but belonging comes at a dangerous cost.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: morally gray · unlikable protagonist · troubled teen · lonely protagonist · manipulative · self-centered · anti-hero · complex villain · tragic backstory · questionable choices · white male privilege

Relationships labels: found family · friend group · peer conflict · power imbalance · manipulation · boundary violation · dependency · acceptance · family rupture

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1365

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To Hell and Back

Lilith Saintcrow · 2008 · Dante Valentine

A shattered necromancer claws back from Hell to settle a deadly score in a future world of demons, magic, and betrayal.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: damaged heroine · traumatized protagonist · strong female lead · flawed heroine · whiny protagonist · unreliable judgment · volatile protagonist · guarded protagonist · rage-filled · self-involved · neurotic · broken character arc · half-demon · necromancer · demon lover · fallen demon · controlling lover · protective lover · mysterious demon · secondary characters

Relationships labels: toxic relationship · codependent relationship · abusive relationship · romantic turmoil · trust issues · betrayal · loyalty conflict · love-hate relationship · parent-child tension · found family · friendship · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1371

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The Bleeding Woods

Brittany Amara · 2025

A guilt-ridden young woman’s road trip turns deadly when a haunted forest, hidden powers, and an obsessed stranger collide.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: damaged protagonist · morally gray · estranged sister · obsessive lover · dark love interest · first love · best friend · younger brother · complex villain · unhinged character · emotionally unstable · magnetic protagonist · character-driven horror · flat side characters · secret identity

Relationships labels: sibling conflict · sibling estrangement · family trauma · love triangle · insta-love · toxic romance · obsession · codependency · betrayal · pining · telepathic connection · power imbalance · friend group · protective bond

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1373

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The Found Object Society

Michelle Maryk · 2026

A guilt-ridden heiress joins a secret society where touching objects lets members relive strangers’ deaths—and becomes addicted.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: unlikable protagonist · morally gray protagonist · wealthy socialite · self-destructive woman · damaged protagonist · addiction-driven · guilt-ridden · flawed characters · ultra-rich elites

Relationships labels: trauma bond · romance subplot · best friend · ex-boyfriend · parent-child grief · codependent relationship · friendship strain · power imbalance · messy relationships

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1412

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