Good, but do I really want to make the redemption angle so in-your-face? She’s not consciously seeking redemption, she just feels compelled to help. Also, I want to avoid the word “doppelganger” because it carries that “spirit” connotation for some people.

Here’s another piece of the story that might help: Nova’s primary power is as a healer. In fact she is the rarest and most powerful of all healers, a type referred to as “angels”, who are born only once every few generations. That makes her failure to save her partner even more guilt-ridden.

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions and comments. It definitely helps to look at different angles.