when you want smth a bit different from the usual... 
—
❌️ romantic subplot & slow/late romance, well-known novels ❌️... more>>

* mostly korean & chinese (maybe jpn too)
** all will be ≤ 3.5 stars <<less

This list only includes stuff that are not on my goodreads account.

A dump of BL/BG/no-CP novels that are survival games/leveling wuxianliu 无限流 novels. Good ones in this genre should either 1) Good world-building (outside the games) 2) Well-developed characters and/or romance 3) Interesting games/concepts for each "level" 4) Well written 5) Decent ending. It's pretty hard to meet all of these but YMMV lol... more>>

For FL-led novels, it's either low-CP or no-CP or even if there's romance, it's more like ML is there to be a power couple/fulfill reader desires so be warned

For BL, sometimes it's heavy on the romance less on plot (if that matters to you)

Classics that are not on NU include:

穿进赛博游戏后干掉BOSS成功上位 author: 桉柏
Get into the cyber game and take out the BOSS Ignore the name, a well-developed FL, side characters

在废土世界扫垃圾 author: 有花在野 - Sweeping up tr*sh in the wasteland (unfinished?) - I haven't tried but highly reccedHorror; world-hopping; unconventional concept/more humour, no-CP

支付宝到账888万元 - Four College Students' Apocalyptic Quest for 8.88 Million YuanHorror, zombie, group of girls, no-CP? - I haven't tried but highly recced

人设不能崩[无限] 条纹花瓶 - Image Can't Collapse

Interesting live-stream concept, FL is a drama queen who takes new personas each game, basically no-CPauthor has several other OGs including 八十一道送命题 (81 Questions) and 无限列车 (Limitless Train) - decent reads if you want strong-FL with good game concepts <<less

Lately, I have been obsessed with CN Novels with badass FMCs, so naturally I had to make a list with the ones I've read/reading. Every single novel on this list is worth reading, so rest assured! P.S: I'll add my reviews as I finish reading each novel.... more>>

Also, check out my other lists here: 

Top Tier Novels (Personal Opinion) 1 - 
https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/62483/

Top Tier Novels (Personal Opinion) 2 - 
https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/74300/

Badass Heroines who aren't damsels in distress 1 - 
https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/62346/

Badass Heroines who aren't damsels in distress 2 - 
https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/63149/

Slow Burn Goodness - 
https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/64099/

Overpowered KR MCs Give Me Life - 
https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/71430/

The Blissful World Of VRMMORPGs - 
https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/73205/ <<less

This is a collection of books I’ve read on Novel Updates. I might rank them in when I finish reading more. There are a variety... more>> of genres, horror, comedy, romance, etc. (also I don’t like super scary so the horror ones aren’t too scary!) All novels are completed with completed translation as well.  <<less

NOT RANKED BY NUMBER. Lots of diversity in the novels. Different kinds like zombie apocalypse, horror, or light-hearted reads like comedy and romance. They all have their own quirks and differences, but one thing that they all have in common is that they are strong in their own way, and they are all female leads. Mentally, physically, talent-wise, etcetera. Some have romance and some don't.  If that's your cup of tea, go right ahead! I don't put bad novels on this list. So read them all. 3/5+ stars only!... more>>

THE ONES WITHOUT RATING ARE NOVELS IM STILL READING!

UPDATES EVERY WEEK!  <<less

Books that I believe are very good or fun to read. 

No description.

Novels where there isn't any reincarnation, time-travel, or anything like that. Tbh this list might not be that long since most novels I read are... more>> where mc has some kinda magical time-travel/reincarnation/travelling to another world/wtv, but the rare ones I read are mostly gems in my opinion, personally! <<less

She’s not like other girls haha. List will contain stories with spirits, systems, schools etc where normal people are scared or get destroyed the MC... more>> has a happy time around or survival games where mc flourishes  <<less

Reject love, embrace freedom.... more>>

No romance / harem / smut / shoujo / josei etc.

Tags like "Slow Romance", "Late Romance", "Romantic Subplot" are also excluded. <<less

Female MCs I’ve enjoyed reading without too much focus on romance. If it’s not completed on here, I either read the MTL or the translation’s... more>> online somewhere, both of which tells you how much I liked it. Please recommend anything that’s been finished translation wise, thanks! Genres span a lot, but MC has goals outside of romance or is a baddie. <<less

No description.

Novels with a female protagonist (including gender-bender male to female) in no particular order.
Feel free to leave opinions or recommendations.
Ratings:
5- didn't read... more>> yet / is reading
4- finished reading
3- would read when book is picked up again or has new updates 
2- stopped reading after catching up
1- dropped <<less

RAW no romance novel recs in the comment section - I highly recommend one novel even though it's ongoing. Check in the comments for more.... more>>

[NR] no romance

[RM] romance is not a major plot point

[IR] I dropped it

[6] raw novels currently <<less

Interesting FL with good story arcs and good/interesting romances - I usually don't like stories with love rivals so most of these will be 1v1... more>>

Feel free to comment recs to add to the list too! <<less

My absolute favorite genre. Hopefully, some of my other faves get translated soon so I can link them here as well!

I want to scout for novels that are everything EXCEPT romance to cleanse my brain. I'm over the usual, and shallow love affairs. Blame my age. ... more>>

*currently under construction* <<less

Fantasy... more>>

No particular order  <<less

I haven't read them all yet but I've picked the unlimited flow BGs novels I know and put them here because it's really hard to... more>> find unlimited flow/Straight Couple Survival Game.  So hard !  This genre here at novelupdates is saturated and almost dominated by Bl.  I only find more BGs of this genre in the original language, which are really good and should be translated more. <<less

Waiting for the next volume of the book to come out... more>>

Just know if I am still deathly attached to the book, it’s absolutely one of the best <<less

For recommending female protagonists that don't immediately lower their IQ and EQ when a (ML) man enters the picture. Strong is also used somewhat lightly. This recommendation list will be more geared towards female leads who's actions/words are pivotal in the story. Due to the landscape of light novels with female protagonists, this list will not be completely romance free, but stories recommended will either be slow romance or the story itself will not pivot around the male lead's actions/story.... more>>

Order added as I recall them. Some I haven't read in a while so my thoughts aren't necessarily accurate. If you have a recommendation, please leave a comment of what I should try out! <<less

List contains my favorite action/horror/psychological thrillers. Some will question ones humanity but I do love antiheroes.... more>>

I like my MC strong but they're way cooler if they're clever enough to outsmart the enemies. Or should I say cunning?

PS:haven't read all BL novels listed yet, but just keeping it here so I wont forget.

Novel recommendations not link to NU in the comment section. <<less

Infinite flow + horror + supernatural

If you're like me who can't resist temptation of good novels in price of killing sleep, then you're in the right place! These novels are the one which I read by killing my sleep. These are source of great imaginations and entertainment as these leads are very independent and strong. So, let's enjoy these together.... more>>

Because the 1st, 2nd & 3rd list was full and on huge demand, the much-awaited 4th list is here! {Note: Novels that were added on those lists will not be added here! So, if you came here without seeing them first, Go See that 1st!}

And here I'll try to add all the novels whom I liked the most and was beautiful which couldn't fit on the previous lists. You won't regret reading them cause they're really nice.  This list will include korean, chinese, japanese and other novels. Enjoy reading! ヾ(≧▽≦*)o   <<less