Sturgeon's law: 99% of everything is terrible.... more>>

I know many people say that there are no good novels on this site, and it oftens feels like the top lists are filled with overpowered MC's, undeveloped harems, 2D characters, and lacking plots.

There are some novels that stand out, however, whether that be for their plots, characters, or translations.

This is a list for my personal 1%. It is ranked in order. <<less

If you want good novels, then you've come to the right place.... more>>

Though if you are searching for harem novels and cliche titles, then i am afraid that you've come to the wrong place and should probably find another list. I dislike harems, repetitive novels and just bad novels in general. I made this list to invalidate the claims that NU doesn't contain any good novels anymore. I know the vast majority of translated works caters to the harem/anti-hero loving part of the community, but i quite frankly dislike the vast majority of titles in those genres due to how bad they are. As a result, i have created this list to include novels that IMO stand out due the excellent execution in story beats, excellent translations/localization (English primarily) and just have good characters. That's all. <<less

Bl, bg, and no romance.  Genre’s pretty diverse.  I consider all of these top tier yummy food with good plot and fleshed out characters.  Not... more>> all of these are complete but some are good enough for me erode my brain and mlt.  Hope u all find smth u like.  (List incomplete) <<less

Sequence is CN- JP- KR- Fluffy- (Comedy)- Exceptions- To-reads. Not ranked by number. 
My descriptions varies greatly from a gist, polished review, impressions, or explains key points.        ... more>>

[Flexible Preferences] 
A. Protags are somehow mostly male but I read both!- interesting, has compelling qualities, flawed with development
B. Entertaining, Distinct, & Creative
C. Steady premise, no TERRIBLE plot hole 
D. Romance: good execution, pacing, build-up, & evokes emotion; no bullsh!t drama & brain-dead denseness
E. Vital, relevant, fleshed-out characters
F. Comedic & Fun
G. Danger, Wars, Battles, Strategy, Tactics, Trials, Fights, Thriller, Suspense
H. Lore, Culture, Kingdom, Worldbuilding 
I. Political Intrigue, Schemes, Mind Games, Manipulation, Mystery
J.  Pure tragedies rarely - it hurts!
K. No BL/GL(yet?)
L. Can be R-18 
M. Polygamous-like IF great story | even if you're averse consider my recs. ;)

[Criteria]
1. These are (mostly) 4/5 stars in story, translation and enjoyment according to my flawed evaluation that is mainly 3/10 objective, 7/10 subjective.
2. I have perused the novels or adaptation before sharing my thoughts.
3. Writing must be consistent, coherent and engaging and the ending must at least not be sh!t. Clichés to a point are fine however it needs to be purposeful & executed well. 
4. I will keep adding books that are promising, satisfying, translated.  <<less

There are revenge and face slapping novels as well as slice of life novels and all kinds so go through these and find your types.... more>>

Novels with strong female leads , funny female leads etc etc.

Some female leads are op[overpowered] okay but I like them too there is nothing wrong with them being op because the novels are really good to read.
Some are strong from the beginning. some of them have character growth from being weak to strong and here strong doesn't necessarily mean physical strength its also their mental strength I am talking about.

Some female leads might be a little bit rude  but those books are entertaining and well done for a one time read And also for once I can read jerk female lead instead of a jerk male lead alright.

If anyone want me to add some books to this category please comment below will add it (✿◡‿◡)(✿◡‿◡)q(≧▽≦q)q(≧▽≦q). <<less

I've read novels over the years, and I guarantee you won't regret diving into them.... more>>

No BL, GL. Sorry that's not my type of novels. 

Other novels from another websites (webnovel, scribblehub..)

Time emperor (fanfic)
https://www.webnovel.com/book/time-emperor-(champion)_17500339706298405

Fox in a inverted world 
https://www.webnovel.com/book/fox-in-an-inverted-world_19203318006781205

Author POV 
https://www.webnovel.com/book/the-author's-pov_20524563005115705

Administrator
https://www.scribblehub.com/series/94510/-the-administrator-/

School idol (yandere/gore novel)
https://www.wattpad.com/story/296700221-the-school-idols-yandere-harem

Shadow s*ave
https://www.webnovel.com/book/shadow-s*ave_22196546206090805

A Budding Scientist in a Fantasy World
https://www.scribblehub.com/series/256241/a-budding-scientist-in-a-fantasy-world/

The Reincarnation of Alysara 
https://www.scribblehub.com/series/278151/the-reincarnation-of-alysara/

Nanomancer reborn 
https://www.webnovel.com/book/nanomancer-reborn---i've-become-a-snow-girl_14064812306272705

Mother of learning 
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/21220/mother-of-learning

My vampire System
https://www.webnovel.com/book/my-vampire-system_16709365405930105

Library of Rain
https://www.scribblehub.com/series/858447/library-of-rain/

For more recommendations, check out my next list: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/83142/ <<less

No rankings! All random order... more>>

Just a list consisting of characters who apply to at least one of the following tags as stated in list. Some characters will have all 5 of the applied tags, others only would have 1 tag at most. Some might only be ‘slightly’ cold or calm but still will be on this list, alas falling under the category. 

The story will consist of all types of novels like the typical Korean transmigration stories to the angsty danmei. All types, infinite flow, a deep slice of life I keep my word…
Currently updating so more stories will come on here, will try to find some hidden gems, I have been on this site for a while and have only just made an account so you will have to bare with me, as I try to find those stories I have read a long time back

Also would be very nice if anybody reading this recommended anymore stories to add onto this list as I have been desperately searching for actual decent stories with this tag. Surprisingly not many stories actually fulfil this tag successfully and I rather not add some derelict dull 2000+ novel with op mc, rather stories that will captivate your interest <<less

✨Only the cream of the crop ✨ All the (mostly) historical novels which have proven to stand the test of time a.k.a survived  my endless nitpicking, fluctuating moods and multiple re-read. So yeah, pretty strong novels.... more>>

PS: The others novels I liked, but not enough to be featured here, are in my yearly "New Favorite Historical Romances" lists. <<less

Caution: bear the risk of having your taste being too sky-high standard.

I read a lot of historical romance so I'm a bit fussy, well-written leads (who have chemistry) and a decent plot are a must!  Also, cliche tropes are fun once in a while but I prefer things that are a bit more unique.... more>>

This list will include some spicy ones... <<less

This list a mishmash of all kind JP novel, hope you find good stuff to read, rank doesn't matter

A list for whenever I get tired of ever so gentle, proper and harmless FLs.

Novels with high-quality translations and plots that give a satisfactory face slap (the list is not in any particular order)... more>>

- Predominantly BL (with Happy Endings)

- Any non-BL that I find interesting 

- Binge-worthy  <<less

This a list of my all-time favourite stories. Adding reviews in-progress. (May take over a long span of time.) Novels are sorted in descending worthwhileness.... more>> (Again from perspective.) <<less

Novels of different genres that contain romance and that I enjoy/enjoyed ... more>>

P.s. I tried to keep completed ones at the top but they aren't listed by favorites  <<less

Just a list of novels I've read : flufy and josei.... more>>

I hope you'll like these novels too.  ;) <<less

no more FLs tripping and blushing and generally being flustered by MLs! the tables have turned... more>>

how do i say... emotional femdom? <<less

The isekai here is pointed to another world, but not only to the usual Jpn isekai with reincarnation/rebirth/transmigrate MC. It can be the world that's totally not in the earth, and maybe it's not a reincarnation/transmigration and MC is from that world. ... more>>

My ideal isekai novel is the one with the world building as its central theme and the romance is non existent, even if there's romance element in it, usually it's slow and just as unnecessary side dish.

NO HAREM for me. Tho few of them has harem and romance tags, for me there are those that are not romance and harem, so I'll explain in related description instead. 

  <<less

Les romans que je considère comme les meilleurs parmi tous ceux que je lis, il y en aura de tous les genres (presque) je n’ai... more>> pas mis d’ordre en particulier et j’ajouterai le reste quand j’aurai le temps <<less

Novels with great fem protag that I would like to recommend~ for some of the JP ones that only have few chapters translated, I chose... more>> the ones that I have read further in the raw and found them to be great! <<less

https://yomou.syosetu.com/rank/list/type/total_total/

Stories in which female protagonists and others are hopefully not one-dimensional i.e. just ruthless, just silly, high-IQ/low-EQ. Side characters (mostly) have lives outside of the protagonist and/or male lead. Villains aren’t downright TSTL. ... more>>

Last three newly added: #9 | Don’t Touch Porcelain, #22 | Unconscious, #14 | I Am Average and Unremarkable

No. 1 - No. 32 | Incomplete Translations

No. 33+ | Complete Translations

Not in any particular order except for whether they’re complete or not. 

A huge thank you to all the translators who translated these gems and gave me the opportunity to enjoy them <<less

It's simply novels set in an noble/royal structure with an female MC that I enjoy. They may or may not be good people, but they... more>> are usually the reason I read these. Some have reincarnation, others not. <<less

Novels dealing with powerful female leads, if you don't like the MC being super op then you don't need to look at this list. ... more>>

Modern time, ancient china era, or space (sci-fi), etc. 

Screenwriter, calligraphy, director, singer, hacker, doctor, martial arts, musician, etc. <<less

Just started this list, so as I will be adding as I read. This list is mostly for myself so I don't forget the ones... more>> I have really liked and loved and want to read again.  Most novels will probably be ongoing. <<less