(Actively updated.) When I first started reading on NU, I wished that there was a rec list with long descriptions of the novels so I knew what I'm getting myself into instead of having to check the synopsis of each individual novel. Couldn't find any, so I created one. Here it is. Arranged from best > worst > boring reading experience.... more>>

Disclaimer; my "reviews" are my own personal, biased opinions. I'm terrible at being systematic & putting my thoughts into effective sentences, so 90% of the novel descriptions in here are just me rambling. I usually only drop & rate novels after I've read at least until c.35. Also, I like to change my ratings & reviews sporadically. Feel free to suggest more novels and/or argue with me.

[5/5] - Truck-kun would shed real man tears at these masterpieces.

Below [4.4/5] - Truck-kun would shed tears of a disappointed Asian parent.

[3/5] - Truck-kun would hit them (again), maybe then they'll transmigrate and become a better story. Replaceable at any time.

("|| STATUS: [ ]" is my reading status as of typing the novel's description.) <<less

A list of historical BL stories (Xuanhuan, Xianxia, Wuxia, Cultivation, Fantasy, Reincarnation, Transmigration, Imperialism, Martial Arts, Ancient China, Supernatural) 

First got married or got pregnant  before falling in love... more>>

If there are novels that don't fit the description please do tell....

If you have novels in mind then please do share

I hope you all enjoy it.... <<less

My Favorite Chinese Historical  Novels >.< This list consists of both BL and Straight novels with a rating above 4.0~... more>>

Note: Recently, some of the translation teams have taken their works down (dead links on the content section)  from NU (because NU has grown a lot) however most of them if not all have their own sites and the novels are still available there! So if you search the novels online you can still find them! ;)

P.S. There is also a part 2 with more novels and hidden gems for everyone to read! If interested the second list can be found on my account :)  <<less

All novels where mc transmigrate in a book then helped a certain character in the book to escape their bad fate.... more>>

Or just mc wearing a book <<less

Novels with royalty tag..... more>>

Does not include QTs

Ancient settings, interstellar, omegaverse etc etc.... <<less

Other...
*becoming the king's man (yaoi) [manga] tag: transmigration.... more>>

*The Whole Entertainment Circle Begs Me To Shut Up (全娱乐圈都求我闭嘴)

*I Raise Monsters In the Interstellar

*QT: Don't fall in love with the Male Lead (Novel)

*Return to Devil's Lover [Manga]

* Fall in mistake love [Manga]

*Return to 100 Ways to Heal a Psychopath [manga/novel] <<less

Novels translated by Chrysanthemum Garden translation team. For novels I've read, I put on higher list and give a bit comment.
Their translation is good and the pace also great. And many enjoyable story there.... more>>

Due to the limitation of the list, I delete some novels which has rating less than 4.1

Due to the limitation of the list, I put the short stories on another list: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/35706/

> Totally recommended: super duper good great story that you'll regret if not read it
> Recommended: a good story with good plot and has certain charm
> Average: not a bad story but has an average plot or some generic stuff but still good
> Not my cup of tea: I wont say it bad, but it's not my taste. Feel free to try to read it tho :) <<less

Craving dog food? Looking for some romance? Then, stop the souless search and check out this list!! You're welcome! From different genres, themes, BL and BG, hope there's something here for you! Enjoy! <3... more>>

Not ranked in order; fluffy, 1v1 (no harem), HE; entertaining <<less

Basically my list of all the new stars of the genre! Happy reading :D ... more>>

Rating:  ❤️❤️❤️ To-die-for      ❤️❤️ Greatly entertaining                       ❤️ Enjoyable 
The novels are not all historical though.

For more, my all times "Best historical novels" list is here: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/19039/ <<less

A list to keep track of the novels that hurt my heart... and/or hurt the MC/ML hehehehehe the more suffering, the better. Self sacrifice (SS) is always welcome. Recs appreciated! Some novels have not been read yet and are added due to the recommendations of others.... more>>

Includes novels with empty protagonists, broken protagonists, and sick protagonists

Stories differentiated by my own terms:

[Apathetic], [Sick], [Tragedy], [SS] [Depressed], [Transmigration], [Revenge]

Also: [Unread], [Reread-> read multiple times]

Organized so my favorites (tragic quick transmigrations where MC breaks ML's heart repeatedly) are at the top, then all the death craving characters, then the mistreated and sick villainesses, then the apathetic and SS children appear <<less

Most have the following trope: pretty boy captured by the emperor/prince and forced to be a concubine.  Others marry due to imperial decree.
Some harems. Some dubious/non-consent, but not always. I will note if it's consensual.... more>>

I annotated the ones I read. Those are on top. The most recent books I found are on the bottom.

Also Recommended: "The Captured Crown Prince" aka "The Prisoner of the East Palace" aka   东宫阶下囚 by 作者:六妖.  https://www.sto.cx/mbook-186546-1.html. (dubious/non-consent).

Do a Google search of Chinese name in Chrome so you can read with Google translate.

My other danmei list: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/54013/?ft=yes

Enemies to lovers; arranged marriage; forced marriage  <<less

(cuz part 1 has 100 titles LOL)... more>>

Summaries may contain spoilers!

MC: main character

ML: male lead (often the love interest HAHAHA) <<less

A list of best xianxia, wuxia, xuanhuan and historical novels in my opinion. ... more>>

Power couples, angst, lots of pining and slow-burn. <<less

With their abnormal flaws and huge red flags, they’re not for everyone, but they’re perfect for each other. Involves intense and passionate love, and often some forgiveness ... more>>

- Couples who love each other despite knowing about their partner’s red flag, abnormal, toxic traits. Includes characters who used to be toxic in the past. 

- characters who come to know of their partner’s viciousness, possessiveness, abnormal obsession, revenge, etc. 

- characters who learn that they were used/deceived but still continue to love their partner <<less

No description.

Ancient or Cultivation BL reads that will make you feel you didn't waste your time. This list is apart of a series classified by genre; other lists of this series include Thriller/Action, Fluff, and Modern/Transmigration novels. I tried to include both known and unknown novels to give more diversity to the reading list. Honest note--not a big fan of ancient settings. I've judged quality by reviews and seeming plot. ... more>>

So what is my subjective version of a quality BL of this list?

-No/little plot holes & well developed plot

Capable MC and ML  (not aggravatingly s*upid and knows when to respect each other but also put their foot down at the right moments). 

 -Lasting impression. I made this list by memory so if it's not on here...Chances are it's not worth remembering for the list.

-Makes me think--especially applies to this genre since I usually read this genre for the court schemes and palace intrigues. 

-Make me cry, laugh, yell or gasp. Perhaps all at the same  time. 

*****I have also included BL novels that have high expectations from me. The higher the expectations, the higher the stars. Hence, "***, **, *."

PS. Novels I've read are the only ones rated according to number. The rest (unread) are just listed randomly.

 PSS. There are always exceptions on this list that don't fit the requirements. But it's not bad to explore out of your comfort zone.  <<less

why do you even look for knife bro. treasure your life more. treasure your kokoro more. QAQ... more>>

Warning:
- I don't read BE (some might be BE-ish tho :haroldface:)
- I only add titles where I've experienced the knife, or know there would be knife for sure (ex: mudaoli's novel)
- degree of knife sharpness varies for each person. you might agree with this list, you might not. 
- I have low pain tolerance :haroldface: 

my scale of pain, ranged from 'not really hurts' to 'it haunts me every time I see kite': 
1-3: wooden rice spoon (getting hit by one hurts okay)
4-6: paper cut (hidden but suddenly you feel pain)
7-8: knife. be wary. 
9: you're almost ascending via 刀道
10: machete. you've already reached godhood of 刀道. congratulations.  <<less

“Please don’t leave me because you’re all that I have. Even if the whole world is against me, I know that you’ll be there for me.”... more>>

- Couples that are a team. They have been there for each other through all the struggles <<less

This list contains love that transcends two lifetimes through characters that travel through time and space to be with their loved one.... more>>

- involving lovers that get another chance, this list includes characters (eg. ml or children) that go back in time to meet and save their beloved (eg. fl or parents) from unfortunate situations. 

 -includes Non-strangers that transmigrate together and continue to associate with each other to eventually fall in love; characters from different time periods that fall in love; lovers that continue to love and find their happy ending after rebirth; multiple transmigrations; and lovers that eventually travel to the mc’s original world to stay together 

- includes lovers separated by time and dimensions 

- won’t include world hopping, quick transmigration novels with a system administrator unless both mc and ml have systems that relay tasks related to each other falling in love  <<less

A list of all transmigration and rebirth novels I've read so far :3... more>>

(does not include QT)

HE & 1v1 <<less

No description.

After reading war prisoner, I have a thirst for stories with the Male empress genre ( with happy endings *wink). So this is my list so far.... more>>

P.S - I traditionally avoid anything with a whiff of a sad ending, since I've always been the optimistic type who feeds off of happy endings to survive.

P.P.S - I added only the good ones. If the story is not good or boring I put notes underneath. and the ones that are not worth reading, well I didn't add them. <<less

Pretty covers regardless of its contents ... more>>

And also how I got scammed into reading some boring stuff because I got hooked by their beautiful exterior. But sometimes beautiful exterior does reflect what’s inside 

Still adding some pretty covers with good content and also adding my sad conned novel reading experience  <<less

[NOT RANKED]... more>>

I'm tired of the double standards, third parties, unnecessary drama, scumbags etc. This list features extremely devoted couple! 1v1 HE. Totally safe to read. 

Gong (Seme) and Shou(Uke) are each others first & only s*xual partner; first & only love.  (Either it's explicitly mentioned, mentioned by the author, mentioned between the lines, or assumed in some cases if no other partners/ prior experience is mentioned). No exes, cinnabar moles, substitutes etc. 

No other partners in case of a seperation or breakup. 

No getting r*ped/ assaulted/ kissed/ mol*sted by passerbys or supporting leads. No love triangles or leading others on. If there's a harem it should be dismissed by the end. If either Gong or Shou are actors, then they should be the type that doesn't do intimate scenes. 

No kids involving other women (surrogacy). No marriage of convenience with other woman. 

P.S I only have requirements for the main cp. 

********************************
I'll try my best to eventually mark the details...

PART 2: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/80741/ <<less