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

My comments and ratings on the BEST BL out there that I've read over the past 5 years.  Completed as of January 2024 and will start part 2 list soon. ... more>>

I have a soft spot for strong MCs, unusual relationship dynamics, plotty action, and a well-developed side character cast. I tend to prefer feel-good stories over dark, overly complex ones. These stories don't have everything I like, but they're all great for at least one aspect. 4/5 = like it, 5/5 = love it! MXTX novels not included because they are classics. 

Let me know what you think or if you have MTL recommendations! <<less

Otherwise why are you checking this list huh?  •ิ ֊ •ิ... more>>

・୨・┈・・┈・୨୧・┈・・┈・୧・

Recommended raws: 

美人挑灯看剑 — It's chaotic lmao. MC transmigrated into a beautiful troublemaker who died 800 years later in his life but instead of trying to change it he's just like "why should I behave when I can live freely for 800 years?" 

And here's a few of my similar lists in case you're interested. 

But even if you aren't interested, I'm going to do my shameless self-promo anyways. Want to get rid of these ads? Buy spotify premium or maybe sacrifice that one annoying kid in your neighbourhood who always emits such inhuman noises while playing outside, making it impossible to discern whether it's his gleeful laughter from playing with his friends or anguished cries after witnessing Elmo devour his brother. 

Shizun + Disciple | Every danmei with this trope I could find: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/40623/

ML so obsessed it makes you wanna dial 911 for the MC: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/68585/

Gay harem so big they can march at a pride event: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/51511/

Ps: It's 3am. I had too much coffee. And this kind of situation always results in me cackling at the dumbest things possible, so please ignore it if any of my jokes here are weird. I'll either fix them and move on, or keep them and live with the shame.  <<less

See title lol ;) ... more>>

Also don't judge me for not reading some of these!!! Sigh I like hoarding the good novels and reading the tr*sh. Cries. 

Also this list is compiled of completed works and also not fully translated novels.  <<less

bl/gl novels with the protagonist and love interest growing romantic feelings for each other despite one, the other, or both being:
1) in ancient china... more>> /> 2) in historical europe
3) in a game/show/movie
4) in the apocalypse
5) from another world
note: the romance aspect may or may not be the focus of the story. <<less

I am loosing sight of all the stuff I read and liked or want to read still ? so ... Mostly cultivation stuff or historical. I have no standards and tend to read almost everything to have an excuse to procrastinate :,) So check the NU tags please.... more>>

It is mostly (!) sorted by how much I enjoyed it(I I finished it). To be read are at the very bottom, on hold (for various reasons ) in the middle.

Comments, Suggestions and additional warnings are welcome! (Like saying "Hippo What.The.f*ck. 'Series x not angst?! Are your feelings dead?!'" to which the answer is "Yes, they are" So I rely on others to tell me if I didn't pick up on the angst)

Removed cause I yeeted them like a hot potato(or "a list can only hold 100 but other ppl might enjoy and i wanna remember i dropped em"): 

-I've led the villain astray how do i fix it

-The protagonist is in the right position to get along with the villain <<less

BL novels | Chinese, Korean, Japanese | Ongoing 

All about fluffy enemies to lovers trope novel ~

List of my Read and To-Read novels categorized roughly as Cultivation and Ancient.... more>>

Rating on a "relative" scale of my personal enjoyment (Not Objective)

4: Favorite. 3: Liked. 2: Ok. 1: Meh. 0: Didn't like/Didn't finish. N/a: To Read <<less

Good BLs that are a little less healthy/quality, or too short to judge yet. SF is squick factors, CW is content warnings. If I missed some lmk. Mxtx, Priest, and Meatbun not here bc most ppl know how they feel and I don’t feel like defending my opinion. ... more>>

CURRENTLY BEING REVISED AND NEW LISTS MADE SO I CAN FIT IN EVERYTHING I WANT TO. WILL GET MUCH SHORTER FOR A WHILE BUT I PROMISE IT WILL GET LONGER AGAIN. <<less

Doubt I'll ever be able to read them all in my whole lifetime but that's alright, I live to disappoint myself.

again, it's for my danmei to read list :)

The mc and ml are each other's first love as well as sexual/intimate partners.No past relationships .No dogblood plot. No toxic and scummy characters. Some might have mpreg but others dont. Has a beautiful fairytale like romance or rather the kind that makes you not loose hope on pure , true love!^^ The books have virg*n ml and MC which is either directly mentioned through narration or through  character delivery or is vaguely mentioned from other party perspective . I have verified all the above standards strictly. Especially the first love tag ^^... more>>

(No ranking btw)

Check out part 2 as well~ <<less

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[4/6] a list of BL's I actually read at least 75% through + the on going ones that i really like! LOTS of BL!! this is from a series of recc lists (check out my BG recc list AND my other BL recc lists [GL coming soon !!!] !!!) that i'm making for my own reading log with hopes that other people might give them a try as well! ... more>>

currently organized in descending star rate order !!!

♡ tips for novel enjoyment (esp for newbies to the site ! ) ♡: 

♡ give each novel a fair chance even if the rating is low ! some people just rate 1 star for no reason (especially for BLs and GLs) without even reading it, which is highly unfair ! sometimes, you'll come across GOLD in the lower ratings ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

♡ check the OG novel publishing date ! older novels generally tend to have more questionable morals than ones from ~2019+, and they tend to be really cliche BECAUSE they were likely the pioneers of the genre (i.e. QT, apocalypse, etc...) you don't have to read them, but just keep that in mind !

♡ don't like? don't read ! ... But PLEASE read the synopsis and a few reviews to make sure you know what you're getting into both plot-wise and content warning-wise ! I see some people start ranting after going into a silly sweet QT novel expecting 9000+ level IQ protagonists and plots and,, i'm sorry but you're not gonna see that. manage your expectations and i assure you, you'll have a nice time! <<less

The fourth installment of my BL journey (the other three lists got filled up), and I'm slowly getting burned out on BL novels. However, I... more>> never know when I'll find a hidden gem so that's what this list is for. <<less

Wuxia, xuanhuan, xianxia, martial arts :b

Includes Transmigration

1) [Part 2] to the mega list of BL novels that my friend and/or I have read! ... more>>

2) There’s a [Part 1] to this, so go search for it if you’d like ~ 

3) These are not organized in any way, and some may be on hiatus or dropped. Sorry about that ;;

 Have fun reading! ♪( ´▽｀) <<less

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There is also  a Part 2.... more>>

Some of the Completed novels are in <<BL I've read>> list. <<less

List of BL with great ratings (4.4-4.8) + stellar reviews that I want to read but haven't yet because either... more>>

- I have no time

- personal preferences (too much angst, etc.)

Each BL has personal notes about its content and qualities according to reviews (ie. lots of angst, good plot, presence of female characters, heavy read, light read, etc.) <<less

In no particular order... more>>

5-4.5⭐️ Favourites/favourite ongoing/really enjoyed

4⭐️ Liked

3⭐️ Meh

TBA - to be read

Modern/fantasy novels list: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/83943/?ft=yes <<less