Pinnacle Novels of Quality! Immerse yourself~
Pinnacle Novels of Quality! Immerse yourself~
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.
[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.
My descriptions varies greatly from a gist, polished review, impressions, or explains key points.
[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.
195 Followers
Created: Sep 14th, 2020, Updated: May 3rd, 2021
Created Sep 14th, 2020
Updated May 3rd, 2021
25 Chapters Every 603.3 Day(s) 12656 Readers 331 Reviews 09-19-2002
[My Novelupdates Page Review]... more>>
318 Chapters Every 26.7 Day(s) 14084 Readers 150 Reviews 04-25-2023
Filled with schemes and plots, lore, world-building, fleshed-out and likable characters, smooth (rolling on my arse wheezing - in MY opinion) comedy in conversations, an MC you'll be interested in and want to root for and it has one of the well-done realistic circumstance in these kinds of stories, with women who are strong, admirable, and you can't help but be attached to for their own personalities. Action is very detailed and doesn't get stale, I guess it's main flaw in fight scenes is that these scenes are portrayed fully making it long and complex. My first xuanhuan and an absolute favorite of mine. ... more>>
40 Chapters Every 151.8 Day(s) 7257 Readers 188 Reviews 12-14-2018
A favorite of mine, it is about a transmigration to a sci-fi video game world that makes you wonder about the universe of the book, with a unique power system and breathtaking action scenes and universe-spanning schemes and reactions. Action takes precedence here and the conflicts really make you excited as the mc always lives up to expectations with his wits, skills, resourcefulness, and the boldness and conviction he displays. It's a power-leveling novel, a high quality one I suppose with many likeable elements here and there.... more>>
163 Chapters Every 313.1 Day(s) 13593 Readers 159 Reviews 10-22-2017
Action-adventure comedy gold, modern world xianxia; fun, character-driven and has a wide universe with many systems of cultivation and mysteries. Very wacky, and sometimes cheesy but that's what I like about it - it is still contrasted by fun storytelling, twists, amazing moments, and consistency.... more>>
113 Chapters Every 531.5 Day(s) 13433 Readers 357 Reviews 02-06-2019
Definitely a classic for the future (called it!). There are only two caveats: no romance as far as I know (not that it is needed anyway) and that the main character always wants to return to Earth. ... more>>
101 Chapters Every 410.3 Day(s) 6095 Readers 131 Reviews 09-29-2023
Don't read at night, alone, and when lights are closed!... more>>
37 Chapters Every 92.4 Day(s) 1835 Readers 50 Reviews 07-10-2020
The books is definitely unique, comedic intermixed with an entertaining direction, and very aware of tropes and even subverting it. It just needs some adjusting to, but it's definitely not generic. I'm still evaluating it.... more>>
144 Chapters Every 11.3 Day(s) 2640 Readers 65 Reviews 04-06-2024
My favorite politics in a novel. Other reads are only kiddie meals, this one's for the big boys. The only one that can match the amount of political stuff and scheming left and right is Transcending the Nine Heavens, but that one is more focused on martial arts cultivation.... more>>
123 Chapters Every 203.2 Day(s) 14439 Readers 353 Reviews 01-05-2016
If you're up for ancient dynasty, some mind-games and schemes, mature romance, character interaction, and a transmigrated protagonist.... more>>
1816 Chapters Every 0.9 Day(s) 8953 Readers 176 Reviews 04-26-2024
Adventure with some comedy, and there are lots of arcs, with some high and low points but it doesn't detract from the overall appeal and it is nicely organized so you can skim (except for the first volumes though since that is the intro). ... more>>
1 Chapters Every 4515 Day(s) 11335 Readers 93 Reviews 10-10-2015
Dense protagonist but with explored and slow romance, has some tedious info-dumps and dragging parts, but ticks most of the preferences I've mentioned with amazing world-building, awesome comedy, and characters drawing you in their stories. ... more>>
110 Chapters Every 224.9 Day(s) 8400 Readers 87 Reviews 04-01-2024
Entertaining and comedic, unique read. I only reached v6 but its in my to re-read though. But it is somewhat frustrating and jarring as a man to read, maybe some of you who has the same taste as me would understand.... more>>
1 Chapters Every 4451 Day(s) 482 Readers 23 Reviews 03-18-2020
Marvel-based novel about our principled but smart MC who has a unique detective system. Has a lot of action during the (ridiculously) numerous encounters and interesting events- kinda like superhero comic books. Very entertaining, fun, and definitely comedic. The cast of characters are endearing and add value and possibilities to the story. The MC so far only had casual 'bonking' where his personality does not become annoying.... more>>
37 Chapters Every 13.3 Day(s) 1417 Readers 49 Reviews 03-09-2020
If you're familiar with infinity genre, then you would like this and currently there's enough realism, action and adventure weaved throughout the setting and the characters and original world are treated with importance and things always lead to a satisfying build-up. Though there are some flaws and incorrect facts, as long as I thought that the story itself is set in a parallel universe I avoided nitpicking on otherwise inconsequential stuff because it is still very exciting and entertaining. ... more>>
895 Chapters Every 8.9 Day(s) 11210 Readers 288 Reviews 12-25-2023
Galge or otherwise known as eroge world, which the MC has reincarnated in. It is not inclined towards normal generic tropes and has used popular elements very well. Wll our adult-like, somewhat dense, but very lovable mc be able to overcome the original body's death flags and find happiness - - and possibly finding love?!... more>>
104 Chapters Every 94.6 Day(s) 1974 Readers 26 Reviews 08-12-2022
The mc is a demon and takes a very different approach compared to other transmigrators: by spreading culture of the Earth, he can achieve his goals and live the life he wants. Characters are well-rounded and details are rich and expounded upon, and you'd get entertained, feel emotions, and want to see how much our smart neutral mc reaches. Comedy is also on point and you will feel relief that the mc isn't dense nor a block of wood, so the romantic subplot is a great part of the story and actually also surprises and will make you want to cheer it on. ... more>>
66 Chapters Every 111.5 Day(s) 5517 Readers 34 Reviews 11-15-2019
Fluffy, heartwarming, comedic, and meaningful romance. Haven't finished it yet though.... more>>
527 Chapters Every 42.5 Day(s) 10538 Readers 60 Reviews 11-03-2022
My most favorite school-focused novel. The school is unique in and of itself and it is the location of schemes, mind-games and character interaction and development. Each book is satisfying to read in all it's conflicts, twists, and climaxes. Excellent for me as I feel the life and emotions of the characters and the liveliness of the school.... more>>
163 Chapters Every 94.9 Day(s) 18521 Readers 126 Reviews 09-20-2022
Anti-hero/villain and amoral mc, game-turned-reality world-building, multiple identities, kingdom building, side-character development, schemes and conspiracies, and a dynamic setting with side-plots. This is one of the best made novels making use of the game-world and isekai trope. ... more>>
0 Chapters Every 3555 Day(s) 3943 Readers 18 Reviews N/A
Like most amazing japanese works, it just pulls you into it's world and let's you be invested in the characters. It's not just a simple isekai story -- it's an isekai done WELL with it being an integral part of the plot featuring entertaining action, comedy, and ever-changing relationship dynamics. ... more>>
#21Youjo Senki
9 Chapters Every 344 Day(s) 6599 Readers 27 Reviews 04-04-2017
Tanya Degurechaffe is an anti-hero protagonist pitifully thrust in a complex world that is akin to the world during WW1 and forced to go to war as a child. The gender-bending is actually well done and meshes well with the story. Oh, and she is very unlucky, yet capable and insanely cool.... more>>
#22Sevens (LN)
145 Chapters Every 101.9 Day(s) 4678 Readers 20 Reviews 11-09-2020
Sevens had it's fun moments, comedy, memorable fighting scenes, amazing worldbuilding and adventure which expanded upon details most other fantasy light novels didn't. It did the whole "ancestor in artifact" trope really well. There was also a harem, which was interesting with and included things normal JP romance with many love interests don't address, so it didn't drag the plot and it can be seen as romance subplot with a mc who is not useless love-s*upid. Has some plot armor which might be bothersome but ultimately did not ruin the immersion and lastly the ending + side stories wraps it up well and consistent to the previous developments to the story as it acknowledges flaws... more>>
2 Chapters Every 1579.5 Day(s) 3974 Readers 17 Reviews 10-04-2015
This is a character-driven romcom so it's a slow but well-paced with a lot of interaction and development. It is different from the usual romance stories and excels in it's execution in my opinion. Can be enjoyed regardless of gender. Also there are a lot of extra books so read those because they add lots of context to the story. ... more>>
128 Chapters Every 14.2 Day(s) 16934 Readers 184 Reviews 04-24-2024
Plays with otome game and fantasy world trope but it's a self-aware novel making use of these factors, making it a entertaining series. The protagonist here also doesn't fall into the spineless trope so I can discount his denseness because it's kept to a realistic and acceptable level, without truly frustrating misunderstandings or compromising the characters personalities. It's also a mish-mash of genres fitting for the world - with some high points.... more>>
0 Chapters Every 3477 Day(s) 5257 Readers 56 Reviews 10-19-2014
Amazing world-building, full of adventure, action, and drama. The character's personality, interaction, and thoughts are portrayed well along their respective weaknesses and strengths while considering their circumstances in an unfamiliar world. The world itself is fantasy yet it isn't that simple-- like the real world, the cast works their way up step-by-step to become great adventurers and trying to live in a world that working hard doesn't mean you will have it; the opposite will happen because there's deaths, unavoidable dangers, unexpected circumstances, and playing hero might get you dead. Many things are shown: eating, travelling, interaction and conversations, conflicts, limited stamina, human needs like money and food, and other things that give it it's... more>>
Comments (27)
I agree with everything except ORV(Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint) the last arc of that novel and the epilouge was really bad in my opinion.
Also BTW, the Web Novel for Dungeon Defense is currently being translated and can be found here:
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/dungeon-defense-wn/https://www.novelupdates.com/series/dungeon-defense-wn/
Thanks :)
Yeah. I haven't read ORV's last 50 chapters but I heard that it was 'bad' from other's opinion. Still top quality and unique in enjoyment and story among webnovels though.
Also I read Dungeon's Defense WN but it's so different. For me, LN and WN have same title, but different stories right from the beginning - both versions are like the difference between the original fairytale books and disney adaptation. I'm waiting for translations to pile up but it's not a priority as I really, really like the LN. My reason is that the writing is lower in quality than the later written LN, aspects are toned down, and a favorite character of mine had tragic things done to her which hurts my heart
@Sleep-deprived-enthusiast
I also recommend that you read this novel:
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-editor-is-the-novels-extra/
It's a much more serious version of "tr*sh of the Count's Family". Be warned though, the first 30 or so chapters are pretty boring as they are mostly just set-up for the actual story, so I suggest you read until chapter 60 before you decide to drop it or not.
GREAT! Finally someone who read House of Horrors! Also Gekkou! Im guessing you too have been a reader before fan translations become popular since Gekkou is in Baka tsuki. Im just a bit disappointed about Rakuin no Monshou not being in this list. That novel to me is on the same level as lord of the mysteries and house of horrors, the highest level for me.
Ive read everything on this list except the legend of Sun Knight and most of the last 10(i will check them out now) on the list and i would say I pretty much agree with every thing you said. This is a great list.
Hahaha yeah I did start with baka-tsuki novels, starting with old titles. Also thanks for the praise :) It's something I made purely because of wanting to share my enjoyment to other people like you.
I'll read Rakuin no Monshou. I was previously hesitant because nobody talked to me about it.
For Legend of the Sun Knight, for all of the things I don't like about it, it's what could I say, something I enjoyed for it's comedy and adventure aspects though I did not finish it yet.
Glad we agreed with My House of Horrors. Top-favorite of mine and I got hooked right from the start and did not regret binging all available chapters at the time.
Thanks for the suggestions
-Kumo Desuga and The Novel's Extra -- Great starts, lowers in quality. TNE went from great to good, I kept reading even when people said one of the arc is similar to HxH but then I stopped reading at around chapter 300 because it was skipping all details and fights. Kumo was great for the first parts when there was evolution, and I still read it throughout the war arc. I lost interest in the story of Kumo though in the middle of the story because of the muddled direction. Maybe one day I'll re-read it but I'll definitely watch the anime adaptation, as well as read the manga adaptation because I saw it had a revised story.
-Ouroboros Record was dropped in LN and hiatus in WN so I'd rather not try because I don't know if it'll ever get continued. Delve's reviews where overwhelmingly telling they enjoyed it but the plot didn't have any major direction past chapter 100 so I will let chapters stock first before diving into it in case it get better.
-The Wandering Inn, To be a Power in the shadows was in my to-read and I guess I'd put it higher in priority ;)
- The Gate of Good Fortune, the Magus of Genesis, and Hakai no Miko -- thanks, first time knowing of these so I'll put it in my to-read. Reviews are mixed though, but I'll definitely try The Gate of Good Fortune looks pretty great, which I only had the chance of hearing of because of you.
Thanks again!
4. The Beginning After The End [tapas] - exploration of transmigration-reincarnation, interesting power systems and abilities, schemes and wars, action, conflicts, overarching plot, romantic subplot, realistic characters and character development, sacrificial and intelligent and flawed protagonist. -- has some flaws but good for a webnovel.
6. The Oracle Paths - this is so good. My gripes with this is the author keeps on making the main character tolerate some characters with a bad personality most readers don't like (not that I really hate it, it just gets much reaction for the audience), for now the main romance feels like its affecting mc's other possible relationship with love interests because of the circumstance but main romance and mc haven't met except for the start and there is no bullsh*t as of now that made the mc not want to have a fling/relationship because of 'main romance fate', and maybe the protagonist's notion of strategy and battle tactics are sometimes hindered by the widespread 'system' (oracle in this case, as the title says) but it does get handled properly, and while his intelligence does really develop and used properly to think of creative means, achieve goals and do things for his own growth, he's not the ultimate scheming/strategist types.
Time travelers guide to feudal japan is definitely good, especially those who are extremely familiar with the sengoku era. This is the only novel where i paid my way to the latest chapter in just 2 days. Highly recommended to those who play Shogun Total War.
The Beginning After the end - the tags you’ve written piqued my interest, i will add it to my reading list/bookmark.
The mech touch- sadly mechs are not my taste anymore.
@Buskervile the mech touch is currently.... yeah, some things are just ruining the enjoyment. The author at least written it well enough with things for the future so I hope it get better when I get back to it a few months later, edit: just seen some chapters, not free of annoyances and flaws, but still good and enjoyable enough.
For TBATE, it is by no means perfect and has some cliches, but it's execution is good enough that its way above other reincarnation stories do (looking at you generic isekai JP novels) and the plot is thought-out. It's especially memorable to me as it is one of the first stories of this genre I read. I recommend going into it knowing the mc is interesting and has relatability while also having flaws, shortcomings, and conflicts that add some value to the story without you questioning or wanting to beat the mc like in other stories. One of the things I liked about it the most is the protagonist growing stronger as a child because of his reincarnation advantage.
@animefan4004 Really? That's a shame, I put it on hold and it was still good at that point. I heard about that opinion in the past but my reading tastes were still immature and inexperienced back then to judge it properly.
I like female protags... but the beginning after the end is really good IMO. I anxiously await each upload of the manhwa.
Besides the text on the description, I hate shock-value forced ntr and ntr vibes;
I can handle r//a//p//e for darker stories but I hate it when it happens outta nowhere to characters we are invested in or especially to any female lead;
main protagonists that are cookie-cutter and have no personality and their terrible qualities don't add any value at all to the story;
past a certain point bad kr, jp, and cn mc's are turn-off: examples are carefree non-questioning isekai push-over, and lone wolf edgy power-leveler, emotionless mu*der hobo villainous assaulter of the opposite sex;
lastly usage of popular tropes to pander are tasteless. This includes s*ave harems, jade beauties, unentertaining grandpa or subordinate admirers, uber lucky deus ex machina etc.
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World-building is one of my topmost priority in a story
I can read any genre, but generally nothing too classic (but I am planning to read some soon) or too teen-like or for childish audience, as in something like twilight (correct me if I'm wrong as I have not read it) or idealistic wattpad books for teen/young adults, or for-fun anime fanfic. I'm not insulting those as those have value to who reads them, it's not just for me.
Premise, emotions, storyline, entertainment, writing quality, and length are things that hook me in, but I'm picky about 'quality' but not picky if I truly enjoy something.
side note: why do I read harem? I am aware they are pretty unrealistic and only 1% can be considered realistic, it's just pretty fun. What I enjoy is the dynamics that are pretty entertaining, the bloodshed funny, and romantic moments exciting, the shipping and fluff lighthearted, and sometimes the heroines can be a protagonist on their own right. Just like how I enjoy evil, grey, and even non-human/monster protagonists, it doesn't have to be realistic for it's fiction. It only needs to hook my interest and soothe my boredom.