My favorite currently reading webnovel that needs no introduction. Chu Wanning is one of my all time favorite characters! The translation is excellent, if a... more>> little slow (totally understandable, of course), and I love Meatbun and her style of writing even if it's a little wacky or questionable sometimes. The angst is unbelievable and incredibly bittersweet - knives, knives, knives! I also think, narratively speaking so far, Meatbun has done an incredible job of punishing and then redeeming Mo Ran - he's nothing like either of his former selves and has instead grown into a character I genuinely cherish and adore, something I didn't think was possible even though I've always liked him. I hate Shi Mei more than anything, but I love Xue Meng and so many other side characters - they're all so fun! Warnings for all kinds of violence and pain, but if you Can read this then you should!! <<less

A novel about farming... just kidding, it's about a young second son who is sent to a remote estate after finding out he has a... more>> new older stepbrother who will take his place in the line of succession and, together with his strong and silent bodyguard/"s*ave" (only in initial name, they're very much equals), build up the estate into a profitable farm and work his way up in the world. I LOVE both the main characters and I really did find the plot of the first two books very interesting, despite being excruciatingly detailed sometimes. The romance is also very sweet, if mild. However, I know a love triangle is going to be officially introduced in the third book and I HATE love triangles, so I've been putting off reading this for quite some time. <<less

I watched the drama adaptation of this, The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty, first and loved it! One of the best dramas I've ever seen.... more>> So far, though quite different, the novel doesn't disappoint in the slightest - Tang Fan and Sui Zhou in both the original work and the adaptation are character types, so I love both! The story is simply two government officials working together to solve mysteries, but their dynamic and of course gradual romance is what really draws you in. I'm also finding the novel easier to read than others since I have a general idea of where the plot might be headed due having watched the drama AND craving actual canon zhoufan because of the drama's censorship so that's nice too! <<less

MC is brutally injured, nearly blinded, and falls from his sect, wherein the evil and amoral ML comes in and takes care of him based purely on a whim. I wasn't expecting to like this novel as much as I do, but Shen Qiao and Yan Wushi are as near and dear to my heart as anything now! Watching Shen Qiao regain his abilities at a snail's pace is heartbreaking and inspiring all at once and his neverending kindness through it all is a sight to behold - Yan Wushi is written as the perfect kind of amoral character, walking a fine line that's very necessary for me to like him and like him I... more>> definitely do! So far there hasn't been much romance, but because of how excellent the characters are and how much I like them I'm that much more invested in watching their romance grow whenever it does!

EDIT: nothing could have prepared me for how much I love this novel. Easily up there with all-time favorites of mine like MDZS and 2HA - the slow burn is so f*cking exquisite, despite the confusing section where it almost feels like Shen Qiao is falling in love with Yan Wushi's split personalities rather than he himself. It's ended up making a lot of sense in my mind and now that they've parted on such deliciously ambiguous and shockingly tender terms all I want is to see them together again as soon as possible!! The way the plot is coming to a head and Shen Qiao is growing stronger and stronger is so stunningly excellent - I don't have words! A must read! <<less

Original thoughts on this novel need to shut the hell up. SHUT UP!! I love this book so much. There's so much to unpack when it comes to all the reasons I love it. It's genuinely so well-written (so! well-written!) with an absolutely classic and at the same time really unique plot. The main characters are f*cking brilliant. Seriously, Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye inspire something borderline feral in me. Their dynamic and relationship (insomuch as they have progressed up to chapter 60, where I currently am in the novel) are seriously f*cking out of this world. They're incredibly strong characters in their own right, which leads to their clashes and ups and downs in... more>> the storyline being breathtakingly intense. As the reader you're constantly craving that they could just fall in love easily and be happy together, but at the same time it's literally impossible to look away from what their relationship is from one moment to the next - vindictive, tender, brutal, passionate, and everything in between. I love enemies to lovers as a trope, but I think it can be hard to do...realistically? And that's okay, because the content is fictional after all. But it's deeply refreshing to encounter a relationship like CeZhou because it does feel deeply believable and genuine. They repeat it themselves again and again; they are the only people in the whole world who can genuinely understand each other's turmoil and pain. And during a time when they're constantly conniving, constantly reaching for things kept just out of their grasp by status, by fear, by opposing agendas, that counts for something more than their past altercations and hatred for one another. As the story unfolds, that counting for something clearly grows stronger and brighter, in ways neither of them are prepared to deal with but cannot resist nevertheless. It's just really, really beautifully crafted and I'm thoroughly obsessed with everything CeZhou at this point.

That being said, this novel also has its lighthearted parts! There are some laugh out loud bits of humor here and there, and some characters who are genuinely good and likable (though no one isn't complex beyond those traits as well). It's also important to emphasize - especially for Western audiences such as the one I'm part of - that this is novel where participation matters! You can't go into this expecting to simply jump into the story without putting in any concentrated work to properly learn every character's significance and their place in the palace politics. There are helpful footnotes and the translator is considerate enough to include a constantly updating glossary for both characters and locations in the novel, but the downside of this is that the glossary does contain spoilers for someone just getting into the novel now! When I resolved myself to reading this story I sat down and made myself a glossary with notes for each character about their relationships with other characters and their agendas/role in the plot, and I'm still updating that glossary as I read! I personally enjoyed the process a lot and found it really helpful for getting into the Chunky Historical Novel Reading mindset; now that I'm a little ways into the story, it's easier to keep track of who is who and what's going on, so it definitely is just a matter of getting used to the subject material in some ways as well. Nevertheless, I don't think I wouldn't gotten into this novel if I hadn't properly dedicated myself to learning the ins and outs of the plot because this is a /super/ heavy plot-based book, so if you prefer lighter or easier stories this one probably isn't for you! 

Previous comment: Almost Too plot heavy for my taste? Every time I try to read this I end up more and more confused, plus the lack of current interaction and chemistry between the two main characters means less incentive for me personally to trek on. But I keep seeing people talk about this novel and praise it, so I will keep going at it. <<less

Really weird and confusing right off the bat but very intriguing at the same time so even though this one is slow-going I want to... more>> keep at it! Science fiction is harder for me to read as well, but even so. And I really want to see more of the main character and ML! <<less

I've delved deeper (finished book 1). Feitian is just such an excellent writer. I love that this novel showcases his comedic abilities as a writer too - it's genuinely laugh-out-loud funny even in the midst of intense battles! Chen Xing is actually one of the sweetest MCs I've encountered yet. He's so dedicated to his task while simultaneously acting like his age and being irritable and petty sometimes - I love a flawless protagonist overflowing with kindness as much as the next person, but I might appreciate an imperfect character with a lot of growth to do even more. And Xiang Shu is just the perfect break from your typical gong/ML type! I feel like... more>> most often the shous of danmei are the tsunderes, which I adore, but a tsundere-esque, grump of a gong is really fun and unique! The whole concept of a world without cultivation arts and one single person trying to bring them back with his limited abilities as an exorcist is so fascinating too - overall just such a fun and engaging ride!

Original comments: Classic confusing history lesson right off the bat by Feitian as I expected - Chen Xing is an adorable main character and the plot seems fascinating and very unique so I'm excited to delve deeper! <<less

What a find!! I saw one of my mutuals on Twitter reading this and decided to give it a shot for the cute excerpts they posted even though video game novels REALLY aren't my thing and I've never even tried any e-sports novels before this one. It was definitely confusing at first and I'm still having to work to pick up slang and usernames and the like, but it's so worth the work - this novel is an absolute gem! The chemistry and relationship between the two characters is so fun and interesting, plus the side characters are freaking hilarious. I'm almost sad that I like this novel so much because the chapters are still... more>> being released, not only in translation but by the actual author as well T_T thankfully there's still a ways to go before the tl catches up to that, however, so for now I'll just continue enjoying the ride!

Update: holy moly I love this novel so much! Not only is the romance stupendous from dynamic to execution, but I'm finding myself getting really invested in the e-sports and competition aspect of the novel which is something I never thought would happen! Especially considering how easily bored I get with regular sports stories. I've finished all the translated chapters and I already miss Wei Xiao and Lu Feng and Bai Cai and all the rest so much!! ;;; <<less

MC is a supernatural sub-personality (??) of a rude little jerk of an idol with multiple personalities who ends up taking over all his other... more>> selves and also happens to be psychic and require sustenance in the form of resentment and negative energy. The ML is a bit of a hidden lead, but it turns out he's a psychologist and skeptic. This novel is pretty slow-going (I'm on chapter ~20 and MC's origins still haven't been explained beyond him being a psychic) and the writing is very...matter of fact and straightforward, almost - which can be a nice change from the flowery lingo and complicated plots of the other works I'm currently reading, but sometimes I feel it is a little lacking. The reviews on this say the romance is definitely more shounen-ai than outright lust or whatever, which I personally am cool with and definitely can understand already - it took like 15 chapters for the ML to even show up and, more than attracted to, he seems disturbed by and deeply skeptical of MC T__T (also a kind of slay in its own right though). I'll definitely keep reading this one, because the plot really is quite unique, but it's on a bit of a back-burner for now! <<less

Okay I'm finally reading the continued translation and loving it! Solid angst-driven story that breaks my heart more and more with every chapter! Will add onto this more when I'm further into the book.... more>>

EDIT: meatbun loves pain and this book is no exception. I won't lie, I've cried a lot over this book so far and it actually did take a bit of a toll of my mental health when I was binge-reading it just because. Wow! Depressing! But, I mean, it's meatbun. This is what we all signed up for. And I do think it's a very well-written novel with lots of salacious drama and tragedy and mystery which are all things meatbun is quite good at executing in an engaging and exciting way. And I also have to acknowledge the fact that I've almost never been as obsessed with any character as I am with Murong Lian; I love what a truly unapologetic b*tch he constantly is, I love examining and thinking about his personality and why he is the way he is, etc. XiMang is also a good main couple, though 1. their dynamic/tropes aren't necessarily my thing and 2. obviously I'm going to mentally compare any meatbun pairing to ranwan because, duh, most epic and best love, and for me ximang just don't really compare. For me! I do think (especially after finishing 2HA mtl) that the level of angst meatbun writes at is maybe a little over my tolerance threshhold, so I'm reading this one at a slower speed and am less invested. But there's nothing wrong with it, it's really just a matter of my personal preference and enjoyment when it comes to danmei novels.

EDIT 2/12: I genuinely love this book so much I think currently I'm enjoying it more than I enjoyed 2ha actually. So ignore some of the above statement LOL

(BELOW: previous thoughts from previous lists)

(COPIED FROM READING LIST) Meatbun's other novel set in the same universe as 2HA that I enjoy quite a bit less, but still very much. The translation is so painfully slow that I don't know if I'll ever get to finish this one - often I forget it even exists. I like the characters and the plot is intriguing, but so much time passes in between updates that I'm finding it hard to care about this novel at this point (no blame is on the translator here, of course, as they are busy with their own life and don't owe me or any other consumers of their translations anything - I'm only stating my personal feelings here).

EDIT: Dropped due to the translator dropping it - I don't know when MTL became comparable in the slightest to the work of an actual human being who fully understands the nuances of the languages they are writing it, but there's that. <<less

Two members of a flopping idol group are spotted sharing an "intimate" moment and put together as a CP by upper management. I'm only a few chapters in but honestly, it's really cute so far? The main characters seem very archetypal but not necessarily in a bad way and I think the premise (as a reformed idol fan) is so funny and honest about how those sectors of the entertainment industry work. The other characters, mainly consisting of the group manager and the other members of the idol group, at cute too! I'm looking forward to reading more!... more>>

Edit: just a quick little update to say I am well and truly loving this novel at 53 chapters in T_T Pei Tingsong and Fang Juexia are both hugely entertaining and sweet in their own ways, and the push and pull of their relationship tentatively progressing from nemeses, to mutual understanding, to friendship, to something much more is SO fun to see! I don't know how I'm going to stand waiting every few days for a new update - I'm already craving them in the few hours I've had to go without their antics!! <<less

Sweet little bodyguard from ancient times dies protecting his general and transmigrates into the present-day body of what may very well be his reincarnation, who... more>> happens to be in a loveless marriage to the reincarnation of the very general he died to save - only, in this life, he's cold and indifferent oOo. I really like this story so far! It's a little bit of a unique twist on a very basic premise, which is appreciated. The MC is endearingly positive and cheerful without being overbearingly so, while the ML isn't a straight-up as*hole - rather, his personality feels well-integrated and realistic. I love a devoted shou too, but they seem to be pretty rare, so I'm enjoying that aspect as well; it's so cute how the sense of loyalty and admiration MC carries for ML slowly but surely transitions into love ;-; The plot is a little bit basic so far, but it's a very cute and sweet slice of entertainment life story so I think that's okay! Overall, really enjoying this one! 7/10 <<less

Modern day detective novel featuring a fun host of characters and two main couples. It's set in the same universe as another of Priest's works... more>> which doesn't currently have a translation. It's very dark, first of all - basically the second book of Mo Du turned up to an eleven. It's also one of Priest's early efforts, so it's definitely rough around the edges in that aspect as well. But I quite like the two main characters - they have a very sweet and caring dynamic that I can't help but be drawn to. The side couple is only just now barely starting to go somewhere, but I'm enjoying that one too so far! The secondary characters are super fun and funny, as expected from Priest, and altogether despite the dark tone of the mysteries I still find myself laughing quite a bit here and there. Speaking of the mysteries, though, that's where my main problem with this story lies - simply put, it's looking like most of the criminals here are going to be suffering from mental illnesses such as OCD, DID, and so forth. Their mental illnesses cause them to act out in violent and incredibly brutal ways, taking tens of innocent lives at a time...sound problematic to anyone else? Yep, so far this story is extremely stigmatizing of neurodivergent people and mental illness in general - as a neurodivergent person myself, these age-old tropes about "violent crazy people" are super hurtful and it honestly really sucks to see an author I respect so much throwing them around like it's no big deal, because it genuinely is. One criminal suffering from mental illness is one thing, but I'm in like four stories deep and every single criminal has had some kind of neurodivergency; like, what the hell? I'm only tentatively sticking with this story for now because I really do like priest's work and I know that this particular webnovel is eleven years old by now, so I can't exactly hold it to today's standards when dealing with these kinds of topics - but I'll definitely be taking breaks between arcs, and if I get bored of the characters eventually I'll most certainly be dropping this one entirely. 5/10 <<less

Main character travels around from one scary place to another - sort of like quick transmigration but not really. The reason he does this is... more>> related to him being suspended between life and death, and if he successfully makes it through each place he gets to keep living. ML joins him on these adventures. I'm 19 chapters in and not really loving it so far... I mean, the premise is interesting, but I'm just not really intrigued by either of the mains at all, let alone the secondary characters. The potential for romance isn't really my thing either; MC is fairly boring, but ML already seems to be interested in him, which just feels lazy. The horror isn't really intense enough for me, and I also don't love QT types of plots at the best of times, so... this may very well be making its way onto my "dropped" list soon enough, but I'll leave it here for now as it is quite a sizable webnovel and I'd hate to give up on it after less than 20 chapters. <<less

Sequel to Your Memes Are Way Better Looking Than You featuring Jiang Ying and a new character Qi Zhu! They're childhood frenemies with a complex... more>> friendship that, to them, mostly consists of bickering, but to outsiders seems far closer than a simple friendship. So far I'm really into this one - probably even more so than its prequel! I think Jiang Ying makes a very unique character with his genuine passion for arguing and fighting and I'm always a fan of an irritable but stoic character, so Qi Zhu is good for me as well. Their dynamic of a pesterer x the person he loves to get a hard-won reaction out of most is SO fun as well. Their romance is pretty much the whole plot, so there's not much to say about the overarching plot beyond them, but it's okay for me because I enjoy a good straightforward romance once in a while and they really are so cute! Plus, the slowburn element is pretty well done so far, and the way it interacts with their childhood frenemy status is actually pretty fun for me? Which is saying a lot because I am by no means a fan of childhood friends to lovers plots at the best of times. The secondary characters aren't much to write home about, but that's okay with me too - I knew what to expect out of this author when I started reading and nothing has fallen below my expectations, so I'm enjoying myself a bit! The only thing I will say is that I hope the quality doesn't drop after the main couple get together. I definitely had that problem with YMAWBLTY, which was sad because I thoroughly enjoyed the first ~40 chapters, so fingers crossed this one doesn't follow that same path! <<less