High Quality BL: Recommendations and Rising Stars (Thriller/Action Ver.)
High Quality BL: Recommendations and Rising Stars (Thriller/Action Ver.)
Prt 2: https://www.novelupdates.info/viewlist/54466/
These BL's have left lasting impressions on me in the past years. This list includes the thriller/action/horror/mystery/crime genre. This list is a part of a series classified by genre ; other lists of this series include Ancient Setting novels and Modern/Futuristic/Transmigration novels. I tried to include both known and unknown novels to give more diversity to the reading list.
So what is my subjective version of a quality BL of this list?
-No/little plot holes & well developed plot/mystery
-Actually thrilling
-Capable MC and ML (not aggravatingly s*upid and know 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.
-Good development of all characters--including side characters--as long as the main focus is the main couple.
-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.
These BL's have left lasting impressions on me in the past years. This list includes the thriller/action/horror/mystery/crime genre. This list is a part of a series classified by genre ; other lists of this series include Ancient Setting novels and Modern/Futuristic/Transmigration novels. I tried to include both known and unknown novels to give more diversity to the reading list.
So what is my subjective version of a quality BL of this list?
-No/little plot holes & well developed plot/mystery
-Actually thrilling
-Capable MC and ML (not aggravatingly s*upid and know 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.
-Good development of all characters--including side characters--as long as the main focus is the main couple.
-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.
294 Followers
Created: Aug 11th, 2021, Updated: May 12th, 2025
Created Aug 11th, 2021
Updated May 12th, 2025
172 Chapters Every 44.4 Day(s) 5691 Readers 32 Reviews 09-11-2023
Such a well developed novel. I like to see MCs that can go through the depths of hell while being the most badass person to ever exist. Wu Yu is the perfect embodiment of this. Though I love the ML, Wu Yu really make this novel shine so bright it f*cking blinded me. So that's why this is #1. It has such a lasting impression on me. ... more>>
199 Chapters Every 104.5 Day(s) 10760 Readers 193 Reviews 03-19-2021
Holy shit. This one was...Wow. It starts off from "what's the big deal, isn't this a typical survival game..It's good but what's the huge hype smh...." to "wtf. wtf. wtf. wtf. wtf. wtf." Also I really love this novel because it's an immersive experience. Meaning you'll be exposed to the same clues the MC will be exposed to throughout the course of the horror movies. Meaning, there will be no random clue no one but MC saw when he reaches the solution and face slaps his opponents. I was able to be just as engaged in the horror movie and figure out the connections, which was thrilling even though I couldn't make as many superb... more>>
#3Mist
71 Chapters Every 27.2 Day(s) 12483 Readers 279 Reviews 09-04-2024
One of the BEST BL novels to exist imo. It’s absolutely stunning and every chapter is incredible. The whole story gets you trippy because every detail matters. This is evenly rated with my other top three novels because I simply cannot choose. ... more>>
135 Chapters Every 6.9 Day(s) 14366 Readers 145 Reviews 06-19-2025
Plot twists, action, endearing and thrilling romance, constant character development....Could you ask for anything more? This novel is criminally underrated. ... more>>
90 Chapters Every 2.3 Day(s) 16147 Readers 340 Reviews 05-23-2025
Read. It. Also the summary is the best con artist to exist TT. It accurate but not???... more>>
131 Chapters Every 74.1 Day(s) 20751 Readers 437 Reviews 06-22-2023
If you're here, you've probably read this already...BUT still worth mentioning anyway. ... more>>
61 Chapters Every 18.2 Day(s) 2629 Readers 14 Reviews 10-31-2024
I loved this novel. It’s like a great mix of politics, action, badassness, and mystery. And it never fails to keep you on the edge of your seat, ready to click the mouse in order to move to the next chapter. Sure I’m biased, and this novel has a few flaws (author loves plot twists and putting ML and MC to countless obstacles) here and there, but I will stand by it *cough not at all cuz I love drama and angst with HE*. It’s just that good to me.... more>>
263 Chapters Every 29.1 Day(s) 8306 Readers 49 Reviews 09-05-2024
A great first novel for the author with lovely world building, little plot holes, and superb characters and character development. It's the perfect blend of a shounen/BL novel, and incorporates a wonderful amount of humor to dash the severity of the situation at times. Can really detoxify your stress in an instance. Do keep in mind this is a feel good novel so expect don't expect our characters to walk a thorn filled, anguished, immersed in reality road BUT they will have their fair share of struggles. The author will also keep you on your feet even with her dashes of comedy, which shows the quality of the novel itself. ... more>>
341 Chapters Every 111.3 Day(s) 10168 Readers 151 Reviews 06-09-2025
On here because the the games here are just either mind-blowing in logic or just thrilling in action. Also I'm a total Mom fan for the MC and his growth to becoming super strong so...*cough cough*. Good plot twists here too along with MOST RESPECTFUL and HOT ML IN EXISTENCE. Okay I'm done. I know some reviewers were not a fan of it but I personally I enjoyed it a lot, though it took me a whole ass two weeks to read. ... more>>
233 Chapters Every 15.3 Day(s) 4200 Readers 36 Reviews 12-25-2024
I really liked this one for the most part. It had a good amount of thriller and horror, interesting and engaging arcs, good characters, and nice+unique overall plot development. There was an issue with the *switch*, which is the term I coined when the author had a mix of details provided after the reveal to make the MC look smart and then details provided before the reveal so the reader can figure it out with the MC. Obviously, I prefer the latter. But this *switch* occurred more once I started MTL-ing, so I feel like it could've been an issue with machine translation as it didn't occur with the translator's work. I rate it a... more>>
438 Chapters Every 1.5 Day(s) 7429 Readers 50 Reviews 06-24-2025
I've read this one partially (still ongoing). It is SOOO good. A crime the author hasn't finished it yet. It's amazing, literally so crunchy. It's like independent king scammer v. (yes "v.," not "x") old ancient cruel evil god.... more>>
342 Chapters Every 6.7 Day(s) 5032 Readers 48 Reviews 06-22-2025
***MC: iconic man. ML is slow to warm up to him but they are a perfect pair. Read this and it is superb. Looking forward to it being completed. Recommend you all wait until it is completed as well. Mostly because though the MTL is fine, it becomes tiring to decipher it after one arc (at least for me). ... more>>
#13Card Room
612 Chapters Every 76.2 Day(s) 10531 Readers 149 Reviews 05-12-2022
This one is pretty popular in the BL community so I won't say much. . I'm reading it and pretty close to being done, thus the ranking which is a bit lukewarm. ... more>>
138 Chapters Every 1.3 Day(s) 4570 Readers 61 Reviews 12-31-2021
Lovecraft novel. The main plot of shounen and a subplot of otherworldy BL romance. Powers, gods--you name it, it probably exists. It is like a conspiracy theorist's bible. Pretty enjoyable; I do wish the world-building and plot could have been developed more thoroughly and well-rounded (some aspects were done well while other aspects felt lacking) but overall, it didn't leave room for regret and just left some excitement for the author's future novels. ... more>>
104 Chapters Every 158.3 Day(s) 10634 Readers 153 Reviews 06-26-2019
...
I promise, even though this is an exception to "ML does not harm MC physically" rule...... more>>
66 Chapters Every 87.3 Day(s) 6219 Readers 96 Reviews 12-01-2021
En. Mystery + Action + Hot Panther-like ML + Cold Wolf-like MC + Good plot + Nice kinks... more>>
364 Chapters Every 2.3 Day(s) 5118 Readers 37 Reviews 07-18-2021
A great BL for those who like authors who actually give their side characters a story behind them and don't make them into supporting 'I'm here to always admire the MCs' characters. But, smth felt lackluster about this novel's ending. I dunno, I think it is worth the read, but I also think the execution could've been done better. ... more>>
56 Chapters Every 10.6 Day(s) 1179 Readers 6 Reviews 06-21-2025
Spectacular, give me more of them. But in all honesty, I think both the characters, setting, and world-building were all very complete and just stunning. Enough said, it's a beautiful novel with a very complete ending. If you liked little mushroom, you would like this.... more>>
156 Chapters Every 99.9 Day(s) 15646 Readers 317 Reviews 07-18-2021
It’s a bit... Hard to explain with this novel. The best way I can put it is that it’s a diamond in the rough. It has enough potential to have you finish the novel and mostly enjoy it, but objectively it is lackluster at times, riddled with a good amount of plot holes that increases exponentially with the extras, and just dies off in the end with an unsatisfactory ending. ... more>>
165 Chapters Every 21.6 Day(s) 1052 Readers 9 Reviews 08-09-2024
Really enjoyed this one~... more>>
160 Chapters Every 102.7 Day(s) 6837 Readers 40 Reviews 05-25-2025
*... more>>
90 Chapters Every 22.5 Day(s) 1753 Readers 9 Reviews 03-24-2025
*** (I actually read this one, it is pretty good, this is a reminder for me to put it on the first part of my list, where recs actually happen)... more>>
203 Chapters Every 10.1 Day(s) 3047 Readers 10 Reviews 04-09-2025
*I feel like MTLing this definitely took away the experience and honestly some understanding of the plot twists (bad idea considering I wasn’t addicted when I decided to push through for MTL). I’m still confused even now…. But overall this is pretty good. Really like how consistent the MC is, as well as the nice plot twists and overall arching story. ML’s character starts picking up 1/2 of the way in. If there is one thing I do dislike…it is the fact that previous clues are revealed when the MC is blowing everyone’s minds with his analogies. Tbh, some drawn conclusions felt like a reach. But I did like the fact the MC was wrong... more>>
Comments (6)
thank you very much!!
Removed for it is not my taste but you all are welcome to check it out:
Special Case Files of Rebirth-writing felt immature and it was hard to resonate with the text afterward. Read some spoilers and confirmed it was not my taste.
Laws of the Other World: beginning MC is badass…middle and ending MC is constantly getting saved by the ML. Not to mention the story unreasonably focuses portions on the MC’s lil bro and his romance with some creature when he barely has any character development.
Let Me Live! : plot holes after second half of the novel
Ok fair warning here: I include novels that don't have a high NU rating sometimes. Mostly because the summary is interesting and there are barely any reviews. So I can't trust the rating at that point. So when you see a low-rated NU novel, instead of skipping it (I used to do this a bit), give it a chance! If you have given it a chance and don't think it should be on this list, feel free to DM me and I'll remove it with decent justification.
Also, I've updated all my genre lists! Ok, that's all. See you all!