High Quality BL: Recommendations and Rising Stars (QT/Modern/Futuristic Part 1 Ver.)
High Quality BL: Recommendations and Rising Stars (QT/Modern/Futuristic Part 1 Ver.)
Prt 2: https://www.novelupdates.info/viewlist/37919/?st=1
High Quality BL (slightly more serious) reads set in modern/futuristic setting--or perhaps jumps between time through transmigration. This list is a part of a series classified by genre (because I have too many novel to fit otherwise) ; other lists of this series include Thriller/Action, Fluff, and Ancient Setting 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
-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). If not capable, at least not s*upid.
-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.
****I have also included BL novels that have high expectations from me. The higher the expectations, the higher the stars (purely subjective, take it with a grain of salt). 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 (most likely the unread ones). But it's not bad to explore out of your comfort zone.
PSSS. Though not fluff, there will be some Feel Good (have more of a plot) novels here.
High Quality BL (slightly more serious) reads set in modern/futuristic setting--or perhaps jumps between time through transmigration. This list is a part of a series classified by genre (because I have too many novel to fit otherwise) ; other lists of this series include Thriller/Action, Fluff, and Ancient Setting 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
-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). If not capable, at least not s*upid.
-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.
****I have also included BL novels that have high expectations from me. The higher the expectations, the higher the stars (purely subjective, take it with a grain of salt). 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 (most likely the unread ones). But it's not bad to explore out of your comfort zone.
PSSS. Though not fluff, there will be some Feel Good (have more of a plot) novels here.
243 Followers
Created: Aug 17th, 2021, Updated: May 12th, 2025
Created Aug 17th, 2021
Updated May 12th, 2025
135 Chapters Every 6.9 Day(s) 14366 Readers 145 Reviews 06-19-2025
********This deserves all the love in the world. I adored this novel. This novel was on my thriller/action version list and then I realized it technically encompasses both genres, so it definitely should be here (cough, this is me just trying to promote this novel wherever I can). I highly recommend reading this. This one has such a special place in my heart and I cannot express it in words—I always feel so emotional thinking about it. Everything about it is truly just a chef’s kiss; it’s not any typical story you’ve read so far, which is why I can assure you it will have a unique place in your heart. ... more>>
24 Chapters Every 108.7 Day(s) 3864 Readers 11 Reviews 12-04-2023
My god. This one is so good guys. We have a cold and ruthless MC that covers himself up with the guise of gentleness. The ML accidentally uncovers this guise, and thus unfolds the best (slightly filled with dog blood) development. You will see everything you wished in life here. Escape games, bittersweet but eternal love, character development (from both MC and ML), etc. If I was on my dying breath, this would be one of the novels I handed to you. Well every novel I've read here is mostly like this...But this one specifically.... more>>
37 Chapters Every 8.6 Day(s) 8453 Readers 105 Reviews 03-13-2025
I WOULD FEEL. Like an absolute disgrace to society. if I did not include this.... more>>
53 Chapters Every 96.3 Day(s) 4824 Readers 66 Reviews 08-09-2021
*Takes deep breath* AHHHHHHHHHHH. You will not regret reading this. I cried, I laughed, I got angry for my baby. And the ML? *Chefs kiss* Both our characters have flaws, but they complete each other. Please, I'm not interested in having romantic relationships but this...this convinced me that if there was a relationship like this up to grabs, I would take take take it. ... more>>
212 Chapters Every 9.8 Day(s) 9901 Readers 120 Reviews 03-29-2025
Best ABO novel to exist. Fight me. So many important themes woven into a light-hearted novel--it has been quite a while since I've felt inspired by a novel. A summary is a bit like A Little Mushroom summary (misleading, don't take it completely to heart because it's like the lid covering pandora's box)--the characters are so 3-dimensional and the themes and messages delivered are brilliant.... more>>
0 Chapters Every 1861 Day(s) 5013 Readers 84 Reviews N/A
Have to say, it was really nice. It’s a nice blend of everything (action, romance, slice of life, etc)and you’re sure to enjoy it.... more>>
418 Chapters Every 23.2 Day(s) 4176 Readers 42 Reviews 07-25-2024
*Gasps, screams, dies*. As you know, I love this author’s works (same author as the one below) and this one you WILL LOVE. Like objectively it’s hard not to love it. MC is so respectable and badass even though he doesn’t have as much strength as his peers and ML is a loyal wolf dog who is confessing at the spots he killed the MC and getting rejected. You’ll root for all the side characters and man the plot will keep you on your toes. ... more>>
61 Chapters Every 18.2 Day(s) 2629 Readers 14 Reviews 10-31-2024
A personal recommendation here. I rlllly loved this one. This just..satisfied me. I do need to mention this is HE! Summary is misleading, just like Little Mushroom. It also doesn't make a whole lot of sense until you start reading the novel. [Check out my review for more details]. I am now on an obsessive journey to find a novel similar to this. There are mixed reviews on this, I admit, but I personally love the drama and suspense.... more>>
245 Chapters Every 56.1 Day(s) 17020 Readers 208 Reviews 12-11-2023
***Read a little bit of this and hot damn this is a gem (because I haven't read the whole thing I'm not putting it up really high in ratings--don't attack me). A lot better than QWTFOD in my opinion ( I liked QWTFOD!), and most likely one of the best transmigration novels on NU. ... more>>
67 Chapters Every 91.1 Day(s) 4578 Readers 105 Reviews 07-04-2022
*Sniffles* *sobs*. God this one. This is so undeniably good. Not perfect, but it's not meant to be perfect. I love how the author refuses to create black and white villains, making her story fall into a gray moral boundary line that some novels neglect to have. That is life. It's full of good and bad intertwined, and every character will have human emotions in them that will be ugly and beautiful. Really, I love this novel. It has a broken MC (*cough* my type of story for some reason) who crawls to the light with every sliver of an opportunity given to him.... more>>
112 Chapters Every 48.1 Day(s) 4438 Readers 51 Reviews 07-06-2023
The author constructs stories that are truly special from many novels of this genre. Also her writing style is quite interesting, infused with this awkward yet savage, dead-silent humor that is enjoyable even when nothing substantial is going on. So many elements! There is a rich character-relationship dynamic (as in all relationships between any character feel alive). There are dimensional characters (wow, characters beyond their given archetype!) The slice-of-life isn't boring (finally!) And we have a shameless yet studious MC x cold and even more shameless delinquent ML. It can get deep, but keeps its light-heartedness even then. I really enjoyed it and do recommend.... more>>
59 Chapters Every 38.2 Day(s) 1399 Readers 14 Reviews 03-06-2024
Man..this one. Two lovers learning to understand each other and grow as they reflect on their past relationship. Mostly from our ML, but also from our MC. It’s so heartwarming, and I think our author stayed pretty consistent with the ML’s social disorder. Read my review if you wanna know more but I just recommend it despite not liking the break up trope. ... more>>
237 Chapters Every 12.5 Day(s) 1759 Readers 24 Reviews 12-29-2024
RAHHHH ONE OF MY FAVORITES (I don't condone adultery, but in this case, I do). I did a review on this so check it out, but tldr: the s*xual tension will be so immaculate. It's one of my favorite novels here (binge-worthy). Summary:... more>>
#15Surrender
67 Chapters Every 7.1 Day(s) 2364 Readers 21 Reviews 05-31-2025
Okay. I said capable MC in novel requirements. But we do have a very...naive (in the aspect of having his emotions on a sleeve) MC here at times. But I tolerated (and actually liked him??) because he knew how to stand his ground. Plus, the fact that this novel was able to make it on the list despite that is enough right? Anyway, this is a BD*M novel but it got my blood boiling *fans face* and I don't even like the genre. MTL is also really easy to understand! Just message me and I can give you the raws, because I have no idea if NU will ban me if I put it here... more>>
53 Chapters Every 102.4 Day(s) 4827 Readers 62 Reviews 08-21-2021
The kinks of this one is definitely interesting...And some aspects aren't dealt with the most proper way...But still a great great novel. ... more>>
0 Chapters Every 2000 Day(s) 7268 Readers 112 Reviews N/A
Not action but as a person who has no gaming knowledge, it was still great to see the MC play games to the top. Really a good novel for those not even interested in E-sports. It is more on the light hearted side, but a great novel nevertheless when you want to take a break.... more>>
75 Chapters Every 158.9 Day(s) 10835 Readers 159 Reviews 01-05-2019
I really liked this one. Makes you laugh like a fool. Love the relationship. Also, I feel like that shounen ai tag...There is a brief smut scene. Anyways, enjoyed this one a lot. ... more>>
106 Chapters Every 30.7 Day(s) 3038 Readers 42 Reviews 04-06-2024
I left a review on this novel, but essentially this novel made me realize I ADOREEE mad dog MCs. Like yesss king, pop off! Slay your enemies in unconventional ways.... more>>
27 Chapters Every 83.2 Day(s) 7428 Readers 64 Reviews 05-30-2023
Good!! Kinda like a feel-good story with enough plot to keep you engaged. Their dynamic is also quite funny, especially because the ML is a slacker and MC is making up for his slacking before they find out each other’s identities. I would say it’s a quick-read story you can finish in a day. ... more>>
339 Chapters Every 78.7 Day(s) 24510 Readers 747 Reviews 11-04-2022
Sure, I won't deny this novel may be overrated. And it is definitely not the best transmigration novel to exist. But this was one of my first BL novels, and it had satisfied every itch I have for a OP protagonist (clever, cunning, ruthless but still has morals), and considering I reread this novel's arcs occasionally...It deserves a spot on this list. Has flaws, but still a good read as long as you space out the arcs. Plus it satisfied some weird kinks I didn't realize I have... So all in all, if you're a newbie BL reader here on this list, I think you'll like it. If you're a more experienced one, you may... more>>
166 Chapters Every 2.3 Day(s) 6367 Readers 113 Reviews 12-23-2021
FME (I’ll be using this a lot so take note of acronym meaning). It basically means the NU rating of novel isn’t very accurate and don’t rely on it too much because of low amount of reviews (and for the reviews there, there are mostly, if not all, good reviews of the novel).... more>>
250 Chapters Every 19.8 Day(s) 3245 Readers 50 Reviews 09-03-2024
Despite ALL my criticisms for this novel (more so near the ending, I'm in total agreement with witchcraft's review), I still have to say it was really really good. And I think that says a lot (the fact that despite my dislikes, I can still say this was good at its core). Nero is an amazing character and as an MC, he really carries the novel for you. Author also can craft a beautiful story. While I do *think* this should've been a harem, I think I am satisfied with the ending couple. ... more>>
Comments (2)
Novels I’ve removed:
King of Classical Music: Honestly, it’s a good story but suffers from not having much substance and is also repetitive and predictable (I mean you can be repetitive and predictable, if you provide enough excitement, which this novel does not really do). MC practices more, plays good, everyone impressed, upgraded in status, yadyadada. It’s more of a slice of life, so I’ll refrain from bashing too much. One thing I really liked about this novel though was the romance—it was chefs kiss.