Apricots Beneath the Flames of War

Two Strong Leads, Sound Values, High Intelligence, and a Story That Never Gets Boring

For Middle-Aged Readers: Smart Characters, No Goody-Two-Shoes, Decisive and Ruthless, Highly Rated

Urban, System, reborn, fantasy, or gaming novels are all fine, as long as they’re good, the characters are smart, and there’s no saintly protagonist. Bring out any books on your shelf that fit the bill!

Genuinely Skillful Historical-Era Novels, No Villains or Black Markets

Are There Really No High-Quality Feel-Good Stories?

There aren't any long, satisfying power fantasies anymore. They're all mindless and make the characters stupid. Disagree? Come argue with me.

Stories Where Everyone Is Highly Intelligent, Both the Protagonists and Their Enemies

Whether they’re protagonists or enemies, they should all be highly intelligent. No idiots.

Quiet and Engaging, Best Read with Some Thought

I've read most novels already.

Please Recommend a Few Stories With Highly Intelligent Characters Who Scheme Through Everything and See Through Everything

I Want a Satisfying Read, But Not Something Brain-Dead

I want an enjoyable power fantasy, but it's frustrating when there are too many brainless ones. People say you don't need to think when reading this kind of story, but does that really mean you won't care about anything? (Don't argue, just say you agree.)

Stories That Feel Close to Real Life

Any stories that feel close to real life? I mean ones where the leads are very much in love, and everyday life has a few little hiccups, but without any scheming green tea types or the like.

Give New Books a Chance: Hidden Gems Yet to Break Ground

A book worth taking your time with. A new release recommendation. Show the author some support!

Any Relaxed, Everyday Urban Stories? Nothing Mindlessly Comedic

Please, I am begging you.

Any Worthwhile Romance Novels with a Levelheaded Female Lead, Solid Logic, and No Naive Goody-Two-Shoes?

Looking for good romance novels with coherent, logical plots. I don't want unrealistic stories where the male lead's company somehow accounts for 65% of the world economy. The female lead shouldn't be a naive, simpering doormat or a scheming two-faced social climber. She should be a woman with a mind of her own.

Looking for High-Quality Power Trip Stories with Smart Characters

A Ruthless, Incredibly Capable Female Lead in a Period-Era Story

Any Thought-Provoking, Deep Books That Treat Readers Like They’re Smart?

Any Novels Where Every Chapter Is Absolutely Amazing?

A scheming male lead

Every Twist Leads to Another, and It Gets Better the More You Read

Recommend Some Addictive Novels

The kind of book you can't stop reading.

I'm Out of Books to Read. Please Recommend Something!

Comedy + one heroine + superpowers or a System. Ideally the hero and heroine grew up together as childhood sweethearts, and it's sweet. Please!

High-Quality Stories With Exceptional Writing

Any gender is fine, as long as the writing is good.

High-IQ Plots with Tightly Interwoven Twists, Any Genre

Authors Nowadays Can't Write Unless There's Showing Off and Face-Slapping, or Someone Getting Mocked

Please, no brain-dead protagonists. I just want someone normal with at least a little common sense.

Recommend Highly Rated Novels About Brilliant Schemes, Setting Traps, and Breaking Out of Them

High IQ, Thrilling, Good Values, and Rational Protagonists