Poison Between the Sheets, Hidden Tides Rising

Looking for a High-IQ Story Where the Protagonist Plans Ten Moves Ahead

Real Political Intrigue Fiction: Nothing Shallow or Brain-Burning, That’s My Taste

Reading this will make you wonder whether you have a brain. Highly, highly recommended. Everyone is smart, and the foreshadowing runs throughout the whole story. Anyway, I didn't understand a thing. It's just satisfying from start to finish. All I can say is the author's writing is insanely good.

Looking for Novels with a Naturally Brilliant, Machiavellian Heroine!!!

Intrigue, Schemes, Political Maneuvering, High Intelligence, Master Plans, and Suspense

An Ensemble Cast of Villains

I don’t want those stories about a villain’s white moonlight, a shura field, a heartthrob, or anything like that. I just want an ensemble story where everyone’s a villain, men and women alike. I’d prefer a female protagonist, and everyone should be in it for the laughs.

Looking for High-IQ Political Intrigue

Both the male and female leads are intelligent and strategic, while the supporting characters are loyal and warmhearted.

Looking for Historical Romance Political Intrigue Where the Male and Female Leads Are Highly Intelligent and Join Forces

Everyone’s Evil, the Female Lead Is the Craziest, and the Plot Is Clever, Fast-Paced, and Logical

Political Intrigue and a Big-Picture Female Lead!!!

I want a female-led story with a grand scope. A male lead is fine, too. Please, I’ve run out of books to read. It needs to be well written!

Looking for Historical Court-Intrigue Novels With Brilliant Schemes and Elegant Prose

Looking for books like *She Wants to Take It Easy, but They Keep Forcing Her to Rebel (Ascending to the Golden Palace).*

The Hidden Gems on Tomato: Thought-Provoking, Flaws Don't Diminish the Whole, and Excellent Writing

Looking for books like "The Story of How I Pretended to Be a Noble Young Master of the Southern Dynasties".

High Intelligence, Cunning Plans, Masterful Schemes, Treating the World Like a Chessboard

Looking for a novel with a protagonist like Murong Li from The Legend of Qin: someone who treats the world as a chessboard and all living beings as pieces, plans everything out, and plays life like a game, but is willing to become a piece on the board himself when necessary.

High Intelligence, Brilliant Scheming, Calculating, and Cunning

Preferably with dual personalities.

Strong Female Lead and Political Scheming! No One Acts Like an Idiot!

I don’t want a female lead disguised as a man! She should be unbelievably clever or have maxed-out combat skills. She could be a princess, a martial artist, or anything else. She shouldn’t rely on the male lead’s help. Using her own strength as a woman, she turns the situation upside down. The process can be difficult, but in the end she should achieve her ideals.

A Life of Luxury, All Villains, and Everyone's Favorite

Political Intrigue, Darkness, High Intelligence, and Masterminds

A master strategist who can anticipate your every move and make plans from behind the scenes.

Everyone’s Evil, No Redemption, Preferably with an Ensemble Cast

Looking for stories like "The Heretic Sees Her and Curses: You Wicked Heretic!"

Looking for Well-Written Political Intrigue Novels

I want a smart female lead with a high status who knows when to keep a low profile or conceal her abilities 🙈 No scummy fathers and stepmothers, or concubine half-sisters constantly causing petty trouble in the household. No sweet romance, just a pure historical power struggle 🤗

Preferably Historical Romance with Political Intrigue and Two Strong Leads, Modern Romance Is Fine Too

Both leads should put their own interests first. Ideally, their factions start out somewhat hostile, and they're both rather cold-hearted. The female lead should be one person in public and another in private, with a ruthless streak and plenty of different sides to her. I want a romance between evenly matched rivals who refuse to back down and keep flirting with each other. 😃😍

Any Historical Romance with a Brilliant, Strategic, Strong Female Lead?

A little funny, but definitely well-written, like novels such as Imperial Exams and the Strongest Female Chief Councillor, or Blossoms in Adversity.

High-IQ Political Intrigue Stories with Historical-Era Heroines

Looking for books like "Amazing! The Di Princess Defies Fate Every Single Day!" The female lead is highly intelligent, knows exactly what she wants, and holds herself to high standards. She has strong moral principles, and the supporting characters are smart too.

High-IQ Novels About Scheming and Conquering the World, with No Forcefully Idiotic Side Characters

Something like The Nation-Protecting Prince Consort or Legend of Ling Tian, with schemes to conquer the world.

Looking for Stories Where Everyone Is Evil

The kind where the characters have brains.