Recs if you like Guardian: Zhen Hun (Novel) Vol. 1...

All the volumes licensed in English that I could find on here. I've added ones I couldn't find whenever possible, and did my best to select the correct editions.

This list contains the first volume of several popular series from danmei subgenres such as: wuxia, xianxia, cultivation, omegaverse, infinite flow, e-sports, etc.

This list is just a point to start from if you want to dip your toes into Danmei 🥰

I’m an international fan, so this list prioritizes works that have been published in English and that are popular in international spaces. I’ve not read all these, but I’m certainly gonna try!!

I’m always open to feedback <33

A list of Danmei and Baihe novels officially published in English. Note: Danmei/Baihe are same sex fiction books from China (MM/FF) Only first volumes of series will be listed here~

Unhinged and chaotic queer stories that are beyond entertaining (and in some ways, very disturbing as the best are haha!)

All Danmei/Baihe published by Seven Seas translated into english (Updated August 2025)

A non-comprehensive list of Queer books.

gay chinese novels

For those who have wandered close but yet to sink into this rabbit hole:

"Danmei (耽美) is a Chinese literary genre that focuses on romantic relationships between male characters."

read a few, and keeping an eye on the rest 👀 I'll be editing the list as I go! please feel free to suggest any additions 🌸

Inexhaustive list of danmei novels 👑

Danmei is Chinese BL (boy's love), evolved from the japanese genre tanbi, which derived from an anti-naturalistic literary movement, with focus on beauty and aesthetic, which later on became the known genre of love between men (also known as yaoi). Danmei is a known genre mainly for women, also primarily written by women. It is an interesting genre to read into feminist studies, queer studies and probably also other literary studies. Other than that, it's great entertainment! Give it a shot :)

All the volumes licensed in English that I could find on here. I've added ones I couldn't find whenever possible, and did my best to select the correct editions. This is a modified version of my existing Danmei Officially Published in English, but this one only includes the first volume of each series. (Someone asked I make this version, so here we are. :D )

(n.) men who put a good act, but are actually either deeply melancholic, sinister, or both. they often isolate themselves from wider society and are more quiet than not. you might find that the air around them often feels as if it is pressing in and down on you so that you can't breathe.

do note that this is more of a vibe than a description.

✧ [现代]: a sub-genre in danmei that sets its narratives in the contemporary era. the themes in this sub-genre are the most diverse; from sci-fi [科幻] to slice of life [日常向] going through criminal investigations [刑侦], all of them always revolve around the love story of the two main characters.

note: if there's any modern danmei title missing please do let me know!

酸涩文 (n.) danmei novels about aching hearts that have been put through the wringer and back.

— 富士山不远，月亮也真的可以私有。 / mount fuji isn’t far, and the moon really can be intimately held.

some are more light-hearted some are. decidedly not.

…have we met before?

Novels in which one main character might know more about the other than they’re letting on. Includes hidden identity, memory loss, past lives, and more!

*I have not read all of these yet, please let me know if there are any mistakes! Suggestions are welcome <3

!!POTENTIAL SPOILERS!!

when addressing your lover by name or title is even more intimate than using a term of endearment

Each year, for Chinese New Year, we do a rec list with books aligned to the Chinese zodiac animal for the year. Most of these books are queer, though often it's subtextual. We've done 3 lists so far: 2024, dragons; 2025, snakes; 2026, horses. Find all the recs for these lists here! (This list is presented by Duck Prints Press, the indie publisher focused on publishing queer art and stories by queer creators!)

Danmei's the revolve around investigators, solving a mystery, law enforcement, ext mostly modern day settings.

Police officers, detectives, investigators. Will they find out who stole their heart?

Mostly achillean/mm romance