Top 11 Underrated Action Novels in 2026

Ranked Novels

1. Completed

   1

   TOP PICK

   Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

   4.6

   (2.4K ratings)

   Genre: action, adventure, comedy

   Kim Dok-Ja does not consider himself the protagonist of his own life. Befitting the name his parents gave him, he is a solitary person whose sole hobby is reading web novels.

   First Impressions

   "Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint" is a wild ride, and I can definitely see why it's garnered so much attention. It’s the type of story that grabs you and refuses to let go, throwing you headfirst into a world that's both familiar and utterly bizarre. Overall, I found it a compelling read, although not without its quirks. The premise is undeniably intriguing: a lone reader, Kim Dokja, finds himself living in the world of the web novel he’s obsessed over for a decade. The world is transported to his, and he now has the immense knowledge of how it will end, or so he thinks. It's a fantastic setup t...

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2. Completed

   2

   RUNNER UP

   The Earth is Online

   4.6

   (2.1K ratings)

   Genre: action, adventure, mature

   Six months ago, tens of thousands of black phantom towers appeared all over the world, floating above the cities. Chemists, physicists, religious people… all of them could do nothing.

   First Impressions

   "The Earth is Online" promised a thrilling blend of action, mystery, and survival with a BL twist, and after diving in, I can confidently say it delivered an engaging, albeit sometimes challenging, experience. The premise is immediately captivating: a sudden apocalypse forces humanity into deadly games orchestrated by the enigmatic Black Tower. I was initially drawn in by the unique concept and the promise of a clever protagonist navigating a world turned into a perilous game. The early chapters successfully establish the stakes and introduce Tang Mo, our resourceful and observant MC. I found ...

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3. Completed

   3

   HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

   Kidnapped Dragons

   4.6

   (1.2K ratings)

   Genre: action, drama, fantasy

   – The planet [Earth] has entered the abnormal state [Apocalypse]. – You have failed in saving the Earth.

   First Impressions

   "Kidnapped Dragons" is a web novel that really took me by surprise. With its blend of action, drama, fantasy, and even slice-of-life elements, it's a story that's hard to pin down, but ultimately rewarding. The premise itself – a regressor MC who has failed to save the world six times, now tasked with caring for young dragons – felt intriguing enough to draw me in. Initially, I was a little wary. The sheer number of tags (over 60!) made me wonder if it would be a case of too many ideas vying for attention. And, admittedly, the early chapters might not grab everyone immediately. Some readers fo...

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4. Completed

   4

   EDITORS CHOICE

   My House of Horrors

   4.6

   (647 ratings)

   Genre: action, adventure, horror

   After the disappearance of his parents, Chen Ge inherits the family-run haunted house attraction at an amusement park. Struggling to bring in customers, he discovers a black phone that grants him the chance to improve his haunted house with expanded scenarios, mastery of skills, the possibility ...

   First Impressions

   "My House of Horrors" is a wild ride, a blend of genres that somehow manages to be both terrifying and hilarious. It's a novel that grabbed me from the start with its unique premise and kept me hooked, even when it stumbled a bit along the way. The initial concept is undeniably genius: a young man inherits a haunted house attraction and a mysterious phone, leading him into a supernatural world. I was immediately drawn in by the protagonist, Chen Ge, a plucky and resourceful guy who has to navigate increasingly dangerous situations with nothing but his wits and a healthy dose of bravado. It's a...

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5. 

   5

   EDITORS CHOICE

   Mr. Melancholy Wants to Live a Peaceful Life

   4.6

   (685 ratings)

   Genre: action, comedy, fantasy

   Yu Hua loses his job, and the weight of the household falls on the shoulders of his partner, You Zhengping. His husband is a temporary employee at the subdistrict office, with a monthly salary of only 2500; this troubles Yu Hua exceedingly.

   First Impressions

   This novel has been quite the ride! "Mr. Melancholy Wants to Live a Peaceful Life" is a blend of action, comedy, fantasy, and romance, and it definitely delivers on its promise of a unique story. I went in expecting a fluffy read, but I found a surprisingly intricate plot with some dark undertones. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise: a powerful transmigrator just wants a normal, peaceful life. The idea of a "saboteur" trying to blend in, only to be constantly pulled back into the chaos, was instantly appealing. The early chapters set a good pace, introducing the main characters and hinti...

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6. Completed

   6

   #6 PICK

   Sha Po Lang

   4.6

   (743 ratings)

   Genre: action, adventure, martial arts

   “The first person to dig ziliujin fuel out of the ground could never have predicted that what they dug out was the beginning of a dog-eat-dog age. Our entire life was but an ugly confidence game of greed; this is something everyone knows, but that they could not bring to light.

   First Impressions

   "Sha Po Lang" is a novel that’s been on my radar for a while, and after diving in, I can see why it garners so much praise, even if it didn't completely blow me away. It's definitely a unique read, blending elements of steampunk, political intrigue, and romance in a way that sets it apart from many web novels in the genre. Initially, I was drawn in by the world-building. The concept of an ancient China powered by "ziliujin" (violetstream gold) is fascinating, and the mecha elements add a layer of excitement. The setup, with a mature-for-his-age young protagonist and his complex relationship wi...

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7. Completed

   7

   #7 PICK

   Death Progress Bar

   4.6

   (804 ratings)

   Genre: action, comedy, drama

   Shi Jin once read a book. It was supposed to be about satisfying the desire for vengeance.

   First Impressions

   "Death Progress Bar" hooked me from the start with its intriguing premise: a former policeman transmigrated into a novel with a system and two rapidly filling death progress bars. What I found was far more than just another transmigration story. This novel is a surprisingly emotional rollercoaster, blending action, comedy, drama, and romance in a way that kept me constantly engaged. Initially, I went in expecting a typical system-driven novel. I was quickly proven wrong. The story dives deep into complex family relationships, particularly the MC's interactions with his brothers. This isn't a s...

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8. Completed

   8

   #8 PICK

   Worship Me, I Can Make You Rich

   4.6

   (706 ratings)

   Genre: action, comedy, fantasy

   On the first day of work for the little intern God of Wealth, Zhuang Zhou was filled with confidence and complacency. He looked at the man collecting junk from a pile of garbage and said: “Worship me, I can make you rich.

   First Impressions

   "Worship Me, I Can Make You Rich" had me hooked from the quirky premise. It's a blend of interstellar adventure and sweet romance that proved to be a delightful surprise. I went in expecting lighthearted fun, and while it delivered on that, it also offered unexpected depth and emotional resonance. The initial chapters are undeniably cute. The dynamic between Zhuang Zhou, the little god of wealth, and Wen Xiaoyun, the admiral, is instantly endearing. I chuckled at the absurdity of their first meeting and how the ML patiently helps the MC learn the language. The comedy is well-timed and never fe...

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9. Completed

   9

   #9 PICK

   Surprise! The Supposed Talent Show Was Actually–?!

   4.6

   (634 ratings)

   Genre: action, adventure, comedy

   Wu Jin, as a trainee from a certain entertainment company, had a peerless, stunning face. He was qualified to debut as a lead performer even if he just sat there and did nothing.

   First Impressions

   This novel, "Surprise! The Supposed Talent Show Was Actually–?!", has been quite the ride! It's a blend of genres I didn't expect to enjoy so much, and I found myself completely engrossed in the story. While it has some quirks, the overall experience was definitely worth it. Initially, I was drawn in by the unique premise: an idol trainee entering what he thinks is a talent show, only to find himself in a futuristic battle royale. The story throws you right into the action, and I was immediately curious about how the protagonist, Wu Jin, would navigate this bizarre new world. The early chapter...

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10. Completed

    10

    #10 PICK

    Thriller Trainee

    4.6

    (696 ratings)

    Genre: action, fantasy, horror

    The washed-up magician Zong Jiu transmigrated into a horror, infinite flow novel about a survival show, taking the place of the cannon fodder who died tragically in the first evaluation round. This show was very interesting.

    First Impressions

    "Thriller Trainee" is a web novel that throws you headfirst into a world of transmigration, infinite loops, and deadly games. I was intrigued by the premise – a blend of action, horror, and even a dash of romance (yaoi, to be specific). While the overall rating is quite high, my experience was a bit more nuanced than a simple thumbs-up. The initial chapters definitely grabbed my attention. The idea of a magician thrust into a series of increasingly dangerous "instances" was compelling. I was eager to see how the protagonist, with his supposed antisocial tendencies, would navigate this bizarre ...

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11. Completed

    11

    #11 PICK

    Running Away From The Hero!

    4.6

    (601 ratings)

    Genre: action, comedy, fantasy

    After living for a long time in a fantasy world, I ended up becoming a villain! Whilst I beat up both bad guys and good guys as a villain, the legendary hero appeared in front of me.

    First Impressions

    "Running Away From The Hero!" is a breath of fresh air in the reincarnation genre. It's a wild ride that had me laughing from the get-go. The premise alone is enough to pique anyone's interest: a reincarnated nobody ends up as an instructor for an evil organization, training future heroes (or villains, depending on your perspective). I was immediately hooked by the fact that the story jumps straight into the action. No tedious childhood phase here! We're thrown right into Naruan's life as a 40-year-old instructor, and I appreciated the lack of drawn-out exposition. The initial point of view fr...

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