Crossword Genius

Do exceptionally well in cutting a Victorian adventure novel (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shine

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'do exceptionally well' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'in cutting a victorian adventure novel' is the wordplay.
'cutting' indicates putting letters inside (some letters cut their way into a word).
'a victorian adventure novel' becomes 'she' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'in' inserted within 'she' is 'SHINE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for shine that I've seen before include "Dazzle" , "Give out light; polish" , "Give out or reflect light" , "Beam" , "Gleam, glisten" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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