You’ll find anything from fanciful monsters to powerful warlocks in these audiobooks, allowing you to travel to any planet you can imagine. These audiobooks are the current hot item in the fantasy genre. Only in the realm of fantasy can one be genuinely transported. The best works of fantasy take us away to an alien world (or parallel universe) and immerse us in a story so compelling that we don’t want to leave. The glut of talented artists just adds to the challenge. This list features everything from epic world-building sagas to enchanted fairy tales, making it perfect for anybody searching for a jumping-off point into the fantastical realm of fantasy literature and film. These are the best fantasy audiobooks that have ever been released on Audible
The Way of Kings
Authors and married couple Kate Reading and Michael Kramer continue to impress with their narration of the Wheel of Time series. Set in the wild realm of Roshar, Brandon Sanderson’s The Way of Kings follows the intertwining stories of three individuals: a slave soldier who yearns for freedom, the king’s brother, and a young, cunning thief. There are terrible storms and a society ripped apart by a war that no one can remember commencing on Roshar, among other things that would make survival there difficult. Many mysteries are answered as the three main characters discover the long-lost secrets of an ancient organisation known as the Knights Radiant. The Way of Kings is an excellent introduction to the world of The Stormlight Archive and a must-listen for fans of complex, character-focused fantasy novels.
The Hobbit
The Hobbit is a prequel to the first book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, and one of the best fantasy books ever written. Bilbo Baggins, a short and stocky resident of Middle-earth, lives in a beautiful house on the crest of a hill, where he enjoys the simple life. He has a buried sense of adventure that is roused when a great wizard and a company of 12 dwarves take him further from home than he ever believed possible—right into a dragon’s lair. Many people’s first encounter with J.R.R. Tolkien’s amazing universe is through The Hobbit. Despite being shorter and somewhat lighter in tone than his epic The Lord of the Rings trilogy, it bears all the hallmarks of what made J.R.R. Tolkien possibly the greatest fantasy storyteller who ever lived. Rob Inglis, a legend in the field of audio production, plays a work that whimsically and humorously evokes the world’s complexity. Because of Inglis’s reputation for reading every word of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, this fantasy story is appropriate for readers of all ages.
Red Rising
Darrow, a member of the red caste in a colour-coded society, spends his days and nights preparing the Martian terrain for human colonisation. Darrow finds pride and peace in knowing he is sacrificing his life for a larger good, no matter how harsh his labour actually is, until he learns he has been lied to. Mars is a thriving metropolis with a thriving society. Darrow and the other “Reds” on the planet have been betrayed and sold into slavery in the mines. Red Rising is told in first-person; therefore, the audiobook narrator needs to be able to convey Darrow’s rage and determination as he leads a revolution and risks all for justice. Tim Gerard Reynolds, a science fiction and fantasy author with an Irish brogue, perfectly captures the vitality. Fans of fantastic literature won’t be able to stop listening until they’ve gotten through all five books in this series.
The Fifth Season
The Fifth Season is the first book in a trilogy by N.K. Jemisin that has won her three straight Hugo Awards because of its depth of character and complexity of ideas. Orogenes, beings with the tremendous capacity to control physical energy, are subject to stringent government regulation and oversight in the Stillness, a massive continent. Essun hides the fact that she is of orogenic origin in order to maintain her independence, but when tragedy strikes, she must embark on a risky journey to save her loved ones and find closure. In this performance of Essun’s epic journey across a barren land, Hall of Fame narrator Robin Miles uses her strong, powerful voice to inhabit Jemisin’s characters entirely and utterly, creating tension at just the perfect moments.
The Name of the Wind
The Name of the Wind is a modern retelling of the hero’s journey that blends elements of mediaeval society, religion, wizardry, and more and will appeal to fans of Neil Gaiman who are looking for a similarly complex narrative style. Patrick Rothfuss allows the plot to unfold carefully, giving listeners time to get fully immersed in the fantastical world he creates as he builds Temerant. The entire time, Nick Podehl’s imaginative acting as the narrator makes it feel as if the people of Temerant are right there with you. In this first book of the fantasy series The Kingkiller Chronicles, you will meet Kvote, one of the most sinister and potent magicians in his world’s recorded history. Listen as he details the events, beginning with his orphanage and ending with his entrance into a legendary magic school, that shaped him into a powerful figure known for breaking the norm. It’s easy to see why both George R.R. Martin and Lin-Manuel Miranda think highly of the story; it’s a breathtaking, enthralling piece of fantasy that deserves its position among the best in the genre.
A Game of Thrones
This first book of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire can be described in one word: epic. The audiobook version of A Game of Thrones is colossal, with enough content to keep listeners occupied for 24 straight hours. The majority of people reside in a harsh, depressing world filled with shady characters who have questionable pasts. In the first scene, Ned Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, travels to the capital to meet with his old friend the King to inquire into the circumstances surrounding his brother-in-law Jon Arryn’s mysterious death. Amazingly, the story goes in several distinct directions, following different characters as they go through the Seven Kingdoms on their various routes. Listeners are glued to every turn because of the skilled narration of Roy Dotrice. Even if you haven’t visited Westeros before, A Game of Thrones is well worth your time if you’re a reader of fantasy novels and were lured to the series by its television adaptation.
Battle Mage
Falco Dante, the son of a madman, and his world of warriors, dragons, and magicians are introduced in Battle Mage. At the Academy of War, Falco has trouble keeping up with his peers and is widely regarded as weak and incompetent. Falco is fighting a much larger battle within himself against a disturbing force. This is a great option for fantasy fans who want to get their fix without having to commit to a long series, as it is a stand-alone novella. R.D. Watson, a producer nominated for a Grammy, takes the reins here and gives the story excellent depth and texture with his vocal performance. Battle Mage is a magical underdog story for the ages, with action sequences that go above and beyond and culminate in a surprising climax.
Why Audible?
For avid readers who can’t put down a book, Audible is the best option. Finding the time to read can be difficult in today’s fast-paced world, but thanks to Audible, we can listen to our books whenever and wherever we like. The best part is that the app has access to over 500,000 volumes, including modern bestsellers, classics, and Audible originals. Imagine having access to an entire library in the palm of your hand. Furthermore, the app’s intuitive interface makes it simple to search for, buy, and download your preferred audiobooks. With Audible, you can multitask while simultaneously being transported to a different world, gaining new knowledge, or simply relaxing. Tell people who are often on the go but love reading that Audible is the best option for them.
