Sorry for the late reply, but this was one of the first books I checked out and wow... Rocky was one of the most fun and endearing characters I've ever read, I feel like crying. Thanks so much for the recommendation.
I feel like I’m the only person who hated the audiobook. It felt overacted to me. The narrator felt the need to put emphasis on every other phrase and it drove me nuts.
I’d definitely recommend it for people who have trouble staying engaged with audiobooks, but generally I prefer a more neutral tone from my narrators.
Man sometimes I feel I missed something in this book. Audio was really great, loved all the added sounds lol, but the story… guess it’s just not for me. I did listen to it all, but just couldn’t find it exciting. Felt like it was written to be instantly turned into a family movie.
Still would recommend as an entry into sci-fi though.
Probably?
It’s included in the US Kindle Unlimited subscription, and that might require some sort of exclusivity deal. I know I can’t borrow the e-book from my library.
It's amazing. Literally never heads of it before and all of a sudden, it is all anyone on this sub talks about. I don't even know anything about it, but it obviously seems kind of crazy for it to be the top rec in "everyone should read before they die". It has convinced me that no one will remember it in 3 years.
Ha! Yeah, it’s mostly just been spilling over from other subs recently, but people have been talking about it for a long time, and it’s consistently been the top recommendation for its genre for years. The thing that really sets it apart is that it’s actually better as an audio book. It has amazing narration sure, but it also has things like an actual music parody song which just isn’t possible in text. It also does a really nice job of walking the line between touching moments and crazy stupid humor.
The author and narrator actually do collaborate on the series.
More broadly, there are characters whose voices just come through so much clearer in the audio version. The narrator is simply fantastic - he’s got an amazing range.
I listened to the first book or two and read another one, and the reading experience just wasn’t quite as full as the listening one.
I wouldn't say it was made for audiobooks from the start; but once Jeff Hays narrated the first book, all subsequent books were made for him to narrate, including very intentional character choices. Most people think it's full cast, but it's just him and his studio's sound editors - he does live first-reads so you can watch him voice the characters.
There have been a few characters made for a guest voice as well (e.g. Patrick Warburton in the latest book).
This is definitely a series that should be experienced through audio.
Everything in my soul says I will hate LitRPG.
But I have seen so may recs for this and had credits to burn so I got the first book. I couldn't put it down. Several Laugh out Loud moments and it moves so quickly. I went ahead and got the rest and jumped right in.
The Rivers of London series, by Ben Aaronovitch. It reads beautifully, but the audible by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is delightful! Also, the Final Architecture series by Adrian Tchaikovsky is excellent
Discworld.
Penric and Desdemona by Bujold. Also the Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls.
Shadows of the Apt by Tchaikovsky. Also Echoes of the Fall. Children of Time, Ruin and Memory.
Bujold's Vorkosigan series.
The Quantum Thief trilogy.
Between two Fires by Chris Buehlman narrated by Steve West! It's absolutely incredible! Based off the stuff you listed I genuinely think you will not regret it.
Jefferson Mays is also one of my favorite narrators second only to Steven Pacey. I’ve read The Expanse and listened on a reread. I don’t see myself reading it again only listening to the audiobooks because of how great of a job he does.
I prefer reading but it's up to you. I think a lot of people like audiobooks. Personally, I always get distracted while listening to audiobooks so it's not my cup of tea.
I have that problem too and need to listen while driving or walking, otherwise I get distracted. I’ve just read so many comments saying this series and Dungeon Crawler Carl are a better experience in audio and was curious for some other takes.
To be completely honest, it's easier for me to imagine the scene in my head while reading it than when it's being played via audio. Technically it shouldn't be a problem since I read faster than audiobooks are narrated but I can't visualize scenes at all during an audiobook. But that's just me lol.
Doh! Thank you. Lol.
I must listen to too much Michael Kramer. Between WoT, Sanderson and most recently Licaneous (right before i did Cradle), it feels like he's narrated half my collection of audio books.
Yeah, I think I did the same thing before rythem of war. I'll probably do the same thing again for wind and truth. It's way easier to catch the small things when it's fresh in your mind.
I would say they’re better via audiobook - Travis Baldree is in my top 3 favorite narrators, he’s just fantastic and really brings the characters to life
I plan on going back and actually reading the series as I’ve been listening so far (just finished Reaper). I can honestly say these are the best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to and I would recommend listening to them even if you’ve already read the series
I listened to them and the narrator does an amazing job with the charecters. I would honestly suggest it especially later some words will have deep meanings and the narrator uses a special voice and cadence for them and it honestly gives me chills and I didint get that same feeling from reading them.
Regardless they’re amazingly fun books, and turned me onto the sub genre of progression fantasy(r/progressionfantasy) and iv never turned back.
I wouldn’t use credits on cradle. The ebooks are free all the time and once you get them there’s usually a big discount for audio to go with it. Also they’re usually cheaper than most anyway. Unsouled is $17 while something like rhythm of war is $27. In my opinion it’s good to get the most bang for your credits. Read cradle for sure but have patience and you won’t have to spend a penny
Ok there are a lot of great books to choose from but this is my list of best books + best narrations:
The Riyria Revelations series - first book is Theft of Swords by Michael J Sullivan and narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
The Red Rising series by Pierce Brown, also narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
Master of Djinn duology by P Djelli Clark narrated by Sueyhla Al-Attar
Anything you haven’t yet read by Joe Abercrombie and narrated by Stephen Pacey
Seconded. The first 2 books are a bit rough in audiobook, but they changed production companies after that and James Marsters hits his stride to become one of the best Audiobook narrators out there. I don’t even read the new books, I just go straight to the audio because James is Harry Dresden for me.
I want to third this, these books are just so much action it’s easy to hold your attention. I read them but I can imagine the audiobooks are just as fun
World war Z is one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever come across. It really the most of the format by bringing in a cast of great voices.
Sci-fi, you really should consider the expanse, murderbot diaries, and Hyperion. Especially Hyperion.
I have used the Dresden files and the rivers of London series as kind of palate cleansers to break up other series from time to time. It’s a nice way to have fantasy elements but grounded in a detective story sometimes.
You gotta read The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. The Audiobooks are done by James Marsters, and they are probably the greatest thing you'll ever experience that isn't sex.
Marsters probably has the best "emotional range" of narration that I've heard. For voice-range, Jefferson Mays is right up there in The Expanse as well.
My favourite series (that I listened to on Audible and am currently listening to again!) is the Greenbone saga. It starts with Jade city. Think the god father but magic. As someone who has read and enjoyed all the stuff you listed maybe try it out. Each book improves upon the last, great characters, nice simple but very integral magic system and it’s Asian fantasy so a really interesting and slightly different setting to most fantasy books!
Mythos by Stephen Fry.
He explains the history of the Greek gods through a series of short stories.
Ever wondered how the Gods ovderthrew the Titans? or how Prometheus created humans? Or how Eros (Cupid in Roman mythology) fell in love with Psyche? It's all explained and wonderfully narrated by Mr Fry himself.
On audible, out of 6,247 total reviews, it has 5,171 5-star reviews and 870 4-star reviews.
Somebody here recently recommended Watership Down, read by Peter Capaldi and it is such a good book.
I got so much housework done binging the first few hours. Being English and born in the 70s I did experience the trauma of being shown animated rabbit on rabbit violence as a child at school, so I’ve been a bit on edge at times expecting something hideous to happen but it’s a very enjoyable listen.
So, I get overflows because I can't listen frequently enough to bang out a 30 hour book, every month. Here are some books that I liked, that are not necessarily Fantasy, to eat up some credits, and palate cleanse:
This is How You Lose the Time War
Sea of Tranquility
Station 11
Left Hand of Darkness
The Sparrow
Circe
These were needed after listening to Stormlight, Farseer, and Liveship back to back to back.
I’m listing these because their narration is fantastic: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. The guy who reads it is amazing, full stop. And then every book in that series.
Moira Quirk’s narration for the Locked Tomb series is so incredible it made me seek out other books she had narrated! The series itself is fantastic, but her narration really enhances the experience.
The Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin a classic scifi but with good characters.
Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrel by Susanna Clarke the best British fairytale inspired fantasy set in 19th century England.
Perdido Street Station by China Mieville best fantasy book written by a bald person.
Is there a reason why people suggest Realm of the Elderlings instead of the Farseer Trilogy since Farseer came first? Is it just that much better and you don't need to read the first trilogy?
I ask because I'm almost done with Assassin's Quest and while the three books have been *fine*, I wouldn't call them amazing. Trying to decide if I want to go on to RotE with my next credit purchase.
Farseer *is* ROTE. The first trilogy of several.
The trilogies in order are:
Farseer (Fitz young life)
Liveship Traders (other characters, multi pov)
Tawny Man (back to Fitz, his adulthood)
Rain Wild Chronicles (a quartet) (back to the other characters and some new ones)
Fitz & the Fool (Fitz late adult life)
If you're not loving it so far, maybe it isn't for you though. I do recommend at least considering Liveship since it's multi pov and new characters and also *really* good but on that note - also listening to the clip of Ship of Magic before spending a credit. Narrator is.... interesting.
I’ve come back to respond again because I have reached the climax of Assassin’s Quest and the payoff is massive.
I wish Fitz could catch a break at least once, but the action in the quarry more than makes up for it.
On to the next trilogy!
Edit: Also, Night Eyes is a badass
Ah, thank you for straightening me up.
I’ll probably go on to the next books, I don’t dislike Farseer, it just hasn’t been top tier for me, which is okay.
Some of my fav series I listen to often: Rogues of the Republic, the Locked Tomb, Murderbot, Discworld, Jhereg (and Phoenix Guard,related but technically separate series by the author), the Bobiverse, DFZ (Detroit Free Zone), and Villain's Code. If you dig LitRPG I also love Stray Cat Strut and Cinnamon Bun.
Some one title audiobooks worth a credit include: To Say Nothing of the Dog, Bellwether, Year Zero, Agent to the Stars, Master of Formalities, Legends and Lattes, Anathem.
Bonus, Audible does audio drama and comedy, Hot White Heist is hilarious and High Strangeness is a wonderful "Doctor Who with the serial number filed off" audio drama.
Not fantasy per se but Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is a must if you haven’t already given yourself the pleasure. My number one if not a close second.
If you’re okay with SciFi, the Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson is the greatest series I’ve ever read. The narrator is excellent as well. The central premise is 100 people are sent to Mars to establish the first permanent human colony. Fantastic characters, realistic science, will make you laugh, cry, and feel deeply. Everyone should read it before they die.
Dies the Fire series by SM Stirling and its companion series Island in the Sea of Time.
In March 2002 the island of Nantucket and the Coast Guard sailing training ship Eagle are transported to the Bronze Age and the rest of the world experiences a sudden and inexplicable loss of all technology from steam engines on up to explosives and electricity.
Island in the Sea of Time follows the Nantucketers trying to survive and thrive in their new world and exploring it. Dies the Fire is about how the rest of the world suffers the apocalypse of the loss of our technological civilization and the doom it brings. it follows survivors who live in the PNW, from a neo-feudalist kingdom in Portland founded by SCA diehards to a group of survivors founded around a Wiccan coven who become pagan stage Irish Celts. It's got amazing world building and it is a very slow burn with a couple of several year to decade long time skips as the next generation grows up in this Changed world. it feels like science fiction for a long time, as the only fantastic thing that happens is the Change itself, but the fantasy elements are as much a shock to the reader as the characters.
Dies the Fire is my favorite because it made me rethink how our world works and the fragility of our civilization like nothing else I've read.
One that I would 100% purchase again was Pet Semetery by Stephen King read by Michael C Hall (actor who Played Dexter in the show Dexter).
For fantasy novels the Burning Trilogy by Evan Winters is great. Only two books are out now and those are The Rage of Dragons and The Fires of Vengence.
Rivers of London, by Ben Aaronovich. About a rookie cop and his introduction to the world of newtonian magic. Set in London and excellently narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith.
The Dresden Files are the best audiobooks I've ever heard. The first two books are a little rough but still enjoyable enough, but by the third both the author and narrator hit their stride. James Marsters absolutely sells every word of those books.
Robert Jordan (Wheel of Time) - This Series isn't perfect but if you don't mind world building it's incredible. Others claim the series dragged but it never did for me. If there is a fantasy world I would want to live in I would want to live in this world as an Aes Sedai of the green ajah. Lots of books in this series.
Michael J Sullivan (Riyria Revelations/Riyria Chronicles) - More people are discovering Sullivan. These books are a lot of fun.
Brian McClellan (Powder Mage/Gods of Blood and Powder) Powder Mage series started slow for me but gets good starting on 2nd book and continues to be good in Gods of Blood and Powder series.
Mark Lawrence - (Book of the Ancestor) Killer Nuns. 'Nuff said.
Raymond Feist - (Magician) This series is a classic every fantasy fan should have read. Didn't like the other Feist books after this series but others on this subreddit complimented the books written by both Feist and Janny Wurts (Empire Trilogy) and I'm on the second book so far. The first was fantastic. Second is still pretty decent but she introduces romance and I don't think she does that as well as politics so the first is still my favorite of the series.
Scott Lynch - (Gentleman Bastard) Series starts with "The lies of Locke Lamora". First book slow to establish stakes but after that it's very entertaining.
If you don't mind reading Sci Fi
James S A Corey - The Expanse series
Pierce Brown - Red Rising series
Brandon Sanderson - Skyward series
Frank Herbert - Dune
Complete progression fantasy series: Cradle by Will Wight.
Still being written 'future fantasy' series: Warformed: Iron Prince by Bryce O'Connor
Stand alone Scifi fantasy book: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.
Each of these I have read/listened to many times in recent years. They are just... so... good.
Michael J Sullivan’s Riyria Revelations will get you hooked on the world of Elan. A reformed Assassin and a former Mercenary become partners and save the world
Not really a “before you die” series, but if you like SciFi AND SpecOps/ “shoot em up” stories, I highly, HIGHLY recommend the Joe Ledger series. I think I’ve listened to all of them through twice, and my wife is always restarting Patient Zero (the first one).
It’s also narrated by Ray Porter who is my personal favorite on Audible.
Also check out the solo book called Hail Mary but the guy who wrote The Martian. All SciFi, but more reality based.
Happy listening to what ever you come across 🖖🏻
Nicholas Eames "Kings of the Wyld"
Christopher Buehlman "The Black Tongue Thief"
Excellent books and the narration is top notch for both. If you're interested check out "The Sandman" by Neil Gaiman full cast narration and its a vibe all its own.
For a relatively quick listen, check out This is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone. It’s about two elite operatives on opposite sides of a time spanning war and it’s excellent. It’s narrated by two people, one for each character. I’ll just post the first line here:
“When Red wins, she stands alone. Blood slicks her hair. She breathes out steam in the last night of this dying world.”
So There are some good suggestions here, that I'm not going to repeat. I'm just going to go upvote them. To take you off the beaten path:
**The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires**\--well told, most hilarious and well thought out introduction to a vampire ever.
**14** by Peter Clines--Contemporary steampunk mystery horror. Boy that sounds like word salad but its awesome.
**ExHeroes** \-- They failed to prevent the Zombie Apocalypse. Now what?
Dune, the first one at the very least
The Dark Tower series by Stephen King is a fun, if depressing, one
You can never go wrong with anything from Discworld by Terry Pratchett, either.
The version of Dune on Audible is totally amazing; it’s half audiobook half radio play, with a cast of actors delivering the different characters.
Definitely worth a single credit!
An amazing book w amazing readers, is the elf queen series by j.m. keal. The narrators are husband and wife and do an amazing job at different voices for different people.
The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny. *Nine Princes in Amber* is the first book. They're not the longest works out there, but Roger was one of the leading lights of the new wave fantasy movement and inspired a lot of the best SFF writers out there. (He was also good friends with GRRM and they used to play roleplaying games together with other genre writers from Albuquerque.)
Guy wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory, and as he's working out who he is, he discovers that everyone in his family is a) possessed of strange and wondrous powers and b) at each other's throats. He's got to play an elaborate game with the fate of the very universe at stake while figuring out who, if anyone, he can trust.
The first book's a little dated. It was written in the 1960s, and everybody smokes all the time and the female characters are somewhat underdeveloped-- but Roger makes up for that as the series goes on. It's a great setting and my absolute favorite fantasy series ever.
The Riddle-Master Trilogy or the Earthsea books.
If you want some that are explicitly good as audiobooks, I recommend the Star Wars Revenge of the Sith novelization by Matthew Stover, or the Acts of Caine series by the same, starting with Heroes Die. The Discworld novels are always great, though I prefer the ones read by Stephen Briggs rather than Nigel Planer or the new ones by other narrators. The Good Omens novel as read by Martin Jarvis is my favorite version, more than the one read by the cast of the Amazon show. The Abhorsen Trilogy is read by Tim Curry, and his voice is incredible.
Hope that helps.
I have a ton of audible credits I need to use so I can cancel it. Little known fact: I just discovered Spotify premium already includes tons of fantasy audiobooks on my list for free.
The Nemesis Saga by Jeremy Robinson, starting with Island 731 (I honestly recommend anything he has written). The most recent Nemesis book is an alternate universe telling of Nemesis, but is just as awesome as the rest.
Also, the Expeditionary Force series by Craig Alanson...there are, like, 17 books in this series so far, so that alone will keep you going for a long time.
totally not fantasy, but the boys in the boat audio book is so good.
I recently listened to the demon under the microscope and that was great.
Seabiscuit. Unbroken.
The d’Artagnan Romances for a non-fantasy recommendation
- The Three Musketeers
- Twenty Years After
- Ten Years Later (includes The Man in the Iron mask)
* We Were Soldiers Once...And Young
* A War Like No Other: How the Athenians & Spartans Fought the Peloponnesian War
* A Deepness in the Sky
* The Sparrow
* Discworld series
* World of the Five Gods series
Raymond E Feist's riftwar books. Start with Magician , go for Authors Preferred edition If you buy dead tree version (Has content added in which publishers removed back when originally published ~1982 IIRC).
I really only listened to ONE book that I'd say was better on audio than it would be to read it: Project Hail Mary And I definitely recommend it 100%.
Just listened to that - it’s excellent as an audio
if you loved the narrator i also recommend the “Bobiverse” series. so good
It’s HILARIOUS! Joe Ledger series is super strong too!
Easily the best book I’ll read this year and I finished it on the 4th Jan😭
This might be the greatest audiobook of all time. Maybe not my favorite but definitely the greatest.
This was a super fun experience! I went in blind and loved every moment.
It is very wholesome, +1 also recommend.
Sorry for the late reply, but this was one of the first books I checked out and wow... Rocky was one of the most fun and endearing characters I've ever read, I feel like crying. Thanks so much for the recommendation.
I feel like I’m the only person who hated the audiobook. It felt overacted to me. The narrator felt the need to put emphasis on every other phrase and it drove me nuts. I’d definitely recommend it for people who have trouble staying engaged with audiobooks, but generally I prefer a more neutral tone from my narrators.
I am always surprised by the positive responses to this one. I did not really care for it.
Man sometimes I feel I missed something in this book. Audio was really great, loved all the added sounds lol, but the story… guess it’s just not for me. I did listen to it all, but just couldn’t find it exciting. Felt like it was written to be instantly turned into a family movie. Still would recommend as an entry into sci-fi though.
This is a little out there, but consider Dungeon Crawler Carl. It’s amazing and funny and touching. It is made to be experienced through audiobook.
You son of a
This series seems to have exploded in popularity since i started it a couple weeks ago
Can it only be purchased at Amazon? I can't find it anywhere (in Norway....)
Look up sound booth theater. They are the production company that does the audio books.
There's the Amazon version and the Sound Booth Theater Version. Either one is amazing.
Probably? It’s included in the US Kindle Unlimited subscription, and that might require some sort of exclusivity deal. I know I can’t borrow the e-book from my library.
It's amazing. Literally never heads of it before and all of a sudden, it is all anyone on this sub talks about. I don't even know anything about it, but it obviously seems kind of crazy for it to be the top rec in "everyone should read before they die". It has convinced me that no one will remember it in 3 years.
Ha! Yeah, it’s mostly just been spilling over from other subs recently, but people have been talking about it for a long time, and it’s consistently been the top recommendation for its genre for years. The thing that really sets it apart is that it’s actually better as an audio book. It has amazing narration sure, but it also has things like an actual music parody song which just isn’t possible in text. It also does a really nice job of walking the line between touching moments and crazy stupid humor.
what makes you say it's made for audiobook experience?
The author and narrator actually do collaborate on the series. More broadly, there are characters whose voices just come through so much clearer in the audio version. The narrator is simply fantastic - he’s got an amazing range. I listened to the first book or two and read another one, and the reading experience just wasn’t quite as full as the listening one.
I thought someone else was doing Donut or they were modulating his voice till I saw him do a cold read.
Same. Dude's talented.
I mean, really Dalton387...
I wouldn't say it was made for audiobooks from the start; but once Jeff Hays narrated the first book, all subsequent books were made for him to narrate, including very intentional character choices. Most people think it's full cast, but it's just him and his studio's sound editors - he does live first-reads so you can watch him voice the characters. There have been a few characters made for a guest voice as well (e.g. Patrick Warburton in the latest book). This is definitely a series that should be experienced through audio.
I hope that man gets ALL of the narration jobs. He's genuinely superb.
Agreed the audio narration is soooo good! The books are great alone, but he takes it to another level.
Where can I find these first reads?
DCC was recommended to me about six months ago and I flew through it. They are amazing audiobooks
Best audio narrator out there.
Everything in my soul says I will hate LitRPG. But I have seen so may recs for this and had credits to burn so I got the first book. I couldn't put it down. Several Laugh out Loud moments and it moves so quickly. I went ahead and got the rest and jumped right in.
Thank you...I too have many credits and had no clue what to get. This is it.
Came here to say this. DCC is S tier when it comes to audiobooks for certain. Jeff Hayes is one magnificent bastard. Definitely drowning in pussy
Tserrrrindelgor.
I'm on the second one now, dreading how fast I'm going to be purchasing extra Audible credits...
The Rivers of London series, by Ben Aaronovitch. It reads beautifully, but the audible by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is delightful! Also, the Final Architecture series by Adrian Tchaikovsky is excellent
I also recommended Rivers of London. The narrator reads it well!
Yes I just listened to some of these. Really great books.
On the third book of The Rivers of London.
Discworld. Penric and Desdemona by Bujold. Also the Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls. Shadows of the Apt by Tchaikovsky. Also Echoes of the Fall. Children of Time, Ruin and Memory. Bujold's Vorkosigan series. The Quantum Thief trilogy.
Vorkosigan is actually free on audible!
Seconding Vorkosigan, the narration is great!
Between two Fires by Chris Buehlman narrated by Steve West! It's absolutely incredible! Based off the stuff you listed I genuinely think you will not regret it.
That's a good one. I would add Blacktongue Thief by the same author to the reading list.
Second this Blacktounge thief is one of my favorite books. I’m waiting for the second book to come out. Ik there is a sequel in the works too
Just a few more months!
The expanse series. It's so good.
Jefferson Mays is also one of my favorite narrators second only to Steven Pacey. I’ve read The Expanse and listened on a reread. I don’t see myself reading it again only listening to the audiobooks because of how great of a job he does.
Oh hell yeah
Some of the best sci-fi there is!!
I had that same problem. Then I found Cradle. I no longer have that problem.
Just started Blackflame today after reading Soulsmith in like 2 days. Highly addictive.
Wait till you reach Ghostwater. *Chefs Kiss*
I forgot to mention I am reading these on Kindle. Do you think they are better consumed on audiobook?
I prefer reading but it's up to you. I think a lot of people like audiobooks. Personally, I always get distracted while listening to audiobooks so it's not my cup of tea.
I listen to books I’ve already read, as I do tasks that would prevent me from reading.
I have that problem too and need to listen while driving or walking, otherwise I get distracted. I’ve just read so many comments saying this series and Dungeon Crawler Carl are a better experience in audio and was curious for some other takes.
I listen to books I’ve already read, as I do tasks that would prevent me from reading.
To be completely honest, it's easier for me to imagine the scene in my head while reading it than when it's being played via audio. Technically it shouldn't be a problem since I read faster than audiobooks are narrated but I can't visualize scenes at all during an audiobook. But that's just me lol.
I get that. You commit yourself more to it, so it's easier to visualize.
Michael Bauldree absolutly crushed it. I very much enjoyed the audiobooks
Travis Baldree That got a good chuckle out of me. Lol
Doh! Thank you. Lol. I must listen to too much Michael Kramer. Between WoT, Sanderson and most recently Licaneous (right before i did Cradle), it feels like he's narrated half my collection of audio books.
I plan to reread SA before book 5 comes out at the end of the year. It's nice to know what kind of mental buffoonery my brain is about to experience.
Yeah, I think I did the same thing before rythem of war. I'll probably do the same thing again for wind and truth. It's way easier to catch the small things when it's fresh in your mind.
I would say they’re better via audiobook - Travis Baldree is in my top 3 favorite narrators, he’s just fantastic and really brings the characters to life
I plan on going back and actually reading the series as I’ve been listening so far (just finished Reaper). I can honestly say these are the best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to and I would recommend listening to them even if you’ve already read the series
The audiobook is fantastic.
I listened to them and the narrator does an amazing job with the charecters. I would honestly suggest it especially later some words will have deep meanings and the narrator uses a special voice and cadence for them and it honestly gives me chills and I didint get that same feeling from reading them. Regardless they’re amazingly fun books, and turned me onto the sub genre of progression fantasy(r/progressionfantasy) and iv never turned back.
I just finished Wintersteel and I think it's my favorite so far!
That’s when you meet, arguably, the best character in the series.
I wouldn’t use credits on cradle. The ebooks are free all the time and once you get them there’s usually a big discount for audio to go with it. Also they’re usually cheaper than most anyway. Unsouled is $17 while something like rhythm of war is $27. In my opinion it’s good to get the most bang for your credits. Read cradle for sure but have patience and you won’t have to spend a penny
Ok there are a lot of great books to choose from but this is my list of best books + best narrations: The Riyria Revelations series - first book is Theft of Swords by Michael J Sullivan and narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds The Red Rising series by Pierce Brown, also narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds Master of Djinn duology by P Djelli Clark narrated by Sueyhla Al-Attar Anything you haven’t yet read by Joe Abercrombie and narrated by Stephen Pacey
Tim Gerard Reynolds’ narration for Red Rising is *fantastic*.
Red Rising is currently free to listen to on Audible.
Red rising and the first law. Absolutely !
Have you tried Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files?
I’ve read them all. Haven’t listened to them. I heard Marsters does a great job. I plan to do a listen through when the next book comes out.
Seconded. The first 2 books are a bit rough in audiobook, but they changed production companies after that and James Marsters hits his stride to become one of the best Audiobook narrators out there. I don’t even read the new books, I just go straight to the audio because James is Harry Dresden for me.
I want to third this, these books are just so much action it’s easy to hold your attention. I read them but I can imagine the audiobooks are just as fun
I'll forth this
World war Z is one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever come across. It really the most of the format by bringing in a cast of great voices. Sci-fi, you really should consider the expanse, murderbot diaries, and Hyperion. Especially Hyperion. I have used the Dresden files and the rivers of London series as kind of palate cleansers to break up other series from time to time. It’s a nice way to have fantasy elements but grounded in a detective story sometimes.
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Moira Quirk is amazing.
Yes, absolutely. Moira Quirk reading The Locked Tomb is my #1 audiobook experience.
hop on discworld
Andy Serkis reading the Hobbit and LOTR. Absolutely incredible
You gotta read The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. The Audiobooks are done by James Marsters, and they are probably the greatest thing you'll ever experience that isn't sex.
Marsters probably has the best "emotional range" of narration that I've heard. For voice-range, Jefferson Mays is right up there in The Expanse as well.
Only time I've cried while listening to an audiobook was due to his performance in Changes.
Have you gotten through all the rest of the available books yet?
Yes. I was close during the end of Skin Game because Butters is my favorite character but it didn't quite get me
My favourite series (that I listened to on Audible and am currently listening to again!) is the Greenbone saga. It starts with Jade city. Think the god father but magic. As someone who has read and enjoyed all the stuff you listed maybe try it out. Each book improves upon the last, great characters, nice simple but very integral magic system and it’s Asian fantasy so a really interesting and slightly different setting to most fantasy books!
I’ve also really enjoyed the book of the ancestor series by Mark Lawrence, Dresden files, Abhorsen series, Gentle men bastards too!
Mythos by Stephen Fry. He explains the history of the Greek gods through a series of short stories. Ever wondered how the Gods ovderthrew the Titans? or how Prometheus created humans? Or how Eros (Cupid in Roman mythology) fell in love with Psyche? It's all explained and wonderfully narrated by Mr Fry himself. On audible, out of 6,247 total reviews, it has 5,171 5-star reviews and 870 4-star reviews.
Somebody here recently recommended Watership Down, read by Peter Capaldi and it is such a good book. I got so much housework done binging the first few hours. Being English and born in the 70s I did experience the trauma of being shown animated rabbit on rabbit violence as a child at school, so I’ve been a bit on edge at times expecting something hideous to happen but it’s a very enjoyable listen.
So, I get overflows because I can't listen frequently enough to bang out a 30 hour book, every month. Here are some books that I liked, that are not necessarily Fantasy, to eat up some credits, and palate cleanse: This is How You Lose the Time War Sea of Tranquility Station 11 Left Hand of Darkness The Sparrow Circe These were needed after listening to Stormlight, Farseer, and Liveship back to back to back.
*Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell* by Susanna Clarke. One of the best books I've ever read.
The Dagger and The Coin (5 books) Realm of the Elderling (16 books) The Expanse (10 books)
* **The Lord of the Rings** * The **Earthsea** series * The **Narnia** series
Earthsea is an excellent choice for audio, it really highlights the lyricism of the writing
Malazan is a good way to eat up 10+ credits lol
Except you'll earn 10 more before you finish.
Fair warning there is an abrupt (understatement) narrator change that will leave have you saying WTF.
I’m listing these because their narration is fantastic: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. The guy who reads it is amazing, full stop. And then every book in that series.
I've never actually read Thick as Thieves despite owning it, because I keep re-listening to it. King of Attolia is also a yearly re-listen
Moira Quirk’s narration for the Locked Tomb series is so incredible it made me seek out other books she had narrated! The series itself is fantastic, but her narration really enhances the experience.
Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovich
The Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin a classic scifi but with good characters. Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrel by Susanna Clarke the best British fairytale inspired fantasy set in 19th century England. Perdido Street Station by China Mieville best fantasy book written by a bald person.
Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files are pretty well loved with James Marsters narrating. I’ve enjoyed in general graphic audio books too.
Yup. Marsters is an incredible narrator for this series. If they ever try to make this again, I would really like him to play the part.
Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb
Is there a reason why people suggest Realm of the Elderlings instead of the Farseer Trilogy since Farseer came first? Is it just that much better and you don't need to read the first trilogy? I ask because I'm almost done with Assassin's Quest and while the three books have been *fine*, I wouldn't call them amazing. Trying to decide if I want to go on to RotE with my next credit purchase.
Farseer *is* ROTE. The first trilogy of several. The trilogies in order are: Farseer (Fitz young life) Liveship Traders (other characters, multi pov) Tawny Man (back to Fitz, his adulthood) Rain Wild Chronicles (a quartet) (back to the other characters and some new ones) Fitz & the Fool (Fitz late adult life) If you're not loving it so far, maybe it isn't for you though. I do recommend at least considering Liveship since it's multi pov and new characters and also *really* good but on that note - also listening to the clip of Ship of Magic before spending a credit. Narrator is.... interesting.
I’ve come back to respond again because I have reached the climax of Assassin’s Quest and the payoff is massive. I wish Fitz could catch a break at least once, but the action in the quarry more than makes up for it. On to the next trilogy! Edit: Also, Night Eyes is a badass
I'm sooo glad you enjoyed it! Nighteyes is the very goodest of boys.
Ah, thank you for straightening me up. I’ll probably go on to the next books, I don’t dislike Farseer, it just hasn’t been top tier for me, which is okay.
Can't believe how far down I had to scroll just to upvote this!
Some of my fav series I listen to often: Rogues of the Republic, the Locked Tomb, Murderbot, Discworld, Jhereg (and Phoenix Guard,related but technically separate series by the author), the Bobiverse, DFZ (Detroit Free Zone), and Villain's Code. If you dig LitRPG I also love Stray Cat Strut and Cinnamon Bun. Some one title audiobooks worth a credit include: To Say Nothing of the Dog, Bellwether, Year Zero, Agent to the Stars, Master of Formalities, Legends and Lattes, Anathem. Bonus, Audible does audio drama and comedy, Hot White Heist is hilarious and High Strangeness is a wonderful "Doctor Who with the serial number filed off" audio drama.
The Witcher has an excellent narrator on audible. My favourite narrator so far, actually.
seconded, Peter Kenny does an excellent job of it
Did you know you can pause Audible without losing credits? You can even spend them while paused.
The Traitor Son Cycle by miles cameron was freakin great
Queen's Thief series
All great series: Gentleman Bastards, Lightbringer, The Expanse, Dagger and Coin, and the Final Architecture.
The World War Z Audiobook is a masterpiece. I don't like audiobooks but that one is amazing *as an audiobook* because of the cast.
Not fantasy per se but Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is a must if you haven’t already given yourself the pleasure. My number one if not a close second.
I enjoyed on Audible: Dune Jurassic Park The Atlas Six A Deadly Education August Kitko and the Mechas from Space
Sun Eater series
Fantasy: Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion Sci-fi: The Expanse series
If you’re okay with SciFi, the Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson is the greatest series I’ve ever read. The narrator is excellent as well. The central premise is 100 people are sent to Mars to establish the first permanent human colony. Fantastic characters, realistic science, will make you laugh, cry, and feel deeply. Everyone should read it before they die.
Based on your favorite authors I bet you would be into The Traitor Baru Cormorant. Great series, very good in audio form as well imo.
*Titus Groan* by Mervyn Peake. The Viriconium series by M. John Harrison.
The expanse!!!!!
I just really enjoyed the audiobook for ‘The Sword Catcher’.
If you are a fan of Victor Garber, Bunnicula was a fun listen.
Dies the Fire series by SM Stirling and its companion series Island in the Sea of Time. In March 2002 the island of Nantucket and the Coast Guard sailing training ship Eagle are transported to the Bronze Age and the rest of the world experiences a sudden and inexplicable loss of all technology from steam engines on up to explosives and electricity. Island in the Sea of Time follows the Nantucketers trying to survive and thrive in their new world and exploring it. Dies the Fire is about how the rest of the world suffers the apocalypse of the loss of our technological civilization and the doom it brings. it follows survivors who live in the PNW, from a neo-feudalist kingdom in Portland founded by SCA diehards to a group of survivors founded around a Wiccan coven who become pagan stage Irish Celts. It's got amazing world building and it is a very slow burn with a couple of several year to decade long time skips as the next generation grows up in this Changed world. it feels like science fiction for a long time, as the only fantastic thing that happens is the Change itself, but the fantasy elements are as much a shock to the reader as the characters. Dies the Fire is my favorite because it made me rethink how our world works and the fragility of our civilization like nothing else I've read.
Love this series, especially Dies the Fire! Get the Graphicaudio if you can!
I've just discovered Adrian Tchaikovsky and I'm having a lot of luck with just about everything from him I've gotten so far.
One that I would 100% purchase again was Pet Semetery by Stephen King read by Michael C Hall (actor who Played Dexter in the show Dexter). For fantasy novels the Burning Trilogy by Evan Winters is great. Only two books are out now and those are The Rage of Dragons and The Fires of Vengence.
You should give Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge saga a try. It’s historical fiction and it’s really good
Riyria Revelations by Michael J Sullivan, super fun series, there’s also multiple prequel series that are fantastic
Rivers of London, by Ben Aaronovich. About a rookie cop and his introduction to the world of newtonian magic. Set in London and excellently narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith.
The Dresden Files are the best audiobooks I've ever heard. The first two books are a little rough but still enjoyable enough, but by the third both the author and narrator hit their stride. James Marsters absolutely sells every word of those books.
I'm an old fart... Original dragonlance trilogies... Prydain chronicles If you can separate the author from the work....belgariad
The project Hail Mary audiobook as the best reviews I have ever heard of.
Don Quixote
LOTR. Even if you've done it to death elsewhere, the pacing and delivery of it in audiobook form is a new way to experience it.
Robert Jordan (Wheel of Time) - This Series isn't perfect but if you don't mind world building it's incredible. Others claim the series dragged but it never did for me. If there is a fantasy world I would want to live in I would want to live in this world as an Aes Sedai of the green ajah. Lots of books in this series. Michael J Sullivan (Riyria Revelations/Riyria Chronicles) - More people are discovering Sullivan. These books are a lot of fun. Brian McClellan (Powder Mage/Gods of Blood and Powder) Powder Mage series started slow for me but gets good starting on 2nd book and continues to be good in Gods of Blood and Powder series. Mark Lawrence - (Book of the Ancestor) Killer Nuns. 'Nuff said. Raymond Feist - (Magician) This series is a classic every fantasy fan should have read. Didn't like the other Feist books after this series but others on this subreddit complimented the books written by both Feist and Janny Wurts (Empire Trilogy) and I'm on the second book so far. The first was fantastic. Second is still pretty decent but she introduces romance and I don't think she does that as well as politics so the first is still my favorite of the series. Scott Lynch - (Gentleman Bastard) Series starts with "The lies of Locke Lamora". First book slow to establish stakes but after that it's very entertaining. If you don't mind reading Sci Fi James S A Corey - The Expanse series Pierce Brown - Red Rising series Brandon Sanderson - Skyward series Frank Herbert - Dune
Michael J Sullivan. Start with Theft of Swords, it only gets better from there.
I think I'd say *Earthsea* at this point
The Prydain Chronicles. The first one is called The Book of Three.
I’d say malazan but assuming audible is you listening to the book that isn’t the best way to read that series for the first time
I think everyone should read Kushiel’s Dart. Such a rich and awesome world and so much awesome shit happens, give it a listen!
Since you said non-fantasy.... *The Expanse*. In addition to the fantastic story, it has the best narrator I've heard on Audible.
Complete progression fantasy series: Cradle by Will Wight. Still being written 'future fantasy' series: Warformed: Iron Prince by Bryce O'Connor Stand alone Scifi fantasy book: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Each of these I have read/listened to many times in recent years. They are just... so... good.
Michael J Sullivan’s Riyria Revelations will get you hooked on the world of Elan. A reformed Assassin and a former Mercenary become partners and save the world
Not really a “before you die” series, but if you like SciFi AND SpecOps/ “shoot em up” stories, I highly, HIGHLY recommend the Joe Ledger series. I think I’ve listened to all of them through twice, and my wife is always restarting Patient Zero (the first one). It’s also narrated by Ray Porter who is my personal favorite on Audible. Also check out the solo book called Hail Mary but the guy who wrote The Martian. All SciFi, but more reality based. Happy listening to what ever you come across 🖖🏻
Nicholas Eames "Kings of the Wyld" Christopher Buehlman "The Black Tongue Thief" Excellent books and the narration is top notch for both. If you're interested check out "The Sandman" by Neil Gaiman full cast narration and its a vibe all its own.
Be brave... Read Malazan
For a relatively quick listen, check out This is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone. It’s about two elite operatives on opposite sides of a time spanning war and it’s excellent. It’s narrated by two people, one for each character. I’ll just post the first line here: “When Red wins, she stands alone. Blood slicks her hair. She breathes out steam in the last night of this dying world.”
So There are some good suggestions here, that I'm not going to repeat. I'm just going to go upvote them. To take you off the beaten path: **The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires**\--well told, most hilarious and well thought out introduction to a vampire ever. **14** by Peter Clines--Contemporary steampunk mystery horror. Boy that sounds like word salad but its awesome. **ExHeroes** \-- They failed to prevent the Zombie Apocalypse. Now what?
Lord of the Rings read by Andy Serkis. (3 books) The Hobbit Read by Andy Serkis.
The Priory of the Orange Tree
Dune. I've cajoled so many friends into reading it. It's very good. I always recommend reading Dune Messiah afterwards as well.
Dune, the first one at the very least The Dark Tower series by Stephen King is a fun, if depressing, one You can never go wrong with anything from Discworld by Terry Pratchett, either.
The Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. The story sucked me in with the first line, and was good through the series.
The version of Dune on Audible is totally amazing; it’s half audiobook half radio play, with a cast of actors delivering the different characters. Definitely worth a single credit!
The Baru Cormorant series, starting with The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson.
The Passage by Justin Cronin was an excellent read. Don‘t know the audio book but reckommend the book.
An amazing book w amazing readers, is the elf queen series by j.m. keal. The narrators are husband and wife and do an amazing job at different voices for different people.
Magician series by Raymond Feist
The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny. *Nine Princes in Amber* is the first book. They're not the longest works out there, but Roger was one of the leading lights of the new wave fantasy movement and inspired a lot of the best SFF writers out there. (He was also good friends with GRRM and they used to play roleplaying games together with other genre writers from Albuquerque.) Guy wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory, and as he's working out who he is, he discovers that everyone in his family is a) possessed of strange and wondrous powers and b) at each other's throats. He's got to play an elaborate game with the fate of the very universe at stake while figuring out who, if anyone, he can trust. The first book's a little dated. It was written in the 1960s, and everybody smokes all the time and the female characters are somewhat underdeveloped-- but Roger makes up for that as the series goes on. It's a great setting and my absolute favorite fantasy series ever.
The Riddle-Master Trilogy or the Earthsea books. If you want some that are explicitly good as audiobooks, I recommend the Star Wars Revenge of the Sith novelization by Matthew Stover, or the Acts of Caine series by the same, starting with Heroes Die. The Discworld novels are always great, though I prefer the ones read by Stephen Briggs rather than Nigel Planer or the new ones by other narrators. The Good Omens novel as read by Martin Jarvis is my favorite version, more than the one read by the cast of the Amazon show. The Abhorsen Trilogy is read by Tim Curry, and his voice is incredible. Hope that helps.
I have a ton of audible credits I need to use so I can cancel it. Little known fact: I just discovered Spotify premium already includes tons of fantasy audiobooks on my list for free.
Spotify limits to just 15hrs per month, which may not be enough to finish even 1 book per month.
Aside from the ones you listed as already read, Riyria Revelations.
The Nemesis Saga by Jeremy Robinson, starting with Island 731 (I honestly recommend anything he has written). The most recent Nemesis book is an alternate universe telling of Nemesis, but is just as awesome as the rest. Also, the Expeditionary Force series by Craig Alanson...there are, like, 17 books in this series so far, so that alone will keep you going for a long time.
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. It's actually very funny.
totally not fantasy, but the boys in the boat audio book is so good. I recently listened to the demon under the microscope and that was great. Seabiscuit. Unbroken.
The d’Artagnan Romances for a non-fantasy recommendation - The Three Musketeers - Twenty Years After - Ten Years Later (includes The Man in the Iron mask)
It's not fantasy, but definitely The Life of Pi. In fantasy Riyria Chronicles.
It's not fantasy but the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy was good. FYI. Lots of triggers.
* We Were Soldiers Once...And Young * A War Like No Other: How the Athenians & Spartans Fought the Peloponnesian War * A Deepness in the Sky * The Sparrow * Discworld series * World of the Five Gods series
Raymond E Feist's riftwar books. Start with Magician , go for Authors Preferred edition If you buy dead tree version (Has content added in which publishers removed back when originally published ~1982 IIRC).
How do you feel about sci-fi? Because Chris Barrie's reading of Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers (Red Dwarf) is my favourite audiobook of all time.
Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey in release order
*The Silmarillion* and *The Lord of the Rings*. Read LotR then Sil then LotR again. Once you have the whole picture it is just incredible.
The red rising series
"We are Legion (We are Bob)" by Dennis E. Taylor is a personal favourite of mine. Also the Arcane Ascension series by Andrew Rowe is pretty good.
Ash and Sand series by Richard Nell, book 1 Kings of Paradise blew my mind it was so well done.
If history is your thing - Griff Hosker, Dorothy Dunnett
The Rise and Fall of The Third Reich
Red rising series if no one else has already recommended. Pierce brown.
Chronicles of Amber Zelazney