Reading a fantasy novel has a way of transporting you to different worlds and fantastical lands; but listening to one gives your imagination a whole lot more to work with.
A great audiobook gives voices to your favorite characters, adding another dimension for you to explore. You can hear their feelings and thoughts as they embark on their journey.
And the narrator! Excellent narrators feel like long-lost friends leading you through weird and wonderful places. They’re the ones who’ve been there already and are excited to show you around.
12 Best Fantasy Audiobooks
Looking for an epic escape? We’ve constructed the best audio travel plan for you. It’ll transport you to misty forests and mountains, long-lost worlds, and the weirdly familiar places.
Here there be dragons and all the things you’ve ever wanted in a fantasy story. Read on for our list of the best fantasy audiobooks to listen to!
1. The Axe and the Throne by M. D. Ireman
Narrator: Matt Cowlrick
Tallos is on a doomed expedition to the North. He knows it’s a fool’s errand, but when his best friend’s sons are kidnapped by the Northmen, he feels he must do something. Even if he knows deep down that the boys will already be dead when he gets there.
Matt’s enunciation and deep, clear voice make for a spine-tingling listen when the fight scenes get started.
2. Blood Song by Anthony Ryan
Narrator: Steven Brand
Vaelin Al Sorna was only a kid when his father gave him to the Sixth Order. There, he is forged as a peerless, celibate warrior of the Faith. With no childhood, no love, and only the cold Brothers for family, Vaelin must work hard and survive the trials ahead for a future he still can’t comprehend.
Steven Brand lends his velvety voice to Ryan’s particularly graceful, yet bleak narrative, truly bringing the characters to life.
3. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Narrator: Neil Gaiman and others
Nobody “Bod” Owens was not a normal boy: he lived in a graveyard, was taught by ghosts, and had a guardian who was neither alive nor dead. The graveyard was his sanctuary; no one could hurt him there. But outside waits the Man Jack, who has already murdered Bod’s parents.
It’s rare to have an author narrate his own book and deliver it successfully. Neil Gaiman and a few companions bring the story to life with such panache, you just can’t help but get absorbed.
4. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
Narrator: Michael Page
Locke Lamora is the ultimate conman: he’s skilled, arrogant and possesses a theatric flair. He and his crew of Gentlemen Bastards have grown rich running cons against the rich and their own community of rogues. Suddenly faced with a coup that destroys almost everything he holds dear, Locke must use everything he has left to beat the enemy’s game.
Michael Page’s excellent narration, coupled with his British accent, gives a posh element to the book’s already deliciously flamboyant storytelling.
5. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Narrator: Steven Pacey
A barbarian feared in the harsh North, a nobleman full of pride, and a once-celebrated swordsman-turned-torturer are brought together into the schemes of a mysterious magician. War is brewing, and with it old scores are brought to be settled. Conspiracies abound, and the line between hero and villain becomes blurrier than ever.
Steven Pacey brings life to the dark and gritty world of Abercrombie’s book, perfectly nailing down the dry wit and cynicism that seems to take hold on every character.
6. Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
Narrator: James Clamp
Jorg of Ancrath watched his mother and brother get slaughtered. When their deaths are “avenged” by a trade of a few horses and silver, he runs away with a band of cutthroats. He sheds his princely life and learns how to steal, bully, and kill. Years later, it’s time to get back what’s rightfully his.
James Clamp brings a higher level of narration to the book, nailing down each character with slight yet distinct changes in pitch and enunciation.
7. The Vagrant by Peter Newman
Narrator: Jot Davies
The Vagrant is a mute and nameless man trekking through a war-torn and evil-tainted world with a goat and perfectly healthy baby in tow. He seeks the Shining City, the last bastion of humanity to finally deliver his burden: a weapon that may make the only difference in the raging war.
Jot Davies lends a mournful voice to the already melancholic narrative, perfectly capturing the atmosphere and tension that Newman seeks to convey in his book.
8. The Emperor’s Blades by Brian Staveley
Narrator: Simon Vance
The emperor of Annur is dead, assassinated by still unknown culprits. His daughter and two sons are scattered all over the world, discovering the path their father set them on. Each of them must get past one final trial, even as they do their best to stay alive against ancient enemies and the schemes of gods.
In his narration, Vance becomes the characters, lending them a unique and on-point voice that captures the essence of each, making for an extremely pleasurable read.
9. Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Narrator: James Marsters
Harry Dresden is not your typical hard-boiled private eye. He’s also a wizard—Chicago’s only openly practicing wizard, in fact. And he needs work. When two cases land on his lap, things seem to be looking up… but they’re about to get much, much worse. Black magic is afoot, and people are starting to suspect Harry himself.
Marsters perfectly embodies the world-wariness, devil-may-care heroics, and heavy sarcasm that is exactly what Harry Dresden is in the books.
10. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Narrator: Nick Podehl
Kvothe the Bloodless is a swordsman, musician, magician, and suspected king-killer. He’s hidden himself away in a backwater village somewhere on the continent of Temerant. When a seemingly harmless old man finds his way into the village and discovers his identity, he must recount a life’s worth of stories.
Nick Podehl brings a lot of layers into his narration. Not only does he tell the story in such a clear and precise voice, but he gives each character a unique voice to identify with.
11. The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
Narrator: Kyle McCarley
Maia, the youngest half-blooded son of the Emperor was never supposed to be the heir to the crown. But when his father and half-brothers are killed in an accident, he has no choice. Unschooled in court, and with no friends or family, he must be vigilant and trust no one as he comes to terms with his new life.
Kyle McCarley’s smooth voice adds a reinforcing layer to the stifling court life, and the fish-out-of-water feeling that Maia has in the book.
12. The Dark Tower 1: The Gunslinger by Stephen King
Narrator: George Guidall
Roland of Gilead is the last of the Gunslingers, who must travel to the Dark Tower, said to be the nexus of everything, at all costs. Along the way, he tracks down his nemesis, The Man In Black, and meets new companions in his already desolate world.
Guidall brings pitch-perfect tones into his narration, adding realism and grit to King’s already excellent narrative.
Listening to Fantasy Audiobooks
Audiobooks are proving extremely popular nowadays and it’s not that hard to see why. Not only is listening a different and (sometimes) more enjoyable counterpart to reading, but you can easily multitask while listening to a book.
Audiobooks add a whole new dimension to fantasy stories, bringing the narrative and the characters to life. The experience is all the more richer when talented narrators give characters their own individual voices.
If you’re looking for some good fantasy audiobook recommendations, then this list is where it’s at. Enjoy your listening sessions!
Do you have your own favorite fantasy audiobook? Share it in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
