Fantasy novels have been around for quite a while. The first known work of fantasy was written around the 1400s. However, the genre really started to take off in the 1700s. Good fantasy novels are quite rare and many people love the genre. Check out these fantasy audiobooks to get lost in the genre!
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My Favorite Best Fantasy Audiobooks
No matter where you are there’s nothing quite like escaping into a book. I’ve always been an avid reader/listener of sci-fi and fantasy audiobooks, and nothing pleases me more than escaping into another world either through a movie or a book.
That’s why I’ve decided to put together this list of the 50 best fantasy audiobooks that are available on Audible in the hopes that you too can enjoy these incredible stories. A few common themes run through all of these best fantasy audiobooks and that is that they are all truly remarkable tales with compelling and well-developed characters, engaging plots, and vivid settings.
The audiobook revolution is thriving and if you’re a huge fan of fantasy audiobooks this is a list to must to listen for you!
1.) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling is well-known across the world for its ability to bring the reader to the magical world of Hogwarts.
It is a famous children’s fantasy audiobook and has been translated into 67 languages and more than 200 million copies have been sold.
This book is a great book for children of any age and can make any day feel like an adventure. It’s a great book to listen to if you want to be transported to a world of magic.
2.) The Hunger Games

For those who have been living under a rock for the past few years, or have been out of the loop on all the latest movie and book series’ craze, I’ll fill you in.
In the country of Panem, each year teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18 are selected by lottery to compete in The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is a nationally televised event in which contestants must fight with one another until one final victor remains.
Panem is a future North American country where the rulers find it necessary to keep the peace by teaching the general populace to fear and stand down…
3.) Twilight

This next book in the 50 best Fantasy Audiobooks is an amazing book to listen to. It is narrated by Stephenie Meyer, which is the author of this well-known book.
The book is about Bella, a 17-year old girl living in Washington. She is still in high school and she is in love with a guy named Edward. He is a vampire that has been watching her for years. Bella becomes friends with a wolverine named Jacob, but her heart is set on Edward.
This book is full of romance and suspense. There are so many twists and turns that take place, you won’t be able to stop listening!
4.) Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1: The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief is one of the many books in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and is a children’s book based on Greek mythology.
The Lightning Thief follows the story of a twelve-year-old boy named Percy Jackson who experiences changes in his school and at home and discovers he has godparents who were forced to leave him as a baby to protect him from the god Zeus.
The Lightning Thief was written by author Rick Riordan and published for the first time in 2008. The book has been published in at least 36 different languages. This book has been well-received by critics, winning the Indian Paintbrush Book Award, the Georgia Children’s Book Award.
5.) The Kingkiller Chronicles: The Name of the Wind

“The Name of the Wind” is the best-selling of two series within “The Kingkiller Chronicles” by Patrick Rothfuss. It is set in the world of Temerant, an alternate universe that includes mythical beasts, magic, and multiple universes.
The protagonist of “The Name of the Wind” is Kvothe, a student at the University during the time of the great Fae war. Kvothe was born with amnesia that had befallen him due to his mother’s prying of amnia. His father died in a fire and he was left without knowledge of his true identity and forced to live as a poor beggar.
6.) The Diamond Throne by David Eddings

The Diamond Throne by David Eddings is a fantastical novel that will have you fully immersed in a world of magic and majestic beasts.
The book is the first in the series about the royal family of Qualinesti and is told from the perspective of a middle-aged man named Porthios.
In the story, the king of the Qualinesti, Jaralan, is found dead and his son, Porthios, has to solve the murder. The story takes off from there with a thrilling adventure.
7.) The Hobbit

This is one of the most popular books in the world of Children’s Literature, and it is the best book ever written, according to some critics.
The book is about a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who adventures into the great unknown world that only the brave may tread.
This book takes readers on a journey to discover fantastic places inhabited by smoking dwarves, giant spiders, a magic ring, and more.
8.) The Night Circus

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a novel. The colors, the costumes, the graphics are all part of the experience of the circus. The story is told in two parts.
One day follows the events of Celia Bowen, daughter of an illusionist. The other day follows the events of Marco Alisdare, son of a strongman.
Each circus performer has talent, some are illusionists, others are strongmen, magicians, contortionists, acrobats, jugglers. The circus is more than just a place of physical feats, it is a place of wonder.
9.) The Da Vinci Code

Author, Dan Brown has released several best-selling novels, which have been made into well-known films.
The Da Vinci Code is the author’s best-selling novel.
The Da Vinci Code has been described as “the most popular thrill-ride that reads like a murder mystery set in the world’s most famous museum.
10.) The Dirty Streets of Heaven by Tad Williams

A bold and ambitious fantasy genre novel that is sure to please those who love a good story. It is set in a world that’s populated by angels and a whole lot more.
The series follows a detective, a drug addict, a police officer, and a junkie as they each try to find redemption. After a series of troubling murders, their paths cross and they all work together to find the killer. They soon discover much more than they bargained for.
11.) The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

The Subtle Knife is the second book of the fantasy trilogy, His Dark Materials.
It follows the continuing story of Lyra Belacqua, who is physically just ten years old but is physically twenty years old in the transcendental world of Cittàgazze.
She travels with Will Parry, a boy from a different world. The two of them journey to the land of the dead in search of a kidnapped friend. Lyra and Will find themselves in a world formed from old memories that have been re-imagined. Their friends have been turned into strange and terrible creatures that seem to have lost any sense of the people they were before.
12.) King of Ashes by Raymond E Feist

Richard K. Morgan has said that “King of Ashes” is “one of the most satisfying books I’ve read in a long time.”
The focus is on the kingdom of ashes and the war between the three factions: the Guild, the Scrithare, and Sorak.
13.) Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

Daughter of the Forest is the first in the Sevenwaters trilogy by Juliet Marillier.
The story is about a family of Irish shapeshifters who live near a standing stone.
Sorcha, the daughter of the family, is cursed by an enemy witch. Suddenly everything around her is changing and she must embrace her destiny as a daughter of Sevenwaters.
14.) Age of Misrule by Mark Chadbourn

Age of Misrule is book 3 of the Age of Misrule series, and if this is your first time reading it then it is best that you stop now and go back and read books 1 and 2.
Like the previous editions in the series, this one is filled with action and suspense. The protagonist, Thomas Ward, has finally escaped the dark and oppressive domain of the King and the Court and left the town of Oakhurst behind.
His destination is Glastonbury, but before he gets there he is tempted by an offer from the Huxleys, a family of cunning and powerful Travellers. The Huxleys offer Thomas Ward the opportunity to be the seventh member of their roguish band of Travellers.
15.) The Black Company

With a gritty and scary atmosphere, The Black Company by Glen Cook is one of the best fantasy audiobooks around.
This first book in The Black Company series tells the story of the smallest and most independent of the Free Companies of Khatovar. It starts with a squad of mercenaries who take an oath to follow “the Prince of Darkness.”
They are preparing for the final battle of the cosmic chess game between Law and Chaos, as predicted by prophecy. The Black Company might not always be good guys, but they are always outlaws. Cook captures his audience with this harrowing tale of war, based on his own military experience, and keeps them on the edge of their seats with his non-stop action and powerful world-building.
16.) Wraith Knight by Raymond E Feist

Wraith Knight is the third installment in The Riftwar Legacy, which is a series of books by Raymond E Feist.
The plot of the series follows the lives of Pug, who is a magician, and Tomas, who is a warrior. The two of them are slowly learning about their abilities and their powers.
Feist manages to build up the plot slowly and purposefully, slowly revealing how the characters’ lives are intertwined with events that will shape their future.
17.) A Song of Ice and Fire series

The series is set in the fictional land of Westeros. The compelling plot of these fantasy novels is based on the drama of the struggle for power between the great Houses of Westeros.
A Song of Ice and Fire series is an epic, exciting, and most importantly, beautifully written story of power, hunger for power, glory, love, and betrayal.
On the one hand, these novels are about royal families but on the other hand, they are about regular people with their everyday life problems expressing their thoughts and ambitions.
18.) The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings audiobook by J.R.R. Tolkien.
If you want to escape the world and find yourself in one of the most well-known fantasy genre stories of all time, this is the audiobook for you.
It is read by Rob Inglis, who is famous for his distinctive voice and rich language. He has won multiple awards and received rave reviews for his performance in this audiobook.
Rob Inglis’s performance of The Lord of The Rings is recognized as definitive, thanks to a voice recognized as a definitive voice of a generation. The Lord of the Rings audiobook is a story of a group of misfits who set out on a journey to destroy a powerful evil.
19.) The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

If you’re a real fan of fantasy audiobooks, I recommend you check out The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. This series is the perfect mixture for those who are looking for the best fantasy audiobooks.
If you’re not sure if it’s for you, below are three of my favorite facts about the series.
- The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson is an expansive, epic fantasy series. With three books out so far it is an established series with the excitement of new releases every few months.
- This is my first Brandon Sanderson series, but I quickly fell in love with the way the main characters are being developed.
- The magic system is also very interesting, with both lightning and storm light being very important for the war.
20.) The Dark Returns

It is a story of the evils that hide in the darkness and the power it takes to keep them at bay.
The protagonist, Ada Taylor, is a guardian who has the power to banish the dark and keep it from creeping over the world. She is trained by her uncle and best friend, Jack Williams, who has been doing this for centuries.
21.) The Wise Man’s Fear

The Wise Man’s Fear, by Patrick Rothfuss.
A sequel to The Name of the Wind, is a book for all readers who enjoy a blend of magic and realism in their fantasy literature. But for those who have yet to read the first installment in the series, they will not be lost when browsing the second.
The story never strays from Kvothe, a hero in training with a magical bent. In the beginning, Kvothe tells the story of his life. In it, he carefully details his magical skills, his tragic family life, and his quest to find the powerful enemy who has been attacking towns in the region.
22.) The Inheritance Cycle

The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini is a book with magic, action, adventure, and youth. It also has themes of family, responsibility, and friendship.
The hero of the series Eragon is a fifteen-year-old boy who is apprenticed to Brom, a storyteller. Brom teaches Eragon about the drac-knights, elves, werewolves, and other creatures that inhabit the land.
Eragon is searching for a magic stone to help the resistance overthrow the tyrannical King Galbatorix with the help of Brom, Saphira, and Murtagh.
Read this book to find out how they fare. The Inheritance Cycle is a book about magic and adventure.
23.) The Skybound Sea

It is easy to understand why listeners of The Skybound Sea would be enchanted by the lyrical prose of its author.
The Skybound Sea tells the story of an empire on an island bordering on death, and on the brink of disaster, because of power-hungry leaders.
The protagonist, Jansen, is an illustrator on the verge of losing himself to greed on the island of Maral. The city of Maral is the capital of the empire that spans the island, but its citizens are unhappy with their leader, Emperor Tuiren. But when Jansen saves the life of the empress, he has to make a choice. Either stand by his emperor or stand by his people?
24.) The Waking Fire

The Waking Fire by Anthony Ryan’s.
The first book, The Waking Fire, is already out and it is an action packed adventure. The story is set in Elan, formerly known as Annur, which has been under colonial rule for decades.
The empire of Annur conquered Elan, its neighbor to the south, thirty years ago. Where Annur was once a relatively young empire, Elan has existed for more than two thousand years.
From this perspective, Annur, with its large investment in coal-powered technology, is starting to look old and outdated.
25.) The Final Empire

The Final Empire is the first book in the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson, which is an epic fantasy series.
The protagonist is Vin, an orphaned thief who is trained by Kelsier, a crafty thief who assumes the title of “Lord Mistborn”. Vin becomes the crew’s Mistborn, a mixed-wielding, general all-around type who is at once powerful and invaluable.
The book follows her as she becomes involved in the rebellions against the powerful Arkaiser, Straff Venture. The Final Empire is an excellent novel to listen to.
26.) A Fire Upon The Deep

This fantasy book is a must to listen to. In the far future, humanity has been exploring the stars for decades and has colonized many of the planets in the galaxy.
Great technological advances have been made, but an unexplained catastrophe called a “Deepness” has put a stop to all space exploration, so the human race is confined to a few planets.
But not for long, because when the Deepness returns in the form of alien creatures that devour all intelligent life, it’s up to a few brave explorers and soldiers to combat the enemy and save the human race.
27.) Magyk

After the young, orphaned Septimus Heap accidentally releases the evil DomDaniel’s spirit, he attempts to find help for his dying Aunt Zelda.
He seeks the help of the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, Marcia Overstrand, who is based in the Castle. Once there, Marcia guides Septimus through the complicated history of the Castle, tells him about the wizarding laws, and much more.
Magyk is an excellent fantasy series that many people would enjoy. There are currently three books in this series and they are all great.
Personally, I love the main character, Septimus Heap. Finding out about the complicated history of the castle and all of its secrets is really great.
28.) The Outsiders

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.
It’s always hard to balance being part of a group and being an individual. That’s just what Ponyboy, the narrator of the novel, is struggling with.
He’s part of a gang called the Greasers, but he’s also had the unfortunate luck of being placed in a school for rich kids.
What’s more, his two best friends are Socs, or the “Society of the Scarlet Letters,” the gang that is the sworn enemies of the Greasers. The Outsiders is definitely one of the teenagers’ most beloved novels.
29.) Armageddon Bound

If you’re looking for a new fantasy to get into, one that’s full of mystical creatures, then this is for you.
In Armageddon Bound, the characters travel through time and meet dragons, unicorns, and leprechauns. They fight a war against a powerful wizard and unleash a creature from the underworld.
The story is written by a self-taught author, a professional musician, a voice-over talent and a speaker. It was awarded for Best Fantasy Book of 2015, and has been called ‘One of the best fantasy epics of the decade.’
30.) His Dark Materials

His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman is a three-part epic adventure trilogy. The book is set in an alternate world where the natural forces are at war.
The main character, Lyra Belaqua, is a precocious child at the center of the story. The series is about Lyra, a little girl who lives in a parallel world. It’s about her daring, hair-raising journey to save her best friend – and herself.
It’s about the dust that turns children into armored bears, treacherous ice that burns, and murderer angels. It’s about how much you can hope when your life’s in danger, if heaven’s even real if the truth is worth dying for.
31.) Ranger’s Apprentice Series

The series starts with the 12-year-old orphan, Will, who longs to trade in his chores for adventures. He uses his quick wit and street savvy to find his way into the ranks of the Halt’s Rangers.
The Rangers are a team of elite warriors who scout, track, and capture expertly, but they are also one of the few who can fight the terrifying, undefeated war machine called the Morgarath.
The series follows Will’s adventures as he grows up and learns about his abilities and limitations.
32.) American Gods

Neil Gaiman’s American Gods is a work of mythology set in the modern world.
The audiobook is full of gods like Odin, Ganesh, Osiris, and many more. One of the most interesting aspects of the novel is the different ways that the gods use to reach out to American people.
For example, one god has taken over the statue of Jesus Christ, and now always stands with its arms stretched wide. Another god has taken over reflections in windows or water.
The contrast between ancient and modern is a big part of the novel that is highlighted by the audiobook.
33.) Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

The novel is about a young man named Richard who finds himself in the London Underground.
Strange creatures live in the Underground, creatures that are just as much a part of the world as the people above. This is due to a forgotten door that lies at the very center, separating the two worlds.
The story follows Richard as he becomes embroiled in the never-ending battle being fought to keep both worlds from being plunged into darkness. Pick up your adventure with Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere.
34.) The Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind

This series is a complete saga that encompasses one man’s quest to find his wife and their unborn child. The narrative is told from the viewpoint of a singular character, Richard, who tells of his life, his adventures, and his monumental choices.
He is not the strongest swordsman, the most persuasive speaker, or a man of great wealth. But he is a man of peace and loves his family more than anything in the world.
35.) Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Leguin

Listening to the Earthsea Cycle is a wonderful experience and one that I recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy.
It is narrated beautifully and includes an introduction and an afterword about the author and the audio adaptation. I love the audio adaptation because it really makes the world of Earthsea come alive and it’s perfect for car rides and other times when you can’t read.
The Earthsea Cycle is a saga of magic and wonder set in an old-world where heroism is its own reward, an ordinary blacksmith can become a wizard, and evil lurks in the hearts of men. It’s a world to lose yourself in and it’s perfect for fantasy lovers.
36.) The Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

The Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman Published in 1984, Weis and Hickman’s Dragonlance Chronicles is one of the bestselling series in the history of fantasy literature.
The Chronicles are based on the adventures of a party of heroes who are drawn together to stop the evil wizard, Raistlin, from conquering the country of Ansalon.
The first book in the series, Dragons of Autumn Twilight, was just the first in a series that grew to six books before being reduced to four books after the release of Dragons of Winter Night. This epic fantasy series has drawn acclaim for its major themes, including good versus evil, revenge, and heroism.
37.) The Dark Tower Series

The Dark Tower series is one of the greatest sources for fiction in the literary world.
There are eight books in the series with much discourse between fans about which is the best. The series features gritty, well-developed characters, including Roland, the protagonist. He is a member of the ka-tet (a group of people who are drawn together by fate) that are attempting to reach the Dark Tower, which sits at the center of all universes.
Every other book in the series ties into the Dark Tower. This includes, but is not limited to, the characters that are involved in the quest for the tower. Many readers have found this series to be one of the most compelling fantasy novels.
38.) Obernewtyn Chronicles

The Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody is a five-book series that every fantasy audiobook lover should read at least once.
The series is set in an alternate world in which humans live in villages in the valley protected by the Guardian Wall. At the age of fourteen, all young people are tested for their skills in seven different areas. Those who do not test positive for any skill are assigned a career. Those who test positive for one skill are apprenticed in their chosen trade.
39.) The Girl with All the Gifts by M. R. Carey

Hypochondriacs beware. Carey argues that the fungus cordyceps is a real biological organism that hijacks the gastrointestinal system of human nerve cells in a human and can cause the brain to malfunction.
The answers don’t look good. Probably the next book you’d like to listen to! Melanie is an incredibly gifted girl strapped in a wheelchair by an armed sergeant and taken back to the classroom… Almost everyone in the school is taken on such a route to school. What’s wrong with this?
So…. Let us leave it for readers hardened to dive into this labyrinth with plot twists.
40.) Shazam: Monster Society of Evil

The Shazam Series consists of six Superman-esque novels following the story of Billy Batson, a 14-year-old street urchin with superhero abilities.
This series is one of the most popular novels in its genre with appearances on The New York Times bestseller list.
A must-read for fans of comic books, the Shazam Series is a true phenomenon with heart.
41.) Black God’s Kiss

Black God’s Kiss is a brilliant and witty story of a man and his friends. They are charged with the task of eradicating the evil Duke and his demonic beasts.
The Duke has been terrorizing the region and killing innocent villagers. Luckily, our protagonist Hadrian has his sidekick Royce to help him. Royce is a thief and he uses his skills to get them inside the Duke’s keep.
The setting is set up like a fairy tale, and it’s like these two heroes are going against this evil monster to take back the region.
42.) The Malazan Book of the Fallen

The Malazan Book of the Fallen chronicles a continent’s history, from the Elder Goddess, K’rul, the first civilization, seven civilizations warring to create an empire, and civilizations at war with the Malazan Empire.
The audience follows a diverse cast of characters through a long-standing history of adventure and intrigue. The Malazan Book of the Fallen is a Hugo Award-winning, best-selling series from prolific Canadian author Steven Erikson. He is one of the most consistent best-selling authors in the world.
43.) The Mistborn Trilogy

The Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson is one of the best fantasy audiobooks ever written.
The world of Mistborn is brilliant with its interesting magic system which involves ingesting metals to gain the power of Allomancy. The series features strong main characters, complex antagonists, and vast world history. I would say Mistborn is one of my favorite series.
The series follows three different characters over the course of three books, Vin, the Mistborn found by Kelsier, then became his protege, or metal-burner.
44.) The Wheel of Time

In 1987, a series was born that rocked the fantasy genre and would go on to spawn not just one, but eleven books. That series, of course, is The Wheel of Time.
In 2018, it appears that the series is set for a resurgence as a TV series is being released by Amazon Prime. For those of you who are not aware of what The Wheel of Time is all about, let me fill you in.
The series is a grand saga of a time when the Dark One, the embodiment of pure evil, has been released from his prison and his sinister influence corrupts and twists what was once a beautiful world.
45.) Bridges of Ter

Bridges of Ter is a fantasy audiobook full of adventure, intrigue, and magic. Listeners will be swept away as Tim and his friend Lindsey battle goblins and dragons, and make their way to Graceland.
The audiobook is created by What’s Your Story and the Production Company. The story, written by B. L. Wicker, follows Tim as he battles goblins, dragons, and other creatures as he quests for Graceland to save his mother.
46.) The Mortal Instruments Series

These books are so good is because they are written by Cassandra Clare, who also writes the Infernal Devices series and The Dark Artifices series.
Cassandra Clare is a New York Times bestselling author whose work has been translated into 37 languages and sold more than 27 million books worldwide.
I read her book, Clockwork Prince when I was in middle school and it was the book that sparked my reading addiction. Nobody can compare to Cassandra Clare in the business and in “The Mortal Instruments,” she has done a great job in bringing in and tying together many different mythologies and religions into one cohesive world.
47.) Outlander Series

The Outlander series is a series of historical time-travel novels by author Diana Gabaldon.
The books focus on time traveler Claire Randall who finds herself in 18th century Scotland and finds herself married to a man 20 years her senior. As she finds herself in an unfamiliar time, she finds herself in the midst of a battle with the English for Scottish Independence. This is the first book in the Outlander series which is an audiobook.
48.) The Darkest Part of the Forest

The Darkest Part of the Forest is a novel written by Holly Black. Blackwell, the Head of the North Wind, has created an Elfin hunting party to cull the elfin population.
It is up to friends Hazel and Ben, who are human, to defend themselves against the hunt. They are counting on backup from their neighbors, Jack and Jill, but they end up parents of a baby and abandon the children. The children handle their first fight against the elves on their own, but it becomes more difficult as they meet a wolf who reveals that a human has been taken as a sacrifice.
Black’s novel is a quick read that also has a lot of depth.
49.) The Martian

The Martian is a science fiction novel written by Andy Weir and published in 2011.
It tells the story of Mark Watney, a botanist, and astronaut, who is left stranded on Mars after being presumed dead. As he is left with limited equipment and resources, he must use his knowledge of botany and engineering to survive. The novel has been critically acclaimed and was named a finalist for the 2015 Hugo Award for Best Novel.
In addition to being a science fiction novel, The Martian is an audiobook. It is narrated by actor R. C. Bray and is over 17 hours long. It follows the basic plot of the novel as it includes narration as well as dialogue.
50.) Haiku Warrior

Haiku Warrior audiobook by Scott Asher is about Haiku Warrior, the best haiku-solving detective in the land.
Haiku Warrior is finally trapped in his office when someone encases him in an unreachable circular wall of ice. Now he’s stuck, and he needs your help to solve the mystery.
Scott Asher’s Haiku Warrior audiobook is a hilarious, interactive, and imaginative tale for elementary school-aged readers. The character ‘Haiku Warrior’ is the only character in the story, which means that the story is entirely told by Haiku Warrior. The story also follows a standard template of describing the problem, then the solution, then the solution in detail.
FAQ
Fantasy audiobooks are a type of speculative fiction in which the author has created a whole new world for the reader. They often have a magic or horror theme and often feature a non-human protagonist.
I can personally say it’s the audiobook of A Game of Thrones narrated by Roy Dotrice. It’s one of the best fantasy audiobooks ever.
That’s a difficult question. If you are only asking about the enjoyment of quality books, then I will answer the Lord of the Rings. But I have been spoiled by Harry Potter and later, read Oz, so I think I am somewhat biased in favor of the latter.