There are few things I love more than pressing play on an audiobook and completely forgetting where I am and how much work I’m getting done because I’m so absorbed in the story. Fantasy is especially good at doing that, and it’s my personal favorite genre of literature. One minute you’re folding laundry or driving around town, and the next you’re somewhere with dragons, enchanted forests, ancient magic, or an entire kingdom on the brink of disaster.
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And fantasy doesn’t always mean a massive epic with hundreds of characters and a map you need to study before starting the book. Some of my favorite fantasy stories are much more intimate, with a little bit of magic woven into an otherwise familiar world. Others go completely in the opposite direction and create worlds so detailed that you could spend hours getting lost in them.
So if you’re looking for a fantasy audiobook that will give you a break from reality for a while, I’ve rounded up some of my favorites below WITH NO SPOILERS. There’s plenty of adventure, magic, romance, and mystery here, and hopefully at least a few new-to-you books to add to your listening list.
And PS: Some of these titles may be exclusive to an Audible subscription, which I find definitely worth my while. If you’re interested in checking out Audible, you can use this link for a free 30-day trial.
Looking for something with more romance? Check out My Top 10 Best Romantasy Audiobooks. Plus, you can find all of my audiobook favorites here.
1. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
A Discovery of Witches is one of my favorite trilogies, weaving together witches, vampires, dark academia, and historical science fiction. The author Deborah Harkness is a scholar just like the book’s protagonist Diana Bishop, and you can feel that dedication to academia and history weaving throughout her works. I loved the combination of the academic setting, supernatural world, and slow-building romance, and there’s so much detail woven into the story that it’s easy to get completely absorbed. You’ve set your book at Oxford? I’m in. No questions asked.
2. Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Scythe by Neal Shusterman is such an interesting blend of dystopian and fantasy, and it’s another one of my favorite trilogies I’ve ever read. Technically, it’s young adult fiction because of the age of the protagonists, but the story will be equally interesting to adults. In this world, humanity has essentially conquered death thanks to advanced technology, but people still have to die—and that’s where the Scythes come in. Their job is to permanently end human lives to keep the population under control. It’s a fascinating, slightly unsettling audiobook that’s especially good if you like stories that make you question whether a seemingly perfect world really is perfect.
3. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
If you like the sound of a sweeping epic fantasy series with a badass female protagonist, plenty of action, romance, and a little bit of mystery, Throne of Glass is for you. The story follows Celaena Sardothien, a notorious assassin who is offered a chance to earn her freedom… for a price. It’s an easy series to get invested in, especially if you enjoy strong female characters, elaborate fantasy worlds, and stories that gradually become much bigger than they first appear. Plus, the series is complete, so you can binge listen all the way through.
4. Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Strange the Dreamer stands out among fantasy books for its beautiful and mysterious writing, relying less on action than many other books in the genre. The story follows Lazlo Strange, a young librarian who has always been fascinated by the mysterious lost city of Weep, a place that disappeared from the world centuries ago. When an opportunity finally arises to travel there, Lazlo finds himself pulled in new directions. It’s a little strange, a little romantic, and incredibly atmospheric, making it a great choice if you want a fantasy audiobook that feels truly original.
5. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
I’m sure you’ve heard of The Chronicles of Narnia and have maybe even read the books or watched the movies, but the audiobook collection is a whole new experience in itself. It includes all seven books with narration from actors like Kenneth Branagh and Patrick Stewart. Across the seven books, children find their way into the magical world of Narnia, where they encounter talking animals, witches, kings, battles, and plenty of unforgettable adventures. The audiobooks are especially fun because they make it so easy to settle in and get swept away into Narnia for a long while (almost 34 hours, in fact!). If you’re looking for a classic fantasy that you can listen to with the whole family or simply enjoy on your own, this collection is hard to beat.
6. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien makes you understand why the fantasy genre has become so beloved. The story begins in the peaceful Shire, where Frodo Baggins inherits a seemingly ordinary ring and soon discovers that it’s actually one of the most dangerous objects in Middle-earth. From there, he sets out on an epic journey with a group of unforgettable companions, facing dangers, strange creatures, and an increasingly powerful enemy along the way. I’ll keep it at that because I promised no spoilers, and the audiobook is made even better by narration from actor Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in the film adaptations.
7. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Another one of my favorite trilogies? Yes, I’m going to feel like a broken record in this list. The Golden Compass follows Lyra, a young girl who lives in a parallel version of Oxford (another Oxford book? I’m there!) where every person has a dæmon, a magical animal companion that reflects their personality. When Lyra becomes involved in a mystery surrounding missing children and a strange substance called Dust, she’s pulled into an adventure that takes her far beyond everything she knows. It’s adventurous and occasionally dark, so while it’s considered a book for children, I think it’s equally interesting for adults, especially as the story progresses and darkens throughout the trilogy.
8. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard of the HBO smash hit series Game of Thrones (let’s not talk about the last season), based on the books by George R.R. Martin. A Game of Thrones is the first in the series and follows several powerful families across the fictional world of Westeros, where alliances are constantly shifting and just about everyone seems to have their own agenda. There’s plenty of political intrigue, battles, complicated relationships, and mysteries woven throughout, along with a huge world that feels incredibly detailed. It’s definitely a commitment, but if you’re looking for an epic fantasy audiobook with high stakes and lots of twists, this is a classic place to start.
9. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Gideon the Ninth is unlike pretty much any other fantasy audiobook I’ve listened to. It’s equal parts science fiction, gothic mystery, and wildly strange adventure, following Gideon, a sword-wielding woman who is recruited to join a group of necromancers at a mysterious ancient estate. What makes this one so much fun is how unpredictable it is… you never quite know what bizarre thing is going to happen next. It’s dark, weird, funny, and surprisingly addictive, so if you’re looking for a fantasy audiobook that feels completely different from the usual, I’d definitely give this one a try.
10. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Six of Crows is the first book in another one of my favorite trilogies, and I know you’re tired of hearing that by now, but it’s true! This list is full of gems. The book follows six teenagers with very different skills who are recruited for an incredibly dangerous mission that should be nearly impossible to pull off. What I loved most is the group dynamic. Each character brings something completely different to the team, and their relationships develop in ways that make you genuinely invested in what happens to them. Add in plenty of scheming, action, romance, and twists, and you have a fantasy audiobook that’s incredibly easy to get hooked on. Plus, the audiobook benefits from a full cast to voice each character.
I hope this list helps you as you search for your next great fantasy audiobook! If you’re looking for a fantasy that’s a little more warm and fuzzy, check out My Top 10 Best Cozy Fantasy Audiobooks, or find all of my favorite audiobooks here.
