The best fantasy audiobooks
The top fantasy audiobooks, ranked on awards, production and listener ratings, with the narrator, the length and the edition to buy.
The best fantasy audiobook is Harry Potter, read by Jim Dale in the US edition and Stephen Fry in the UK edition. Jim Dale's Order of the Phoenix won Audiobook of the Year at the 2004 Audie Awards; for a full cast, His Dark Materials is read by Philip Pullman with a cast of actors, and The Stormlight Archive is the highest-scoring series, at 282 hours.
- Best overallHarry PotterJim Dale or Stephen Fry, 7 booksSee pick
- Best full castHis Dark MaterialsPhilip Pullman and full cast, 34h 21mSee pick
- Best seriesThe Stormlight Archive7 titles, 282h 33mSee pick
- Best romantasyFourth WingRebecca Soler, 22h 2mSee pick
- Best first listenPiranesiChiwetel Ejiofor, 6h 58mSee pick
- Best dramatisationThe Lord of the Rings (BBC radio)Full cast, 12h 14mSee pick
- Better readJonathan Strange & Mr NorrellFootnotes throughout the printed bookSee pick
What the terms mean
- Full cast
- Different actors read different characters, using the full text of the book.
- Multi-narrator
- Two or more narrators, usually one for each main character or each part of the book.
- Dramatisation
- A script adapted from the book and performed like a radio play. Usually shorter than the book, and not the full text.
- Romantasy
- Fantasy where the love story matters as much as the fantasy plot.
- First listen
- A shorter audiobook with one narrator and a story that is easy to follow. A good place to start if you are new to fantasy audiobooks.
- Better read
- Books with visual elements, such as maps, footnotes or illustrations, that don't translate well as an audiobook.
- Audible credit
- Audible plans give members credits. One credit buys one audiobook, whatever its length.
How we ranked: every pick scored the same way on recording awards, production, listener ratings and the book's standing. Full method
The top 3 fantasy audiobooks of all time
Ranked on recording awards, production, listener ratings and the book's standing.
Harry Potter
The Harry Potter audiobooks are read by Jim Dale in the US edition and Stephen Fry in the UK edition. Jim Dale's Order of the Phoenix won Audiobook of the Year at the 2004 Audie Awards. Jim Dale's seven recordings run 116 hours 21 minutes.
- Narrator
- Jim Dale (US edition); Stephen Fry (UK edition)
- Production
- One narrator
- Length
- 7 books, 116h 21mAudible US, Jim Dale. Stephen Fry's seven books: 124h 36m
- Recording
- Pottermore Publishing, recorded 1999 to 2007
- Awards
- Audie Audiobook of the Year 2004 (Order of the Phoenix)
- Audie Children's Title, ages 8+, 2004 (Order of the Phoenix)
- Audie Solo Narration, Male 2008 (Deathly Hallows)
- Grammy, Spoken Word Album for Children 2001 (Goblet of Fire)
- Grammy, Spoken Word Album for Children 2008 (Deathly Hallows)
- Listener rating
- 4.9 from 204,238Audible US, book 1 (Jim Dale), 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.9 from 46,883
- Books
- 7
- Total listening
- 116h 21m (Jim Dale); 124h 36m (Stephen Fry)
- Credits to finish
- 7, one per book (calculated)
- Full-Cast Edition
- 7 books, 114h 36m, narrated by Cush Jumbo, released 4 November 2025 to 12 May 2026
- Maps and extras
- None confirmed
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
Jim Dale reads all seven books and gives each character a different voice. He won Grammy awards for Goblet of Fire in 2001 and Deathly Hallows in 2008. The Los Angeles Times, quoted on the Audible listing, wrote: "To call Dale a 'reader' of books is like saying Monet was a Sunday painter." Stephen Fry reads the UK edition; Audible US sells both.
Why it ranks here
Full marks on every measure: an Audiobook of the Year win, two Grammys, 4.9 stars from 204,238 ratings for book 1, and a modern classic.
Good to know: Three recordings are on sale, so check the narrator. The site's verdicts score the Full-Cast Edition, narrated by Cush Jumbo with more than 200 voices and an original score.
Sources Audie Awards 2004 Audie Awards 2008 Grammy Awards Audible listing (Jim Dale) Audible search (Stephen Fry) Full-Cast Edition cast
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The Stormlight Archive
The Stormlight Archive, read by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading, won the fantasy category at the Audie Awards for Words of Radiance in 2015 and Rhythm of War in 2022. The seven books run 282 hours 33 minutes.
- Narrator
- Michael Kramer and Kate Reading
- Production
- Multi-narrator, two narrators
- Length
- 7 titles, 282h 33mAudible US
- Recording
- Macmillan Audio, 2010 to 2024
- Awards
- Audie Fantasy 2015 (Words of Radiance)
- Audie Fantasy 2022 (Rhythm of War)
- Listener rating
- 4.8 from 114,376Audible US, book 1, 25 Oct 2026
- Books
- 5 novels and 2 novellas
- Total listening
- 282h 33m (the five novels alone: 269h 4m)
- Credits to finish
- 7, one per title (calculated)
- Hours per credit
- About 40 hours (calculated)
- Maps and extras
- Not confirmed
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
Michael Kramer and Kate Reading share the reading of the five novels and the novella Dawnshard. Kate Reading reads the novella Edgedancer on her own. The Audible listing does not say how the chapters are split. Book 2, Words of Radiance, scores highest in the series: 4.9 stars from 90,448 ratings.
Why it ranks here
Two Audie wins and 114,376 ratings for book 1 at 4.8 stars. The highest-scoring series in this guide, so it ranks in the overall top 3.
Good to know: Each novel runs 45 to 63 hours, and one Audible credit buys one novel. Book 5, Wind and Truth, scores lowest: 4.6 from 22,962 ratings.
Sources Audie Awards 2015 Audie Awards 2022 Audible listing Audible search (series)
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Children of Blood and Bone
Children of Blood and Bone, read by Bahni Turpin, won Audiobook of the Year at the 2019 Audie Awards, and the Audible listing says it also won an AudioFile Earphones Award. It runs 17 hours 56 minutes.
- Narrator
- Bahni Turpin
- Production
- One narrator
- Length
- 17h 56m US, 17h 44m UKAudible US and UK
- Recording
- Macmillan Young Listeners, 2018
- Awards
- Audie Audiobook of the Year 2019
- Audie Young Adult finalist 2019
- AudioFile Earphones Award
- Listener rating
- 4.7 from 17,324Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.5 from 1,020
- Maps and extras
- Not confirmed
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
Bahni Turpin reads the whole book on her own. AudioFile, quoted on the Audible listing, called her narration "breathtaking". Booklist wrote that she "excels at customizing her voice to capture the unique personalities of each character". An Audible editor's review also praises her accents. Macmillan Young Listeners published the recording in 2018.
Why it ranks here
The highest-scoring single novel here: Audiobook of the Year, an Earphones Award and praise from named reviewers. It has fewer ratings than the picks above.
Good to know: The novel won the Lodestar Award for young adult books at the 2019 Hugo Awards. Bahni Turpin also reads book 2.
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The top 3 full cast and multi-narrator fantasy audiobooks
Read by more than one person, using the full text. Radio-style adaptations are listed separately below.
His Dark Materials
His Dark Materials is read by the author, Philip Pullman, with a full cast of actors reading the characters' lines, using the full text of all three books. The US edition runs 34 hours 21 minutes.
- Narrator
- Philip Pullman, with Joanna Wyatt, Rupert Degas and a full cast
- Production
- Full cast
- Length
- 3 books, 34h 21mAudible US. Book 1 runs 10h 33m in the US and 11h 56m in the UK (Penguin)
- Recording
- Listening Library, 2003 (US); Penguin edition 2021 (UK)
- Awards
- None found
- Listener rating
- 4.6 from 20,362Audible US, book 1, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.7 from 581
- Books
- 3
- Credits to finish
- 3, one per book (calculated)
- Maps and extras
- Not confirmed
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
Philip Pullman reads the narration, and actors read the characters' lines. The cast listed by Audible includes Joanna Wyatt, Rupert Degas, Alison Dowling, Stephen Thorne and Sean Barrett. Penguin calls it "the classic recording of Northern Lights". Book 1 is called The Golden Compass in the US and Northern Lights in the UK.
Why it ranks here
A named cast reading the full text, and more than 20,000 ratings for book 1. No award was found for the recording.
Good to know: Ruth Wilson recorded solo versions in 2024 and 2025, so check the narrator. Whether the UK and US full cast editions are one recording is not confirmed.
Sources Audible listing Penguin UK listing
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Six of Crows
Six of Crows is read by seven narrators, including Jay Snyder, Lauren Fortgang, Roger Clark and Elizabeth Evans, in a 2015 recording from Audible Studios. It runs 15 hours 4 minutes.
- Narrator
- Jay Snyder, Brandon Rubin, Fred Berman, Lauren Fortgang, Roger Clark, Elizabeth Evans, Tristan Morris
- Production
- Multi-narrator, seven narrators
- Length
- 15h 4mAudible US and UK
- Recording
- Audible Studios, 2015
- Awards
- None found
- Listener rating
- 4.5 from 23,061Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.6 from 3,521
- Maps and extras
- Not confirmed
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
The book follows a crew of young criminals planning a heist. Seven narrators share the reading, so the main characters have different voices. The Audible listing does not say which narrator reads which character. The sequel, Crooked Kingdom, has eight narrators, and six of them also read Six of Crows.
Why it ranks here
A notable multi-narrator production, with more than 23,000 ratings at 4.5 stars. No award was found for this 2015 recording.
Good to know: Set in the same world as Shadow and Bone, but it can be read first. Crooked Kingdom finishes the story.
Sources Audible listing
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Hogfather
Hogfather, from the 2021 Discworld recordings, is read by Sian Clifford, with Bill Nighy reading the footnotes and Peter Serafinowicz as the voice of Death. It runs 10 hours 18 minutes.
- Narrator
- Sian Clifford, with Bill Nighy and Peter Serafinowicz
- Production
- Multi-narrator, with a theme tune
- Length
- 10h 18mAudible US and UK
- Recording
- Penguin Audio, 2021
- Awards
- None found
- Listener rating
- 4.8 from 1,109Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.7 from 1,227
- Maps and extras
- Footnotes, read aloud by Bill Nighy
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
Terry Pratchett's books are known for their footnotes. In this recording Bill Nighy reads them, so you can hear when the main story pauses. Peter Serafinowicz voices Death, and the composer James Hannigan wrote a theme tune. Other Discworld books in the series are led by actors such as Colin Morgan and Jon Culshaw.
Why it ranks here
A named cast and its own music give it a top production score. It has 1,109 ratings, which keeps it third.
Good to know: Set at Hogswatch, the Discworld version of Christmas. Each Discworld book can be read on its own.
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Fantasy dramatisations worth hearing
Scripts adapted from the book and performed like radio plays. Not ranked, because they do not use the full text.
The Lord of the Rings (BBC radio dramatisation)
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1981, with a cast including Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens and Bill Nighy. The three Audible volumes run 12 hours 14 minutes in all. For the full text, Andy Serkis's unabridged reading runs 65 hours 16 minutes, with 4.9 stars on every volume.
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Mistborn: The Final Empire (GraphicAudio dramatisation)
GraphicAudio's adaptation uses a full cast, music and sound effects, and is sold in three parts. It was a finalist for the Audie award for audio drama in 2015. For the full text, Michael Kramer's unabridged reading runs 24 hours 39 minutes and scores 4.8 stars from 98,625 ratings.
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The top 3 epic fantasy audiobook series
Each series scored as a whole on one recording. The Stormlight Archive, the top-scoring series, is No. 2 overall above.
A Song of Ice and Fire
Roy Dotrice reads all five books of A Song of Ice and Fire, and his A Game of Thrones holds the world record for the most characters voiced in an audiobook. The series runs 201 hours 18 minutes.
- Narrator
- Roy Dotrice
- Production
- One narrator
- Length
- 5 books, 201h 18mAudible US
- Recording
- Random House Audio, 2004 to 2011
- Awards
- Guinness world record, most characters voiced in an audiobook (A Game of Thrones), 2011
- Listener rating
- 4.8 from 149,118Audible US, book 1, 25 Oct 2026
- Books
- 5 (no sixth book is listed on Audible as of October 2026)
- Credits to finish
- 5, one per book (calculated)
- Hours per credit
- About 40 hours (calculated)
- Maps and extras
- Maps and an appendix in the printed books
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
Roy Dotrice reads every book and gives each character a different voice. George R.R. Martin wrote on his blog that Dotrice was "officially awarded a world's record" for A Game of Thrones in 2011. Another reader recorded A Feast for Crows first. After complaints, Random House re-recorded it with Dotrice.
Why it ranks here
149,118 ratings for book 1, second only to Harry Potter here, and a world record. No Audie win or finalist place was found.
Good to know: Every current Audible US listing names Roy Dotrice. The story is unfinished, and Audible lists no sixth book.
Sources Audible listing George R.R. Martin on the record George R.R. Martin on the re-recording
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The Kingkiller Chronicle
The Kingkiller Chronicle, read by Nick Podehl in the US edition, has 109,498 Audible US ratings at 4.7 stars for book 1, The Name of the Wind. The two novels run 70 hours 50 minutes.
- Narrator
- Nick Podehl (US edition); Rupert Degas (UK edition)
- Production
- One narrator
- Length
- 2 novels, 70h 50mAudible US, Nick Podehl. With the two novellas: 78h 44m
- Recording
- Brilliance Audio, 2009 and 2011
- Awards
- None found
- Listener rating
- 4.7 from 109,498Audible US, book 1, 25 Oct 2026
- Books
- 2 novels, plus 2 novellas
- Credits to finish
- 2 for the novels, 4 with the novellas (calculated)
- Maps and extras
- Not confirmed
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
Nick Podehl reads both novels in the US edition. Rupert Degas recorded a separate UK edition, which Audible US also sells: book 1 runs 28 hours 3 minutes and scores 4.8 from 2,242 ratings. The author, Patrick Rothfuss, reads one of the two novellas, The Slow Regard of Silent Things, himself.
Why it ranks here
It ties with The Wheel of Time on score and goes ahead on ratings, as the method sets out: 109,498 for book 1 against 69,247.
Good to know: The third novel has not been published, and Audible lists no book 3. Start with The Name of the Wind.
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The Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time, read by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading, runs 450 hours 1 minute across 14 books, or 462 hours 39 minutes with the prequel, New Spring. It is the longest series in this guide.
- Narrator
- Michael Kramer and Kate Reading; Rosamund Pike re-recorded books 1 to 4
- Production
- Multi-narrator, two narrators
- Length
- 14 books, 450h 1mAudible US, Kramer and Reading. With New Spring: 462h 39m
- Recording
- Books on Tape, from 1996; now Macmillan Audio
- Awards
- None found
- Listener rating
- 4.7 from 69,247Audible US, book 1, 25 Oct 2026
- Books
- 14, plus the prequel New Spring
- Credits to finish
- 15, one per book (calculated)
- Hours per credit
- About 31 hours (calculated)
- Maps and extras
- Not confirmed
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
Michael Kramer and Kate Reading share the reading of all 14 books. AudioFile, quoted on the Audible listing, wrote that they "keep the plot moving and the narration fresh". The actor Rosamund Pike has re-recorded books 1 to 4, and her The Dragon Reborn won the fantasy category at the 2024 Audie Awards.
Why it ranks here
The only finished series in this section, with 69,247 ratings for book 1. It ties with The Kingkiller Chronicle and has fewer ratings.
Good to know: As of October 2026 Rosamund Pike has recorded books 1 to 4, so listeners who start with her change narrators at book 5.
Sources Audie Awards 2024 Audible listing Audible search (series)
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The top 3 romantasy audiobooks
Fantasy where the love story matters as much as the plot. All three are written for adults.
Fourth Wing
Fourth Wing, read by Rebecca Soler with Teddy Hamilton on the bonus chapters, was one of Audible's Best of 2023 and has 58,272 Audible US ratings at 4.7 stars. It runs 22 hours 2 minutes.
- Narrator
- Rebecca Soler, with Teddy Hamilton
- Production
- One narrator, with a second narrator for the bonus chapters
- Length
- 22h 2mAudible US and UK
- Recording
- Recorded Books, 2023
- Awards
- Audible Best of 2023
- Listener rating
- 4.7 from 58,272Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.6 from 6,536
- Maps and extras
- A map at the front of the printed book
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
Rebecca Soler reads the main story, which Violet tells in the first person. Teddy Hamilton reads the bonus chapters told from Xaden's point of view. A dramatised adaptation with a full cast is sold separately in two parts, 7 hours 52 minutes and 10 hours 40 minutes. It is an adapted script, not the full text.
Why it ranks here
An Audible best-of-year pick, the most ratings in this section, and a number 1 New York Times bestseller, as the Audible listing states.
Good to know: For the full text, buy the edition read by Rebecca Soler. The series continues with Iron Flame and Onyx Storm.
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Quicksilver
Quicksilver by Callie Hart is read in duet style by Stella Bloom and Anthony Palmini, and has 45,761 Audible US ratings at 4.7 stars. It runs 20 hours 41 minutes.
- Narrator
- Stella Bloom and Anthony Palmini
- Production
- Multi-narrator, duet
- Length
- 20h 41mAudible US and UK
- Recording
- Podium Audio, 2024
- Awards
- None found
- Listener rating
- 4.7 from 45,761Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.7 from 4,763
- Maps and extras
- Not confirmed
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
The Audible listing says the book is "narrated in duet style". In a duet, two narrators share the book, usually one for the female characters and one for the male characters. The listing does not say how this one is split. The story follows Saeris Fane, who is pulled into a land of Fae.
Why it ranks here
Second for ratings in this section, with 45,761 at 4.7 stars, and two narrators. No award was found for the recording.
Good to know: Audible lists it "for mature listeners". Kingfisher's point of view is sold separately as a 2 hour 15 minute bonus.
Sources Audible listing
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Shield of Sparrows
Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry, read by Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke, was a finalist for Audiobook of the Year at the 2026 Audie Awards. It runs 19 hours 51 minutes.
- Narrator
- Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke
- Production
- Multi-narrator, two narrators
- Length
- 19h 51mAudible US
- Recording
- Tantor Media, 2025
- Awards
- Audie Audiobook of the Year finalist 2026
- Audible Best of 2025
- Listener rating
- 4.7 from 10,439Audible US, 25 Oct 2026
- Duet Edition
- 19h 50m, released 20 October 2026
- Maps and extras
- Not confirmed
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
The Audible listing calls the book "a slow-burn, high-stakes romantasy". Several listener reviews on that listing say the male voices are too quiet. A new Duet Edition with the same two narrators came out on 20 October 2026 and has no ratings yet. Book 2, Rites of the Starling, is also out.
Why it ranks here
The only romantasy recording found among Audie finalists. It has 10,439 ratings, fewer than the two picks above, which keeps it third.
Good to know: Check the edition: the 2025 recording was the Audie finalist, and the Duet Edition is new.
Sources Audie Awards 2026 Audible listing Audible search (editions)
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The top 3 fantasy audiobooks for a first listen
Shorter, one narrator, easy to follow.
Piranesi
Piranesi, read by Chiwetel Ejiofor, won Audiobook of the Year at the 2021 Audie Awards, and the novel won the 2021 Women's Prize for Fiction. It runs 6 hours 58 minutes.
- Narrator
- Chiwetel Ejiofor
- Production
- One narrator
- Length
- 6h 58mAudible US and UK
- Recording
- Bloomsbury, 2020
- Awards
- Audie Audiobook of the Year 2021
- Listener rating
- 4.5 from 12,869Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.5 from 6,303
- Maps and extras
- Not confirmed
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
Chiwetel Ejiofor reads the whole book. The story is told by one man, who lives in a huge house of halls and statues and writes about it in his journals. One narrator telling one character's story suits it. The Audible listing quotes no reviewer on the narration itself, only on the novel.
Why it ranks here
The shortest ranked book in this guide, with an Audiobook of the Year win and a prize-winning novel. It has 12,869 ratings.
Good to know: A standalone, so nothing to read first. Susanna Clarke also wrote Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, listed below.
Sources Audie Awards 2021 Audible listing Women's Prize 2021
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The House in the Cerulean Sea
The House in the Cerulean Sea, read by Daniel Henning, was a finalist in the fantasy category at the 2021 Audie Awards and has 22,243 Audible US ratings. It runs 12 hours 12 minutes.
- Narrator
- Daniel Henning
- Production
- One narrator
- Length
- 12h 12m US, 12h 11m UKAudible US and UK
- Recording
- Macmillan Audio, 2020
- Awards
- Audie Fantasy finalist 2021
- Listener rating
- 4.6 from 22,243Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.5 from 1,812
- Maps and extras
- Not confirmed
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
Daniel Henning reads the whole book. AudioFile, quoted on the Audible listing, called him "a great narrator for this quirky and theatrical audiobook", and School Library Journal called his narration "nimble, versatile". The story follows a caseworker sent to inspect an orphanage for magical children, told from his point of view.
Why it ranks here
An Audie finalist, praised by two named reviewers, with 22,243 ratings at 4.6 stars. It scores 7 of 12, one point behind Piranesi.
Good to know: The sequel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea (15 hours 48 minutes), is also read by Daniel Henning.
Sources Audie Awards 2021 Audible listing
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Circe
Circe, read by Perdita Weeks, retells Greek myth from the point of view of the witch Circe, and has 59,908 Audible US ratings at 4.7 stars. It runs 12 hours 8 minutes.
- Narrator
- Perdita Weeks
- Production
- One narrator
- Length
- 12h 8mAudible US and UK
- Recording
- Little, Brown, 2018
- Awards
- None found
- Listener rating
- 4.7 from 59,908Audible US, 25 Oct 2026; UK 4.7 from 8,650
- Maps and extras
- None confirmed
- Companion PDF
- No companion PDF listed
The recording
The narrator, Perdita Weeks, reads the whole book, which Circe tells in the first person. An Audible editor's review praises "Perdita Weeks's flawless performance". According to the site's verdict page, the same narrator reads the US and UK editions, so there is only one recording to choose from in either store.
Why it ranks here
The most ratings of the three first-listen picks, and an Audible editor's praise for the narration. No award was found.
Good to know: The site's verdict is Read: about fifty Greek names, some near-identical, are easier to keep straight in print.
Sources Audible listing
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Fantasy that is better read than heard
These books have visual elements that don't translate well as an audiobook.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
The printed book has footnotes throughout, which tell the history of English magic alongside the main story. Simon Prebble's recording runs 32 hours 29 minutes and scores 4.3 from 11,488 ratings, the lowest score in this guide. Richard Armitage's 2024 recording runs 36 hours 14 minutes. Audible lists no companion PDF.
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The Hobbit
The site's verdict is Read: thirteen dwarves with near-identical names, and two reference maps in the printed book. Audible lists no companion PDF with the maps. Andy Serkis's 2020 recording runs 10 hours 25 minutes and scores 4.9 from 29,208 ratings, so listening is a strong second choice. Read Full verdict
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The Mirror of Infinite Endings
This Once Upon a Broken Heart companion has full-page illustrations and designed letters that a recording skips, which is why the site's verdict is Read. The audiobook, read by Rebecca Soler and Vikas Adam, runs 5 hours 11 minutes and scores 4.7 stars from 133 ratings. Read Full verdict
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Honourable mentions
Strong recordings that just missed a top 3.
| Book | Narrator | Length | Why it is here |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Court of Thorns and Roses Sarah J. Maas | Elizabeth Evans (2025) | 14h 4m | The recording the site's verdict scores; 4.7 from 1,435. Jennifer Ikeda's 2015 original: 16h 7m, 4.6 from 79,709 |
| Dungeon Crawler Carl Matt Dinniman | Jeff Hays | 13h 31m | 4.8 from 72,447; books 2 to 8 all score 4.9 |
| The Last Wish Andrzej Sapkowski | Peter Kenny | 10h 17m | 4.7 from 48,401; a full cast edition is listed for 17 November 2026 |
| Throne of Glass Sarah J. Maas | Elizabeth Evans | 13h 3m | 4.6 from 29,758 |
| The Blade Itself Joe Abercrombie | Steven Pacey | 22h 15m | 4.7 from 27,274; book 1 of The First Law |
| The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe C.S. Lewis | Michael York | 4h 21m | 4.7 from 17,418 |
| Legends & Lattes Travis Baldree | Travis Baldree | 7h 19m | Audie Fantasy finalist 2023; the sequel, Bookshops & Bonedust, won in 2025 |
| The Silmarillion J.R.R. Tolkien | Andy Serkis | 19h 24m | 4.7 from 2,799 |
Ratings and lengths: Audible US, 25 October 2026.
How long each fantasy audiobook is
| Book | Narrator | UK length | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (book 1) | Jim Dale | 8h 18m | 8h 25m |
| The Way of Kings (book 1) | Michael Kramer and Kate Reading | 45h 30m | not confirmed |
| Children of Blood and Bone | Bahni Turpin | 17h 56m | 17h 44m |
| The Golden Compass (book 1) | Philip Pullman and full cast | 10h 33m | 11h 55m |
| Six of Crows | Seven narrators | 15h 4m | 15h 4m |
| Hogfather | Sian Clifford | 10h 18m | 10h 18m |
| A Game of Thrones (book 1) | Roy Dotrice | 33h 46m | not confirmed |
| The Name of the Wind (book 1) | Nick Podehl | 27h 55m | not confirmed |
| The Eye of the World (book 1) | Michael Kramer and Kate Reading | 29h 57m | not confirmed |
| Fourth Wing | Rebecca Soler | 22h 2m | 22h 2m |
| Quicksilver | Stella Bloom and Anthony Palmini | 20h 41m | 20h 41m |
| Shield of Sparrows | Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke | 19h 51m | not confirmed |
| Piranesi | Chiwetel Ejiofor | 6h 58m | 6h 58m |
| The House in the Cerulean Sea | Daniel Henning | 12h 12m | 12h 11m |
| Circe | Perdita Weeks | 12h 8m | 12h 8m |
Audible US lengths, checked 25 October 2026. Series show book 1. Faster speeds are calculated. UK lengths from Audible UK, 25 October 2026.
How we ranked these
The list started from the fantasy and Audiobook of the Year winners and finalists at the Audie Awards, Audible's best-of-year picks, publisher listings and the most-rated fantasy on Audible US, then scored each recording the same way:
| Recording honours | Audie win scores highest, then Audie finalist, then an AudioFile Earphones Award or a best-of-year pick |
|---|---|
| Production | A documented strength, such as sound design, a named cast or specific praise from a named reviewer |
| Listeners | Audible US rating and number of ratings, as of the date shown |
| The book | Hugo, World Fantasy and Women's Prize awards, or a long-standing place in the genre |
Each measure scores 0 to 3, so every recording is out of 12. Ties go to the recording with more ratings. Dramatisations are listed separately because they adapt the text. No publisher paid for a place. Where Read vs Listen has a full read or listen verdict for a book, it is shown on its entry. For what each service costs, see Audible vs Kindle.
Series are scored as a whole on one recording, so the top-scoring series can rank in the overall top 3. Each book appears once, so the Harry Potter Full-Cast Edition sits inside the Harry Potter entry. The Kingkiller Chronicle and The Wheel of Time tie on 6 of 12; the tie goes to more ratings.Checked against the Audie Awards (audiopub.org), Audible US, the Hugo Awards, the Women's Prize and publisher pages on 25 October 2026.
Questions people ask
What are the best fantasy audiobooks?
Harry Potter, read by Jim Dale (US) or Stephen Fry (UK), then The Stormlight Archive and Children of Blood and Bone. Jim Dale's Order of the Phoenix won Audiobook of the Year at the 2004 Audie Awards.
Which fantasy audiobooks have a full cast?
His Dark Materials, read by Philip Pullman with a full cast, and the Harry Potter Full-Cast Edition, narrated by Cush Jumbo. Six of Crows uses seven narrators. For a radio-style adaptation, try the BBC Lord of the Rings.
Which Harry Potter audiobook should you listen to?
Jim Dale reads the US edition and Stephen Fry the UK edition; Audible US sells both. The site's verdicts score the Full-Cast Edition, released from November 2025 to May 2026, and every book is a Listen.
Is A Court of Thorns and Roses better read or listened to?
Listen, on the site's verdict: one viewpoint, one narrator and a long book, against a map that only print has. The verdict scores Elizabeth Evans's 10th anniversary recording, 14 hours 4 minutes.
Which fantasy books should you read rather than listen to?
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, for its footnotes; The Hobbit, for its two maps and thirteen dwarves; and The Mirror of Infinite Endings, for its illustrations. A Game of Thrones is also a Read on the site.
What is a good fantasy audiobook for beginners?
Piranesi, read by Chiwetel Ejiofor: 6 hours 58 minutes, one narrator, and Audiobook of the Year at the 2021 Audie Awards.
More guides
The best sci-fi audiobooks
Ranked, with the edition to buy.
The best full cast audiobooks
And the ones that only look like it.
Audible vs Kindle
Which one for which book, and what each costs.
Fantasy and romantasy shelf
Read or listen, book by book.
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