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Growing up, many people remarked that we would grow out of loving fantasy, that it’s just child’s play. But if we’ve learned anything in the publishing world, booktok, and just what we’ve seen growing up, we know that one’s love for fantasy never really dies. And the great thing about so many advancements in the publishing world, is that now, we can listen and dive into a whole new world with the touch of a button.
Don’t get us wrong, we adore having a bunch of books in our bookshelf and being able to escape anytime we want. But for a lot of people, us included, we know there’s something magical about listening in on a new world. Audiobooks have been around for quite a while, and they’ve truly helped us run through our TBR list. But if you’re a fellow fantasy reader, you may at one point get stuck on what to read next: that’s where we come in.
There are so many different types of fantasy novels in the world, from spicy erotic fantasy to true adventure, from historical reenactments to romantic retellings. The possibilities are endless when it comes to fantasy, and we are taking you through our top ones that every fantasy lover should listen to.
Now, in case you don’t know, Audible is a dream come true (and it’s super easy to sign up). Audible is an Amazon subscription service where you can buy books with the tap of a button and listen right away. You can buy them on your own or explore what’s already in Aubdible’s ever-growing library. The subscription options include Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus, both of which you can read more about here.
Right now, you can start your month-long free trial, where you can claim two free titles. After that, it’s around $14.95 a month. So what are you waiting for? Time to dive in.
Below, check out the best fantasy audiobooks to escape the world from.
‘Venom & Vow’ by Anna-Marie McLemore and Elliot McLemore
The audiobook for Venom & Vow by Anna-Marie McLemore and Elliot McLemore features multiple narrators to help fans along the topsy-turvy ride of following two enemy kingdoms that are forced to work together to break a curse. Not only did fans praise it for the 10 hours of beautifully edited narrating, but for the trans, bigender, and chronic pain representation.
‘Sleeping Giants’ By Sylvain Neuvel
Sleeping Giants By Sylvain Neuvel‘s audiobook is told with a full cast, who go into the interviews, journal entries, transcripts, and news articles that compile into one crazy fantasy thriller. The story follows a girl who falls into a whole to find something hidden beneath, but the people who rescue her find her in a giant’s hand. Thus, a multi-decades-long mystery unfolds.
‘Red Rising’ By Pierce Brown
The audiobook for the hit novel Red Rising By Pierce Brown is just as beloved as the novel itself, and fans adore the narration by esteemed narrator Tim Gerard Reynolds. The novel follows a man who infiltrates the ranks of the elite members of society who rule over Mars.
‘American Gods’ By Neil Gaiman
No “best of” fantasy list would be complete without a Neil Gaiman novel. For those who don’t know, American Gods By Neil Gaiman follows a man named Shadow, who lost everything, and takes a job under a shady figure known as Mr. Wednesday, and soon, he finds out a war is coming. The audiobook features a full cast and an immersive 19 hours and 39 minutes of listening time.
‘The Year of the Witching’ by Alexis Henderson
The audiobook for The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson is a must. The rich tale of a woman discovering she has dark powers while living in a puritanical society is narrated by one person named Brianna Colette, but it has enthralled thousands of listeners.
‘Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries’ by Heather Fawcett
If you loved the novel itself or have been dying to dive into the audiobook for Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett, then this is your sign to do so. The multi-narrator story follows Emily Wilde, who goes to a new town with her rival Wendell Bambleby to find the secrets of the most elusive of fairies.
‘Swordheart’ by T. Kingfisher
If you’re looking for a novel filled with adventure and fantasy, Swordheart by T. Kingfisher is for you. It follows a housekeeper who inherits a mansion, and a relative who keeps defending her from the evils trying to snatch her family’s sword. It’s over 14 hours of listening time and is narrated by Jesse Vilinsky.
‘Legends & Lattes’ by Travis Baldree
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree is a slice of life fantasy novel following an orc barbarian and succubus opening a coffee shop. And it’s narrated by the author, which is such a cool twist!
‘The Beast’s Heart’ by Leife Shallcross
In this retelling of Beauty and the Beast, the audiobook for The Beast’s Heart by Leife Shallcross makes fans dive into the perspective of the Beast.
‘Under the Whispering Door’ by TJ Klune
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune is a magical journey following a man who finds out he’s dead, and vows to spend one week doing all the magical things he wished he did in life.
‘Beneath the Citadel’ by Destiny Soria
Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria is a story that follows a rebel girl who sets up a group of fellow rebels to overtake the high council that makes everyone abide by ancient prophecies. Both thrilling and immersive, this audiobook narrated by CODA star Rebecca Gibel is a must for any fantasy reader.
‘The Poppy War’ by R. F. Kuang
The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang is a historical military fantasy based on the dark events in China’s 20th century, and one magical girl has to find a way to save her people. This book became a bestseller, and the audiobook is narrated by voice actress Emily Woo Zeller!
‘Alice in Wonderland’ by Lewis Carroll
While everyone knows the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, the one where a young girl named Alice falls down a rabbit hole to a whole new world. But what makes this audiobook so special is that it’s narrated by Jodie Comer.
‘Heroes’ by Stephen Fry
Heroes by Stephen Fry (and narrated by Stephen Fry) is a modern retelling of the heroes of Grek mythology, and it’ll suck you right in.
‘Fury’ by Laurann Dohner
For those looking for a little spice in their audiobooks, you can’t go wrong with Fury by Laurann Dohner, which follows a woman freeing one of her company’s experiments, and falling for him.
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