24 of the Best Fantasy Audiobooks to Get Lost In

Audiobook list · Updated November 2026

24 of the Best Fantasy Audiobooks to Get Lost In

Fantasy suits audio, because a great narrator can build a whole world with their voice, and several of these use two or more. Each pick below is recommended by an independent bookseller through Libro.fm.

Every pick has the narrator and length of the edition I link to, plus the bookseller’s own review of why it’s worth your time. Looking for the classics? See my best fantasy audiobooks of all time.

By Peter Clemens · Originally published April 2023 · Updated November 2026

Some links are affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you. How I make money.

If you only listen to three

A cozy favorite, a pirate adventure and a magical listen read by Jim Dale.

  1. Legends & LattesCozy, found-family fantasy, read by the author
    See it ↓
  2. The Adventures of Amina al-SirafiA pirate adventure with magic, read by Lameece Issaq & Amin El Gamal
    See it ↓
  3. The Night CircusA magical, romantic story, read by Jim Dale
    See it ↓
Why Libro.fm? It splits its profits with independent bookstores, so your purchase supports a bookshop. Read my Libro.fm review.See Libro.fm

Jump to a style

Cozy and funny fantasy

Low stakes, big hearts and plenty of humor.

Cover of the Legends & Lattes audiobook by Travis Baldree
Best cozy fantasy

Legends & Lattes

by Travis Baldree
Read by Travis BaldreeLength 7h 19m

“This is the cozy and heartwarming fantasy novel you didn’t know you needed! It’s a tender story with delightful characters in a snug setting. The kind of tale that Dungeon Masters will feel inspired to have for their next laid-back D&D campaign. So if you are a fan of wholesome, found-family stories do yourself a favor and listen to this book!”

Cover of the The House in the Cerulean Sea audiobook by TJ Klune
Best heartwarming listen

The House in the Cerulean Sea

by TJ Klune
Read by Daniel HenningLength 12h 12m

“The House in the Cerulean Sea is a heart-swelling wave of sweetness and hope. Mild-mannered government caseworker Linus Baker is sent on a secret assignment to an island orphanage he’s never even heard of.

Keep reading

The astonishing inhabitants he gets to know there will change his life and make him reassess everything he thought he knew. This book will leave you believing in the good in everyone — even those society has given up on — and contemplating how huge changes have to start somewhere.”

Cover of the A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping audiobook by Sangu Mandanna
Best for a magical inn

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping

by Sangu Mandanna
Read by Samara MacLarenLength 9h 53m

“I loved this entertaining, slightly unhinged romp through magical Britain! This book manages to be cozy and lighthearted without erasing the difficult parts of life. With a diverse cast of characters including nonbinary and neurodivergent representation, this story confronts injustice with hope, whimsy, and an irrepressible sense of humour.”

Cover of the The Spellshop audiobook by Sarah Beth Durst
Best for a cozy escape

The Spellshop

by Sarah Beth Durst
Read by Caitlin DaviesLength 12h 29m

“Stolen spellbooks, homemade jams, magic storms, winged cats, talking plants! I absolutely ADORED this book and recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy little escape. Amidst all the charm is a heart-opening story of starting over, and the bravery required to break down your walls to let the light & magic in. Five stars for pure enjoyment!”

Cover of the Assistant to the Villain audiobook by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Best fantasy office comedy

Assistant to the Villain

by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Read by Em EldridgeLength 13h 54m

“This book is ridiculous in the best way. It’s a fun, care-free read that will make you laugh and groan in equal measure. Imagine it as a Legends & Lattes-esq office comedy with a sprinkle of sexual tension. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the series will be like!”

Cover of the Guards! Guards! audiobook by Terry Pratchett
Best place to start Discworld

Guards! Guards!

by Terry Pratchett
Read by Jon Culshaw, Peter Serafinowicz, Bill Nighy & Ben AaronovitchLength 13h 24m

“Pratchett is your favorite fantasy author’s favorite author, or at least the original chef of their reheated nachos. If you’re looking to dive into his legendary Discworld universe, Guards! Guards! is the perfect starting point, as it introduces you to the setting with an engaging, accessible plot, and tons of Pratchett’s signature comedy.

Keep reading

Join cynical captain Sam Vimes and his Night Watch as they battle dragons, dark cults, and the ruling class.”

Epic fantasy

Big worlds, intricate magic and long listens.

Cover of the The Way of Kings audiobook by Brandon Sanderson
Best epic worldbuilding

The Way of Kings

by Brandon Sanderson
Read by Michael Kramer & Kate ReadingLength 45h 29m

“I have a love of hefty fantasy, partnered with a lack of the time usually needed to invest into the genre. The Way of Kings is the peak of everything that has made fantasy my go-to genre for enjoyment, and my ability to proclaim it as such lay directly with the audiobook.

Keep reading

Reading and Kramer deliver the world with a clear poise, and give shape to the phenomenon Sanderson evokes within his description. A masterful novel by itself, The Way of Kings and its audiobook reading are perfect examples of literary mutualism.”

Cover of the Mistborn audiobook by Brandon Sanderson
Best magic system

Mistborn

by Brandon Sanderson
Read by Michael KramerLength 24h 39m

“The Final Empire is the most well-thought-out and interesting world of any book I’ve read. Brandon Sanderson is lauded for his fantastic world-building, and Mistborn is no exception. The magic system in The Final Empire is my favorite part of the book; it’s complex and incredibly unique, and integral to the worldbuilding.

Keep reading

The characters are well developed, and their arcs are satisfying while leaving plenty of room to grow throughout the rest of the trilogy. I would heavily recommend this book to any fan of fantasy and to anyone looking for a place to start reading Brandon Sanderson’s work.”

Cover of the The Fifth Season audiobook by N. K. Jemisin
Best narration

The Fifth Season

by N. K. Jemisin
Read by Robin MilesLength 15h 27m

“This book is everything: complex characters, gorgeous settings, and a masterclass in worldbuilding. Robin Miles is one of the best narrators in the industry, and I would listen to every book she narrates.

Keep reading

Her voice is rich and complex and she gives every character a distinct personality and voice. The Fifth Season is one of the best fantasy books ever written, and certainly one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to.”

Cover of the The Fellowship of the Ring audiobook by J.R.R. Tolkien
Best Andy Serkis performance

The Fellowship of the Ring

by J.R.R. Tolkien
Read by Andy SerkisLength 22h 38m

“Incredible. Serkis doesn’t narrate, but performs. For anyone wanting to read this trilogy but feels intimidated, these audiobooks are the way to go.”

Romantasy and dangerous magic

Dragon riders, fae courts and magic that comes at a cost.

Cover of the Fourth Wing audiobook by Rebecca Yarros
Best dragon-rider romantasy

Fourth Wing

by Rebecca Yarros
Read by Rebecca Soler & Teddy HamiltonLength 22h 2m

“This narration has turned this first time fantasy bookseller into a Dragon loving, fantasy reader for life! I was literally gripping my steering wheel crying out ‘pull up, pull up’ during the fight scenes. What a fun, gritty, sexy book this gem has turned out to be. There is something for everyone in here.”

Cover of the A Court of Thorns and Roses audiobook by Sarah J. Maas
Best fae romantasy

A Court of Thorns and Roses

by Sarah J. Maas
Read by Jennifer IkedaLength 16h 7m

“Listening to this book via audio is a journey through a fantastical world full of fairies, beasts and humans. It has a definite Beauty and the Beast feeling about it. Sarah J Maas’ writing style could be described as melodramatic and repetitive and at times it was but I also found it immersive and evocative and audio makes it all the more engaging. Far better to listen to than to read the book.”

Cover of the One Dark Window audiobook by Rachel Gillig
Best unique magic system

One Dark Window

by Rachel Gillig
Read by Lisa CordileoneLength 12h 45m

“This book put me in a chokehold and demanded to be finished in a single sitting. Between the unveiling of a truly unique magical system and secrets being unveiled I kept promising just one more chapter until there were no more.

Keep reading

This is a perfect book to try immersive reading with. The narrator does a wonderful job bringing life to the characters and combining that with the tarot style cards at the beginning of chapters or italicized mind-speech really adds life to the story.”

Cover of the A Deadly Education audiobook by Naomi Novik
Best magic-school fantasy

A Deadly Education

by Naomi Novik
Read by Anisha DadiaLength 10h 59m

“What an amazingly fun book to listen to. I loved El and her snarky attitude. I loved that she had all this power but refused to give in to the dark side to use it. I loved the world building, both the specific details of the school and the mals that haunted it, and the glimpse of the larger world where magic users have to band together to survive.

Keep reading

Anisha Dadia does such a fantastic job narrating I couldn’t wait to plug back in.”

Quests, pirates and fairy tales

Faerie scholars, dark fairy tales and one very long voyage.

Cover of the The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi audiobook by Shannon Chakraborty
Best pirate adventure

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi

by Shannon Chakraborty
Read by Lameece Issaq & Amin El GamalLength 16h 59m

“A fantastical pirate adventure on the Indian Ocean, full of magic inspired by Middle Eastern mythology! Amina, once an infamous pirate, is retired. She reluctantly goes on one more quest, facing monsters that threaten to keep her from her daughter.

Keep reading

This book offers a refreshing take on fantasy born from Chakraborty’s Middle Eastern inspirations! The novel is also carried by the wonderfully complex character of Amina who illuminates her struggles with colorful commentary as her complex morality and firm loyalty are weighed against her desire to return to her daughter. The audiobook narrators also did a fantastic job of voicing the characters and truly bringing them to life with performances that elevate the dialogue and characterization!”

Cover of the Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries audiobook by Heather Fawcett
Best cozy academia fantasy

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries

by Heather Fawcett
Read by Ell Potter & Michael DoddsLength 12h 5m

“Meet Emily Wilde, one of the leading experts on the fair folk and faerie world. Emily is a dedicated, introverted professor with an eye and heart for magic, but where she excels at academia, she struggles at people skills.

Keep reading

When she travels to the faerie populated town of Ljosland to work on her Encyclopaedia, the last person she expects to find there is her academic (and frustratingly handsome) rival Wendell Bambleby. Charming where Emily is reserved, Wendell begins to help Emily with her research, slowly but surely helping her become friendly with the town’s inhabitants. But as Emily and Wendell work together to uncover the secrets of the fay world, Emily begins to wonder if Wendell’s own mysterious past is something worth exploring. With a dark faerie world and a charming-yet-frustrating love interest, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries is cozy academia fantasy with a historical settling that is perfect for readers of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and Howl’s Moving Castle!”

Cover of the Fairy Tale audiobook by Stephen King
Best for Stephen King fans

Fairy Tale

by Stephen King
Read by Seth Numrich & Stephen KingLength 24h 21m

“This book is for anyone who grew up reading Tolkien (or Stephen King, for that matter) under the covers with a flashlight, for anyone who has longed to turn back time, and, most importantly, for anyone who has ever loved a dog. Fairy Tale has my whole heart. Seth Numrich’s earnest narration and King’s guest appearance makes this a must-listen.”

Cover of the Nettle & Bone audiobook by T. Kingfisher
Best dark fairy tale

Nettle & Bone

by T. Kingfisher
Read by Amara JasperLength 9h 22m

“I’m a sucker for fantastical quests, magical companions, and princesses who refuse to be the victim. This book delivered all that and more, with a darker spin on these tropes that I absolutely devoured.

Keep reading

For some of us the perfect beach read takes place in a dappled wood where the vines get twisty and something magical or malicious (or both?) lingers beneath the leaves. If that sounds like a good time, Nettle & Bone is perfect for you.”

Cover of the Tress of the Emerald Sea audiobook by Brandon Sanderson
Best for Princess Bride fans

Tress of the Emerald Sea

by Brandon Sanderson
Read by Michael KramerLength 12h 27m

“This is a delightfully cozy book that is reminiscent of The Princess Bride! But, Buttercup saves Westley instead. This was my first Sanderson book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The side characters were vivid, the writing was witty, and the plot twist completely caught me off guard!”

Imaginative and literary fantasy

Magic schools, secret libraries and cities that come alive.

Cover of the Babel audiobook by R. F. Kuang
Best magic school story for adults

Babel

by R. F. Kuang
Read by Chris Lew Kum Hoi & Billie Fulford-BrownLength 21h 46m

“This is it. This is the magical school story that adults who grew up in the 90s and 00s have been hoping to find: one that incorporates a beautiful, erudite, delightfully post-steampunk world of magic, but that is ultimately about the hopes and the friendships of young people who came from outside the elite class, and whose lives have been shaped by their own intelligence and by the colonialism and capitalism that are ingrained in their magical world.

Keep reading

What they decide to do with their gifts rings true, and while it is in some parts painful, it is nuanced, culturally aware, and finally inspiring. R. F. Kuang has confronted the demons of our generation’s stories fearlessly. And Babel has, with wit and passion, driven back a little of the dark.”

Cover of the The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue audiobook by V. E. Schwab
Best story across the ages

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

by V. E. Schwab
Read by Julia WhelanLength 17h 31m

“Epic, beautifully written, heartwarming, and heartbreaking, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a contemplation on life, death, what it means to make your mark on the world, and why we feel it’s important to do so.

Keep reading

Addie makes a deal with a demon so she can live her life the way she wants to. But, like most deals, there are strings attached — and these strings make it so she is forgotten by everyone she meets. Dancing about time, the book shows Addie’s life over 300 years and takes a closer look at her modern life — after a boy in a bookshop remembers her. Months later, I’m still thinking about this book and how beautiful it is; my words don’t even come close to doing it justice. Read this book.”

Cover of the The Night Circus audiobook by Erin Morgenstern
Best read by Jim Dale

The Night Circus

by Erin Morgenstern
Read by Jim DaleLength 13h 40m

“Listening to The Night Circus is truly a magical experience. Narrated by Jim Dale–best known for being the voice of a certain child wizard–the listening experience was part nostalgia, part wonder. Be ready to be swept away to Victorian London and the romance of a century.”

Cover of the The Starless Sea audiobook by Erin Morgenstern
Best for book lovers

The Starless Sea

by Erin Morgenstern
Read by Dominic Hoffman & VariousLength 18h 37m

“Erin Morgenstern (The Night Circus) has crafted an amazing cocktail of magic, secret societies, and the power of the written word. Moving between timeless fables and a very current story of a young queer man of color trying to understand his own story, it explores the thirst in us all for the fantastical. Take this leap; you won’t regret having drawn on your courage.”

Cover of the The City We Became audiobook by N. K. Jemisin
Best urban fantasy

The City We Became

by N. K. Jemisin
Read by Robin MilesLength 16h 12m

“I’ve listened to mediocre books made awesome by a talented narrator, but this book is a case of a fantastic story made even more engaging by phenomenal narrator Robin Miles. The story is like Neil Gaiman meets Jeff VanDerMeer as New York City’s boroughs personified seek to save their city (and themselves) from an ancient interdimensional threat. A fantastic read, and an even better listen!”

Want the classics? My list of the 25 best fantasy audiobooks of all time covers the genre from the top down.See the all-time list

Fantasy audiobook questions

What are the best fantasy audiobooks for beginners?

Legends & Lattes is the gentlest start, at just 7h 19m. A bookseller calls Guards! Guards! the perfect starting point for Discworld, another recommends Mistborn as a place to start with Brandon Sanderson, and one says The Fellowship of the Ring is the way to go for anyone intimidated by the trilogy.

What are the best cozy fantasy audiobooks?

Legends & Lattes, A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping, The Spellshop, The House in the Cerulean Sea, Assistant to the Villain, Tress of the Emerald Sea and Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries are all described by booksellers as cozy, heartwarming or lighthearted.

What are good fantasy audiobooks for Harry Potter fans?

Babel is called the magical school story adults have been hoping for, and A Deadly Education is set in a school of magic. The Night Circus is read by Jim Dale, best known for voicing a certain child wizard.

Which fantasy audiobooks have more than one narrator?

Guards! Guards! has four narrators, The Starless Sea has a full cast, and The Way of Kings, Fourth Wing, The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries and Babel each have two. For more, see our best full cast fantasy and sci-fi audiobooks.

How long are fantasy audiobooks?

The shortest here are Legends & Lattes (7h 19m), Nettle & Bone (9h 22m) and A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping (9h 53m). The longest is The Way of Kings at 45h 29m, followed by Mistborn (24h 39m), Fairy Tale (24h 21m) and The Fellowship of the Ring (22h 38m).

What are the best romantasy audiobooks?

Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses are the best known, and One Dark Window is described as a romantasy duology. For something lighter, try Assistant to the Villain. For steamier picks, see our best dark romance audiobooks.

More audiobook recommendations

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