The best fantasy audiobooks for beginners: where to start
If you've never finished a fantasy audiobook, start with one that already won. Every title below took the Audie Award in the fantasy category — broadly loved, superbly narrated, the audiobook industry's own pick for the best fantasy production of its year. They are the safest first credits: hard to switch off, and hard to regret. The most recent winner is Anima Rising by Christopher Moore (2026).
The City We BecameThe Ten Thousand Doors of JanuaryAlix E. HarrowThe Ten Thousand Doors of JanuarySpinning SilverNaomi NovikSpinning SilverThe Strange Case of the Alchemist's DaughterTheodora GossThe Strange Case of the Alchemist's DaughterThe HikeDrew MagaryThe HikeNice Dragons Finish LastRachel AaronNice Dragons Finish LastWords of RadianceBrandon SandersonWords of Radiance| Audiobook | Author | Narrator(s) | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anima Rising | Christopher Moore | Mary Jane Wells | Audie Fantasy (2026) |
| Bookshops & Bonedust | Travis Baldree | Travis Baldree | Audie Fantasy (2025) |
| The Dragon Reborn | Robert Jordan | Rosamund Pike | Audie Fantasy (2024) |
| The Monsters We Defy | Leslye Penelope | Shayna Small | Audie Fantasy (2023) |
| Rhythm of War | Brandon Sanderson | Michael Kramer, Kate Reading | Audie Fantasy (2022) |
| The City We Became | N. K. Jemisin | Robin Miles | Audie Fantasy (2021) |
| The Ten Thousand Doors of January | Alix E. Harrow | January LaVoy | Audie Fantasy (2020) |
| Spinning Silver | Naomi Novik | Lisa Flanagan | Audie Fantasy (2019) |
| The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter | Theodora Goss | Kate Reading | Audie Fantasy (2018) |
| The Hike | Drew Magary | Christopher Lane | Audie Fantasy (2017) |
| Nice Dragons Finish Last | Rachel Aaron | Vikas Adam | Audie Fantasy (2016) |
| Words of Radiance | Brandon Sanderson | Kate Reading, Michael Kramer | Audie Fantasy (2015) |
| Wisp of a Thing | Alex Bledsoe | Stefan Rudnicki | Audie Fantasy (2014) |
| Anita | Keith Roberts | Nicola Barber | Audie Fantasy (2013) |
| Daughter of Smoke and Bone | Laini Taylor | Khristine Hvam | Audie Fantasy (2012) |
Listen to your first fantasy audiobook free
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Frequently asked questions
Which fantasy audiobook should I start with?
Start with a recent Audie Fantasy winner such as "Anima Rising" by Christopher Moore (2026). Award winners are the safest first listens because they are judged on narration as much as story, so the performance carries you through.
Are these good for someone new to audiobooks?
Yes. Every audiobook here won the Audie Award, the audiobook industry's own award — they are broadly loved and exceptionally well narrated, which is exactly what makes a first audiobook easy to finish.
How do I listen for free?
A free 30-day Audible Premium Plus trial includes one credit. You can use it on any fantasy audiobook on this page and keep it permanently, even if you cancel before the trial ends.
More fantasy guides: every Audie-winning fantasy audiobook · fantasy audiobooks for long drives · all listening guides · best audiobooks by award.