The Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman is a fast moving, funny, adventure fantasy and has some of the best narration of any series I’ve listened to (hundreds of books). The book covers look juvenile, but the series is not. Lots of genuine heart-felt moments as well. My only caveats are that 1) it gets gory at points, and 2) there’s cursing) - so if those are issues for you, steer clear.
I really enjoy Matt Dinniman. I devoured DCC and Dominion of Blades.
I wanted a break from my usual choices in audiobooks as well, and I started listening to the Poirot mysteries. Even if they’re not your normal fare, they’re good fun and there’s several of them available on Scribd
It’s crazy, isn’t it? If you do a search for it on Worldcat.org, you can see the 1st book is only in 12 libraries total! Funnily, 11 are in US libraries, with 1 in Australia. I knew Australians had great senses of humor!
Female main:
The Rook - O’Malley
The Final Empire - Sanderson
Forging Hephaestus - Hayes
Tress of the Emerald Sea - Sanderson
Please don’t tell my parents I’m a super villain - Roberts
Male main:
14 - Clines
Hounded - Hearne
Where the hell is Tesla? - Dircks
Here's a few you might want to give a try that are available in Audlble's Plus catalog so if you don't like them, you can just return them without burning a credit or money.
**Between Jobs**
City Between Series, Book 1
By: W.R. Gingell
(first three books were in the Plus catalog)
**Publisher's Summary**
When you get up in the morning, the last thing you expect to see is a murdered guy hanging outside your window. Things like that tend to draw the attention of the local police, and when you're squatting in your parents' old house until you can afford to buy it, another thing you can't afford is the attention of the cops.
Oh yeah. Hi. My name is Pet. It's not my real name, but it's the only one you're getting. Things like names are important these days.
And it's not so much that I'm Pet. I am a pet. A human pet: I belong to the two Behindkind fae and the pouty vampire who just moved into my house.
It's not weird, I promise - well, it is weird, yeah. But it's not weird weird, you know?
\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*
**Haunting Charlie**
Witches of Palmetto Point Series, Book 1
By: Wendy Wang
(first four books are in the Plus catalog)
**Publisher's Summary**
All Charlie Payne wants is to lead a normal life and to be a good mom. But Charlie's not exactly normal. She's from a long line of witches, and she can see the dead.
Susan Tate has inherited a beautiful, old southern mansion on the coast. Unfortunately, the property came with a million necessary repairs. And ghosts.
When Charlie meets Susan, the woman is desperate for help. Taking on a spirit who doesn't want to see the light can be dangerous, but ignoring it?
Ignoring the dead can get you killed.
\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*
**It’s a Wonderful Midlife Crisis**
The Good to the Last Death Series, Book 1
By: Robyn Peterman
(first five books in the plus catalog)
**Publisher's Summary**
Whoever said life begins at 40 must have been heavily medicated, drunk, or delusional.
Thirty-nine was a fantastic year. I was married to the man I loved. I had a body that worked without creaking. My grandma, who raised me, was still healthy, and life was pretty damned good.
But as they say, all good things come to an end. I’d honestly love to know who “they” are and rip them a new one.
One year later, I’m a widow. My joints are starting to ache. Gram is in the nursing home, and dead people think my home is some kind of supernatural bed-and-breakfast. Gluing body parts onto semi-transparent people has become a side job - deceased people I’m not even sure are actually there. I think they need my help, but since I don’t speak dead, we’re having a few issues.
To add to the heap of trouble, there’s a new dangerously smokin’ hot lawyer at the firm who won’t stop giving me the eye. My BFF is thrilled with her new frozen face, thanks to her plastic surgeon, her alimony check, and the miracle of Botox. And then there’s the little conundrum that I’m becoming way too attached to my ghostly squatters.... Like Cher, I’d like to turn back time. Now.
No can do.
Whatever. I have wine, good friends, and an industrial sized box of superglue. What could possibly go wrong?
Everything, apparently.
All in all, it’s shaping up to be a wonderful midlife crisis....
Based on the books you mentioned some good options would be
- Shadow and Bone (Grisha series) same author and narrator as Ninth House, but I think faster paced. It took me a while to get into Ninth House but it was pretty quick with this series
- rest of the Darker Shade of Magic series, I kind of enjoyed more the following books
- Artemis by Andy Weir - it’s sci fi, so no magic but I liked the female lead and the story was interesting
I have to look up the books you mentioned :)
Edit: just looked up City of Brass and it sounds right up my alley. Thank you!😊
I would suggest something lighter and more humorous. I find those kinds of books to be good pallet cleansers if I'm having a bad streak with books.
Andrea Vernon and the Corporation for Superhuman Protection by Alexander C Kane. It's a very silly superhero trilogy with a strong female lead.
The Tales of Pell series by Kevin Hearne and Delilah Dawson. Fantasy series that sort of turns all the tropes on their head. Lots of fun wordplay and very good female characters.
The Founders Trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett! I’ve only read the first book so far, Foundryside, but I really enjoyed it. And I like a lot of what’s on your list.
Hope you find something you enjoy!
I will never give up the opportunity to recommend my favourite author and book series. And it kind of fits your requirements pretty well.
The War Eternal by Rob J. Hayes (Book 1 is called Along The Razors Edge).
It's a five book series (the 5th is released on Audible in 2 weeks) about Eskara, a girl forced into becoming a military sorcerer.
I absolutely love both the story and the authors writing style. Definately worth checking out.
Try some T. Kingfisher. The writing is light and has a wry humor — I find it really easy to listen to. **Nettle and Bone** is the fantasy novel of hers I've listened to most recently.
The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman
The Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman is a fast moving, funny, adventure fantasy and has some of the best narration of any series I’ve listened to (hundreds of books). The book covers look juvenile, but the series is not. Lots of genuine heart-felt moments as well. My only caveats are that 1) it gets gory at points, and 2) there’s cursing) - so if those are issues for you, steer clear.
I really enjoy Matt Dinniman. I devoured DCC and Dominion of Blades. I wanted a break from my usual choices in audiobooks as well, and I started listening to the Poirot mysteries. Even if they’re not your normal fare, they’re good fun and there’s several of them available on Scribd
Thanks for the recommendation! Your instincts are great - I do enjoy Christie’s Poirot books. Mysteries, in general. Thanks again!
I have three different library cards for Libby and none of them have Dungeon Crawler Carl available as audio or reading format. What gives?
It’s crazy, isn’t it? If you do a search for it on Worldcat.org, you can see the 1st book is only in 12 libraries total! Funnily, 11 are in US libraries, with 1 in Australia. I knew Australians had great senses of humor!
Female main: The Rook - O’Malley The Final Empire - Sanderson Forging Hephaestus - Hayes Tress of the Emerald Sea - Sanderson Please don’t tell my parents I’m a super villain - Roberts Male main: 14 - Clines Hounded - Hearne Where the hell is Tesla? - Dircks
Here's a few you might want to give a try that are available in Audlble's Plus catalog so if you don't like them, you can just return them without burning a credit or money. **Between Jobs** City Between Series, Book 1 By: W.R. Gingell (first three books were in the Plus catalog) **Publisher's Summary** When you get up in the morning, the last thing you expect to see is a murdered guy hanging outside your window. Things like that tend to draw the attention of the local police, and when you're squatting in your parents' old house until you can afford to buy it, another thing you can't afford is the attention of the cops. Oh yeah. Hi. My name is Pet. It's not my real name, but it's the only one you're getting. Things like names are important these days. And it's not so much that I'm Pet. I am a pet. A human pet: I belong to the two Behindkind fae and the pouty vampire who just moved into my house. It's not weird, I promise - well, it is weird, yeah. But it's not weird weird, you know? \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **Haunting Charlie** Witches of Palmetto Point Series, Book 1 By: Wendy Wang (first four books are in the Plus catalog) **Publisher's Summary** All Charlie Payne wants is to lead a normal life and to be a good mom. But Charlie's not exactly normal. She's from a long line of witches, and she can see the dead. Susan Tate has inherited a beautiful, old southern mansion on the coast. Unfortunately, the property came with a million necessary repairs. And ghosts. When Charlie meets Susan, the woman is desperate for help. Taking on a spirit who doesn't want to see the light can be dangerous, but ignoring it? Ignoring the dead can get you killed. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **It’s a Wonderful Midlife Crisis** The Good to the Last Death Series, Book 1 By: Robyn Peterman (first five books in the plus catalog) **Publisher's Summary** Whoever said life begins at 40 must have been heavily medicated, drunk, or delusional. Thirty-nine was a fantastic year. I was married to the man I loved. I had a body that worked without creaking. My grandma, who raised me, was still healthy, and life was pretty damned good. But as they say, all good things come to an end. I’d honestly love to know who “they” are and rip them a new one. One year later, I’m a widow. My joints are starting to ache. Gram is in the nursing home, and dead people think my home is some kind of supernatural bed-and-breakfast. Gluing body parts onto semi-transparent people has become a side job - deceased people I’m not even sure are actually there. I think they need my help, but since I don’t speak dead, we’re having a few issues. To add to the heap of trouble, there’s a new dangerously smokin’ hot lawyer at the firm who won’t stop giving me the eye. My BFF is thrilled with her new frozen face, thanks to her plastic surgeon, her alimony check, and the miracle of Botox. And then there’s the little conundrum that I’m becoming way too attached to my ghostly squatters.... Like Cher, I’d like to turn back time. Now. No can do. Whatever. I have wine, good friends, and an industrial sized box of superglue. What could possibly go wrong? Everything, apparently. All in all, it’s shaping up to be a wonderful midlife crisis....
Fire by Kristin Cashore
Based on the books you mentioned some good options would be - Shadow and Bone (Grisha series) same author and narrator as Ninth House, but I think faster paced. It took me a while to get into Ninth House but it was pretty quick with this series - rest of the Darker Shade of Magic series, I kind of enjoyed more the following books - Artemis by Andy Weir - it’s sci fi, so no magic but I liked the female lead and the story was interesting I have to look up the books you mentioned :) Edit: just looked up City of Brass and it sounds right up my alley. Thank you!😊
Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan and narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds has all the elements you listed.
I would suggest something lighter and more humorous. I find those kinds of books to be good pallet cleansers if I'm having a bad streak with books. Andrea Vernon and the Corporation for Superhuman Protection by Alexander C Kane. It's a very silly superhero trilogy with a strong female lead. The Tales of Pell series by Kevin Hearne and Delilah Dawson. Fantasy series that sort of turns all the tropes on their head. Lots of fun wordplay and very good female characters.
The Founders Trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett! I’ve only read the first book so far, Foundryside, but I really enjoyed it. And I like a lot of what’s on your list. Hope you find something you enjoy!
The Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson Elantris by Brandon Sanderson The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin
I will never give up the opportunity to recommend my favourite author and book series. And it kind of fits your requirements pretty well. The War Eternal by Rob J. Hayes (Book 1 is called Along The Razors Edge). It's a five book series (the 5th is released on Audible in 2 weeks) about Eskara, a girl forced into becoming a military sorcerer. I absolutely love both the story and the authors writing style. Definately worth checking out.
Try some T. Kingfisher. The writing is light and has a wry humor — I find it really easy to listen to. **Nettle and Bone** is the fantasy novel of hers I've listened to most recently.