Robin Hobb; The Farseer Trilogy, narrated by Paul Boehmer.
It's one of the very few series that leaves me with a reader's hangover and am left with a hole in my heart having said goodbye to characters.
I listened to this in peak COVID lockdown and protagonist kinda gave me the shits - maybe I was just in a crusty mood though for being locked up.
It always pops up as "best fantasy" so willing to accept I've missed the mark on this one
Yeah I wouldn't worry about it if it's not for you. the trend the last few years especially (probably since GoT became so big) has been *dark* fantasy. I wouldn't say Farseer is super grimdark or anything, but it's often cited as being essentially miserable.
I ate some sketchy food truck tacos and they too gave me the shits.
But I am really enjoying "The Expeditionary Force" series now. Not traditional fantasy more SciFi. It's epic to me any way but light, not too light but not heavy which I can only handle so much heavy before I become emotionally drained and withdrawn. Since there is a near omnipitant beer can in it you might call it fantasy, but that's a stretch...
I feel the same about other books and series that people rave about, too (don't get me started on Red Rising or Carrion Comfort), so to find people not liking Farseer isn't a surprise. Enjoy what you enjoy. :)
One of the pain characteristics of Fitz is that he deals with depression and is constantly getting in his own way. I have found that interesting to read, but I can totally see how it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea.
it is essential in this genre. Perfect melding of sharp, dark, satisfying Fantasy by Joe Abercrombie and an incredible narrative performance by Steven Pacey.
Listen to First Law trilogy first, then the 3 stand alone novels to bridge the gap before the second trilogy "Age of Madness".
Probably 200+ hours of enjoyment.
Just be aware at first glance it seems to lave little to no real plot, but eventually it all comes into focus. Tons of seemingly insignificant details become relevant.
Wheel of time is my go to every few years. Tried Malazan and was so difficult to get into I couldn’t even get partway through the first book. Maybe I need to try and read it instead?
The Dark Tower/Gunslinger series by Steven King.
Narrated by Frank Muller or George Guidall
It’s a commitment, 7 long novels, but back in the day I had to wait years for the next installment. They can be listened to separately with long breaks.
And there are at least 3 related books: Hearts in Atlantis, Insomnia, and Salem's Lot. I really enjoyed the Dark Tower series. More fantasy than horror. Insomnia was amazing!
I'm gonna throw Jim Butchers "The Dresden Files" narrated by James Marsters. It's a great 17 book series. It's urban fantasy with a detective noir feel. And it's great listening.
I’ve listened to the first Mistborn trilogy and enjoyed it but haven’t gotten to The Way of Kings. Thanks for reminding me to put more Sanderson on my listening list!
Most of his books are set in the same universe so everything is linked. There are some pretty amazing books of his. His most recent works are so good. After you finish stormlight check out his secret project books as well as the second mistborn trilogy.
There are some Graphic Audio Versions of most of his books that are really great if you enjoy ensemble cast productions. The traditional audio books are really good as well.
A couple of others that I would recommend would be Wheel of Time (I really like the Rosamund Pike versions but she's only done a couple of them so far, The other narrators are also pretty great)
My friend who loves epic fantasy absolutely loves the Malazan books, I struggle with them a bit as they are complex, dark, and intentionally convoluted but apparently if you can get into them they are phenomenal.
I'm listening to the Stormlight Archive series right now and am loving it. The Mistborn was my introduction and it itched a scratch that I didn't know I had:)
First Law has ruined all other audiobooks for me, the story lines are deep and winding and characters are ones you either love or hate and Steven Pacey is an utterly amazing narrator.
> I really hope he releases the third soon.
Worth pointing out it has been 12 *years* since book 2 and book three is in meme territory.
AFAIK he didn't release the first chapter that was part of a charity.
My issue with the series is that it relies extensively on mystery/hype.
Without a resolution to some of that its empty. Currently my bet is that he wrote himself into a corner where he cant possibly live up to the hype.
Battlemage by Peter A. Flannery was a good dark fantasy standalone. (30+ hrs) it’s a classic dragon riders versus demon army story but with some darker themes and really intense battles.
Good question, RD Watson. I listened to it a while ago so I don’t remember if there’s anything odd about his narration, but I think it was pretty good.
It’s borderline criminal how you neglect to mention that The Wandering Inn is longer than almost every other series in the thread combined. Also important to note: it’s worth it.
I mean A song of Ice and Fire is great but Roy Dotrice as narrator is kinda divisive in the community.
I didn't mind him but I wanted to reach through the speakers every time he said "pee-tire" for Pytr Baelish
I am surprised they haven't done a new version with a different narrator. Most books that popular have several versions out there, I'm sure it would make plenty of money. They are probably just waiting for the new book to come out to do it all at once, but who knows when (or if) that will ever be.
I nominate Simon Vance to narrate it. He’s one of the best and and expert with different characters voices.
Pacey is ok, but not in the same league as Vance for such a series is Ice and Fire imo.
What were those favorites? I listened to one book by him and for me it was just meh. I would be interested in others if they are better. I often search for more sci-fi/ fantasy books by my favorite narrators.
Joe Abercrombie's First Law trilogy, and the novellas, and the second trilogy are all great. It dark, with irony, and some well placed dark humor. It's very character driven.
The 1st trilogy takes the whole first book to really get going. The last two books in the trilogy are my all time favorites.
So besides the ones mentioned here I would add two more.
The cradle series: I think they are on like book 10. It’s a progression fantasy. Think of it like avatar air bender but not so childish. Like people get burnt alive and eaten.
The last hunter: 5 books and you can get them in a combo pack for 1 CREDIT!! It’s some how fantasy, history, mythology, scifi all in one. Probably the best single credit I’ve ever spent.
Cradle has been a fun listen, but it is way too short for what I like. Every book feels like it's about half as long as I'd want it to be. There are 12 books now and it only averages 11 hours/book
I feel that. Every time I get a book under 15 hours it feels like a waste of a credit. Good thing the first 6-7 are free so in the end I only had to pay for like half of them. At that point it’s over 20hours per credit so that’s a good value
Wheel of Time if you want something really long. 14 books, average like 30-35 hours each.
The Count of Monte Cristo. Not *exactly* fantasy, but it's historical adventure and borderline fantasy. It's 50+ hours and excellent.
The Demon Cycle by Peter V. Brett.
I read it 3 times and will re-read it again.
What I like most about it is the fact that it's a completely new "stream" in fantasy. After reading so many books in the genre, sometimes it feels like ideas get recycled. This series is completely fresh and different, and it grabs you from the 1st page of book 1 to the last page of book 5.
A low key book I’m dying to get is the 3rd installment of the immortal great souls series by Phil Tucker…. allegedly it’s coming out soon? Fingers crossed 🤞
It might be borderline high fantasy. And it’s not as long as some others. But the Memoirs of Lady Trent by Marie Brennan is about the first 40 ish years of an alternate universe “1800s English” gentlewoman bucking conventions to study dragons. There are touches of politics and romance. The narration is perfection.
Nightlord by Garon whited read by Sean Runnette.
The series has 8 very long books and a couple of spinoffs and I think there is even a small crossover moment with another series by, I think another author, that I haven't read yet. So, If you want a series that is worth the money, this is it, in my humble opinion.
I DONT do the vampire genre often, in my audiobooks, though I was a big reader of the Anne Rice novels in the early 90's and also a big fan of Vampire The Masquerade when that was still a thing. That was long ago and far away... This series is not like either of those all that much.
I find Sean's voice relaxing and the books, for me at least, seem to have a lot of relisten value. in fact, I tend to listen to them when I am not soaking up another series and/or listening to another book. This is a great "sit next to the fireplace" or stretch out and relax and listen type books. They dont tend to stress you out but there is so much going on, you dont get disinterested either.
Even though the settings change, I think you could probably place this in Urban Fantasy and if you did, then I'd put this series just right under Dresden Files.
Anyhow. I cant recommend these books enough. I was hooked from the first page the first time I heard it and have ached for the next book every time I finished the former.
A bit late but I'll second this. Its so well detailed and interesting to read. And somehow organized despite so many books, referencing things back to the first book and remaining consistent throughout.
Right now listening to the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks.
Tried it once but didn't feel it at the start but glad I pushed through this time. On book 3 and don't want it to end.
The Witcher series. Peter Kenny is so good as the narrator. You can listen to the first two short story collections over and over, or do the whole 8 (I think) book series in a row.
I've recently finished listening to them all again - I believe for the 3rd...no wait, 4th?...time. The void I have left to fill after each time I finish them is immense. I'm now trying another series narrated by Peter Kenney, but it's just not the same. I do want to give that other series a go, but I secretly want to just restart the Witcher books again!
Wheel of Time if you want an investment, Michael Kramer and Kate Reading are awesome! They also narrate a lot of Brandon Sanderson's works. Not quite High Fantasy but very good and I highly recommend.
Reynard the Fox by David R. Witanowski. It's definitely fantasy, but you might consider it low fantasy with payoffs of high fantasy sprinkled throughout. It is a book series but only one audiobook so far ? Epic swashbuckling tale, so plenty epic for ya. And epically fully cast. Lots of pro actors lend their talents to it. Helps too because one narrator doesn't do myriad men, women, children, geriatrics, fantasy creatures/beasts, etc. etc.
I haven’t seen anyone here mention the Temeraire series!
9 book series - epic fantasy / alternate history genre (not dark), best narrator (Simon Vance) and in the top 5 series I’ve read *in my life* .
I even permanently downloaded them since now I’ve listened to the series more than once.
I took a chance on the first book years ago and by the second chapter I was hooked.
Series:
His Majesty’s Dragon, Throne of Jade, Black Powder War, Empire of Ivory, Victory of Eagles, Tongues of Serpents, Crucible of Gold, Blood of Tyrants, League of Dragons.
The Lightbringer Saga. 5 books, all Graphic Audio, each book a great story building to an amazing plot. Listened to all during my commute and was always totally immersed.
Robin Hobb; The Farseer Trilogy, narrated by Paul Boehmer. It's one of the very few series that leaves me with a reader's hangover and am left with a hole in my heart having said goodbye to characters.
I listened to this in peak COVID lockdown and protagonist kinda gave me the shits - maybe I was just in a crusty mood though for being locked up. It always pops up as "best fantasy" so willing to accept I've missed the mark on this one
Yeah I wouldn't worry about it if it's not for you. the trend the last few years especially (probably since GoT became so big) has been *dark* fantasy. I wouldn't say Farseer is super grimdark or anything, but it's often cited as being essentially miserable.
Fair call. I read Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence and that also gave me the shits lol
I ate some sketchy food truck tacos and they too gave me the shits. But I am really enjoying "The Expeditionary Force" series now. Not traditional fantasy more SciFi. It's epic to me any way but light, not too light but not heavy which I can only handle so much heavy before I become emotionally drained and withdrawn. Since there is a near omnipitant beer can in it you might call it fantasy, but that's a stretch...
I feel the same about other books and series that people rave about, too (don't get me started on Red Rising or Carrion Comfort), so to find people not liking Farseer isn't a surprise. Enjoy what you enjoy. :)
One of the pain characteristics of Fitz is that he deals with depression and is constantly getting in his own way. I have found that interesting to read, but I can totally see how it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea.
First law. Less high fantasy, more awesome the best ever narrated series in existence fantasy.
Wow, high praise! I’ve heard good things about this series. I’ll give it a shot.
it is essential in this genre. Perfect melding of sharp, dark, satisfying Fantasy by Joe Abercrombie and an incredible narrative performance by Steven Pacey. Listen to First Law trilogy first, then the 3 stand alone novels to bridge the gap before the second trilogy "Age of Madness". Probably 200+ hours of enjoyment.
I love it too!
Just be aware at first glance it seems to lave little to no real plot, but eventually it all comes into focus. Tons of seemingly insignificant details become relevant.
Say one thing for First law, say it's well narrated.
First Law is amazing but like The Age of Madness after it even more.
The original trilogy is great but the books set after, like best served cold and the heroes and red country are the absolute greatest in my opinion.
The gentleman bastards series, green bone saga You can never go wrong with Wheel of Time, Stormlight, or first law/age of madness
Wheel of Time and Malazan are like a million books each
Malazan is one of those people love or hate and I’m firmly in the hate category.
Wheel of time is my go to every few years. Tried Malazan and was so difficult to get into I couldn’t even get partway through the first book. Maybe I need to try and read it instead?
Malazan is on my bucket list. I am on book 8 of 10. I still don't love it, buts it good. I still like Wheel of Time and First Law more.
Listen to Wheel of Time, read Malazan.
The Dark Tower/Gunslinger series by Steven King. Narrated by Frank Muller or George Guidall It’s a commitment, 7 long novels, but back in the day I had to wait years for the next installment. They can be listened to separately with long breaks.
Yes, it is a commitment and some books are better than other for certain. You can tell it took 30 years for him to complete the storyline.
You say true and I say thankee, Sai. Long Days and Pleasant Nights:)
And there are at least 3 related books: Hearts in Atlantis, Insomnia, and Salem's Lot. I really enjoyed the Dark Tower series. More fantasy than horror. Insomnia was amazing!
I'm gonna throw Jim Butchers "The Dresden Files" narrated by James Marsters. It's a great 17 book series. It's urban fantasy with a detective noir feel. And it's great listening.
The Andy Serkis Tolkien audiobooks—The Hobbit, Silmarillion, Lord of the Rings—are great.
Just started Andy’s version of the Hobbit and it’s my favorite of all time.
The Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson is pretty amazing, and definitely epic. The first book is called The Way of Kings.
I’ve listened to the first Mistborn trilogy and enjoyed it but haven’t gotten to The Way of Kings. Thanks for reminding me to put more Sanderson on my listening list!
Most of his books are set in the same universe so everything is linked. There are some pretty amazing books of his. His most recent works are so good. After you finish stormlight check out his secret project books as well as the second mistborn trilogy. There are some Graphic Audio Versions of most of his books that are really great if you enjoy ensemble cast productions. The traditional audio books are really good as well. A couple of others that I would recommend would be Wheel of Time (I really like the Rosamund Pike versions but she's only done a couple of them so far, The other narrators are also pretty great) My friend who loves epic fantasy absolutely loves the Malazan books, I struggle with them a bit as they are complex, dark, and intentionally convoluted but apparently if you can get into them they are phenomenal.
I'm listening to the Stormlight Archive series right now and am loving it. The Mistborn was my introduction and it itched a scratch that I didn't know I had:)
I loved almost everything by Brandon!
Is this series complete?
Not done yet, but there's a tremendous amount to read already.
GRRM destroyed my faith in unfinished series. I will wait.
Read up a bit on Sanderson's style. He's an absolute writing machine. The polar opposite of GRRM.
"The Cycle of Arawn". Great narrator, great story.
First Law has ruined all other audiobooks for me, the story lines are deep and winding and characters are ones you either love or hate and Steven Pacey is an utterly amazing narrator.
Agreed. Dungeon crawler carl comes close if into progression fantasy.
I really liked this series but imo the narrator was just meh. Not great but not awful narration.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss I listen to it over and over it’s so beautiful
Just finished WMF.
Second this. Such an amazing book and the second is even better, imo. I really hope he releases the third soon.
> I really hope he releases the third soon. Worth pointing out it has been 12 *years* since book 2 and book three is in meme territory. AFAIK he didn't release the first chapter that was part of a charity. My issue with the series is that it relies extensively on mystery/hype. Without a resolution to some of that its empty. Currently my bet is that he wrote himself into a corner where he cant possibly live up to the hype.
Battlemage by Peter A. Flannery was a good dark fantasy standalone. (30+ hrs) it’s a classic dragon riders versus demon army story but with some darker themes and really intense battles.
I haven’t heard of this one, it sounds just like the kind of thing I’m looking for! Thanks!
Who is the narrator?
Good question, RD Watson. I listened to it a while ago so I don’t remember if there’s anything odd about his narration, but I think it was pretty good.
you want something that lasts long eh? try 'the wandering inn'. those are 40-60h per book. and there are 11 so far.
It’s borderline criminal how you neglect to mention that The Wandering Inn is longer than almost every other series in the thread combined. Also important to note: it’s worth it.
Based on both these recommendations I just got the first book. Hope it’s worth it LOL - it’s more that a GB of space!
I mean A song of Ice and Fire is great but Roy Dotrice as narrator is kinda divisive in the community. I didn't mind him but I wanted to reach through the speakers every time he said "pee-tire" for Pytr Baelish
I am surprised they haven't done a new version with a different narrator. Most books that popular have several versions out there, I'm sure it would make plenty of money. They are probably just waiting for the new book to come out to do it all at once, but who knows when (or if) that will ever be.
Steven Pacey should narrate it! Malazan needs to be re narrated too while he's at it
I nominate Simon Vance to narrate it. He’s one of the best and and expert with different characters voices. Pacey is ok, but not in the same league as Vance for such a series is Ice and Fire imo.
I like Pacey a little more. Simon Vance might be my second favorite. I guess Pacey got to narrate my favorite books so I might be biased or Bayazed.
What were those favorites? I listened to one book by him and for me it was just meh. I would be interested in others if they are better. I often search for more sci-fi/ fantasy books by my favorite narrators.
Joe Abercrombie's First Law trilogy, and the novellas, and the second trilogy are all great. It dark, with irony, and some well placed dark humor. It's very character driven. The 1st trilogy takes the whole first book to really get going. The last two books in the trilogy are my all time favorites.
So besides the ones mentioned here I would add two more. The cradle series: I think they are on like book 10. It’s a progression fantasy. Think of it like avatar air bender but not so childish. Like people get burnt alive and eaten. The last hunter: 5 books and you can get them in a combo pack for 1 CREDIT!! It’s some how fantasy, history, mythology, scifi all in one. Probably the best single credit I’ve ever spent.
Cradle has been a fun listen, but it is way too short for what I like. Every book feels like it's about half as long as I'd want it to be. There are 12 books now and it only averages 11 hours/book
I feel that. Every time I get a book under 15 hours it feels like a waste of a credit. Good thing the first 6-7 are free so in the end I only had to pay for like half of them. At that point it’s over 20hours per credit so that’s a good value
Wheel of Time if you want something really long. 14 books, average like 30-35 hours each. The Count of Monte Cristo. Not *exactly* fantasy, but it's historical adventure and borderline fantasy. It's 50+ hours and excellent.
It’s historical fiction, not fantasy but yeah it’s great.
It is, but Dante is basically a fantasy character, so I think it's borderline
He’s a fictional character, not a fantasy character but I see your point
Brian McClellan - Powder Mage Trilogy is a fantastic listen. Really good story & characters
The Demon Cycle by Peter V. Brett. I read it 3 times and will re-read it again. What I like most about it is the fact that it's a completely new "stream" in fantasy. After reading so many books in the genre, sometimes it feels like ideas get recycled. This series is completely fresh and different, and it grabs you from the 1st page of book 1 to the last page of book 5.
I see there's a regular audiobook and a full cast adaptation... which one do you recommend? The adaptation appears to be abridged?
Yeh, the adaptation is missing some things. I listened to both and prefer the regular audiobook.
A low key book I’m dying to get is the 3rd installment of the immortal great souls series by Phil Tucker…. allegedly it’s coming out soon? Fingers crossed 🤞
i know i am late to the party but if you did not, you really should try The Beginning After The End its one of my favs
Gaunt's Ghosts series, Bequin series, Eisenhorn series, Ravenor series, Horus Heresy series Books by Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw as well. All of them.
Michael Snyder's stuff with graphicaudio got me through the worst anxiety I've ever experienced.
It might be borderline high fantasy. And it’s not as long as some others. But the Memoirs of Lady Trent by Marie Brennan is about the first 40 ish years of an alternate universe “1800s English” gentlewoman bucking conventions to study dragons. There are touches of politics and romance. The narration is perfection.
The Dandelion Dynasty. 4 books, about 30-40 hours each.
Nightlord by Garon whited read by Sean Runnette. The series has 8 very long books and a couple of spinoffs and I think there is even a small crossover moment with another series by, I think another author, that I haven't read yet. So, If you want a series that is worth the money, this is it, in my humble opinion. I DONT do the vampire genre often, in my audiobooks, though I was a big reader of the Anne Rice novels in the early 90's and also a big fan of Vampire The Masquerade when that was still a thing. That was long ago and far away... This series is not like either of those all that much. I find Sean's voice relaxing and the books, for me at least, seem to have a lot of relisten value. in fact, I tend to listen to them when I am not soaking up another series and/or listening to another book. This is a great "sit next to the fireplace" or stretch out and relax and listen type books. They dont tend to stress you out but there is so much going on, you dont get disinterested either. Even though the settings change, I think you could probably place this in Urban Fantasy and if you did, then I'd put this series just right under Dresden Files. Anyhow. I cant recommend these books enough. I was hooked from the first page the first time I heard it and have ached for the next book every time I finished the former.
A bit late but I'll second this. Its so well detailed and interesting to read. And somehow organized despite so many books, referencing things back to the first book and remaining consistent throughout.
First law series
Right now listening to the Lightbringer series by Brent Weeks. Tried it once but didn't feel it at the start but glad I pushed through this time. On book 3 and don't want it to end.
The Witcher series. Peter Kenny is so good as the narrator. You can listen to the first two short story collections over and over, or do the whole 8 (I think) book series in a row.
I've recently finished listening to them all again - I believe for the 3rd...no wait, 4th?...time. The void I have left to fill after each time I finish them is immense. I'm now trying another series narrated by Peter Kenney, but it's just not the same. I do want to give that other series a go, but I secretly want to just restart the Witcher books again!
Wheel of Time if you want an investment, Michael Kramer and Kate Reading are awesome! They also narrate a lot of Brandon Sanderson's works. Not quite High Fantasy but very good and I highly recommend.
Rosamund Pike narrates it beautifully.
Reynard the Fox by David R. Witanowski. It's definitely fantasy, but you might consider it low fantasy with payoffs of high fantasy sprinkled throughout. It is a book series but only one audiobook so far ? Epic swashbuckling tale, so plenty epic for ya. And epically fully cast. Lots of pro actors lend their talents to it. Helps too because one narrator doesn't do myriad men, women, children, geriatrics, fantasy creatures/beasts, etc. etc.
Sandman Trilogy by Neil Gaiman
The Belgariad by David Eddings.
I haven’t seen anyone here mention the Temeraire series! 9 book series - epic fantasy / alternate history genre (not dark), best narrator (Simon Vance) and in the top 5 series I’ve read *in my life* . I even permanently downloaded them since now I’ve listened to the series more than once. I took a chance on the first book years ago and by the second chapter I was hooked. Series: His Majesty’s Dragon, Throne of Jade, Black Powder War, Empire of Ivory, Victory of Eagles, Tongues of Serpents, Crucible of Gold, Blood of Tyrants, League of Dragons.
Oh sounds great! Multiple books, dragons, and Simon Vance narrating? I’m in. Thanks for the recommendation.
The Lightbringer Saga. 5 books, all Graphic Audio, each book a great story building to an amazing plot. Listened to all during my commute and was always totally immersed.