Discover Top 100 Audiobooks in Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic New Releases

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Title: The King's Trap

Subtitle: The Hidden Land, Book 2

Author: Peter Meredith

Narrator: Tom Adams

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-09-17

Publisher: Peter Meredith

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

Ella came to the magical Hidden Lands thinking she was on the greatest adventure of a lifetime. Instead she accidentally helped to destroy the beautiful valley of the Fey. Now, hunted as criminals by the Den, she and Aric must flee the destruction they have wrought. America beckons and so does one last mystery; one that can only bring more death.

As much as Eireden wants to join Ella, his honor won't allow it - she has chosen Aric, and besides he has a name and a throne to fight for. With his lands overrun by deadly hordes of maug, the rightful King of the Den pits the strength of his sword arm against the greatest evil on earth...it's not enough. Nor is becoming the King of the Den enough. In order to even have a fighting chance Eireden has to put his neck in the very trap that had been set for him all along.

Members Reviews:

3.5/5 Beautifully Performed High Fantasy

Summary: Erieden fights for his throne, Ella tries to find her mother, and battles are found a plenty.

Additional Comments:

- I have not read book 1 in the series. Although I think it would be better to have read book 1, one can follow the events easily enough.

- The story itself was okay. It meanders all over the place and the romance seems either forced or ridiculous (everybody's falling all over themselves to love Erieden).

- The world-building is fine, but most of the "honor is everything" gets old pretty quickly.

- There are some awesome reversals at the end of the book.

- The bad guy doesn't seem to have much of a motive besides "destroy everything b/c I hate everybody who's not me". Maybe that was explained more in book one.

- Battle descriptions are gruesome but very well handled both in the writing and the performance.

- I listened to the audiobook narration by Tom Adams. He's perfect for the story.

- Characters - Whip-whip is adorable. The effect for the fairy voices was neat. Ella's okay, but the quest to find her mother seemed a tad useless.

- Switching back and forth between the Hidden Land and America was odd.

- Would I read book 1 or 3? I could be persuaded if the same narrator read it, but otherwise, not really.

- This is high fantasy but there wasn't much of an emphasis on the dwarves or elves. Prejudice swings pretty hard in the book, especially with one of the MC's at the end of the story. It seems silly.

Conclusion: Excellent performance in an intricate story.

*I received a free copy of the audiobook. The choice to review as well as the rating and words are completely my own.

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Title: Fae: The Realm of Twilight

Subtitle: The Riven Wyrde Saga, Book 2

Author: Graham Austin-King

Narrator: Jonny McPherson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-24-17

Publisher: Fallen Leaf Press

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

The Riven Wyrde saga continues...

The Wyrde is dead and gone, its protection passed into the ether. The fae have been loosed upon the world as they begin their wild hunt, a nightmare from fables and legend made flesh. At Hesk, in the heart of the Barren Isles, Ylsriss must confront a reality she never could have imagined when her son is stolen from her by the fae. Her desperate attempts to reclaim him lead her far from this world and deep into the Realm of Twilight where a still darker truth awaits her. As the Bjornmen invaders drive their way deeper into Anlan, King Pieter refuses to act. Selena is forced to confront him directly as Devin and Obair flee Widdengate and begin a search for answers, seeking help from a woman who may be little more than a memory.

Members Reviews:

Talented Performance, Captivated by The Fae!

I wondered how the 2nd book in this series could keep up the mystery and awe of the Fae, but it didn't disappoint. The first book left us with a few characters being taken by the Fae, and Realm of Twilight showed us where they went and how they dealt with it. Their strange world is called the Realm of Twilight, where they live, plot, and bring humans back to be hunted down for pleasure, and even breeding. There are surprises when Ylsriss and Joran realize they need to escape, with some larger plot lines and history being revealed. The author does a really good job at giving different points of view on both sides of the warring humans, many of which are oblivious to the fact the Fae have returned and are the true threat to mankind.

The narrator, Jonny McPherson, is very talented voicing all the different characters; he's easily in my top list of favorites. After listening to him, Tim Gerard Reynolds, and Peter Kenny, it places my expectation bar very high for narrators and there are plenty that are used by Audible that aren't that good at all.

The book was really good, kept me riveted, and the only negative I have is Audible doesn't have book 3 available yet. It appears the entire series was finished being narrated last year, but Audible support replied back to my question that they're working on having it available.

The plot thickens!~

Ill start off with narration here, because narration is the absolute #1 reason that I clamored to have this book as an audiobook rather than reading it from the trilogy collection that I have on my kindle (which is, btdubs, the only reason I know how to spell any of these names, lol).

Jonny McPherson is a fantastic narrator for this series and he tells this story so well. He doesnt so much tell the story as he acts it out. He puts stress in the proper places, out-of-breathness where there should be, and puts realism in the action scenes. He really gives the story a depth that I dont think I would 100% get from just reading the book (which is my own fault and not the fault of the author or his story). He does accents well, he does tones and voices very well, and he can pull off a menacing satyr like noones business.

Theres a part of me who thinks that the Bjornmen should sound Scandinavianer (theres that word I made up in my review of the first book again), and theres a part of me that thinks that the Fae should sound, at least on some level, Irish- but that accent he does give the Fae makes me not even care at the end of the day. He makes them sound so sinister. So temptingly sinister.

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Title: Assail

Subtitle: Malazan Empire, Book 6

Author: Ian C Esslemont

Narrator: John Banks

Format: Unabridged

Length: 22 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-09-17

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

Tens of thousands of years of ice is melting, and the land of Assail, long a byword for menace and inaccessibility, is at last yielding its secrets.

Tales of gold discovered in the region's north circulate in every waterfront dive and sailor's tavern, and now adventurers and fortune seekers have set sail in search of riches. And all they have to guide them are legends and garbled tales of the dangers that lie in wait - hostile coasts, fields of ice, impassable barriers and strange, terrifying creatures.

But all accounts concur that the people of the north meet all trespassers with the sword - and should you make it, beyond are rumoured to lurk Elder monsters out of history's very beginnings.

Into this turmoil ventures the mercenary company the Crimson Guard. Not drawn by contract but by the promise of answers: answers that Shimmer, second in command, feels should not be sought.

Also heading north, as part of an uneasy alliance of Malazan fortune hunters and Letherii soldiery, comes the bard Fisher kel Tath. With him is a Tiste Andii, who was found washed ashore and cannot remember his past yet commands far more power than he really should. It is also rumoured that a warrior, bearer of a sword that slays gods and who once fought for the Malazans, is also journeying that way. But far to the south, a woman patiently guards the shore. She awaits both allies and enemies. She is Silverfox, newly incarnate Summoner of the undying army of the T'lan Imass, and she will do anything to stop the renewal of an ages-old crusade that could lay waste to the entire continent and beyond.

Casting light on mysteries spanning the Malazan empire, and offering a glimpse of the storied and epic history that shaped it, Assail brings the epic story of the Empire of Malaz to a thrilling close.

Members Reviews:

Not good

I love the Malazan series from Steven Erickson so I was drawn to ICE books as they cover shared areas and address stories referred to in SE books. I struggled with Assail, you can see the richness of the story but it is so poorly told it is almost amateurish. I have listen / read ones connected to SE's books, but I won't bother with the rest. The performance was good but how do you deliver dross like Assail. Well done for keeping going.

perfect conclusion to a great series.

loved it, wish he would have brought back a few more characters from the MBOTD series though

The White Blade...

The Blade of Bone, Svalthbrul and a fruit knife. These weapons are the real heroes.

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Title: Throne of Scars: Stories of the Nine Worlds

Subtitle: Ten Tears Chronicles, Book 3

Author: Alaric Longward

Narrator: Kristin James

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-22-16

Publisher: Alaric Longward

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

Goddess Hel's terrible curse spreads rampantly across the Nine Worlds, and only the Gjallarhorn, the horn to open the closed gates, provides some hope of restoring what was lost.

In war torn Aldheim, Shannon's victory in the White Court has been a temporary thing. Euryale might be dead, but Shannon and her friends are besieged in Himingborg by the elves, who finally have a common enemy in Shannon. Mad goddess Hel's demands on Shannon to punish Aldheim makes the situation even grimmer for both the besieged and the besiegers.

Ulrich, as the sole Ten Tear remaining at Shannon's side, is requested to go on a quest. Reluctantly, he will lead an expedition to Svartalfheim to find Dana and the Horn in hopes of saving Shannon from the elves and Hel both. While there, he must balance between his friendship and oath to Shannon, while trying to figure out what foul plans are being woven behind his back in the land of Night. His struggle to remain loyal in the army of the draugr is getting increasingly hard, after he discovers the dead have no friends, only tools.

Will Ulrich find the Gjallarhorn, and will he save Shannon and the Nine Worlds in the murk of Svartalfheim?

Members Reviews:

Don't mess with Hel or her's

Where does Throne of Scars: Stories of the Nine Worlds rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

3

Who was your favorite character and why?

Alric a stalwart partner and friend

What does Kristin James bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

great performance to make the work flow better than my slower reading and stops

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no

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Title: Seaswept

Subtitle: Seabound Chronicles, Book 2

Author: Jordan Rivet

Narrator: Ray Greenley

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-18-16

Publisher: Jordan Rivet

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

Sixteen years ago, a volcanic eruption changed the world forever. A small group of survivors escaped on a cruise ship called the Catalina ahead of a choking cloud of ash. Since then, they have been surviving at sea, drifting until the land becomes safe again.

The adventure continues in Seaswept, the heart-stopping second book in the Seabound Chronicles.

After her triumphant return to the Catalina, Esther begins developing a new way to produce energy. Meanwhile, the exiles from the Galaxy Flotilla, including the enigmatic David Hawthorne, struggle to find their place aboard the Catalina.

When Esther makes a major breakthrough, David offers to sell her technology for supplies and alliances for the Catalina. They dock with the Amsterdam Coalition, where David's bidding war soon takes a dangerous turn.

How far will Esther go to rescue him? She's still not sure whether she can trust anyone on the post-apocalyptic ocean - even David himself.

Members Reviews:

horde a life-changing technology or to share it

Seaswept is the second novel in the trilogy called The Seabound Chronicles by Jordan Rivet. In a world where extreme weather events have pushed civilization to the sea, people have survived by living in a variety of ships or barges. After saving her home, the cruise ship Catalina, Ester, the ships mechanic, is focused on solving a critical problem: fuel. If she can develop the technology to generate biofuel, the Catalina would be free to move about the ocean rather than drifting and only sparing their fuel reserves for specific voyages. However, once the technology is developed and works correctly, the turbulent question of whether, if, and how to share it emerges. Caught in a variety of political factors, Ester is determined to risk it all to save the man that she might love, David Hawthorne, when the politics surrounding this fuel source get out of hand.

Seaswept continues the sweeping adventure from the first novel. This is a fast-paced story that is filled with a lot of action and gray-areas as different characters fight to do what they believe is right. The powerful question of whether to horde a life-changing technology or to share it with everyone, and the consequences of decisions made regarding this question drive this story. However, as with before, it is really a story about people trying to survive and maintain both healthy relationships and their humanity. Its easy to become invested in the characters' lives and want to scream at or cheer with them. As this is the second installment, the world is already well fleshed out and the main characters are well known, which makes it easy to jump into the story. Also, the complexity of the world makes it possible to layer motivations of main characters, especially Esther, which is nice. Even some of the supporting characters make a brief, but lasting impression. However, there are so many new minor characters that it was hard to keep track of them.

The narration by Ray Greenly was also well done. He does a great job with voice characterization. Im not sure if this is the voicing or the writing of the characters themselves, but all the young characters sound exceedingly young and naïve, which makes this story feel like a young adult novel, which it is not necessarily. The production quality was good.

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Title: Slow Boat to Purgatory

Author: Vernon Baker

Narrator: Dennis Kleinman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-10-16

Publisher: Vernon Baker

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

Gaspar De Rouse, a Templar knight, a man murdered by his brothers for the secret he possessed, resurrected and made immortal. Given a second chance at redemption he has walked the earth for over 700 years. Dominicus Bureau, a renegade priest, torn between his vows and the secret he pursues, a secret protected by an immortal. He carries a silenced pistol and uses it, often. Alex Donovan, a modern day warrior thrust into an ages old war, a war between good and evil, heaven and hell. Armed with an ancient chronicle of the life of Gaspar, Alex searches for the immortal and perhaps his own destiny. All three men, passengers on a Slow Boat to Purgatory.

Members Reviews:

Worth the credit and the author is a....

Worth the credit and the author is super wordsmith. A very good series starter. Thanks

Loved the book, love the audio!

If you could sum up Slow Boat to Purgatory in three words, what would they be?

Serious page-turner.

What other book might you compare Slow Boat to Purgatory to and why?

Dan Brown's books. Ancient mysteries, secret societies, and timeless battles between Good and Evil.

Have you listened to any of Dennis Kleinmans other performances before? How does this one compare?

This compares well - he's great. Perfectly suited to this book, and an excellent delivery! Love the book, and love his narration!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Ancient mysteries, secret societies, and timeless battles between Good and Evil.

Any additional comments?

Don't start this late at night - you'll won't be able to shut it off.

Intriguing story

If you could sum up Slow Boat to Purgatory in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, mysterious, entertaining.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Slow Boat to Purgatory?

Gaspar meeting the angels.

What does Dennis Kleinman bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Overall his voice is just awesome and I really like the way he narrates.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Fighting for his redemption". Maybe.

Any additional comments?

Overall a very interesting story. Throughout I was unsure exactly where things were headed. I think part of me expected something more but I do love this type of story and I don't regret the purchase.

A modern classic

A very enjoyable book! An original idea, well written, amazingly in depth plot. A thriller and a modern/historic fantasy all in one!

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Title: Lucy at War

Subtitle: An Undraland Blood Novel, Part 7

Author: Mary E. Twomey

Narrator: Amy Marie Smith

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-12-16

Publisher: Mary E. Twomey

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

After Tucker's betrayal, Lucy finds herself underground, imprisoned by the surviving Sirens. She clings to Jamie in her mind as she endures mental and physical torture when they try to break her spirit, and her laplanding bond to Jamie.

Lucy must hold tight to herself, distinguishing between the voices in her head and the ones around her. When a message comes to her from one of the voices in her head, she knows she must go back to Undraland.

Members Reviews:

Nice transition to new adventure

I was wondering how Lucy and the gang were going to find another adventure, but with all the struggle, emotional tug of war, infighting and plot twists that we've become accustomed to in this series, the group had a new mission, and it's already in peril! Good read, and I still love the characters!

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Title: Dragonsinger

Subtitle: Harper Hall, Book 2

Author: Anne McCaffrey

Narrator: Adrienne Barbeau

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-26-16

Publisher: Phoenix Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

Menolly needs more than music's power in the second book in the Harper Hall trilogy, set within science fiction legend Anne McCaffrey's beloved and best-selling Dragonriders of Pern series.

Pursuing her dream to be a Harper of Pern, Menolly studies under the Masterharper and quickly learns that more is required than knowledge of music and a clever way with words. The Masterharper gives her a difficult time simply because she is a young woman, and she manages to alienate more of her fellow harpers than she makes friends. Menolly must rise up and prove that a woman is just as capable as any of her male fellow students - and if she can, she will shape the future of Pern.

Members Reviews:

Not happy

This is an abridged version. I know the book well and was very disappointed to find several passages abruptly shortened. And Adrienne Barbeau may be a fine actress but she's a terrible narrator.

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Title: The Seventh Magic

Subtitle: The Artifacts of Power Trilogy, Book 3

Author: Brian Rathbone

Narrator: Chris Snelgrove

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-12-16

Publisher: White Wolf Press, LLC

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

Power's height approaches.

Ancient threats are unleashed on the people of Godsland. A flood of comet light proves too much of a good thing can be deadly.

Humanity's endurance and ingenuity will be put to the ultimate test: survival.

Members Reviews:

This would be a great movie Saga

I think this would make a great movie. I think the writer Brian Rathbone has a wonderful imagination and I think it would make a great on the big screen adaption a Saga like Star Wars and I would hope they could follow the book as much as possible. I would love to see these characters come to life even the dragons.

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Title: The Jewel and Her Lapidary

Author: Fran Wilde

Narrator: Mahvesh Murad

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-24-16

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 21 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

The kingdom in the Valley has long sheltered under the protection of its Jewels and Lapidaries, the people bound to singing gemstones with the power to reshape hills, move rivers, and warp minds. That power has kept the peace and tranquility, and the kingdom has flourished.

Jewel Lin and her Lapidary, Sima, may be the last to enjoy that peace.

The Jeweled Court has been betrayed. As screaming raiders sweep down from the mountains and Lapidary servants shatter under the pressure, the last princess of the Valley will have to summon up a strength she's never known. If she can assume her royal dignity, and if Sima can master the most dangerous gemstone in the land, they may be able to survive.

Critic Reviews:

"The Jewel and Her Lapidary is a splendid tale of courage and transformation in a world as exquisite as Wilde's prose. You will be utterly entranced." (Ken Liu, Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award winner and author of The Grace of Kings)

Members Reviews:

Serious technical issues with the audio

There are multiple glitches in the audio, including an entire missing chapter right at the climax!