10 audiobooks for fans of Dawnshard
- 1
The Way of Kings
The Cosmere • Book 1
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
★ 4.89 ABR Score (796.4K ratings)★ 4.66 Goodreads (683.1K) ★ 4.84 Audible (113.2K)45h 30m listening time • Released 2010Sanderson's most ambitious work — a 45-hour epic with one of the most intricately designed magic systems in fantasy, and characters whose growth pays off magnificently.
- 2
The Hero of Ages
The Mistborn Saga • Book 3
Narrated by Michael Kramer
The Hero of Ages delivers the same epic scope and intricate magic systems that define Sanderson's storytelling, with Michael Kramer's narration providing the same authoritative presence that grounds the narrative. The extended runtime allows for deeper character development and world-building complexity, rewarding listeners who appreciated Dawnshard's tightly-plotted fantasy with an immersive, multi-layered experience.
★ 4.83 ABR Score (680.8K ratings)★ 4.56 Goodreads (606.0K) ★ 4.85 Audible (74.8K)27h 25m listening time • Released 2008Michael Kramer's narration elevates this finale into something transcendent—his command of Vin's internal devastation and the apocalyptic scope makes the 27-hour journey feel essential, not exhausting.
- 3
The Final Empire
The Mistborn Saga • Book 1
Narrated by Michael Kramer
The Final Empire expands on Sanderson's signature blend of intricate magic systems and character-driven storytelling with the same narrative clarity Michael Kramer brings to Dawnshard, while offering a fuller immersion into an epic fantasy world that rewards the extended 25-hour listening experience. Both works share a focus on ordinary characters discovering their potential within systems of oppression, making the longer runtime feel purposeful rather than indulgent.
★ 4.78 ABR Score (1.1M ratings)★ 4.49 Goodreads (999.3K) ★ 4.79 Audible (97.4K)24h 39m listening time • Released 2008The best entry point into Sanderson — a heist story set in a world where the Dark Lord won, with one of the cleverest magic systems ever devised.
- 4
The Gathering Storm
The Wheel of Time • Book 12
by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
The Gathering Storm expands the epic scope and intricate magic systems that Sanderson perfects in Dawnshard, while Kramer and Reading's dual narration creates the same immersive vocal experience across a much grander canvas. Those invested in Sanderson's world-building and character-driven storytelling will find the same meticulous attention to detail rewarded over 42 hours of richly layered fantasy.
★ 4.77 ABR Score (224.4K ratings)★ 4.44 Goodreads (178.7K) ★ 4.9 Audible (45.7K)41h 47m listening time • Released 2013Kramer and Reading's dual narration finally gives the Wheel of Time the vocal landscape it deserves, turning a sprawling epic into something genuinely intimate and propulsive.
- 5
Towers of Midnight
The Wheel of Time • Book 13
by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Towers of Midnight expands the epic scope and intricate magic systems that Sanderson brings to Dawnshard, while Kate Reading and Michael Kramer's dual narration creates the same immersive listening experience across a sprawling fantasy world. The shared themes of sacrifice, duty, and redemption deepen considerably in this substantial audiobook, rewarding listeners who appreciated Sanderson's character-driven storytelling with hundreds of hours of richly layered narrative.
★ 4.77 ABR Score (211.0K ratings)★ 4.48 Goodreads (176.1K) ★ 4.89 Audible (34.9K)38h 21m listening time • Released 2010Kate Reading and Michael Kramer elevate the emotional weight of Jordan's endgame—their dual narration makes the converging POVs feel like separate threads tightening toward catastrophe, and they nail the quieter character breakthroughs that matter most before the final battle.
- 6
The Well of Ascension
The Mistborn Saga • Book 2
Narrated by Michael Kramer
The Well of Ascension deepens the epic fantasy world-building and intricate magic systems that Sanderson establishes, with Michael Kramer's narration bringing the same immersive gravitas to an expansive 29-hour journey. Those drawn to Dawnshard's exploration of duty and sacrifice will find these themes richly developed across a sprawling narrative that rewards deep listening.
★ 4.70 ABR Score (745.6K ratings)★ 4.38 Goodreads (671.8K) ★ 4.78 Audible (73.7K)28h 56m listening time • Released 2009Michael Kramer's narration elevates Sanderson's sprawling sequel into something genuinely gripping—his voice work transforms Vin's internal struggle from competent to devastating, making this 29-hour epic feel essential rather than exhausting.
- 7
The Lost Metal
The Mistborn Saga • Book 7
Narrated by Michael Kramer
The Lost Metal deepens the intricate magic systems and character arcs that made Dawnshard compelling, while Michael Kramer's narration maintains the same immersive quality across an expansive story that rewards long-form audiobook listening. Both works showcase Sanderson's masterful worldbuilding and exploration of duty, sacrifice, and personal growth within richly detailed fantasy settings.
★ 4.70 ABR Score (136.9K ratings)★ 4.48 Goodreads (122.5K) ★ 4.86 Audible (14.4K)18h 46m listening time • Released 2022Michael Kramer brings surgical precision to Sanderson's sprawling finale, keeping you locked in through 18+ hours of intricate plotting and emotional payoffs that actually land. This is the rare epic fantasy audiobook where the narrator's control matches the author's ambition.
- 8
The Bands of Mourning
Mistborn, Era 2: Wax & Wayne • Book 3
Narrated by Michael Kramer
The Bands of Mourning deepens the intricate magic systems and world-building that made Dawnshard compelling, while Michael Kramer's consistent narration maintains the same immersive listening experience across both works. Sanderson's signature blend of mystery, action, and character-driven storytelling expands dramatically in this longer novel, rewarding listeners who appreciated his narrative craftsmanship with a more expansive adventure.
★ 4.66 ABR Score (220.8K ratings)★ 4.4 Goodreads (193.3K) ★ 4.81 Audible (27.4K)14h 41m listening time • Released 2016Michael Kramer's narration elevates this already brilliant heist-mystery, bringing razor-sharp distinction to Sanderson's cast while keeping the intricate magic system crystal clear at audiobook pace.
- 9
Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection
The Cosmere
Narrated by Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
★ 4.64 ABR Score (85.4K ratings)★ 4.43 Goodreads (66.7K) ★ 4.82 Audible (18.7K)22h 31m listening time • Released 2016Kramer and Reading switch seamlessly between worlds, making each magic system feel distinct and alive—this is the perfect audiobook entry point to the Cosmere's interconnected universes.
- 10
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
Hoid's Travails • Book 2
by Brandon Sanderson, Aliya Chen
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Both audiobooks feature the same exceptional narrative chemistry between Kate Reading and Michael Kramer, whose dual narration brings depth to Sanderson's intricate world-building and character-driven storytelling. Yumi and the Nightmare Painter expands on the philosophical themes and imaginative magic systems that make Dawnshard compelling, while the extended runtime allows for richer emotional development and immersive listening.
★ 4.57 ABR Score (121.8K ratings)★ 4.43 Goodreads (118.7K) ★ 4.82 Audible (3.1K)14h 43m listening time • Released 2024Kate Reading and Michael Kramer's dual narration captures the stark contrast between these two worlds so perfectly that you feel the characters' disorientation as much as they do.
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How We Rank Audiobooks
Rankings are driven by listener ratings and review counts from Audible and Goodreads. Books with high ratings across a large number of listeners rank higher — a 4.5 with 50,000 ratings says more than a 4.8 with 200.
Unlike most book lists, we weight audiobook-specific factors: narrator performance, production quality, and how well a story translates to audio. A great book with a poor narration isn't a great audiobook.
We don't accept paid placements or prioritize new releases. These rankings reflect what listeners actually enjoy, not what's being promoted.
Rankings update periodically as new ratings come in and new titles are added to the collection.