10 audiobooks for fans of Graceling
- 1
The Hobbit
The Lord of the Rings • Book 1
Narrated by Andy Serkis
★ 4.79 ABR Score (4.5M ratings)★ 4.3 Goodreads (4.5M) ★ 4.92 Audible (28.4K)10h 25m listening time • Released 2020Andy Serkis transforms this into a masterclass in voice acting, giving each character such distinct presence that you forget you're listening to one narrator. It's the definitive audio experience of Middle-earth's greatest gateway story.
- 2
Crown of Midnight
Throne of Glass • Book 2
Narrated by Elizabeth Evans
★ 4.67 ABR Score (1.8M ratings)★ 4.36 Goodreads (1.8M) ★ 4.78 Audible (23.1K)12h 43m listening time • Released 2021Elizabeth Evans elevates this dark political fantasy with a performance that captures Celaena's razor-sharp wit and moral complexity, making the emotional betrayals land harder than the page version.
- 3
Tress of the Emerald Sea
Hoid's Travails • Book 1
by Brandon Sanderson, Howard Lyon
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Both audiobooks deliver immersive fantasy worlds with capable, independent protagonists navigating danger and discovery, while their comparable runtimes provide similarly rich, unrushed storytelling that rewards deep listening. Sanderson's whimsical yet earnest tone complements the same blend of adventure and character growth that makes Graceling compelling, with Michael Kramer's narration matching Xanthe Elbrick's skill at bringing protagonists to vivid life.
★ 4.50 ABR Score (302.4K ratings)★ 4.32 Goodreads (297.2K) ★ 4.74 Audible (5.1K)12h 27m listening time • Released 2024Michael Kramer's warm, conversational narration transforms Sanderson's fairy tale into pure comfort fantasy—the kind of audiobook that makes you want to extend your commute just to hear what happens next.
- 4
Shadows of Self
Mistborn, Era 2: Wax & Wayne • Book 2
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Sanderson's intricate magic system and exploration of identity and power mirror Graceling's examination of exceptional abilities and their moral weight, while Michael Kramer's measured narration provides the same immersive, character-driven listening experience that Elbrick brings to Cashore's world.
★ 4.56 ABR Score (243.6K ratings)★ 4.26 Goodreads (211.7K) ★ 4.75 Audible (31.9K)12h 37m listening time • Released 2015Michael Kramer's narration transforms this noir-tinged fantasy into something darker and sharper than the first book, making Waxillium's moral compromises hit harder than they would on the page.
- 5
The Alloy of Law
Mistborn, Era 2: Wax & Wayne • Book 1
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Both audiobooks deliver richly detailed fantasy worlds with capable protagonists navigating complex moral landscapes, while Michael Kramer's measured narration complements the intricate magic systems just as Xanthe Elbrick's engaging performance enhanced Graceling's character-driven narrative. The Alloy of Law maintains that same balance of action and character development across a similarly immersive 11-hour listening experience.
★ 4.53 ABR Score (335.9K ratings)★ 4.19 Goodreads (294.2K) ★ 4.72 Audible (41.7K)10h 48m listening time • Released 2011Michael Kramer's performance transforms this into a lean, propulsive Western-fantasy hybrid that hooks you in ways the original trilogy doesn't. It's the rare sequel that improves on its predecessor.
- 6
Throne of Glass
Throne of Glass • Book 1
Narrated by Elizabeth Evans
Both audiobooks feature resilient heroines with extraordinary combat abilities navigating dangerous political landscapes, and Elizabeth Evans's narration captures the same immersive, character-driven intensity that makes Xanthe Elbrick's performance of Graceling so compelling. The similar runtime and richly developed fantasy worlds mean you'll get the same satisfying depth of storytelling with a protagonist whose journey balances action, self-discovery, and hard-won agency.
★ 4.46 ABR Score (2.5M ratings)★ 4.19 Goodreads (2.5M) ★ 4.6 Audible (28.4K)13h 3m listening time • Released 2021Elizabeth Evans brings razor-sharp intensity to Celaena's voice, making this dark fantasy competition genuinely addictive. The 13-hour runtime flies by because Evans nails both the brutal action and the simmering character dynamics.
- 7
Sabriel
Abhorsen/The Old Kingdom • Book 1
by Garth Nix
Narrated by Tim Curry
Both audiobooks deliver immersive fantasy worlds with strong, capable heroines navigating dark magic and moral complexity, while Tim Curry's commanding narration matches Xanthe Elbrick's skill in bringing richly layered characters to life. The similar runtime and pacing create that same engrossing listening experience, though Sabriel ventures into darker, more gothic territory that will appeal to listeners ready to deepen their fantasy investment.
★ 4.37 ABR Score (227.8K ratings)★ 4.16 Goodreads (219.2K) ★ 4.64 Audible (8.6K)10h 43m listening time • Released 2002Nix's Old Kingdom series opener is a YA classic that reads brilliantly as an adult — a necromancer who binds the dead, and Tim Curry's narration is unforgettable.
- 8
His Majesty's Dragon
Temeraire • Book 1
by Naomi Novik
Narrated by Simon Vance
Both audiobooks deliver immersive fantasy worlds with capable protagonists navigating complex political landscapes, enhanced by narrators who bring vivid character depth to their performances. His Majesty's Dragon shares Graceling's blend of action and character development, though it trades intimate fantasy adventure for an epic alternate-history setting with similarly engaging world-building.
★ 4.24 ABR Score (118.8K ratings)★ 4.07 Goodreads (112.8K) ★ 4.57 Audible (6.0K)9h 57m listening time • Released 2007Novik's Napoleonic Wars with dragons is irresistible — the bond between Captain Laurence and Temeraire is one of fantasy's most touching relationships.
- 9
The Golden Compass
His Dark Materials • Book 1
by Philip Pullman
Narrated by Ruth Wilson
Both audiobooks feature richly imagined fantasy worlds with fierce, intelligent protagonists who challenge authority and uncover dangerous secrets, all delivered through immersive narration that brings their expansive worlds to vivid life. Ruth Wilson's performance captures the same sense of wonder and peril found in Elbrick's narration, making the comparable runtime perfect for listeners seeking another epic adventure with complex moral questions at its heart.
★ 4.10 ABR Score (1.6M ratings)★ 4.03 Goodreads (1.6M) ★ 4.57 Audible (49)13h 17m listening time • Released 2024Pullman's answer to Narnia is darker, more philosophical, and ultimately more daring — a trilogy about consciousness, free will, and the courage to question authority.
- 10
A Darker Shade of Magic
Shades of Magic • Book 1
by V.E. Schwab, Victoria Schwab
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
★ 4.02 ABR Score (435.0K ratings)★ 4.03 Goodreads (435.0K) ★ 4.28 Audible (40)11h 16m listening time • Released 2025Kate Reading and Michael Kramer's dual narration transforms this into something richer than the book alone—their voices perfectly separate Kell's internal world from the dangerous external one he navigates across Londons.
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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.