10 audiobooks for fans of Rhythm of War
- 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 work, with Michael Kramer's narration providing the same immersive vocal performance that brings his worlds to life. At 27 hours, it offers a more contained yet equally satisfying journey through themes of sacrifice and redemption, making it an ideal listen for those craving Sanderson's signature blend of high stakes and emotional depth.
★ 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 delivers the same intricate magic system and epic worldbuilding that define Sanderson's work, with Michael Kramer's narration capturing the intimate character development and emotional stakes that drive both stories. At 25 hours, it offers a more contained narrative arc while maintaining the philosophical depth and moral complexity that made Rhythm of War compelling.
★ 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 delivers the same epic scope and intricate magic system that made Rhythm of War compelling, while the familiar narration duo of Kramer and Reading creates a seamless continuation of that immersive listening experience. Both works blend intense personal character arcs with sprawling world-building, making them equally engaging for long-form audiobook consumption.
★ 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
The dual narration of Reading and Kramer creates the same immersive experience as Rhythm of War, while Towers of Midnight offers Sanderson's signature exploration of magic systems and character growth within Robert Jordan's expansive world-building. The slightly shorter runtime delivers the same epic scope and emotional depth without the commitment of Rhythm of War's 57 hours.
★ 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 Lost Metal
The Mistborn Saga • Book 7
Narrated by Michael Kramer
The Lost Metal continues Sanderson's mastery of intricate magic systems and character-driven storytelling in a more compact form, offering the same meticulous world-building and emotional depth without the epic scope. Michael Kramer's narration maintains the intimate, contemplative tone that made Rhythm of War so engaging, making this a perfect next listen for those who crave Sanderson's distinctive blend of technical magic and human vulnerability.
★ 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.
- 7
The Bands of Mourning
Mistborn, Era 2: Wax & Wayne • Book 3
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Both works showcase Sanderson's intricate magic systems and world-building within the same universe, with Michael Kramer's skilled narration maintaining the immersive listening experience across both epics. The Bands of Mourning delivers the same blend of mystery, action, and character-driven storytelling in a more compact format, making it an ideal continuation for listeners invested in this richly detailed fantasy world.
★ 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.
- 8
Tress of the Emerald Sea
Hoid's Travails • Book 1
by Brandon Sanderson, Howard Lyon
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Tress of the Emerald Sea delivers Sanderson's signature magic system and character-driven storytelling in a more intimate, fast-paced narrative that maintains Michael Kramer's engaging performance style without the massive time commitment. The novella's lighter tone and swashbuckling adventure provide a refreshing contrast to Rhythm of War's epic scope while preserving the emotional depth and whimsical world-building that define Sanderson's work.
★ 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.
- 9
Shadows of Self
Mistborn, Era 2: Wax & Wayne • Book 2
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's narration captures the same intricate character work and philosophical depth that made Rhythm of War compelling, while Shadows of Self delivers a more contained mystery that maintains Sanderson's trademark magic system complexity in a leaner 13-hour format. Both explore moral ambiguity and personal sacrifice, but this shorter audiobook offers a perfectly paced alternative for listeners craving Sanderson's storytelling without the epic-length commitment.
★ 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.
- 10
The Alloy of Law
Mistborn, Era 2: Wax & Wayne • Book 1
Narrated by Michael Kramer
The Alloy of Law delivers the same intricate magic system and character-driven storytelling that define Sanderson's work, with Michael Kramer's narration capturing the wit and tension in a more compact 11-hour experience that doesn't sacrifice emotional depth. The faster-paced mystery plot offers a refreshing shift in tone while maintaining the epic fantasy scope listeners loved in Rhythm of War.
★ 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.
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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.