10 audiobooks for fans of Rise of Empire
- 1
Theft of Swords
Riyria Revelations • Book 1
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.44 ABR Score (110.0K ratings)★ 4.23 Goodreads (77.8K) ★ 4.65 Audible (32.2K)22h 38m listening time • Released 2012Sullivan's Riyria Chronicles offer pure fantasy comfort — two rogues-for-hire stumbling into conspiracies, with pitch-perfect banter and Tim Gerard Reynolds's magnetic narration.
- 2
The Rose and the Thorn
The Riyria Chronicles • Book 2
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
The Rose and the Thorn maintains Sullivan's signature blend of character-driven storytelling and intricate world-building, while Tim Gerard Reynolds' consistent narration ensures the same immersive listening experience that made Rise of Empire compelling. This shorter companion work delivers the same richly layered fantasy with themes of loyalty and redemption, making it an ideal follow-up for listeners invested in Sullivan's narrative voice and thematic concerns.
★ 4.57 ABR Score (46.7K ratings)★ 4.4 Goodreads (31.0K) ★ 4.79 Audible (15.8K)11h 53m listening time • Released 2013Tim Gerard Reynolds transforms this prequel into something rare: a character-driven fantasy where every heist and heartbreak lands with real weight. Sullivan's Riyria origin story becomes unmissable in his hands.
- 3
Age of War
The Legends of the First Empire • Book 3
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
Age of War delivers the same richly immersive world-building and character-driven storytelling that made Rise of Empire compelling, with Tim Gerard Reynolds's masterful narration bringing the same epic scope to a tighter, more focused narrative. The prequel explores the foundational conflicts and moral complexity that define Sullivan's fantasy universe, offering longtime listeners a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped the events they've already experienced.
★ 4.54 ABR Score (34.1K ratings)★ 4.43 Goodreads (21.3K) ★ 4.76 Audible (12.8K)15h 36m listening time • Released 2026Tim Gerard Reynolds does the heavy lifting here, making a sprawling epic feel intimate through his command of dozens of distinct voices and his gift for building tension across 15+ hours without losing momentum.
- 4
The Crown Tower
The Riyria Chronicles • Book 1
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
The Crown Tower delivers the same richly immersive fantasy experience with Tim Gerard Reynolds's masterful narration, while exploring the origins of characters and magic systems that deepen your appreciation for the world established in Rise of Empire. Sullivan's characteristic blend of political intrigue, character-driven storytelling, and wit shines through in a more compact format that maintains the same engaging listening experience.
★ 4.53 ABR Score (61.9K ratings)★ 4.33 Goodreads (43.5K) ★ 4.75 Audible (18.4K)12h 49m listening time • Released 2013Tim Gerard Reynolds transforms two mismatched rogues into characters you'll root for despite yourself—his voice work makes their banter crackle and their impossible heist genuinely nail-biting.
- 5
Age of Empyre
The Legends of the First Empire • Book 6
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
The continuation deepens the epic scope and political intrigue established in *Rise of Empire* while maintaining the same immersive narration that made the first book compelling. Tim Gerard Reynolds' masterful performance brings the same richly developed characters and high-stakes world-building to life, making *Age of Empyre* an essential next chapter for listeners invested in Sullivan's sweeping fantasy saga.
★ 4.48 ABR Score (19.5K ratings)★ 4.39 Goodreads (12.8K) ★ 4.76 Audible (6.7K)16h 42m listening time • Released 2020Tim Gerard Reynolds elevates this epic conclusion with a command of tone that transforms the final war into something genuinely devastating—he makes you feel the weight of sacrifice alongside the exhilaration of victory.
- 6
The Death of Dulgath
The Riyria Chronicles • Book 3
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
Tim Gerard Reynolds's masterful narration captures Sullivan's signature blend of humor, heart, and intricate plotting in both works, making *The Death of Dulgath* an equally immersive listen for those drawn to his character-driven fantasy. This standalone mystery offers the same wit and emotional depth as *Rise of Empire*, delivering a more concentrated narrative that maintains Sullivan's gift for weaving personal stakes into larger adventures.
★ 4.48 ABR Score (30.3K ratings)★ 4.37 Goodreads (21.3K) ★ 4.73 Audible (9.0K)13h 9m listening time • Released 2026Tim Gerard Reynolds makes this mystery-heist hybrid impossible to stop, his layered voice work turning Hadrian and Royce's banter into pure chemistry. If you want fantasy that prioritizes plot momentum and character charm over worldbuilding exposition, this is it.
- 7
Age of Legend
The Legends of the First Empire • Book 4
by Michael J. Sullivan, Simonetti
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.45 ABR Score (25.0K ratings)★ 4.35 Goodreads (15.8K) ★ 4.72 Audible (9.1K)14h 34m listening time • Released 2019Tim Gerard Reynolds transforms this epic conclusion into something visceral and devastating—his range across dozens of characters makes the final betrayal land like a gut punch, and the quiet moments hit harder because of it.
- 8
Age of Swords
The Legends of the First Empire • Book 2
by Michael J. Sullivan, Marc Simonetti
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
Tim Gerard Reynolds's masterful narration brings the same epic scope and character depth to this prequel, while Sullivan expands the world-building with fresh perspectives on the origins of the conflicts that define Rise of Empire. The intimate storytelling and themes of courage against overwhelming odds remain central, making Age of Swords a natural continuation of the listening experience.
★ 4.47 ABR Score (42.5K ratings)★ 4.29 Goodreads (26.6K) ★ 4.72 Audible (15.9K)19h 4m listening time • Released 2025Tim Gerard Reynolds transforms this sprawling fantasy epic into something genuinely immersive—his vocal range across dozens of characters keeps the massive cast distinct and alive, making the 19-hour journey feel essential rather than exhausting.
- 9
Drumindor
The Riyria Chronicles • Book 5
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.36 ABR Score (5.6K ratings)★ 4.37 Goodreads (4.0K) ★ 4.77 Audible (1.6K)20h 39m listening time • Released 2024Tim Gerard Reynolds brings such warmth and distinction to Royce and Hadrian's chemistry that you forget you're listening to a 20-hour book. Sullivan's best adventure yet, and the narration makes it effortless.
- 10
Age of Myth
The Legends of the First Empire • Book 1
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.36 ABR Score (57.9K ratings)★ 4.22 Goodreads (41.5K) ★ 4.61 Audible (16.4K)16h 17m listening time • Released 2025Tim Gerard Reynolds transforms this origin story into something genuinely mythic—his voice work across dozens of characters builds a world so immersive you forget you're listening rather than living it.
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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.