10 audiobooks for fans of Shadows of Self
- 1
Tress of the Emerald Sea
Hoid's Travails • Book 1
by Brandon Sanderson, Howard Lyon
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's consistent narration brings the same immersive quality to this lighter, more adventurous tale, while Sanderson's signature world-building and intricate magic systems remain equally compelling. Though Tress trades Shadows of Self's noir detective atmosphere for a whimsical journey across a fantastical sea, both deliver the author's trademark blend of humor, heart, and meticulously crafted lore.
★ 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.
- 2
Words of Radiance
The Stormlight Archive • Book 2
Narrated by Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
Both audiobooks deliver Sanderson's intricate magic systems and morally complex characters with the same stellar narration from Kramer and Reading, though Words of Radiance expands dramatically on the scope and emotional depth you'll experience over its 48-hour runtime. The philosophical themes of duty, redemption, and self-discovery that resonate through Shadows of Self deepen considerably in this epic continuation, rewarding your investment with richer character development and a more immersive listening journey.
★ 4.96 ABR Score (587.5K ratings)★ 4.76 Goodreads (498.0K) ★ 4.9 Audible (89.5K)48h 15m listening time • Released 2014The second Stormlight Archive book surpasses the first — the magic system, the characters, and the worldbuilding all deepen into one of epic fantasy's greatest achievements.
- 3
The Way of Kings
The Cosmere • Book 1
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's commanding narration brings the same immersive intensity to The Way of Kings, while Sanderson expands the philosophical exploration of duty and moral ambiguity that defines Shadows of Self into an epic, multi-layered world. The longer runtime rewards patient listeners with the intricate character development and introspective pacing you appreciated in the novella, now stretched across a richly detailed fantasy landscape.
★ 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.
- 4
The Hero of Ages
The Mistborn Saga • Book 3
Narrated by Michael Kramer
The Hero of Ages deepens the philosophical exploration of identity and moral ambiguity that defines Shadows of Self, with Michael Kramer's masterful narration bringing even greater emotional weight to Sanderson's complex characters and their impossible choices. The expanded runtime allows the intricate world-building and character arcs to unfold with the same meticulous pacing that made the first book compelling, creating a richer listening experience for those invested in Sanderson's exploration of power and redemption.
★ 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.
- 5
Oathbringer
The Stormlight Archive • Book 3
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Oathbringer deepens the philosophical exploration of identity and moral complexity that defines Shadows of Self, while Michael Kramer's narration brings the same intensity to an even more expansive world. The extended runtime allows for richer character development and world-building, rewarding listeners who appreciated Sanderson's intricate plotting with a more immersive experience.
★ 4.83 ABR Score (432.0K ratings)★ 4.6 Goodreads (365.0K) ★ 4.84 Audible (67.0K)55h 5m listening time • Released 2017Kate Reading and Michael Kramer elevate this sprawling epic into something transcendent—their dual narration captures three interconnected characters with such distinct emotional depth that 55 hours vanishes. Oathbringer is where Sanderson's intricate magic system and moral complexity finally match the scope of his ambition.
- 6
The Final Empire
The Mistborn Saga • Book 1
Narrated by Michael Kramer
The Final Empire shares Sanderson's intricate magic system and morally complex characters with Shadows of Self, while Michael Kramer's narration brings the same engaging vocal performance that made the first book compelling. The expanded runtime allows deeper immersion in Sanderson's world-building and character development, rewarding listeners who appreciated the first book's blend of mystery and dark fantasy tone.
★ 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.
- 7
The Gathering Storm
The Wheel of Time • Book 12
by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
Michael Kramer's distinctive narration carries the same immersive intensity across both works, while The Gathering Storm expands the epic scope and complex character arcs that define Sanderson's storytelling. The audiobook experience deepens through dual narration with Kate Reading, creating richer dialogue and an even more compelling listening journey through interconnected worlds of magic and intrigue.
★ 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.
- 8
Towers of Midnight
The Wheel of Time • Book 13
by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Towers of Midnight delivers the same epic scope and intricate magic systems that define Sanderson's storytelling, with Michael Kramer's narration anchoring you through an expansive world of political intrigue and personal stakes. The extended runtime allows the layered character work and thematic depth to unfold at a more immersive pace than the tighter Shadows of Self.
★ 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.
- 9
Rhythm of War
The Stormlight Archive • Book 4
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Both audiobooks immerse you in Sanderson's intricate magic systems and morally complex characters, with Michael Kramer's narration bringing the same depth and intensity to an even more expansive world. Rhythm of War extends the philosophical exploration of duty and identity that makes Shadows of Self compelling, offering a significantly richer listening experience across its extended runtime.
★ 4.76 ABR Score (287.4K ratings)★ 4.58 Goodreads (245.5K) ★ 4.81 Audible (41.8K)57h 26m listening time • Released 2020Kate Reading and Michael Kramer elevate this epic's sprawling POVs into something genuinely cinematic—their dual narration makes Sanderson's intricate character work land harder than it has any right to at 57 hours.
- 10
The Lost Metal
The Mistborn Saga • Book 7
Narrated by Michael Kramer
The Lost Metal continues the same intricate world-building and morally complex characters that made Shadows of Self compelling, while Michael Kramer's narration maintains the atmospheric tension that defines the Waxverse series. The expanded runtime allows for deeper exploration of themes around power, identity, and consequence that resonate throughout Sanderson's work.
★ 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.
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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.