10 audiobooks for fans of The Shadow of What Was Lost
- 1
The Will of the Many
Hierarchy • Book 1
Narrated by Euan Morton
★ 4.71 ABR Score (236.7K ratings)★ 4.59 Goodreads (223.8K) ★ 4.81 Audible (13.0K)28h 14m listening time • Released 2023Euan Morton's layered performance transforms this intricate mystery into something you'll want to hear twice—his control of tone and pacing makes every revelation land with devastating precision.
- 2
The Hero of Ages
The Mistborn Saga • Book 3
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's measured, immersive narration brings the same epic scope and intricate worldbuilding to Sanderson's conclusion of the Mistborn trilogy, where complex magic systems and themes of sacrifice mirror the philosophical depth found in Islington's debut. Both audiobooks demand engaged listening but reward that attention with richly layered narratives and morally nuanced characters navigating impossible choices.
★ 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 Well of Ascension
The Mistborn Saga • Book 2
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's masterful narration brings the same epic scope and intricate magic systems to life in The Well of Ascension, while Sanderson's exploration of power, sacrifice, and rebellion mirrors the thematic depth that made The Shadow of What Was Lost compelling. The consistent narrator ensures a seamless transition between these sprawling fantasy worlds, maintaining the immersive listening experience across both lengthy, richly layered narratives.
★ 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.
- 4
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.
- 5
The Strength of the Few
Hierarchy • Book 2
Narrated by Euan Morton
★ 4.44 ABR Score (85.7K ratings)★ 4.35 Goodreads (80.6K) ★ 4.69 Audible (5.0K)31h 10m listening time • Released 2025 - 6
The Wall of Storms
The Dandelion Dynasty • Book 2
by Ken Liu
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's consistent narration carries over the same immersive, intricate world-building style that made The Shadow of What Was Lost compelling, while The Wall of Storms offers a similarly epic scope with equally complex magic systems and morally nuanced characters that reward patient, attentive listening.
★ 4.22 ABR Score (10.8K ratings)★ 4.35 Goodreads (10.1K) ★ 4.59 Audible (662)28h 57m listening time • Released 2016Michael Kramer's narration elevates this sprawling sequel into pure immersion—his command of Liu's intricate world and cast transforms 29 hours into something you won't want to pause.
- 7
The Final Empire
The Mistborn Saga • Book 1
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's measured, deliberate narration enhances both works' intricate magic systems and philosophical depth, creating an immersive experience that rewards close listening. Sanderson's The Final Empire shares the epic scope and character-driven storytelling of The Shadow of What Was Lost, with the added benefit of a more self-contained narrative arc that unfolds across its substantial runtime.
★ 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.
- 8
The Great Hunt
The Wheel of Time • Book 2
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's masterful narration brings the same epic scope and intricate world-building to The Great Hunt, while Robert Jordan's exploration of destiny and magic will resonate with readers drawn to Islington's meditation on fate and the weight of hidden knowledge. Both audiobooks deliver immersive, complex fantasy that rewards close listening across their substantial runtimes.
★ 4.61 ABR Score (406.9K ratings)★ 4.27 Goodreads (358.9K) ★ 4.77 Audible (48.0K)26h 34m listening time • Released 2004Kate Reading and Michael Kramer split the narrative duties so seamlessly you forget you're listening to two voices—their chemistry elevates the scope and intimacy of Jordan's world-building in ways a single narrator couldn't touch.
- 9
The Dragon Reborn
The Wheel of Time • Book 3
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's masterful narration brings the same epic scope and intricate plotting to The Dragon Reborn, creating an immersive listening experience that rewards patient attention to detail—a quality that defines both Islington's intricate magic system and Jordan's sprawling world-building. Both series build their narratives through layered mysteries and complex character development, making the audiobook format ideal for tracking the subtle threads that bind their elaborate fantasy worlds together.
★ 4.61 ABR Score (365.6K ratings)★ 4.28 Goodreads (326.7K) ★ 4.77 Audible (38.9K)24h 48m listening time • Released 2004Kate Reading and Michael Kramer's dual narration elevates this sprawling fantasy epic—their distinct voices anchor the multiple POVs so effectively you never lose the thread across nearly 25 hours.
- 10
The Eye of the World
The Wheel of Time • Book 1
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's distinctive narration brings the same epic scope and intricate world-building to The Eye of the World that makes The Shadow of What Was Lost so immersive, while both stories balance complex magic systems with intimate character journeys across sprawling fantasy landscapes.
★ 4.53 ABR Score (667.1K ratings)★ 4.19 Goodreads (598.1K) ★ 4.68 Audible (69.0K)29h 57m listening time • Released 2006Jordan's doorstop epic that launched a 14-book saga — vast, immersive world-building with a classic hero's journey that deepens into something far more complex.
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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.