10 audiobooks for fans of The Silmarillion
- 1
The Two Towers
Middle-earth • Book 3
Narrated by Rob Inglis
★ 4.83 ABR Score (1.2M ratings)★ 4.5 Goodreads (1.1M) ★ 4.88 Audible (50.1K)16h 40m listening time • Released 2012Rob Inglis's performance elevates this sequel into something transcendent—his character voices and emotional depth make the sprawling narrative feel intimate, turning a 16-hour journey into something you won't want to pause.
- 2
The Fellowship of the Ring
Middle-earth • Book 2
Narrated by Andy Serkis
★ 4.66 ABR Score (3.2M ratings)★ 4.41 Goodreads (3.2M) ★ 4.9 Audible (1.6K)22h 38m listening time • Released 2021 - 3
The Return of the King
Middle-earth • Book 4
Narrated by Andy Serkis
★ 4.60 ABR Score (1.1M ratings)★ 4.58 Goodreads (1.1M) ★ 4.89 Audible (505)21h 52m listening time • Released 2021 - 4
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.
- 5
The Bands of Mourning
Mistborn, Era 2: Wax & Wayne • Book 3
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Both epics weave intricate mythologies through their narratives, with narrators who bring gravitas and clarity to complex worldbuilding, making lengthy listening sessions feel immersive rather than overwhelming. The Bands of Mourning delivers that same sense of grand adventure and consequential stakes that define The Silmarillion, while offering a more propulsive plot that maintains momentum across its 15-hour runtime.
★ 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.
- 6
Tress of the Emerald Sea
Hoid's Travails • Book 1
by Brandon Sanderson, Howard Lyon
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Both epics feature richly constructed fantasy worlds with intricate mythologies and immersive worldbuilding that reward close listening, while Sanderson's narrative offers a more accessible, adventure-driven counterpart to Tolkien's mythic scope. The expert narration in each creates an engaging audiobook experience that brings elaborate magical systems and imaginative settings to life without feeling rushed across their substantial runtimes.
★ 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.
- 7
Shadows of Self
Mistborn, Era 2: Wax & Wayne • Book 2
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Like The Silmarillion, Shadows of Self weaves complex mythology and moral ambiguity into an immersive secondary world, while Michael Kramer's commanding narration matches the gravitas of Martin Shaw's performance. Both works explore the consequences of power and belief through richly layered storytelling that rewards deep listening.
★ 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.
- 8
Throne of Glass
Throne of Glass • Book 1
Narrated by Elizabeth Evans
Both epics feature richly detailed world-building and complex mythology that unfold through engaging narration, though Throne of Glass trades Tolkien's classical mythology for a faster-paced narrative centered on a powerful protagonist's journey of self-discovery and redemption. The immersive audiobook experience carries listeners through intricate plots filled with magic, danger, and moral complexity across similar runtimes.
★ 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.
- 9
Eragon
The Inheritance Cycle • Book 1
by Christopher Paolini
Narrated by Gerard Doyle
Both epics weave richly detailed mythologies with sweeping narratives of good versus evil, and Gerard Doyle's narration captures the same immersive, grandiose quality that makes Martin Shaw's delivery of Tolkien's legendary tales so compelling. The similar runtime and scope offer that same commitment to world-building and heroic quests that rewards sustained listening.
★ 4.44 ABR Score (2.0M ratings)★ 3.97 Goodreads (2.0M) ★ 4.67 Audible (43.7K)16h 22m listening time • Released 2003Written by a 15-year-old and it shows — in the best possible way: raw, dragon-riding adventure with genuine world-building ambition and a narrator who brings it to life.
- 10
A Gathering of Shadows
Shades of Magic • Book 2
by V.E. Schwab, Victoria Schwab
Narrated by Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
Both epics weave intricate magic systems and political intrigue across richly realized worlds, with narration that brings mythic scope and emotional depth to their expansive narratives. A Gathering of Shadows shares The Silmarillion's atmospheric storytelling and similar runtime, making it an ideal next listen for those who relish immersive, character-driven fantasy.
★ 4.28 ABR Score (243.6K ratings)★ 4.19 Goodreads (237.5K) ★ 4.53 Audible (6.1K)16h 9m listening time • Released 2016Kramer and Reading's dual narration transforms this sequel into pure magic—their distinct voices make the multiple POVs feel like separate worlds colliding, and the audiobook experience genuinely elevates Schwab's already intricate storytelling.
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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.