Science Fiction and Fantasy that is fabulous on audiobook – Modern Mrs Darcy
Diving into a good book is one of my favorite escapes, especially when the setting transports me to another world, a secret world within our world, or deep into outer space. (Seriously: “Beam me up, Scotty!”) While reading Science Fiction and Fantasy in print often allows readers to enjoy beautifully illustrated maps or informative technical drawings, there are some wonderful titles that are even more fabulous on audio thanks to their narrators’ performances. I am over-the-moon thrilled to share these fantastic SFF audiobooks with y’all today.
Fellow escapist readers will understand the readerly desire to be transported to long ago and far, far away by a story. I am always on the hunt for a book that will captivate me with the same excitingly unique ambiance as some of my all time favorite fantasy and sci-fi from pop culture. Think Mandy Patinkin saying, “My name is Inigo Montoya” in The Princess Bride, the “I Want to Believe” poster from Mulder’s office in The X-Files, and the updated cylons in the 2004 reboot of Battlestar Galactica. That’s where exceptional SFF audiobooks come into play! The audio experience truly carries me away to the out-of-this-world setting and creates extraordinary reading adventures.
One major thing all these audiobooks have in common is their enchanting narrators and immersive performances. We are talking about some real audio wizardry! Audiobook enthusiasts will spot a few familiar favorite narrators, celebrities, and even a couple of full cast recordings with sound effects. For those new to audiobooks, you may enjoy taking a chance on one of these titles and discovering new fascinating places to explore.
Sci-fi and fantasy are expansive genres with tons of different types of books so this list has a little bit of everything: space operas, adventures, retellings, love stories, alternate histories, mysteries, and more. While by no means exhaustive, think of this list as a jumping off point with great otherworldly places to get started. Plus, I cannot wait to hear everyone’s recommendations for awesome SFF audiobooks to use a credit on or place on hold at the library. Make sure to comment below with your fantabulous favorites!
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I don’t read middle grade books often, but I always love ones written by Jess Redman. Full disclosure: I am lucky enough to call Jess a good friend and truly cherish this heartwarming tale with notes of friendship, family, and finding your way. And of course, a good dose of magic and science! This is a touching story about Alma, a twelve-year-old who has recently moved to the town of Four Points and is suffering from panic attacks brought on by the move. When she witnesses a star that is shaped like a child fall from the sky, Alma and her friends set off on an exciting quest to save the starling. The wonderful audiobook is read by Caitlin Davies, who also narrates The Ex Hex. Perfect for fans of Stardustby Neil Gaiman. 7 hrs 28 mins. More info →
So grateful to MMD team members Baylee and Ginger for giving me the push to read this mysterious novel I’ve had on my TBR since its 2020 release. I firmly believe it is best to know very little about this book before diving in, but I can share this much: Piranesi lives in a labyrinth lined with statues and surrounded by water with only one other person in the gigantic home, The Other. He is content with his life and weekly meetings with The Other but over the course of his explorations he begins to unravel the mystery and secrets of his world. This twisty and beautifully written tale is absolutely EXCELLENT on audio as narrated by actor Chiwetel Ejiofor. One of my top ten audiobook experiences ever! 6 hrs 58 mins. More info →
I am currently reading and digging this darkly hilarious fantasy horror novel about Gideon, a lesbian swordswoman in a world of necromancers. Narrator Moira Quirk’s voices are lively and simply charming, which is a lot to say for a book with so much blood and reanimated skeletons. A favorite of MMD Team member Leigh as well, I keep finding myself laughing out loud while listening and am reminded of the movie Army of Darkness. My friend Julie aptly describes this funny, touching, and gross first in a series as MTV’s Daria in space. Content warnings apply. 16 hrs 50 mins. More info →
Marvel fans, this one’s for you! So glad MMD Team member Donna recommended it to me after I mentioned enjoying the comic book adaptation of Shuri by Nnedi Okorafor. In this lively middle grade novel, T’Challa’s younger sister steps into the spotlight while on a quest to save Wakanda’s Heart-Shaped Herb. The audiobook has an especially cinematic feel thanks to the superb narration by Anika Noni Rose who also lends her beautiful voice to Disney’s Princess Tiana. 5 hrs 42 mins. More info →
It’s been years since I binge listened to this gory vampire series, but I often think of the excellent and surprising audiobook performance by actor Bronson Pinchot. (Yes, Cousin Balki Bartokomous for those who remember Perfect Strangers.) The premise is wild. Nathaniel Cade is a dedicated secret agent for the President of the United States Cade. But he’s no ordinary agent—he’s a centuries-old vampire bound by a blood oath to protect US citizens from the stuff of nightmares with the aid of his human handler Zach Barrows. This one is not for the faint of heart, but great for fans of Blade and unique odd couple/buddy cop duos. Content warnings apply. 10 hrs 22 mins. More info →
One of the most cerebral and atmospheric books I have read. Red and Blue are two rival time-travel agents for their warring enemies, brought together in remarkable ways after discovering a letter that reads ”Burn before reading.” The epistolary sapphic tale really works on audio thanks to the impressive performances of Cynthia Farrell and Emily Woo Zeller. I am not sure I could even explain half of the time-travel elements or the world building but I was happy to go along for the ride and here for the otherworldly vibes. 4 hrs 16 mins. More info →
This impressive fantasy YA novel weaves secret societies through familiar Arthurian legend on UNC Chapel Hill’s campus. Bree has just arrived for a residential high school program when she witnesses a magical demon attack and is thrust into the world of the Legendborn. Deonn adds so depth and history to this immersive series by addressing grief, generational trauma, and the racist South. Bree’s story is packed with action, creature battles, fun YA tropes, and surprises, and narrator Joniece Abbott-Pratt brings it all vividly to life. The short chapters and quick pacing make the longest audiobook on this list feel too short, in a good way. Content warnings apply. 18 hrs 54 mins. More info →
One of my three books I loved when I was on WSIRN Ep 275: How many book clubs is too many book clubs? and the first in a fantasy series set at Watford, a magickal school following Simon Snow aka “the worst Chosen One who’s ever been chosen” and his nemesis/roommate Baz. I am still completely smitten with this book and cannot recommend the splendid audiobook narrated by Euan Morton enough. The plot is entertaining, surprising, and layered with emotion. The magickal spells like “U can’t touch this” & “these aren’t the droids you are looking for” are very clever and the delightful world-building is top notch. (If you enjoy creative meta fiction, it is fun to note Carry On began as a “book within a book” of Rainbow Rowell’s YA novel Fangirl.) This MM enemies to lovers story has my whole heart. 13 hrs 38 mins. More info →
The Pirates of the Caribbean meets Oceans 11 in this 2023 MMD Minimalist Summer Reading Guide pick. Amina, a renegade pirate captain and middle-aged mother, is simply trying to enjoy a quiet retirement. But when she is hired to save a former crewmate’s kidnapped daughter, Amina pulls together her old ragtag crew to help with one last job. I was hooked immediately by the interactive storytelling expertly narrated on audio by Lameece Issaq and Amin El Gamal. Action-packed, funny, and creative, this is a truly unique and exciting tale. 16 hrs 59 mins. More info →
A heist on the moon? Sign me up! Jazz Bashara lives and works as a porter in Artemis, the moon’s only city. Living on the moon is pricey, so she has to do some light smuggling on the side to make ends meet. But when Jazz stumbles across an opportunity to settle her debts once and for all, this “good-hearted crook” gets tangled up in a conspiracy she didn’t expect. The absolutely fantastic performance by Rosario Dawson (recorded before she traveled to a galaxy far, far away as Ahsoka) makes this fast-paced and often humorous sci-fi a must listen. I was fascinated by the descriptions and explanations of how life on the moon worked and couldn’t stop listening or rooting for Jazz. 8 hrs 57 mins. More info →
I wish more classic literature retellings were set in space! This tale follows young and brilliant astronaut trainee June from her time at the National Space Program to her assignment as the Engineer on a space station. I absolutely loved the quick chapters, technical details, and sparseness of the story. (Short chapters are my love language.) The fabulous audiobook was captivating, as performed by one of my personal favorites, Rebecca Lowman. Add extra bonus points for a female sci-fi writer and a strong, interesting female lead. 7 hrs 58 mins. More info →
After loving this incredible graphic novel about shapeshifter Nimona and her “evil” boss, I was excited to find the full cast audiobook with cool sound effects. The narration by Rebecca Soler, Jonathan Davis, and Marc Thompson brings the story to life in such a creative way. Funny, sad, sweet, strange, action-packed, and heartwarming. What a treasure! Plus, there is a Netflix adaptation that would make an awesome pairing. 2 hrs 16 mins. More info →
Wow, this eerie psychological sci-fi really packs a punch. Married couple Junior and Henrietta live a quiet life on their farm before a stranger arrives with news that Junior has been randomly selected to take part in a mission to space with the company OuterMore. The sparse and weird story that follows is great on audio, as narrated by Jacques Roy. I thoroughly enjoyed this twisty tale and think fans of Annihilation and Ex-Machina would too. 5 hrs 31 mins. More info →
A beautiful and layered novel about graduate student Zachary Ezra Rawlins and some very magical adventures, I loved this even more than the author’s The Night Circus which I highlighted in 21 spine-tingling but not TOO scary audiobooks for fall. Her way with words and characters is astounding. I absolutely adored the full cast narration by Dominic Hoffman, Dion Graham, Bahni Turpin, Fiona Hardingham, Allan Corduner, and Jorjeana Marie. And while this seems to be one of those polarizing books that readers either love wholeheartedly or just can’t get into, I am pleased to say I fall in the former category. If you like libraries, fresh-baked goods, cats, fairy tales, and/or video games then this might be the book for you too. 18 hrs 37 mins. More info →
The first release from Sanderson’s record-breaking Kickstarter book campaign, this standalone fantasy was written as a gift for his wife to make her smile during those early pandemic days. Thankfully, she urged him to share the book with readers, who embraced this delightful tale of a young woman journeying far across a treacherous sea to save her beloved from an evil Sorceress. If Tress’s quest sounds familiar, that is because it is heavily inspired by the much beloved The Princess Bride. The lively audiobook is performed by Michael Kramer, one-half of the married duo who narrates most of the author’s books. Whimsical, adventurous, and full of unique characters, it is hard not to have fun with this audiobook. Note: Sanderson initially chose not to make the audiobook available on Audible but he recently announced a deal is forthcoming. 12 hr 27 min. More info →
This gritty sapphic detective noir set at a magic school is wonderfully haunting on audio, as performed by Xe Sands! Imagine The Magicians meets Who Framed Roger Rabbit? with dashes of Chinatown and Jessica Jones. The book follows Ivy, a private investigator hired to look into the gruesome murder of a faculty member at the private magical academy where her estranged sister Tabitha works. Magical and mysterious with diverse characters, this one was right in my wheelhouse. Content warnings apply. 9 hrs 23 mins. More info →
Hats off again to MMD team member Shannan for introducing me to Clark’s Dead Djinn Universe, a fantasy series set in an alternate Egypt in 1912. When Special Investigator Fatma el-Sha’arawi is sent to investigate a suspicious death from suicide by Cairo’s Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities, she is quickly pulled into a much larger sinister plot. I really enjoyed the world-building and procedural investigation details in the atmospheric audiobook narrated by Suehyla El-Attar. The first in the series, this a short novella that can be read as a standalone and listened to in an afternoon! 1 hr 41 mins. More info →
This fast-paced space novella that drops you straight into another world! Quick-thinking Binti is the first of her people to attend the prestigious galactic Oomza University. While she travels the universe, Binti uses her culture’s knowledge and strength in the face of great danger. Robin Miles’s terrific narration creates a stellar audiobook. (Pun intended.) Readers who prefer a clean-cut conclusion, be aware that this one truly feels like the first in a trilogy with that ending! 2 hrs 30 mins. More info →
This sci-fi action book is so much fun! Pacific Rim meets Jurassic Park in this energetic audiobook narrated by fan favorite Wil Wheaton. Jamie is a food delivery driver during COVID-19 who gets the unique opportunity to work for a highly secret company in a location far away with some VERY large creatures. Very entertaining and humorous, this Audible original is like listening to a summer movie blockbuster. (Honestly, I am surprised we haven’t seen it on the screen yet.) 8 hrs 2 mins. More info →
Murderbot is the best, simply the best. The first novella in a popular series about a rogue Security Unit (SecUnit) who hacks their governor module and just wants to watch its favorite media program “The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon” undisturbed. You may have already heard about this book, but it’s worth sharing again because Kevin R. Free’s phenomenal narration makes the series even better. I will never be able to read it in print again; the audiobooks are seriously that good! Light on the world-building and full of humor, this is my favorite book series currently being published. Plus, it’s the perfect time to listen to the audiobook before the Apple TV+ show starring Alexander Skarsgård premiers. 3 hrs 17 mins. More info →
What are your favorite science fiction and fantasy audiobooks? Please share in the comments.
P.S. Science Fiction/Fantasy for beginners.
About the author
Brigid Misselhorn is our MMD Book Club Community Administrator. Her go-to genres are mystery, romance, and sci-fi. You can find Brigid on Instagram @brigid_emily.
