Brandon Sanderson is one of the best-known and most popular fantasy authors working today. He's written more than 20 fantasy and science fiction books for adults and young adults. Longtime fans know his work in and out, but if you're entering his wonderfully magical worlds for the first time, it can be daunting. Never fear! This guide will walk you through the best Brandon Sanderson audiobooks, from his most well-known series to his lesser-known (but equally excellent) standalone novels. So buckle up and get ready for days (yes, literally, days!) of amazing listening, because there is a wide range of fantastic Brandon Sanderson listens to choose from.
Who is Brandon Sanderson?
Brandon Sanderson has one of those storybook writing careers that so many dream of. He wrote steadily during his undergrad and graduate years, and had already written 12 novels by 2003, when he got his first big break. That's when Tor Books decided to buy the novel Elantris—his first published work, but the sixth novel he'd written. In the years following the publication of Elantris, he continued to write and publish fantasy novels, to growing popular and critical acclaim. In 2007, he was selected to finish writing the legendary Wheel of Time series after author Robert Jordan's death. He wrote three additional Wheel of Time novels, completing the series in 2013.
Sanderson's books have given rise to a vibrant fandom. But it's not just avid fantasy readers and listeners who appreciate his work. Aspiring writers and artists, especially those interested in speculative and genre fiction, are also among his fans. Sanderson is known for coining "Sanderson's Laws of Magic," a series of rules for creating magical systems in fictional worlds. He also co-hosts Writing Excuses, a podcast dedicated to the art and craft of genre writing and webcomics.
What is the Cosmere?
Sanderson is best known for his epic fantasy series Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive, both of which take place within the fictional Cosmere universe. While these series (as well as several other series and standalones set in the Cosmere) take place on different worlds, in different times, and follow different characters, they all share the same overarching laws and mythology.
The Cosmere came into existence when 16 people conspired to kill the mysterious being known as Adonalsium. Adonalsium's power shattered into 16 powerful shards, each with its own particular magical properties. The 16 people each claimed a shard and traveled with it to a different world, using their shard's power to build a distinct magic system. These worlds, known as the Shardworlds, provide the backdrop for Sanderson's epic stories.
What are the best Brandon Sanderson books?
With so many Brandon Sanderson audiobooks to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Though all his works feature intricate world-building and action-packed stories, they range from epic high fantasy to dystopian science fiction. Below you'll find a brief introduction to some of Sanderson's most beloved works and the narrators who bring the audiobooks to life.
The best books set in the Cosmere universe
Elantris Series
Elantris
To celebrate the book's 10th anniversary, Tor is reissuing Elantris in a special edition, a fresh chance to introduce it to the myriad listeners who have since become Sanderson fans....
Elantris is the novel that launched Sanderson's career. It tells the story of a world built on magic, which thrived for generations until, suddenly, that magic failed. Without its magic, Elantris is crumbling, its citizens powerless and afraid. When a ruthless new government begins rising to power, it's up to a young princess to save her people—and the world itself—before it's too late. Jack Garrett's lively narration and distinct character voices will keep listeners engaged during this nearly 30-hour audiobook.
For those intimidated by a long series, this standalone novel makes a fantastic introduction to Sanderson's work. And for listeners who prefer full-cast productions, there's also a three-part dramatized version of , which clocks in at just under 20 hours.
The Stormlight Archive Series
The Way of Kings
Series name: Stormlight Archive
Books in Series: The Way of Kings (Book 1); Words of Radiance (Book 2); Edgedancer (Book 2.5); Oathbringer (Book 3); Rhythm of War (Book 4)
Brandon Sanderson, who finished up Wheel of Time after Robert Jordan's passing, is also an accomplished fantasy writer in his own right, having penned the Stormlight Archive series after the success of his Wheel of Time audiobooks. In Roshar, a world of stone and storms,
civilization and nature alike have been forced into retreat, confined to places where the land can offer shelter from the raging tempests. This high fantasy series depicts the ravages of wars waged in this world over swords and armor suits that transform their bearers into unstoppable warriors. With the talented coupling of Kate Reading and Michael Kramer sharing narration duties, the Stormlight Archive is an exciting, ongoing series worth diving into.
Sanderson's best-known series to date, The Stormlight Archive consists of four currently published books: The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, Oathbringer, and Rhythm of War. If you're looking for something immersive, a complicated and fascinating world that you can sink into for weeks at a time, then this is the Sanderson series for you. Combined, the four audiobooks are a whopping 200 hours long—that's eight and a half days of listening!
Narrators Kate Reading and Michael Kramer have their work cut out for them in this series. Set on a war-torn world, the saga follows the intersecting lives of a large cast of characters, all fighting for survival. There's ancient prophecy, powerful magic, desperate citizens, shifting loyalties, dangerous quests, and plenty of human drama. Both Reading and Kramer fully devote themselves to the world and its characters, so listening to these audiobooks is a magical experience in itself.
The Mistborn Saga Series
The Final Empire
What if the hero of prophecy fails? The answer will be found in the Mistborn Trilogy, a saga of surprises and magical martial-arts action that begins in Mistborn....
The Mistborn Saga consists of two series, set 300 hundred years apart. The original trilogy (The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, and The Hero of Ages) is set in a world called Final Empire, ruled by an evil entity known as the Dark Lord. Ordinary citizens live in terror of his power. The series follows two unlikely heroes: Vin, an orphan, and Kelsier, a criminal with magical powers. Together, they start a revolution that will change the fate of their world forever.
Sanderson's Wax & Wayne series is set in the same world, now on the brink of modernity. Electricity, railroads, and skyscrapers are common in cities. This series focuses on Wax, a rare magic-welder with the power to manipulate metal, who returns to the capital after years of simple living on the frontier. He's soon caught up in the dangerous tides of change—all around him, magic and technology are clashing, with increasingly dire consequences.
Beyond the Cosmere—more of the best of Brandon Sanderson
In addition to his completion of the epic Wheel of Time series, Sanderson has written several series and standalone novels that take place outside the Cosmere. Check out the following audiobooks if you're not ready to dive into the intricate world of the Cosmere just yet.
Skyward Series
Skyward
From Brandon Sanderson, the New York Times best-selling author of the Reckoners series, Words of Radiance, and the internationally best-selling Mistborn series, comes the first book in an epic new series about a girl who dreams of becoming a pilot in a dangerous world....
The Cosmere isn't the only expansive fictional universe Sanderson has built from the ground up. In addition to that sweeping fantasy world, he also created the Cytoverse, an exceptionally vivid science fiction setting that's the setting for his celebrated Skyward series, a space opera that opens on a bleak future. What's left of humanity lives on a planet under constant attack by mysterious enemy starships. On the cusp of 16, Spensa longs to be a pilot, and she gets her chance when she finds the ruins of an ancient ship. In the process of repairing it, she discovers that it's no ordinary ship—it appears to be alive. Fast-paced and surprising, this series is full of unforgettable characters, human and nonhuman alike. Suzy Jackson's narration is quick and clipped, full of emotion. Sophie Aldred takes a bit more somber approach. Both narrators, in their own way, capture all of Spensa's bravery, quick-thinking, and determination—so whichever version you choose, you can't go wrong.
The Wheel of Time Series
The Eye of the World
Series name: Wheel of Time
Books in Series: The Eye of the World (Book 1); The Great Hunt (Book 2); The Dragon Reborn (Book 3); The Shadow Rising (Book 4); The Fires of Heaven (Book 5); Lord of Chaos (Book 6); A Crown of Swords (Book 7); Path of Daggers (Book 8); Winter's Heart (Book 9); Crossroads of Twilight (Book 10); Knife of Dreams (Book 11); The Gathering Storm (Book 12); Towers of Midnight (Book 13); A Memory of Light (Book 14)
To call Wheel of Time—Robert Jordan's sprawling fantasy series about good, evil, and the worlds and times caught between them—a classic would merely be a starting point. Everything about this 14-volume saga is a treat for lovers of the genre, and listeners who might not necessarily go for high fantasy as well. With its large cast of thousands of named characters, an articulately imagined world across eras, and a meticulously crafted spell-casting system, it is impossible not to consider Wheel of Time in the conversation for best fantasy series of all time.
If you haven't listened to any of the previous Wheel of Time books, the last three may not be the best place to start. But dedicated fans of Robert Jordan's epic series, and fantasy in general, will not want to miss the thrilling conclusion to one of the longest and most beloved series of our time. The audiobooks are a truly brilliant collaboration. Narrators Michael Kramer and Kate Reading bring Sanderson's words to life, while Sanderson's words carry the spirit and magic of Robert Jordan's original vision.
Infinity Blade
Infinity Blade
Long months have passed since Siris and the God King, enemies betrayed together, were left to rot in the prison at the Vault of Tears. Their true enemy - the Worker of Secrets, creator of the Infinity Blade itself - now reigns....
Looking for something less daunting than a series of 30+-hour audiobooks? You'll want to give the two books in the Infinity Blade series, Awakening and Redemption, a listen! Siris is a young knight on a quest to destroy a tyrannical king. But his success vaults him into a world of new, unspeakable dangers and long-buried secrets. Based on the Infinity Blade video games, Sanderson further explores this fascinating world, where magic and technology blend together and nothing is ever quite what it seems. Samuel Roukin gives an admirable performance, expertly navigating the many high-stakes action scenes that make these books so memorable.
Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds series
Legion
Stephen Leeds, AKA 'Legion,' is a man whose unique mental condition allows him to generate a multitude of personae....
Combining three novellas into one volume, this audiobook tells the story of Stephen Leeds, a man with an extraordinary power. He can learn any skill almost instantaneously, but his brain then creates a persona to retain the new information. He's gotten used to living with a cast of imaginary people. But when a company hires him to track down a stolen camera, he finds himself on an epic adventure—and the people in his head aren't always on his side. Oliver Wyman's down-to-earth narration perfectly captures Stephen's personality, and he also perfects a range of voices for the various personas in Stephen's head.
The Reckoners Series
Steelheart
Adults and teens will be riveted — 12 hours Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills. Nobody fights the Epics … nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them. And David wants in. He wants Steelheart — the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David’s father.
This action-packed series (Steelheart, Firefight, Calamity, Lux) turns the classic superhero trope on its head. The Calamity—a sudden burst in the sky that gave some people extraordinary powers—changed the world forever 10 years ago. Now known as Epics, those graced with super gifts are nobody's superheroes. The Epics want power, and they'll do anything to get it. The only people who've ever stood up to them are the Reckoners, a group of ordinary humans who secretly study, track, and assassinate them. The story follows David, a young man, who, like the Reckoners but for his own reason, wants to see the Epics dead. Audiobook aficionados will recognize award-winning narrator MacLeod Andrews, whose many talents are on full display in this series. He perfectly captures David's first-person POV, while crafting unique and believable voices for the supporting characters as well.
Andrews also narrates the newest book in the series, the audio-exclusive novel , in which a new team of Reckoners must infiltrate the flying city of Lux to take down the Epic Lifeforce. An orphan named Jax and the ragtag remains of the Texas Reckoners will face an epic battle in a floating fortress as they defend what's left of Texas in this hotly anticipated fourth installment.
What are Brandon Sanderson's Secret Projects?
In the spring of 2022, Sanderson made an announcement that surprised and delighted his many fans worldwide—he was working on four brand new novels, which arrived in print in 2023 and in audio in 2024. Three of these stories—Tress of the Emerald Sea, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and The Sunlit Man—are set within the Cosmere, with a fourth standalone, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, untethered from any existing universe.
The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one—passing the time by listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. But when Charlie's father takes him on a voyage to find a bride and disaster strikes, Tress is forced to stow away on a ship and seek the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea. Amid the spore oceans where pirates abound, can Tress leave her simple life behind and make her own place sailing a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant death?
There is a world of endless night, surrounded by an even deeper darkness, filled with nightmares come to life. There is another world, so bright it burns, filled with stacked stones that call forth miracles, raised by callused hands that tremble in their work. Between these worlds, two souls collide and entwine, building a bridge and a road that will change everything. Yumi and Painter must strive to right the wrongs in both their lives, reconciling their past and present. Yet if they cannot unravel the mystery of what brought them together, they risk forever losing not only the bond growing between them but also the very worlds they’ve always struggled to protect.
Sanderson adds to his Cosmere universe with this thrilling standalone narrated by William DeMeritt that combines fantasy and science fiction. It centers on Nomad, whose strategy for survival is simple: run. But when his powers become depleted on the hostile planet Canticle, he finds himself wrapped up in the struggle between a heartless tyrant and the defiant rebellion raging again him. Tormented by the consequences of his past, Nomad must now fight not only for his life—but also for his very soul.
A man awakens in a clearing in what appears to be medieval England with no memory of who he is, where he came from, or why he is there. Chased by a group from his own time, his sole hope for survival lies in regaining his missing memories, making allies among the locals, and perhaps even trusting in their superstitious boasts. His only help from the world he left behind should have been a guidebook entitled The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, but it seems his copy exploded during transit. The few fragments he managed to save provide clues to his situation, but can he piece together the rest before its too late?
