Fourth Wing and Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros have taken the fantasy world by storm, and fans of The Empyrean series are eagerly anticipating the release of the next book, Onyx Storm.
Following Violet Sorrengail, a young woman training at a dangerous dragon-riding academy, the BookTok romantasy favorite includes intense battles, enemies-to-lovers tension, world-building, and fast-paced action.
Fans of Fourth Wing and readers who just love fantasy novels in general: Here are 11 epic fantasy audiobooks to try.
The Hurricane Wars
The Hurricane Wars is the debut fantasy romance of a trilogy set in a Southeast Asia–inspired world that is torn apart by storms. Talasyn, a warrior with forbidden light magic, and Prince Alaric, heir to the Night Empire with shadow magic, are forced to confront their fates: either destroy each other or unite against a greater threat.
“Reading this book feels like falling in love. Artfully written, complex, and immersive, this is one of those books you’ll wish you could read for again for the first time. “
— Briana • Wicked Words
Divine Rivals
“In a reimagined early 1900’s where the Great War is not fought between countries, but between gods, Roman and Iris are rival journalists at a newspaper covering the conflict. Increasingly worried about her brother, Forest, who is missing on the front, Iris uses her old typewriter to write letters to him. She slips her letters under her wardrobe door, thinking nothing of it. But these letters mysteriously and magically come to Roman, who begins to look forward to reading them—and writing back. As a correspondence begins between Roman and Iris and love starts to bloom, the realities and monstrosities of the war around them also grow. Filled with a lush 20th century academia setting, mysterious correspondence, dueling gods and young love, Divine Rivals swept me away.”
— Kelly • Mysterious Galaxy Books
Lightlark
“I don’t remember the last time I had this much fun with a YA fantasy! This roller coaster of a book took me through so many twists and turns I could barely stay in my seat. I started it as an audiobook, and finished with a physical copy in my hands because I just could not consume it fast enough through my ears, but man was it just as fun both ways! Lightlark is really, truly, going to become a cult favorite among the YA crowd who adored books such as Shadow and Bone, Furyborn, and Cinder. It just has every single aspect you could possibly want from a book!”
— Caitlyn • Bookmarks
A Deadly Education
“The audio narration perfectly captures the prickly and snarky El, a lifelong misfit and outcast, as she explains her precarious position in this highly competitive and deadly magical boarding school […]. In explaining the history and design of the school, El provides us with an unexpected and smart commentary on wealth, class and privilege […] It is also absolutely hilarious as she slowly tries to understand how friendship works and how to respond to them in an appropriately friendly manner.”
— Cori • Bright Side Bookshop
From Blood and Ash
From Blood and Ash is an action-packed fantasy book about Poppy, a Maiden destined to usher in a new era, but longing for freedom. When Hawke, a golden-eyed guard, enters her world, duty, desire, and danger collide as a dark kingdom rises, threatening everything she holds dear.
“Enticing from the start with amazing banter between the main characters. I love them so much! The world building is absolutely incredible as well. Couldn’t put it down and couldn’t wait for book 2. Great series with more books coming soon!”
— Monica • That’s What She Read
The Unbroken
In this novel of gripping political intrigue and fantasy, two women clash in a world full of rebellion, espionage, and war on the brink of a crumbling desert empire inspired by the region of North Africa. Touraine, a soldier torn by loyalty, and Luca, a princess plotting to secure her throne, must face dangerous choices that could change the fate of their world.
“Zamamiri nails accents and from time to time even sounds like a different narrator as she gives this story a surprising vibrancy. The voice she creates for Touraine steals the show with its deep sense of inner struggle, but each person Touraine comes across sounds equally vivid in Zamamiri’s steadfast narration.”
— AudioFile
A Marvellous Light
“Whip smart historical fantasy with one of the most unique and clever magic systems around. A centuries-old mystery threatening to unravel magical society and upset a deeply entrenched balance of power. A beautifully drawn and diverse supporting cast of friends and foes alike. And, as if that wasn’t enough, top it all off with some of my favorite things: a yearning-filled love story, and some truly marvelous sex. Genuinely the most fun I’ve had reading a book this year. I’m waiting with bated breath (and keeping some Cat’s Cradle sting handy) for the next in the series.”
— Sarah • Powell’s Books
Forged by Blood
Forged by Blood is a debut fantasy inspired by Nigerian mythology. In a world torn by tyranny, Dèmi, a young woman with dangerous blood magic, seeks vengeance for her mother’s murder. With Colin’s help, Dèmi successfully kidnaps the Aje prince, Jonas, but soon forms an unexpected bond with him. As the kidnapping turns into a joint effort to challenge the King and empower the Oluso, Dèmi’s growing magic and uncertain alliances make the journey increasingly perilous. Trusting both Colin and Jonas becomes a dangerous gamble.
A Fate Inked in Blood
“Blood brilliant! (Figuratively and literally!) […] Dark, gritty, bloody, inspired by Norse Mythology, and desperately romantic, A Fate Inked in Blood is an exciting new addition to the romantasy genre that combines the high-octane action, epic world-building, magical elements, and brutality of war of more traditional epic fantasies with a romantic, forbidden love story written by the fates of the gods. I need book two ASAP! The audiobook is incredible!”
— Anna Rose • The Well-Read Moose
The Jasad Heir
“Sara Hashem’s debut novel about a queen in hiding hits all the right notes. Sylvia has been in hiding for ten years since her whole family was killed, destroying the royal line of the only magic users left. Now she’s in hiding, presumed dead. But when the heir to the kingdom comes to her village, he’s immediately suspicious of her. Soon Sylvia finds herself in a competition she never wanted to enter, betraying her kinsmen.”
— Jennifer • Bookmiser
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath
“This fantastically imagined alt-historical fantasy is full of fierce and lovable dragons, with a steampunk academia setting, a wise and courageous young indigenous woman at the helm, queer and neurodivergent rep, and so much to say about colonialism, knowledge, story-telling, and resistance! Fans of R. F. Kuang’s Babel and Rachel Hartman’s Seraphina, you simply must read this immersive, inventive, and powerfully truth-telling debut novel next.”
— Megan • Underground Books
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