10 audiobooks for fans of The Final Empire
- 1
Words of Radiance
The Stormlight Archive • Book 2
Narrated by Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
Words of Radiance deepens the epic scope and intricate magic systems that make Sanderson's work compelling, with Michael Kramer's narration anchoring the same immersive listening experience while Kate Reading brings additional characters to vivid life. The expanded runtime allows for the character development and thematic complexity that Sanderson fans crave, exploring honor, growth, and redemption across a richer, more layered narrative.
★ 4.96 ABR Score (587.5K ratings)★ 4.76 Goodreads (498.0K) ★ 4.9 Audible (89.5K)48h 15m listening time • Released 2014The second Stormlight Archive book surpasses the first — the magic system, the characters, and the worldbuilding all deepen into one of epic fantasy's greatest achievements.
- 2
The Way of Kings
The Cosmere • Book 1
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
The Way of Kings delivers the same intricate magic systems and character-driven storytelling that define The Final Empire, while Michael Kramer's narration carries you through an even more expansive world with similarly epic scope and emotional depth. The extended runtime rewards patient listeners with richer worldbuilding and multiple interweaving perspectives that deepen the immersive experience.
★ 4.89 ABR Score (796.4K ratings)★ 4.66 Goodreads (683.1K) ★ 4.84 Audible (113.2K)45h 30m listening time • Released 2010Sanderson's most ambitious work — a 45-hour epic with one of the most intricately designed magic systems in fantasy, and characters whose growth pays off magnificently.
- 3
Oathbringer
The Stormlight Archive • Book 3
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Oathbringer deepens the intricate magic systems and themes of personal redemption that made The Final Empire compelling, while Michael Kramer's narration grows even more immersive across the epic 55-hour runtime, allowing you to fully inhabit the rich world Sanderson has constructed.
★ 4.83 ABR Score (432.0K ratings)★ 4.6 Goodreads (365.0K) ★ 4.84 Audible (67.0K)55h 5m listening time • Released 2017Kate Reading and Michael Kramer elevate this sprawling epic into something transcendent—their dual narration captures three interconnected characters with such distinct emotional depth that 55 hours vanishes. Oathbringer is where Sanderson's intricate magic system and moral complexity finally match the scope of his ambition.
- 4
The Gathering Storm
The Wheel of Time • Book 12
by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
The Gathering Storm delivers the same epic, magic-system-driven storytelling that makes The Final Empire compelling, with Sanderson's distinctive narrative voice enhanced by the dual narration of Kramer and Reading across its expansive runtime. Both audiobooks offer immersive world-building with high-stakes character arcs, though The Gathering Storm's longer length allows for even more intricate plotting and emotional depth.
★ 4.77 ABR Score (224.4K ratings)★ 4.44 Goodreads (178.7K) ★ 4.9 Audible (45.7K)41h 47m listening time • Released 2013Kramer and Reading's dual narration finally gives the Wheel of Time the vocal landscape it deserves, turning a sprawling epic into something genuinely intimate and propulsive.
- 5
Towers of Midnight
The Wheel of Time • Book 13
by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
The epic scope and intricate magic systems that define Sanderson's work shine through in this Wheel of Time installment, where his co-narration with Kate Reading creates the same immersive listening experience across a sprawling fantasy world. Listeners drawn to The Final Empire's blend of dark themes, complex character arcs, and meticulous worldbuilding will find those same strengths magnified across Towers of Midnight's extended runtime.
★ 4.77 ABR Score (211.0K ratings)★ 4.48 Goodreads (176.1K) ★ 4.89 Audible (34.9K)38h 21m listening time • Released 2010Kate Reading and Michael Kramer elevate the emotional weight of Jordan's endgame—their dual narration makes the converging POVs feel like separate threads tightening toward catastrophe, and they nail the quieter character breakthroughs that matter most before the final battle.
- 6
Rhythm of War
The Stormlight Archive • Book 4
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Rhythm of War deepens the philosophical and emotional complexity that Sanderson establishes in The Final Empire, with Michael Kramer's narration anchoring the same immersive fantasy world across an expansive audiobook experience that rewards close listening.
★ 4.76 ABR Score (287.4K ratings)★ 4.58 Goodreads (245.5K) ★ 4.81 Audible (41.8K)57h 26m listening time • Released 2020Kate Reading and Michael Kramer elevate this epic's sprawling POVs into something genuinely cinematic—their dual narration makes Sanderson's intricate character work land harder than it has any right to at 57 hours.
- 7
The Bands of Mourning
Mistborn, Era 2: Wax & Wayne • Book 3
Narrated by Michael Kramer
The Bands of Mourning continues Sanderson's richly layered world-building with the same masterful magic systems and high-stakes storytelling, while Michael Kramer's narration maintains the immersive vocal consistency that made The Final Empire so compelling. The audiobook delivers the same blend of intricate plotting and character depth in a tighter, more fast-paced narrative that deepens the themes of power and redemption established in the first book.
★ 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.
- 8
Tress of the Emerald Sea
Hoid's Travails • Book 1
by Brandon Sanderson, Howard Lyon
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's dynamic narration captures Sanderson's signature magic systems and intricate worldbuilding in both epics, while Tress of the Emerald Sea offers a more intimate, character-driven adventure that maintains the wonder and emotional depth of The Final Empire in a more compact form. The standalone nature provides the same satisfying narrative arc without the sprawling commitment, perfect for listeners who loved Sanderson's storytelling but want a quicker journey.
★ 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.
- 9
Wind and Truth
The Stormlight Archive • Book 5
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Brandon Sanderson's intricate worldbuilding and themes of rebellion against oppressive systems continue to evolve across his Cosmere universe, while Kate Reading and Michael Kramer's dual narration brings new depth and intimacy to the expanded cast of characters you'll encounter in this epic continuation.
★ 4.45 ABR Score (160.9K ratings)★ 4.37 Goodreads (139.0K) ★ 4.6 Audible (21.9K)62h 48m listening time • Released 2024Kate Reading and Michael Kramer elevate an already massive climax with perfectly calibrated performances that make 62 hours feel essential, not exhausting. Sanderson's payoff demands narrators who can handle intimate character moments and apocalyptic stakes equally, and they nail both.
- 10
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.
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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.