10 audiobooks for fans of Tress of the Emerald Sea
- 1
The Bands of Mourning
Mistborn, Era 2: Wax & Wayne • Book 3
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's masterful narration brings the same immersive quality to The Bands of Mourning's intricate magic system and character-driven storytelling, while Sanderson's signature blend of humor, adventure, and emotional depth creates a comparably engaging listening experience across both works.
★ 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.
- 2
Shadows of Self
Mistborn, Era 2: Wax & Wayne • Book 2
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's masterful narration brings the same emotional depth to this darker, more introspective fantasy, while Sanderson's signature magic system and character-driven storytelling create a comparably immersive listening experience that rewards the same investment of attention.
★ 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.
- 3
The Alloy of Law
Mistborn, Era 2: Wax & Wayne • Book 1
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's narration brings the same warmth and adventurous spirit to this Mistborn novella, which shares Tress's blend of humor, heart, and imaginative world-building despite its darker tone. Both stories prioritize character-driven narratives and whimsical settings that make for equally engaging listening experiences.
★ 4.53 ABR Score (335.9K ratings)★ 4.19 Goodreads (294.2K) ★ 4.72 Audible (41.7K)10h 48m listening time • Released 2011Michael Kramer's performance transforms this into a lean, propulsive Western-fantasy hybrid that hooks you in ways the original trilogy doesn't. It's the rare sequel that improves on its predecessor.
- 4
Words of Radiance
The Stormlight Archive • Book 2
Narrated by Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
Words of Radiance deepens the intricate magic systems and character-driven storytelling that make Tress compelling, while Michael Kramer's narration anchors you in an even more expansive world of high stakes and emotional complexity. The dual narration with Kate Reading brings interpersonal dynamics to life with the same care that makes Tress's adventure feel intimate despite its fantastical scope.
★ 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.
- 5
The Way of Kings
The Cosmere • Book 1
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Both works showcase Sanderson's mastery of intricate magic systems and immersive worldbuilding, with Michael Kramer's narration bringing the same sense of epic wonder to The Way of Kings' sprawling narrative that he brings to Tress's more intimate adventure. The second offers a deeper dive into the emotional complexity and philosophical themes that underpin Sanderson's storytelling, rewarding the listener's investment with a richer, more expansive 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.
- 6
The Hero of Ages
The Mistborn Saga • Book 3
Narrated by Michael Kramer
The Hero of Ages delivers the same intricate magic systems and character-driven storytelling that define Sanderson's work, while Michael Kramer's narration brings equal depth and nuance to this epic conclusion of the Mistborn trilogy. Listeners who appreciated Tress's blend of adventure and emotional resonance will find themselves immersed in an even grander scope of world-building and thematic complexity.
★ 4.83 ABR Score (680.8K ratings)★ 4.56 Goodreads (606.0K) ★ 4.85 Audible (74.8K)27h 25m listening time • Released 2008Michael Kramer's narration elevates this finale into something transcendent—his command of Vin's internal devastation and the apocalyptic scope makes the 27-hour journey feel essential, not exhausting.
- 7
Oathbringer
The Stormlight Archive • Book 3
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Oathbringer deepens the emotional exploration of self-doubt and personal transformation that makes Tress so compelling, while Michael Kramer's narration brings the same immersive quality to an epic fantasy world where magic systems reward patient, attentive listening. The significantly longer runtime allows Sanderson to develop these themes across an interconnected cast of characters, offering audiobook listeners the rich, character-driven storytelling they appreciated in Tress at a grander scale.
★ 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.
- 8
The Final Empire
The Mistborn Saga • Book 1
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer's masterful narration brings the same richness to Sanderson's epic worldbuilding in The Final Empire, though listeners should expect a significantly deeper dive into magic systems and political intrigue compared to Tress of the Emerald Sea's more intimate adventure. The longer runtime rewards patient listeners with the kind of intricate plotting and character development that defines Sanderson's Mistborn series.
★ 4.78 ABR Score (1.1M ratings)★ 4.49 Goodreads (999.3K) ★ 4.79 Audible (97.4K)24h 39m listening time • Released 2008The best entry point into Sanderson — a heist story set in a world where the Dark Lord won, with one of the cleverest magic systems ever devised.
- 9
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 richly detailed world-building and character-driven storytelling that defines Sanderson's work, while Michael Kramer's narration maintains the immersive listening experience you loved—though be prepared for an epic 42-hour commitment that rewards patient, devoted listeners with sweeping magical systems and intricate plot resolution.
★ 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.
- 10
Towers of Midnight
The Wheel of Time • Book 13
by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Towers of Midnight delivers the same epic fantasy scope that Sanderson brings to his standalone works, while Michael Kramer's narration guides you through an intricate magic system and richly layered world-building across its immersive 38-hour runtime. Those captivated by Tress's blend of adventure, heart, and imaginative storytelling will find similar emotional depth and wonder in this sprawling continuation of the Wheel of Time series.
★ 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.
Browse Related Lists
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.