Fantasy on Audio

On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony (Narrated by George Guidall)
What if “Death” was not just an abstract concept, but there really were a “Grim Reaper” who rode a pale horse and collected and judged the souls of the dead? What if the same were true for other “immortal concepts” – Time, Fate, War, and Nature? And what if the “people” performing the duties of these abstract concepts were only holding an office or job and the office-holder periodically changed? How would you do on your first day on the job as the new “Death”? This is the first in the seven volume 'Incarnations of Immortality' series, which continues with Bearing An Hourglass.

Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley (Narrated by Davina Porter)
Explore the Arthurian legend from the perspective of the woman who is frequently portrayed as one of Arthur's antagonists. Bradley's retelling – primarily through the eyes of Morgaine, Arthur's half-sister – is rich in detail and complete in scope. The story begins with Igraine (Arthur's mother) and ends soon after Arthur's death. Bradley paints a Britain that is divided between old and new religions, diverse cultures, and clashing kings.

Rings, Swords, and Monsters: Exploring Fantasy Literature by Michael Drout
In this course from the Modern Scholar series, Wheaton College professor Michael Drout examines the roots of fantasy and the works that have defined the genre, providing insight into beloved works and a better understanding of why fantasy is such a pervasive force in modern culture.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (Narrated by Davina Porter)
In Scotland with her husband on a second honeymoon after World War II, Claire enters a circle of stones and is transported back more than 200 years to an unfamiliar world torn apart by violence, pestilence, and revolution and haunted by her growing feelings for James Fraser, a young soldier. This is the first in the acclaimed Outlander series, which continues with Dragonfly in Amber.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman (Narrated by George Guidall)
Days before his release from prison, Shadow learns that his wife has been killed in an accident. On the plane ride back home for the funeral, he meets Mr. Wednesday, who offers Shadow a job. Shadow accepts but soon discovers that Mr. Wednesday is far more dangerous than he could ever have imagined, and Shadow is suddenly caught up in a battle for the very soul of America. Also try Anansi Boys and Stardust.

Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman (Read by J. Paul Boehmer and Coleen Marlo)
When Doctor Impossible, an evil genius and ambitious wannabe world dominator, launches a new plot to seize control of the world, Fatale, a woman built by the NSA to be the next generation of weaponry, joins a group of misfit superheroes in their quest to destroy Doctor Impossible.

Beowulf translated by Francis Gummere (Narrated by George Guidall)
the Anglo-Saxon epic chronicling the heroic adventures of Beowulf, the Scandinavian warrior who saves his people from the ravages of the monster Grendel and Grendel's mother.

New Spring by Robert Jordan (Read by Kate Reading and Michael Cramer)
For three days, battle has raged around the city of Tar Valon. In the White Tower two young Accepted attend the Amyrlin Seat and her Keeper as they await word of the outcome. Purely by chance, Moiraine and Siuan are on duty when the Keeper foretells the rebirth of the Dragon, the world's only hope of winning the fight against the Dark One.

The Gunslinger by Stephen King (Narrated by George Guidall)
This heroic fantasy is set in a world of ominous landscape and macabre menace that is a dark mirror of our own. A spellbinding tale of good versus evil, it features one of Stephen King's most powerful creations – The Gunslinger, a haunting figure who embodies the qualities of a lone hero through the ages, from ancient myth to frontier western legend. This is the first in The Dark Tower series, which is part Fantasy, part Western, part Horror, but all King. The next in the series is The Drawing of the Three (Read by Frank Muller).

Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (Narrated by Rob Inglis)
Ged was the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, but once he was called Sparrowhawk, a reckless youth, hungry for power and knowledge, who tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance. Also try The Farthest Shore.

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire (Narrated by John McDonough)
An astonishingly rich re-creation of the land of Oz, this book retells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, who wasn't so wicked after all. Taking readers past the yellow brick road and into a phantasmagoric world rich with imagination and allegory, Wicked just might change the reputation of one of the most sinister characters in literature. Also try Son of a Witch and A Lion Among Men.

Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey (Performed by Sally Darling)
On the planet Pern, after her father forbids her to indulge in music in any way, 15-year-old Menolly, runs away and takes shelter with the planet's fire lizards who, along with her music, open a new life for her. This is the fourth in the Dragonriders series and the first in the Harper Hall Trilogy, which continues in Dragonsinger and Dragondrums.

Sabriel by Garth Nix (Young Adult—Read by Tim Curry)
This Australian fantasy takes a unique approach to the hero quest; Nix's hero is a young woman. Sabriel is an apprentice necromancer who must enter the realm of dead to save her trapped father and defeat the evil spirit who entrapped him. To accomplish this task, Sabriel must leave the modern world of Ancelstierre to journey into the Old Kingdom that is being overtaken by the walking dead. Actor Tim Curry does a magnificent job narrating. This is the first in the Abhorsen trilogy, which continues with Lirael.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini (Young Adult—Read by Gerard Doyle)
When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of magic and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands. This is the first in the Inheritance Trilogy, which continues with Eldest and Brisingr.

The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman (Young Adult—Narrated by a full cast)
When Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon decide to spy on a presentation her uncle, the commanding Lord Asriel, is making to the elders of Jordan College they have no idea that they will become witnesses to an attempted murder—and even less that they are taking the first steps in a journey that will lead them into danger and adventure unlike anything Lyra's unfettered imagination has conjured up. This is the first in the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy, which continues in The Subtle Knife.

The Witches of Chiswick by Robert Rankin (Narrated by the author)
Will Starling lives in a dystopian 23rd century where the Brentford Utility Conurbation is crammed with 303-storey tower blocks, and synthetic food has made everyone vastly obese. Except for Will, who's mocked for morbid slimness and eccentric tastes - art for example. When he notices the digital watch in a well-known Victorian painting, a murderous cover-up begins. The sinister Witches of Chiswick are determined to erase all traces of the “other” past. Also try Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse.

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift (Narrated by Norman Dietz)
The voyages of an Englishman carry him to a land of people six inches high, a land of giants, an island of sorcerers, and a land where horses are masters of human-like creatures. A consummately skillful blend of fantasy and realism makes Gulliver's Travels by turns hilarious, frightening, and profound.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (Narrated by Rob Inglis)
Bilbo Baggins was a hobbit who wanted to be left alone in quiet comfort. But the wizard Gandalf came along with a band of homeless dwarves. Soon Bilbo was drawn into their quest, facing evil orcs, savage wolves, giant spiders, and worse unknown dangers. Finally, it was Bilbo – alone and unaided – who had to confront the great dragon Smaug, the terror of an entire countryside . . . This stirring adventure fantasy begins the tale of the hobbits that was continued by J.R.R. Tolkien in his bestselling epic The Lord of the Rings, which begins with The Fellowship of the Ring.