Fantasy on Audio

On a Pale Horse  by Piers Anthony
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, Nature, as well as Evil and Good? And what if the “people” performing the duties of these abstract concepts were only holding an office or job and the officeholder 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, volume 2 is Bearing An Hourglass.

Mists of Avalon  by Marion Zimmer Bradley
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.

Outlander  by Diana Gabaldon
In Scotland with her husband on a second honeymoon after World War II, Claire enters a circle of stones and is transported back to the Battle of Culloden 200 years earlier, where she must marry a Scot to save her husband. This is the first in the acclaimed Outlander series, which continues with Dragonfly in Amber.

American Gods  by Neil Gaiman
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.

New Spring  by Robert Jordan
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. Written with all the skill that has made Jordan one of the grand masters of fantasy, it's accessible enough for new readers, while the inside information is sure to captivate longtime fans.

The Gunslinger  by Stephen King
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.

Wizard of Earthsea  by Ursula K. LeGuin
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.

Dragonsong  by Anne McCaffrey
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
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
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, also try Eldest.

The Golden Compass  by Phillip Pullman
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 Hobbit  by J.R.R. Tolkien
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. Also try The Fellowship of the Ring.