Really good audiobooks?

[daudi81]

I love me a good fantasy / horror audiobook - especially when the narrator is really good. I'm just finishing up ghost story Dresden files and really liked the actor/reader (even though this last one wasn't read by marsters, what a letdown!).

What are some good audiobook series? Just about done with ghost story so ill need something soon!

Books I've already listened to:
Wheel of time series
Game of thrones series
Dresden files
Mist born series (pretty much anything by Brandon Sanderson for that matter)
Sword of truth series (didn't really like).


Ill add more here if I can think of any.

[Lordwalker]

I just started Theft of Swords and I am very pleased so far.

[sullivan_riyria]

I just started Theft of Swords and I am very pleased so far.

Glad you are enjoying the read. The narrator they selected did a really good job (imo). I know that that can make or break the audio version. I think Marsters doing Dresden is a great example of "done right" and the "surfer dude" doing the Black Prism an example of a missed opportunity.

I came here to recommend Dresden... should have known that the OP had already listened to it...but was a very nice surprise to see my own book being recommended - so thanks for making my day.

[Lordwalker]

Glad you are enjoying the read. The narrator they selected did a really good job (imo). I know that that can make or break the audio version. I think Marsters doing Dresden is a great example of "done right" and the "surfer dude" doing the Black Prism an example of a missed opportunity.

I came here to recommend Dresden... should have known that the OP had already listened to it...but was a very nice surprise to see my own book being recommended - so thanks for making my day.

Hello there! I am listening to the new audible/kindle read and listen sync thing they have now. It's like magic, one picks up just where you left off on the other. It's brilliant.

I must tell you I wish I would have picked up your work sooner. Besides the fact that I am very picky, I have been wary of books that are self published and have great ratings due to an article I read about fake or purchased reviews. You sir, however, are the real deal. You have some serious writing chops and it shows. I'm very excited that this is just the first of the series and I have more to come after I am finished! You have made another new fan! Congratulations on your success!

[StoneBurner]

Hello there! I am listening to the new audible/kindle read and listen sync thing they have now. It's like magic, one picks up just where you left off on the other. It's brilliant.

What sorcery is this? Since when has this been available?

[Lordwalker]

What sorcery is this? Since when has this been available?

Only a couple of weeks. Since they introduced the new Kindle Fire HD's. It works with all of the Kindle apps. I listen on my Android audible app and read on my Ipad app. It is indeed a feat of dark magic....but I like it.

[nposecznick]

I have the abridged audiobook of "The Passage" by Justin Cronin and I enjoyed that.

Although YA, the Harry Potters are done wonderfully by Jim Dale.

I'm at work so I don't really remember the others that fit into your genre realms.

[sullivan_riyria]

Hello there! I am listening to the new audible/kindle read and listen sync thing they have now. It's like magic, one picks up just where you left off on the other. It's brilliant.

I must tell you I wish I would have picked up your work sooner. Besides the fact that I am very picky, I have been wary of books that are self published and have great ratings due to an article I read about fake or purchased reviews. You sir, however, are the real deal. You have some serious writing chops and it shows. I'm very excited that this is just the first of the series and I have more to come after I am finished! You have made another new fan! Congratulations on your success!

I'm glad to hear whispersync works so well...it is a brilliant concept and I wondered if it "really would work."

There are actually a lot of good books coming out from self-published authors these days. I did a list for Ranting Dragon you might want to check out some of those.

My reviews are all "legit" - I'd never buy a review, nor to a participate in "review trading" which is just asking for trouble ;-) I'm not sure how "wide spread" the problem is - I guess I expect the best in people so I think it is probably a case of a few bad apples spoiling the rest.

In any case, I'm glad you are enjoying it now...six books in the first series and another two that in a second (coming in August 2013). I do hope you enjoy reading/listening as much as I enjoyed writing.

[sullivan_riyria]

I have the abridged audiobook of "The Passage" by Justin Cronin and I enjoyed that.

Although YA, the Harry Potters are done wonderfully by Jim Dale.

I'm at work so I don't really remember the others that fit into your genre realms.

I've only "read" the Harry Potter books but everyone says such glowingly good things about Jim Dale's voice over that I'll need to pick up the first one just to check it out. The sad news is I hear he got paid next to nothing (as is common in the audio industry I'm afraid) ;-(

[StoneBurner]

Only a couple of weeks. Since they introduced the new Kindle Fire HD's. It works with all of the Kindle apps. I listen on my Android audible app and read on my Ipad app. It is indeed a feat of dark magic....but I like it.

Thanks for the info. I've been splitting "actual" books from audiobooks for when i'm driving. Being able to switch between the two is a great concept.

[Twinner]

In addition to the audio books you mentioned I would recommend the following:

Joe Abercrombie's First Law series has been a favorite of mine. Abercrombie's Best Served Cold is very well read also.

The Lies of Locke Lamora was excellent as an Audio Book.

One other that I will add here is a little different. I had read Robert McCammon's "Swan Song" many moons ago and decided to listen to it on Audio. I enjoyed it so much that I asked the wise folks here about what other good works of McCammon they would recommend. This led me to some fun books, but also an outstanding audio experience. Eduardo Ballarini (sp?) reads the Matthew Corbett series that started with "Sings the Night Bird" and I am now listening to "The Queen of Bedlam", the second in the series. The reading performance by Ballarini rivals the works of Roy Dotrice (ASoIaF) and Jim Dale (Harry Potter). A good reader makes all the difference!

[Pub]

Anything narrated by Simon Vance is awesome he has a great voice that fits perfect in fantasy setting.

Which is Richard K Morgan
and he done Dune by frank herbet too
I also beleive hes done Brent weeks new lightbringer book

Also Steven pacey is another eally good narrater he's done Joe Abercrombie's books which were awesome

[Bren18]

Glad you are enjoying the read. The narrator they selected did a really good job (imo). I know that that can make or break the audio version. I think Marsters doing Dresden is a great example of "done right" and the "surfer dude" doing the Black Prism an example of a missed opportunity.

I listened to the Black Prism about a month ago, really enjoyed it. I thought nothing of the performance at the time. I had just figured that the "surfer dude" tone that was used was done intentionally. When I downloaded the second book and started listening I was very sad to find out that the narrator had changed. It was like night and day. The two tones were so opposite of one another I was almost certain I was listening to a different story with the same character names.

The tone of the narrator can definitely make or break an audiobook. I assumed that Weeks had wanted his characters to come across in this manner. I actually preferred Gavin when he was portrayed as kind of aloof and condescending. (I thought it was comparable to some of the characters from Warbreaker) After starting book two, it has been rather hard to get myself into it. Every character I thought I had come to know has returned as some sort of distorted version of itself.

I guess what I'm getting at is how much control does an author have over the audiobook performance? Did you get a say Michael?
I would also think that the more exposure you get as an author the more say you might have... And if that is the case, I wonder why Weeks would allow this to happen.

[sullivan_riyria]

I guess what I'm getting at is how much control does an author have over the audiobook performance? Did you get a say Michael?

For me, none whatsoever...it was just "hope and pray" that you get someone you like. For the second set of audio...I also had no say (contractually that is) but Orbit wanted to shift the audio from Recorded Books to their own inhouse production company (Hachette Audio). I would have gotten more money if they shifted (Orbit takes 50% when it is sub-licensed), but I asked if I could stay with Recorded Books because I didn't want to roll the dice with another voice actor. My agent did some arm-twisting, and the next set will also be with Recorded Books. Now, I'm not sure if I'll get the same narrator, but i hope so.

I would also think that the more exposure you get as an author the more say you might have... And if that is the case, I wonder why Weeks would allow this to happen.

I think you are right, that the bigger authors sometimes can get this negotiated into their contracts. To be honest I don't think Weeks did...just because it's a hassle to get such things added and you need to "pick your battles" when negotiating a contract.

If I were to guess I think they changed the narrator for that particular series because there were so many negative reviews of the person selected for the first version, but that is just a guess on my part. It could have been the other voice actor wasn't available or something like that as well.

[Lordwalker]

I will second the Twinner's recommendations. All of Joe Abercrombie's books are great in audio form. I also found The Lies of Locke Lamora to be an excellent performance that held my attention more than physical book.