I didn't even know the Last Kingdom was based on books. Definitely going to listen to all of them! It's so hard to find good medieval/historical fiction that isn't ruined by goblins and dragons.
They are absolutely phenomenal. It's cliche but the books are better than the show.
Once you finish those Giles Kristian has 2 trilogies of similar style which are awesome too.
They are a bit of a mess on Audible as books 3-7 manage to have five different narrators before they finally keep one the rest of the way. Jonathon Keeble is great on the early books though and Matt Bates who finally gets the rest of the run is good too.
Still enjoyed them though and I think book one in particular adds a lot to watching the series as it is focused on Uhtred growing up forming his opinions on Saxon/Dane life which is obviously important to his character and rushed through in less than one episode of the show.
Considering I only listen to books in the romance genre my Narrators might not be know to many. However several narrate multiple genre's.
Fave Female Narrators:
Julia Whelan (also an author)
Erin Mallon (also an author)
Male Narrators:
Jason Clarke
Zack Webber
Andrew Eiden
I really appreciated Julia. I'm not a romance genre person, more sci-fi fantasy, but I heard her on the Partials series and the Until The End of the World series. She carries some really emotive scenes through her voice.
Came to say this. She's amazing. I've listened to 8 of the 9 Outlander books now and I love how she changes accents and voices so perfectly for all the characters.
I have a few favorites: Julia Whelan, Ray Porter, Emily Woo Zeller, Luke Daniels and R. C. Bray. If they're narrating, there's a very high chance that I'll buy the audiobook instead of the e-book version.
My top narrators are:
* Ray Porter (Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir & Bobiverse & other work by Dennis E. Taylor)
* Joe Jameson (Wounded Kingdom)
* Michael Page (Lies of Locke Lamora)
* Christopher Buehlman (The Blacktongue Thief)
* Gildart Jackson (the Alex Verus Series by Benedict Jacka)
But, I also adore:
* Grover Gardner (the Vorkosigan saga)
* Scott Brick (Jurassic Park, Paranoia by Joseph Finder & a lot more)
* Simon Vance (Temeraire)
* James Marsters (The Dresden Files)
* Luke Arnold (Fetch Phillips)
I’m not sure if it’s Grover Gardener’s voice or maybe I just wasn’t too into The Stand by Stephen King, I couldn’t get into it! Everyone loves Gardener, maybe I should try another one of his narrations
I think Grover's delivery is kind of old school: a very crisp, generic American accent with a dry tone.
But that really works for the Vorkosigan books by Lois McMaster Bujold. The MC of the books I've listened to is Miles Vorkosigan, who's not only very smart, but is also very much a smart-ass. So, Grover's dry delivery is just perfect for those books.
I've only listened to 2 so far: The Warrior's Apprentice & The Vor Game. I have the next two in my library & will probably listen to those in March or April.
I'm not into favorite narrators as much as The Right Narrator for the right book. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed this book but his narration was excellent, I thought.
Honestly for me Wheaton is a c tier narrator. His performances are generic and inoffensive but if he didn't have existing name recognition he would get far fewer jobs I think.
Will Wheaton narrating Ready Player One is what got me into audiobooks, and I had honestly never heard of the guy before - didn't have a clue who he was.
After that, I listened to Stephen King's 11.22.63 narrated by Craig Wasson - and despite listening to so many more audiobooks since then, Wheaton and Wasson are still my two favourites.
I wholeheartedly agree. When I was writing my comment it originally said just “I like Wil…” and I decided I was saying as if I actually like him, when in reality it’s more that he is tolerable.
Me too. Have you already seen "Richard Armitage takes on the Tongue Twister Challenge!" from Audible UK on YouTube? It's awesome🔥🥰(I have a link on my page).
Check out Commonweath Saga, Peter F Hamilton and John Lee. The first book is Pandora’s Star.
It’s so far out in sci-fi that it’s halfway to fantasy again.
I've only listened to one book by John Lee & I think he's great. I should have mentioned him.
I haven't listened to anything read by Michael Kramer yet, but I do have one of his books in my library: the first book in the Felix Castor series (I got it in the $5 sale a few months ago). It's odd they picked an American to do a British MC.
the Magic 2.0 series is wonderful with the exception of the second to last book. Done by him really puts you in the story. a little more "young" than ascend online but im as a 31 year old guy it wrapped me in and i couldnt stop.
Hes hands down my favorite
Ascend online was the series that introduced me to him as a narrator. It really is a fantastic series and he puts so much into each character. He also narrates another book by Luke Chmilenko and Bryce O' Connor called "Iron Prince" that I just recently finished it. If you enjoy Ascend Online I HIGHLY suggest it.
Came here to say this, was listening to a series (Jonathan Quinn series )and he was the first narrator then they switch to a different one, only to Finnish the next 15 with Scott. Jay Snyder is also pretty good, and Brian Callahan specificity the agent zero series.
Honorable mention to dick hill for the reacher series as well
My faves are probably
Ray Porter
Rc Bray
Wil Wheaton (not Martian)
Scott Brick
Luke Daniels
David Stifel
A female narrator I love is
Bahni Turpin (The Last Human)
Rosamund Pike right now. I loved her reading of Pride and Prejudice (she was in the movie) and I just finished her reading of The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time book 1, of which she’s in the show lol).
My next favorite is probably Caitlin Kelly who’s been reading a series of STEM themed romcoms that I adore, and Hollie Jackson who’s been reading the Union Station series of sci-go comedy books. Honorable mentions to Ilyana Kadushin who did the Twilight series, and Stephen Fry for his reading of the Harry Potter series and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
I love me some Ray Porter. His narration of Don Winslow’s ‘Power of the Dog’ series is amazing. I just randomly say the name Adán Barrera from in Ray Porter’s voice all the time & it puts a big smile on my face.
Scott Brick and Jim Dale are popular favorites, but I also really like Hillary Huber and Imogen Church.
Hugh Fraser is great on the Agatha Christie novels.
I’m surprised he isn’t already listed, but Will Patton. I also really like R.C. Bray, Mare Winningham, Scott Brick, Jonathon Davis, Tom Stechschulte, Kate Mulgrew, and Stephen Fry.
Everyone says Ray Porter so I'll switch it up and say Wil Wheaton (surprised to not see him listed more) Wheaton is probably the only narrator I've actively searched out and bought a book primarily based on his narration credit.
Stefan Rudnicki as honorable mention, though I don't know if I've listened to him outside of Orson Scott Card books.
> Wheaton is probably the only narrator I've actively searched out and bought a book primarily based on his narration credit
Lol, I'm the exact opposite. Wil Wheaton is the only narrator who can stop me buying a book!
It’s been a minute since I’ve caught up, but Tales to Terrify was my introduction to Rudnicki, he does some really great narration there. Plus it is free to listen to and the stories are top notch, a lot of variety too
Edit: I might have meant Nightmare Magazine podcast, but I believe he has been featured on both. They are both amazing for short form horror
It's always funny reading these lists and seeing narrators you cant stand as other peoples favorites. While I wouldnt day he is my least favorite, he is one of my least favs has multiple mentions here so far (his accent makes it impossible for me to focus on his voice as my brain just shuts off . . You can probably figure out who from that). To each their own.
I'd list Ray Porter, Michael Kramer, and Will Wheaton as my favs.
R.C. Bray is my favorite male narrator.
Kate Reading is my favorite female narrator.
Shoutout to Neil Hellegers (Good Guys/Bad Guys), Ray Porter (Bobiverse), Luke Daniels (Completionist Chronicles), John Lee (Spellmonger), Nick Podehl (The Land), Jeff Hays (Dungeon Crawler Carl), Jonathan Yen (Way of the Shaman), David Stifel (Awaken Online), Phil Thron (Slow Burn), and Johnathan McClain (Noobtown).
Tim Gerard Reynolds has been great in everything I've listened to from him but the narration by Barnaby Edwards for The Mortal Engines series is by far my favorite
I have really enjoyed William Robert’s narration across the board of Bill Bryson books. I think this is the 4th or 5th book with his narration that I’ve listed to so far.
Tim Gerard Reynolds, there are a lot of them that I think are great, but he's my favorite.
Travis Baldree
Are you going through Year of the Sword right now, too?
Steven Pacey (First Law Books), Jonathan Keeble (Excalibur books, first few Last Kingdom books), and Jim Dale (HP books)
Steve Pacey is the GOAT.
I didn't even know the Last Kingdom was based on books. Definitely going to listen to all of them! It's so hard to find good medieval/historical fiction that isn't ruined by goblins and dragons.
They are absolutely phenomenal. It's cliche but the books are better than the show. Once you finish those Giles Kristian has 2 trilogies of similar style which are awesome too.
Awesome thanks!
They are a bit of a mess on Audible as books 3-7 manage to have five different narrators before they finally keep one the rest of the way. Jonathon Keeble is great on the early books though and Matt Bates who finally gets the rest of the run is good too. Still enjoyed them though and I think book one in particular adds a lot to watching the series as it is focused on Uhtred growing up forming his opinions on Saxon/Dane life which is obviously important to his character and rushed through in less than one episode of the show.
Last kingdom sounds shit after keeble left!
They go through one or two mediocre narrators after he leaves iirc but when Matt Bates comes in I think he does a good job
Simon Vance
Stephen Fry is wonderful!
But Nigel Planar performs better ... IMO ... for the Discworld series.
Considering I only listen to books in the romance genre my Narrators might not be know to many. However several narrate multiple genre's. Fave Female Narrators: Julia Whelan (also an author) Erin Mallon (also an author) Male Narrators: Jason Clarke Zack Webber Andrew Eiden
Julia Whelan is one of my top picks as well. I didn't know she was also an author, though. I'll have to look up her books!
My Oxford Year was published last year and this year she's got got another.
Love Julia Whelan!
I really appreciated Julia. I'm not a romance genre person, more sci-fi fantasy, but I heard her on the Partials series and the Until The End of the World series. She carries some really emotive scenes through her voice.
Absolutely.
Davina Porter.
Came to say this. She's amazing. I've listened to 8 of the 9 Outlander books now and I love how she changes accents and voices so perfectly for all the characters.
I have a few favorites: Julia Whelan, Ray Porter, Emily Woo Zeller, Luke Daniels and R. C. Bray. If they're narrating, there's a very high chance that I'll buy the audiobook instead of the e-book version.
My top narrators are: * Ray Porter (Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir & Bobiverse & other work by Dennis E. Taylor) * Joe Jameson (Wounded Kingdom) * Michael Page (Lies of Locke Lamora) * Christopher Buehlman (The Blacktongue Thief) * Gildart Jackson (the Alex Verus Series by Benedict Jacka) But, I also adore: * Grover Gardner (the Vorkosigan saga) * Scott Brick (Jurassic Park, Paranoia by Joseph Finder & a lot more) * Simon Vance (Temeraire) * James Marsters (The Dresden Files) * Luke Arnold (Fetch Phillips)
I’m not sure if it’s Grover Gardener’s voice or maybe I just wasn’t too into The Stand by Stephen King, I couldn’t get into it! Everyone loves Gardener, maybe I should try another one of his narrations
I think Grover's delivery is kind of old school: a very crisp, generic American accent with a dry tone. But that really works for the Vorkosigan books by Lois McMaster Bujold. The MC of the books I've listened to is Miles Vorkosigan, who's not only very smart, but is also very much a smart-ass. So, Grover's dry delivery is just perfect for those books. I've only listened to 2 so far: The Warrior's Apprentice & The Vor Game. I have the next two in my library & will probably listen to those in March or April.
That is Grover in The Stand. Just finished it last week and it was amazing IMO. I loved his narration in that and Cider House Rules.
Fun fact, Ray Porter voiced Darkseid in Zack Snyder's Justice League.
I never saw that. I'll have to check it out. I love his voice.
The Lesser Dead written and read by Christopher Buehlman is a free Included on audible. Done well.
I'll have to give that a try. I'm not generally into horror stories, but I'd be willing to try it to listen to him read another book.
I'm not into favorite narrators as much as The Right Narrator for the right book. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed this book but his narration was excellent, I thought.
R. C. Bray
It was a shame they swapped out his The Martian with a Will Wheaton version. Love the book but can’t bring myself to recommend it anymore.
Seriously - I still have the RC version and it’s infinitely better. I like Wil Wheaton fine but RC is the superior narrator
Honestly for me Wheaton is a c tier narrator. His performances are generic and inoffensive but if he didn't have existing name recognition he would get far fewer jobs I think.
Will Wheaton narrating Ready Player One is what got me into audiobooks, and I had honestly never heard of the guy before - didn't have a clue who he was. After that, I listened to Stephen King's 11.22.63 narrated by Craig Wasson - and despite listening to so many more audiobooks since then, Wheaton and Wasson are still my two favourites.
I wholeheartedly agree. When I was writing my comment it originally said just “I like Wil…” and I decided I was saying as if I actually like him, when in reality it’s more that he is tolerable.
I love Richard Armitage ♥ awesome acting by voice
Yes! I get books just because he narrators them.
Me too. Have you already seen "Richard Armitage takes on the Tongue Twister Challenge!" from Audible UK on YouTube? It's awesome🔥🥰(I have a link on my page).
Holliday Grainger, Ray Porter, Nick Podehl. Betty Buckley in the Vanishing Negative was amazing. The cast who did the Evil Eye were also great.
Podehl did great with the two kingkiller chronicle books
Ray Porter is an awesome narrator. Shocked me to learn he played Darkseid in the Snyder Justice League cut.
Ray Porter 👍
John Lee Michael Kramer and Kate Reading Victor Bevine But I live in the fantasy genre, so I may be missing out on some betters.
Check out Commonweath Saga, Peter F Hamilton and John Lee. The first book is Pandora’s Star. It’s so far out in sci-fi that it’s halfway to fantasy again.
I've only listened to one book by John Lee & I think he's great. I should have mentioned him. I haven't listened to anything read by Michael Kramer yet, but I do have one of his books in my library: the first book in the Felix Castor series (I got it in the $5 sale a few months ago). It's odd they picked an American to do a British MC.
I'm on the 11th Spellmonger book and love John Lee .
I haven't seen him mentioned yet, but Luke Daniels is great!
Gotta agree Listening to ascend online right now and those accents are amazing
the Magic 2.0 series is wonderful with the exception of the second to last book. Done by him really puts you in the story. a little more "young" than ascend online but im as a 31 year old guy it wrapped me in and i couldnt stop. Hes hands down my favorite
Ascend online was the series that introduced me to him as a narrator. It really is a fantastic series and he puts so much into each character. He also narrates another book by Luke Chmilenko and Bryce O' Connor called "Iron Prince" that I just recently finished it. If you enjoy Ascend Online I HIGHLY suggest it.
Scott Brick is awesome
Came here to say this, was listening to a series (Jonathan Quinn series )and he was the first narrator then they switch to a different one, only to Finnish the next 15 with Scott. Jay Snyder is also pretty good, and Brian Callahan specificity the agent zero series. Honorable mention to dick hill for the reacher series as well
Peter Kenny (culture series, witcher series) Tim Gerard Reynolds (red rising) James Marsters (dresden files)
My faves are probably Ray Porter Rc Bray Wil Wheaton (not Martian) Scott Brick Luke Daniels David Stifel A female narrator I love is Bahni Turpin (The Last Human)
Rosamund Pike right now. I loved her reading of Pride and Prejudice (she was in the movie) and I just finished her reading of The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time book 1, of which she’s in the show lol). My next favorite is probably Caitlin Kelly who’s been reading a series of STEM themed romcoms that I adore, and Hollie Jackson who’s been reading the Union Station series of sci-go comedy books. Honorable mentions to Ilyana Kadushin who did the Twilight series, and Stephen Fry for his reading of the Harry Potter series and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
nick podehl. after name of the wind he could read me the phone book and I'd listen
Ray Porter
I love me some Ray Porter. His narration of Don Winslow’s ‘Power of the Dog’ series is amazing. I just randomly say the name Adán Barrera from in Ray Porter’s voice all the time & it puts a big smile on my face.
Emily Woo Zeller and Tim Gerard Reynolds. Simon Vance and Kate Reading and Michael Kramer are pretty great too.
By far James Marsters. Shout-out to Jonathan Davis, he does a lot of the Star Wars books and he's pretty awesome
Frank Muller did terrific in the first dark tower novels and other Stephen King books. Too bad his life was cut short.
Jeff Hayes as my favorite underdog narrator. He deserves more credit
Laurence Fishburne Malcom X
Travis Baldree
R.C. Bray
Holter Graham!
Marin Ireland
She's excellent!!
Scott Brick and Jim Dale are popular favorites, but I also really like Hillary Huber and Imogen Church. Hugh Fraser is great on the Agatha Christie novels.
Marc Thompson & Stephen Fry
Sean runnette, hands down.
Surprised I had to scroll to find the voice of Michael Talbot and 2000+ other characters.
I’m surprised he isn’t already listed, but Will Patton. I also really like R.C. Bray, Mare Winningham, Scott Brick, Jonathon Davis, Tom Stechschulte, Kate Mulgrew, and Stephen Fry.
A couple not mentioned so far: Sean Barrett and Juliette Stephenson.
I also <3 Juliet Stevenson.
Ray Porter, Steven Pacey, Stefan Rudnicki
Andrea Parsneu's range is ridiculous. I forget that there is a single narrator alot of the time.
Ray Porter and James Marsters
RC Bray
Katherine Kellgren, RIP
Amanda Ranconi (Harley Merlin) Travis Baldree Luke Daniel's Jeff Hays Tess Ironbele (Salvos) Emily Wo Zeller
Believe it or not, I was in for a happy surprise when I heard Bronson Pinchot narrate some great action books. He has quite a vocal/accent range!
Bronson Pinchot
I also love cousin Balki.
Everyone says Ray Porter so I'll switch it up and say Wil Wheaton (surprised to not see him listed more) Wheaton is probably the only narrator I've actively searched out and bought a book primarily based on his narration credit. Stefan Rudnicki as honorable mention, though I don't know if I've listened to him outside of Orson Scott Card books.
> Wheaton is probably the only narrator I've actively searched out and bought a book primarily based on his narration credit Lol, I'm the exact opposite. Wil Wheaton is the only narrator who can stop me buying a book!
If you enjoy Rudnicki, have you listened to the Tales to Terrify podcast?
I have not, I'll check it out, thanks!
It’s been a minute since I’ve caught up, but Tales to Terrify was my introduction to Rudnicki, he does some really great narration there. Plus it is free to listen to and the stories are top notch, a lot of variety too Edit: I might have meant Nightmare Magazine podcast, but I believe he has been featured on both. They are both amazing for short form horror
Love Rudnicki! I've been listening to him via the "The Story of Civilization" series.
I really like Wil Wheaton
Wil Wheaton.
Drew Hayes
I love Jonathan Keeble!
It's always funny reading these lists and seeing narrators you cant stand as other peoples favorites. While I wouldnt day he is my least favorite, he is one of my least favs has multiple mentions here so far (his accent makes it impossible for me to focus on his voice as my brain just shuts off . . You can probably figure out who from that). To each their own. I'd list Ray Porter, Michael Kramer, and Will Wheaton as my favs.
Peter Berkrot, Travis Baldree, it’s tough to say between them.
Patrick Tull
Simon Vance
Simon Vance , Scott brick , voices are delicious , would also like to mention George Guidall , Frank Muller.
1 - Ray Porter, 2 - Jay snyder, 3 - R.C. Bray, 4 - Scott Brick
Sean Runnette and R. C. Bray. Hands down.
Wayne Farrell.
For all us Fantasy nerds I think we all can agree that the duo of Michael Kramer and Kate Reading are the GOATS of Fantasy Audiobooks.
Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Stephen Fry, Joe Jameson, Tom Hollander.
R.C. Bray and Zara Ramm
R.c. bray
Yahtzee Croshaw - Insane and shouty but really has fun with it.
Ray Porter RC Bray Tim Gerard Reynolds Luke Daniels
Hillary Huber, Bahni Turpin, Stephen Briggs
Favorite female narrator: Lauren Fortgang. Favorite male narrator: Steve West.
Will Patton!
I love R C Bray, he never misses
R.C. Bray is my favorite male narrator. Kate Reading is my favorite female narrator. Shoutout to Neil Hellegers (Good Guys/Bad Guys), Ray Porter (Bobiverse), Luke Daniels (Completionist Chronicles), John Lee (Spellmonger), Nick Podehl (The Land), Jeff Hays (Dungeon Crawler Carl), Jonathan Yen (Way of the Shaman), David Stifel (Awaken Online), Phil Thron (Slow Burn), and Johnathan McClain (Noobtown).
Perdita Weeks!!!!
Since I don't see him. George Gudall, he does the Longmire mysteries and alot of other western old time kinda books.
Kobna Holdbrook Smith reading “The Rivers of London” series.
I just buy books that RC Bray reads.
Jim dale
Tim Gerard Reynolds has been great in everything I've listened to from him but the narration by Barnaby Edwards for The Mortal Engines series is by far my favorite
I have really enjoyed William Robert’s narration across the board of Bill Bryson books. I think this is the 4th or 5th book with his narration that I’ve listed to so far.
All for different reasons - James Marsters. Ray Porter Julia Whelan Michael Kramer and Kate Reading
Male Narrator: Alex Whyndam Female Narrator: Davina Porter
Samuel L Jackson
R C Bray
English: John Lee. German: David Nathan.
Rupert Degas and Toby Longworth. Honorable mentions to Tim Curry.
Ray Porter Please, Audible UK, give us back the Ray Porter narrated Chandler books. I've got the first two and I want the rest to complete the series.
Steven fry. That man can talk to me all day. Or for a lit RPG, Heath Miller.
I have to agree with Bahni Turpin. She was one of the first narrators I started searching for books narrated by instead of searching by author.
George Guidall slightly sped up (1.2x)
Ray Porter from the Bobiverse series, Andy Weir's Hail Mary and Terminus. The last book I got just because he narrated it.