Best Sci Fi Audible Books (2024 Updated)

One of the best fantasy novels I’ve ever read. I read this as a teen, then went back and re-read it as an adult, and I have to say, I loved it more as an adult. The characters are genuine, the action is so real, and even though it’s a well-worn genre, it’s a really fresh take on it.

Takes the old and makes it new again. The bells on the bandolier of death, the talking cat, the statue boy, they are all amazing plot points. But it’s the sense of adventure that I truly love about this story.

The only thing I ought to mention is that the sequels are a bit drawn out. So if you like this one, just know there is more, but both sequels pale in comparison to this one.

This was not a hardcover book in the traditional sense. It was a horribly put together paperback turned into a hardcover. It is the size of a paperback with a harder plastic cover on the front with an off center misprinted picture on the front.

There are so many misleading postings from this company it is a wonder they have any positive reviews at all.

This is a great book. Read it years ago, and it’s still one of my favorites. It’s got a wonderfully integrated, unique magic system, combining musical notes, runes, and raw willpower. The plot incorporates just the right mix of fantasy tropes and fresh concepts.

It’s all packed well; I never got bored, staying immersed throughout.

This is not Star Wars by any means, and it involves a lot of psychology and strategy. The plot is almost like a chess game, thinking two or more steps ahead of the game. The Foundation Trilogy was written in the early 1950s, and some of the standards of that time, i.

e. the position of woman have greatly progressed since that time, and the age of atomics, greatly featured was just beginning, but this remains a science fiction classic. This is the first book. It steps when a young Mathematician named Gaal Dornick travels to Trantor, capital planet of the galactic empire encompassing the entire Milky Way galaxy, with Trantor being on giant city covering the whole planet.

It is there he meet Hari Seldon, a dying man who, though his equations and psychoanalysis of humanity, predicts the fall of the galactic empire, while nobody else has a clue. Seldon introduces the concept of psychohistory, the prediction of the reaction of the masses of humans when confronted with a crisis.

The greater the mass, the more accurate the prediction. This concept, incidentally, is being examined today, in real life. With this downfall will come 30 thousand years of barbarism throughout the galaxy.

It is too late to stop the fall, but, with the right strategy, the period of barbarism can be reducedto 1,000 years. With that, Hari Seldon sets up two foundations at opposite ends of the galaxy to help control this period and help set up a new empire.

In this book, Seldon gathers up all the best minds of the empire, covering all academic disciplines, and settles them on the planet Terminus, an outlying planet on the periphery of the galaxy, with little or no natural resources.

An Enclopedia Galactica, is to be written an encyclopedia that will literally consists of all human knowledge in existence, a massive project. This is so that when the new empire is form, humankind will be able to refer to it, reclaim knowledge that all of humanity will lose during the barbaric times.

Every so often, an image of Hari Seldon will appear in a vault advising them during a crisis. Spoiler alert! The encyclopedia turns out to be a hoax. Dr. Seldon gathered the best minds on Terminus for a higher, more strategic reason.

The Foundation will form that new empire by taking the new kingdoms one by one, and uniting them. Foundation will have a power that no one else has and everyone fears, and they will have what everyone else needs and will do anything to get it.

In this case, since Terminus has no resources, they will have to import raw materials and miniaturize everything. This istheir secret to power. Knowledge is power, is a great application. In this case, they miniaturize atomic power, having an atomic reactor literally fit into a walnut, and they use this talent, along with a new religion, to play kingdoms against one another until the Foundation absorbs them.

The book is divided into five parts, and each part is in its own time period where a crisis erupts, Seldon comes in the form of a hologram to advise them, and then Foundation realizes what kind of power that have at the moment.

Threatening kingdoms come in to attempt to conquer the planet, but the Foundationers think ahead, and instead, defeats them, but with little or no violence. They use what is needed at the time; i. e.

a religion is formed in one era, flourishes, use it to control other planets, but then declines, as the Foundationers see fit. Other philosophies and technologies then come in to take its place in usefulness.

The author, Isaac Asimov, stated that this series is based on The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, and here, you see many similarities, but also differences. Ancient Rome was known as Terminus, and the religion established to control the masses was none other than the Roman Catholic Church.

There was no Foundation or the gathering of intellectuals to preserve knowledge, and they could not set up a new empire. Many of these signs we see in the novel do apply to our society today, and in a way, the United States is declining, but it could change course and go on the up and up again, but with a lot of effort, money, and perhaps, a gathering of the best minds to see how our present day crises can be handled.

The book ends with the defeat of another threat that thought could overpower foundation, but the next book, Foundation and Empire, will have a new surprise. Things can’t go smoothly forever!.

I must admit that I missed out on a lot of classic science fiction. I read voraciously as a kid and missed Asimov completely. Got much more into reading fantasy. Recently I read a review that called the Foundation series the best series of all time, edging Lord of the Rings, my all time favorite books.

That being the case, I went into reading this with some thought to debunk that notion. Fortunately for me, though my love for LOTR has not faded in the slightest, I am amazed and impressed with how good this book was.

I have never heard anything bad about Asimov, but this book really made me understand the awe that sci-fi fans hold him in. It was such a difference to most science fiction. The interstellar battles, spaceships, and lazer guns were all behind the scenes.

The character drama was intense and basically this was just a fascinating tale about people and politics set in the sci-fi genre. It may be a sign of age or maturity (surely not both) that I am so impressed with this interaction lacking the explosions and light-speed effects but trusting completely to the honesty of the dialogue and the believability of the characters.

I truly expected a professor of BioChemistry from the Soviet Union to write boring, tech-heavy stuff, but this was nothing like that. I can’t say enough about how good this book was, and since I have gone out and purchased the whole series.

I am ashamed to have not been exposed to this series previously, but I now am hopefully passing the torch so that others like me will have the chance. Read this, you will not regret it!.

I’m a big fan of science fiction and love this book. It’s the first book in the series and I will be reading the rest of them.

Violent, funny, and gripping. An outstanding trilogy kicked off by a great opener. Great characters who blur the lines of good and bad, excellent and darkly amusing dialogue, and action scenes that make you feel like you’re there getting stuck in.

Abercrombie is the only author I’ve found whose books I can read several times. Just finished The First Law trilogy in a week as I’m so keen to get to Best Served Cold and Heroes. Lots of backstabbing and twists in a great story set in a well thought out and created world.

Light on magic and heavy on war, and consequences of personal agendas. Good characters doing bad things for good reasons.

The blade itself is a thrilling ride of intrigue and wonder. Abercrombie has created an absolute masterpiece with the blade itself. There isn’t much to like about the main characters, they are terrible people.

The way Abercrombie has written them forces you to cheer for them and truly enjoy their interactions with each other. There are moments throughout this book where I thought I knew what was about to unfold.

I was wrong, Abercrombie takes grim dark fantasy to a whole new level that I think fans of this genre will appreciate and cherish. The blade itself is an absolute pleasure to read.

Rarely have I read a book and so quickly needed to go buy the sequels. I don’t’ want to give away ANY spoilers, so I’m going to leave this review really vague. But, to give you an example, the last time I got this absorbed in a series was with my introduction to Game of Thrones.

This is not a fluffy read, yet I still got through it in only two days. It helped that I was out sick, but I might have been “sick” to get through it even if I hadn’t really had a cold. People who like straightforward “good guy” and “bad guy” characters probably won’t like Abercrombie’s work, but in a generation of anti-heroes I think he does an amazing job of developing his characters.

Now it’s just too bad the post office is so slow with media mail because I’m still waiting for book #2. ARG!.

This book is part of a series that’s very good. if you like suspense and adventure you will enjoy this book. its full of excitement. Kids with special abilities helping to rid the world of creatures that want to end their existence.

I can’t wait to see how this story ends.

Amazing. I have been reading this series since the first book came out. Ransom Riggs is a great writer. When I read the vooks I can actually visualize what is going on in the story

It’s the last in the series and it ended everything wonderfully! I had the book read within a week and loved it. It’s one of those (series) I will re-read again.

This new adventure in the Old Kingdom will bring you back to the familiar world in Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen but with the fresh twist of being set 600 years prior to those events when things were much different and were beginning to shape the future.

With such detail and depth to the story it is such a wonderful read and is well worth the time to read the previous books first as there are so many details about the world to pick up on to immerse yourself further into the world of the Old Kingdom.

Yet Clariel doesn’t need to be supported by the other books as it is more than capable to stand by itself because in its own way is also a beginning as well with Clariel learning about the nature of how things work in the Old Kingdom.

I have waited a long time for Garth Nix to expand on the Abhorsen series. I had forgotten most of the series as it was so long ago but once I was into Clariel I remembered all. Thankfully mogget is in the book (the most important character:) and causes his normal strife.

I love the Abhorsen series and really loved Clarial.

Some people may say this book is not as good as the first 3 but I disagree. It definitely has a darker and different feel but still is enthralling. Even though you pretty much know how Clariel’s story ends if you read the other books you still keep rooting for her.

This is one of the most enjoyable stories that I have read so having it read aloud to me is equally as enjoyable. I have waited for a long time to have this as an audiobook and I have not been disappointed.

How can you not like Stephen King

very good

I love this author and particularly this series. Don’t get me wrong, I like Meredith Gentry too, but Anita Blake is the character that brought me to Laurell K. Hamilton’s works. I always recommend Laurell K.

Hamilton to anyone I know who likes to read. I got both my older sisters and my mother hooked on her books. And numerous friends and acquaintances. Laurell K. Hamilton has not written a single Laurell K.

Hamilton novel or Meredith Gentry novel that I do not like as of yet.

An exciting read. Lots of action, with monsters, vampires werewolves

I bought this book because I have read all 11 of this series. Wow! This was such a good book that I read it and couldn’t stop till it ended. This book, even though it is #22 in the ANITA BLAKE VAMPIRE HUNTER series, you can read this and everything makes sense.

It can be a stand alone book it has an excellent story plot with horror,kinky sex, and lovable characters. After reading about the scary fast rotting zombies and how they ate you to death, I have to admit it spooked me to read it when I was alone.

lol I highly recommend this book to not just the people who have been waiting for book #22 but all readers over 18, who have never read any of her other books before. The characters will draw you in and you will want to read their stories and how she ended up with each lover and more.

This is one of my favorite books of all time. I read this in two days and immediately got Dark Matter afterwards. (Which is also fantastic. ) I heard this is being adapted by Shonda Rhimes (!!!) for Netflix and I absolutely cannot wait for that.

Seriously. buy this book. It’s SO good.

This book is one of my very favorites! Kept my attention really well and was a really good science fiction read. The character development was really fantastic in this book.

I had been looking for a decent edition of Doyle’s The Lost World for some time. What drew me to this version was the original illustrations from The Strand magazine, which accompanied the original serialization.

An extra bonus was the quality of the paper used in the printing. None of the usual cheap paper that yellows over time, this was good heavy stock. It was a joy to read the story again after many years, with a publication that had done it justice.

Disclaimer: Despite the review title, and despite that line (or one similar) appearing in the book, no mammoths or mastodons actually appear, just dinosaurs and ape men. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is primarily known for the character of Sherlock Holmes.

But you know that already, don’t you? I may as well tell you water is wet. What Doyle is slightly less known for however is his seminal lost world adventure novel called, well, ‘The Lost World. ‘ The story is so familiar that to recap it is almost an exercise in futility.

Nevertheless I believe in being thorough. Ed Malone is a London reporter who pines for the wealthy Gladys Hungerton. Gladys however won’t marry Malone unless he does something brave and heroic. Seeking a dangerous assignment from his editor, he is sent to interview the infamous, hot-tempered Professor Challenger.

Challenger claims to know of a lost plateau in the Amazonian rain forest where dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals still roam, although his evidence is flimsy. Urged by Malone, however, Challenger, well, challenges his doubtful colleagues to return with him to Amazon to see the plateau for himself, and then see if they can call him a fraud.

Only two people volunteer to go: another scientist named Professor Summerlee, to thoroughly disprove Challenger, and Lord John Roxton, a wealthy sportsman who has had experience in the Amazon battling against slave traders.

Roxton doesn’t quite believe Challenger’s claims, but is up for an adventure nonetheless. As for Malone he volunteers in a bid to impress Gladys. Despite not actually getting to the titular lost world (and any dinosaurs) until midway through the novel Doyle holds the reader’s interest with a cast of colorful characters until they finally get to the plateau.

Once they’re there, though, the adventure begins in earnest and Doyle keeps the dangers coming fast and furious as Challenger and friends encounter all kinds of prehistoric creatures. A truly classic novel.

Great plot. Kind of a mix between Jurassic World and King Kong. Originally bought to read to primary class but on reading realised they wouldnt be able to access the language or themes. However Im still enjoying it!.

The binding for this book is beautiful. The story is classic Gaiman: part myth, part drama, part mystery, part adventure, part comedy; even a little romance thrown in. I won’t lie, it took getting through about half of the novel before it grew on me, and now I’ve read it a few times through.

This was actually a replacement purchase, as my original copy fell apart after reading it a couple of times (I bought the mass market paperback originally). I would recommend this book, if you’re looking for entertainment from your books.

If you are looking for literary value, though, I would recommend some of Gaiman’s other novels.

As a nearly 1/2 century old woman, I thought there was nothing I could read that would resemble something “new under the sun”. I am here to admit that I was wrong and now proudly own 5 of Neil Gaimans books and intend to read everything else he has ever written.

When Stephen King said “we have a treasure in Neil Gaiman” he was making an understatement. For fantasy, fiction, adventure and mystery readers, he has it all in each and every book I have read! I am even looking forward to the comics and will be watching “Coraline” again (not knowing his hand in it until after the first book).

I highly recommend that you buy NEW from a reputable book store so he gets his fair share! If I were healthy and not home bound due to a genetic ailment, I would search him out and beg an hour or ten of his time to get to know him.

Brilliance never shone so bright as it does in the mind, body and share soul of another writer. If by chance Neil should ever read this review, I wish to say thank you. Thank you for helping me forget my physical pain and the sadness that my active life has become due to this illness because when I read your books, I become a part of them as if welcomed personally.

Thank You Michelle McKim Valparaiso IN PS Please announce if you are ever in Chicago for a book signing, I promise just to say thank you and not hoard your time, I must wear a mask when in public so don’t fear, I am not contageous! I love me some Neil Gaiman mind!.

Fantastic read. great characters .and awsome follow up to American gods

Terry Brooks is a great writer and author, I have collected his books for years.Very compelling reading,always exciting and a wonderful way to pass time.

Really enjoyed reading it. Looking forward to the conclusion of the series with the best book

More like the Terry Brooks of “old”. Love the tie-in to the book that started me in the genre so many years ago.

To see The Shannarra Saga end when these 4 Novels do. But it’s always a wonderful read with Terry. Looking forward to whatever else he writes next. Something brand new maybe-

The ending of the Shanara epic fantasy encompassing 28 books to read and reread.

I’ve been reading Terry Brooks for 19 years and he hasn’t disappointed once. This book is no different.

I have read this book many times and each time it is just as funny and entertaining as the first time I read it. God and the Devil Decide this is it! Send down instructions to their chief demon and chief angel on earth who decide, “No way can we allow this happen”.

Their pursuits in preventing Armageddon are akin to the “gang who couldn’t shoot straight””. Hysterical and funny. Amazon did a tv series on it and turned into a buddy brofest movie – which distorted the book.

Read the book first and then ignore the tv program!.

The actual book was fine, big fan of my boys Neil Gaimen and Pratchett. However, the product description was “good,” which implies a scratch here and there, maybe a creased spine, or a note/highlight.

The book recieved had cracks all over cover, torn pages, and overall disappointing. I guess you get what you pay for, but if this is what “good” condition is, maybe shell out the few extra dollars for “very good” or “like new”.

It was an accident. I meant to order the dvd but pressed the wrong button. I have had the book for years and I am happy to keep the second copy to give away to friends who don’t know it. Having got the dvd later and watched half of it, I think I go back to the book.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION’s Scholastic Siren – Sara: >>In loving memory of Mike Briggs< < I love Mercy! If you don't know her, don't start here, this is not a stand-alone book. Check out the rest of the series first.

Having chapters from different points of view, as well as Mercy being without her allies for much of this book, made this a very different entry in the series. It is reminiscent of the early books before Mercy and Adam were mated, but very new and fresh, as well.

We get to know some series regulars much better, and get a few new characters. Larry the Goblin King is a favorite and sure to return. There were a few big twists, one of which really got me. I’m a mystery reader and I was had, big time! I enjoyed every minute of this read, no slow spots at all.

*A copy of this book was provided to us with no requirements for a review. We voluntarily read this book and our comments here are the honest opinion of my associate reviewer.

Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson series is one of the best supernatural series i am currently reading. I absolutely love, love and love Mercy. Mercy is a human who turns into a coyote. She is a loyal, loving and fierce woman who happens to be a mechanic, married to the local Werewolf alpha, Adam and always seems to be caught up in investigations of the supernatural when they threaten those she loves.

Silence fallen is just as great as the very first book and i know i will be with Mercy Thompson till the end.

Absolutely love this series by Patricia Briggs. I devoured the last book (Fire Touched) and Silence Fallen is proving to be just as charming and intensely entertaining. If you love werewolves or anything Supernatural such as the Sookie Stackhouse series or the Kim Harrison witch books you absolutely have to read this book.

FYI you will knock it back like a shot of fireball and kick yourself while you wait for the previous books to ship to you if this is your first experience with Mercy and the Wolfpack.

As promised in synopsis, this is tightly written, well crafted “hard” sci-fi. It’s a great read and characters are well developed, with a minimum of what I call soap opera. My only quibble is that it wasn’t what I hunger for — fiction directed at the encounter with an alien mentality, and how humans approach, understand and react.

What was frustrating for me is that the book promised so much but then veered off to the side. Encounter was made with an alien interface that so successfully mimicked human mentality, minus emotion, that no concept of alien mind was addressed.

The last part was the conflict and competition over alien technology between two human groups, which to me was boring and depressing. As thriller-adventure, it was well done and realistic. Just not what this reader hungered for.

I’ve been a fan of John Sanford(or john case) for a long long time, and converted I don’t know how many other guys by giving them copies. BUT, I am not a fan of science fiction, regardless of how well it is written, and this one seems to be well written, but I can’t seem to get interested in this Genre.

I just hope and pray that Sanford doesn’t emulate Patterson and start hiring other people to write books under his name, with or without cover credit. John you’re just too damn good a writer to even contemplate such.

If I accidently get a Patterson I just toss it. I think the late Tony Hillerman said it best in a note to me. He said I’m a weary 83 so don’t count on ever seeing another book by me. On another note, Hillerman’s Daughter Anne is writing books of the same Genre as her Father, and apparently she studied his books long and hard, as she’s writing now, and is damn good.

I saw this in the airport and picked it up because the synopsis intrigued me. I couldn’t put it down. An object is spotted slowing down and orbiting Saturn. A race between the US and China is on to get there first.

The ending ties everything up nicely. I cant recommend this book enough. Half my family is reading this now and loving it.

Oh, my gosh, this was such a good book! I read the sequel as well, and would highly recommend. I’m not a young adult, but this book appealed to me just the same. Great story, excellent writing, and would highly recommend to a young adult reading circle.

It addresses prejudice, and how quickly fear and racism can escalate in a society. Great read.

I honestly love this book. Love the world, the characters, story, everything about it!

I watched the TV series. I was excited to be able to read the book that influenced the 6 years on the FX channel.

i love the show justified and hoped i would enjoy the book. its really not nearly as good as the tv show. its different but not compelling.

We seen this series on tv, and I’ve read a few of Elmore’s books. This one I expect to be good too. Book is in great shape.