Audiobooks Like The Name of the Wind

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Nick Podehl narrates The Name of the Wind with a storyteller's self-awareness — Kvothe is performing his own legend even as he tells it, and Podehl plays both the older, diminished man and the brilliant young upstart with enough distinction that the framing device never collapses. At 28 hours it's a genuine commitment, and the list reflects that: nearly every pick is highly rated, most run at a comparable length, and all lean toward epic fantasy that earns its runtime through depth rather than event.

10 audiobooks for fans of The Name of the Wind

  1. 1
    The Wise Man's Fear cover

    The Wise Man's Fear

    The Kingkiller Chronicle • Book 2

    by Patrick Rothfuss

    Narrated by Nick Podehl

    4.79 ABR Score (711.5K ratings)
    ★ 4.55 Goodreads (626.1K) ★ 4.8 Audible (85.5K)
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    Kvothe continues his legendary tale, traveling to court intrigue and spending time with the immortal Felurian while mastering both magic and seduction. Nick Podehl's performance remains captivating.

  2. 2
    Kingdom of Ash cover

    Kingdom of Ash

    Throne of Glass • Book 7

    by Sarah J. Maas

    Narrated by Elizabeth Evans

    4.91 ABR Score (1.2M ratings)
    ★ 4.71 Goodreads (1.1M) ★ 4.88 Audible (39.0K)
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    Aelin endures torture in an iron coffin while her allies wage final war across multiple kingdoms in this explosive series finale.

  3. 3
    A Court of Mist and Fury cover

    A Court of Mist and Fury

    A Court of Thorns and Roses • Book 2

    by Sarah J. Maas

    Narrated by Jennifer Ikeda

    4.89 ABR Score (3.3M ratings)
    ★ 4.63 Goodreads (3.3M) ★ 4.85 Audible (60.1K)
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    Feyre's trauma from Under the Mountain collides with new powers and political intrigue in the Night Court. Jennifer Ikeda captures both Feyre's vulnerability and growing strength in this darker sequel.

  4. 4
    Empire of Storms cover

    Empire of Storms

    Throne of Glass • Book 5

    by Sarah J. Maas

    Narrated by Elizabeth Evans

    4.84 ABR Score (1.3M ratings)
    ★ 4.63 Goodreads (1.3M) ★ 4.84 Audible (33.1K)
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    Elizabeth Evans handles the emotional weight of Aelin's journey as she gathers allies and faces impossible choices in this penultimate Throne of Glass installment.

  5. 5
    The Hero of Ages cover

    The Hero of Ages

    The Mistborn Saga • Book 3

    by Brandon Sanderson

    Narrated by Michael Kramer

    Why this book?

    Both epics feature deeply introspective protagonists grappling with their identity and power while navigating richly imagined worlds, and Michael Kramer's measured narration complements the same contemplative tone that makes Nick Podehl's performance of Kvothe's story so compelling. The similar runtime and scope offer that same immersive, character-driven fantasy experience where magic systems and personal stakes feel equally vital to the narrative.

    4.83 ABR Score (680.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.56 Goodreads (606.0K) ★ 4.85 Audible (74.8K)
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    Vin faces the apocalyptic Deepness while Elend builds his kingdom, as Sanderson concludes his Mistborn trilogy with the ultimate test of heroism and sacrifice.

  6. 6
    The Final Empire cover

    The Final Empire

    The Mistborn Saga • Book 1

    by Brandon Sanderson

    Narrated by Michael Kramer

    Why this book?

    The Final Empire delivers the same immersive, character-driven storytelling with a protagonist discovering their hidden power, while Michael Kramer's narration provides equally compelling vocal performances across a richly detailed fantasy world. Both audiobooks balance intricate magic systems with deeply personal character arcs, making them equally rewarding listens for fans of epic fantasy.

    4.78 ABR Score (1.1M ratings)
    ★ 4.49 Goodreads (999.3K) ★ 4.79 Audible (97.4K)
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    Street thief Vin discovers she can ingest metals to gain magical powers, then joins a heist to overthrow an immortal emperor. Sanderson creates a unique magic system where swallowing steel lets you fly and pewter enhances strength.

  7. 7
    A Court of Wings and Ruin cover

    A Court of Wings and Ruin

    A Court of Thorns and Roses • Book 3

    by Sarah J. Maas

    Narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb

    4.75 ABR Score (2.8M ratings)
    ★ 4.46 Goodreads (2.8M) ★ 4.78 Audible (45.8K)
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    War comes to the faerie courts as Feyre infiltrates Tamlin's Spring Court to gather intelligence against Hybern's invasion. Amanda Leigh Cobb handles the complex political maneuvering and emotional stakes with skill.

  8. 8
    The Will of the Many cover

    The Will of the Many

    Hierarchy • Book 1

    by James Islington

    Narrated by Euan Morton

    4.70 ABR Score (236.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.59 Goodreads (223.8K) ★ 4.8 Audible (13.0K)
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    Vis infiltrates the elite Catenan Academy to uncover the Hierarchy's secrets, with Euan Morton capturing both teenage vulnerability and ancient rage.

  9. 9
    House of Earth and Blood cover

    House of Earth and Blood

    Crescent City • Book 1

    by Sarah J. Maas

    Narrated by Elizabeth Evans

    4.70 ABR Score (1.2M ratings)
    ★ 4.45 Goodreads (1.2M) ★ 4.76 Audible (41.7K)
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    Elizabeth Evans navigates Bryce's grief and Hunt's dark past in this urban fantasy murder mystery set among angels, fae, and half-human party girls.

  10. 10
    Iron Flame cover

    Iron Flame

    The Empyrean • Book 2

    by Rebecca Yarros

    Narrated by Rebecca Soler, Teddy Hamilton

    4.69 ABR Score (2.7M ratings)
    ★ 4.36 Goodreads (2.7M) ★ 4.76 Audible (46.2K)
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    Violet survived her first year at war college, but the real training begins now — along with deadly secrets about dragons and magic. Soler and Hamilton return with even more intensity for this explosive sequel.

How We Rank Audiobooks

Rankings are driven by listener ratings and review counts from Audible and Goodreads. Books with high ratings across a large number of listeners rank higher — a 4.5 with 50,000 ratings says more than a 4.8 with 200.

Unlike most book lists, we weight audiobook-specific factors: narrator performance, production quality, and how well a story translates to audio. A great book with a poor narration isn't a great audiobook.

We don't accept paid placements or prioritize new releases. These rankings reflect what listeners actually enjoy, not what's being promoted.

Rankings update periodically as new ratings come in and new titles are added to the collection.

Read our full ranking methodology →