10 audiobooks for fans of The Shadow of What Was Lost
- 1
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)More about this pick
Vis infiltrates the elite Catenan Academy to uncover the Hierarchy's secrets, with Euan Morton capturing both teenage vulnerability and ancient rage.
- 2
The Hero of Ages
The Mistborn Saga • Book 3
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Why this book?
Michael Kramer's measured, immersive narration brings the same epic scope and intricate worldbuilding to Sanderson's conclusion of the Mistborn trilogy, where complex magic systems and themes of sacrifice mirror the philosophical depth found in Islington's debut. Both audiobooks demand engaged listening but reward that attention with richly layered narratives and morally nuanced characters navigating impossible choices.
★ 4.83 ABR Score (680.8K ratings)★ 4.56 Goodreads (606.0K) ★ 4.85 Audible (74.8K)More about this pick
Vin faces the apocalyptic Deepness while Elend builds his kingdom, as Sanderson concludes his Mistborn trilogy with the ultimate test of heroism and sacrifice.
- 3
The Well of Ascension
The Mistborn Saga • Book 2
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Why this book?
Michael Kramer's masterful narration brings the same epic scope and intricate magic systems to life in The Well of Ascension, while Sanderson's exploration of power, sacrifice, and rebellion mirrors the thematic depth that made The Shadow of What Was Lost compelling. The consistent narrator ensures a seamless transition between these sprawling fantasy worlds, maintaining the immersive listening experience across both lengthy, richly layered narratives.
★ 4.70 ABR Score (745.6K ratings)★ 4.38 Goodreads (671.8K) ★ 4.78 Audible (73.7K)More about this pick
After killing the immortal Lord Ruler, street thief turned Mistborn Vin must defend the capital from three armies while ancient prophecies suggest an even greater threat approaches. Kramer voices this complex middle volume expertly.
- 4
Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection
The Cosmere
Narrated by Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
★ 4.64 ABR Score (85.4K ratings)★ 4.43 Goodreads (66.7K) ★ 4.82 Audible (18.7K)More about this pick
This collection spans Sanderson's interconnected universe, featuring stories from each Cosmere world with their distinct magic systems.
- 5
The Strength of the Few
Hierarchy • Book 2
by James Islington
Narrated by Euan Morton
★ 4.44 ABR Score (85.8K ratings)★ 4.35 Goodreads (80.6K) ★ 4.69 Audible (5.2K)More about this pick
Vis navigates the Hierarchy's power structure while hiding secrets that could reshape their world, with Morton handling the complex political intrigue across this massive sequel's 31-hour runtime.
- 6
The Wall of Storms
The Dandelion Dynasty • Book 2
by Ken Liu
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Why this book?
Michael Kramer's consistent narration carries over the same immersive, intricate world-building style that made The Shadow of What Was Lost compelling, while The Wall of Storms offers a similarly epic scope with equally complex magic systems and morally nuanced characters that reward patient, attentive listening.
★ 4.22 ABR Score (10.8K ratings)★ 4.35 Goodreads (10.1K) ★ 4.59 Audible (662)More about this pick
Emperor Kuni faces invasion from the distant Lyucu empire while struggling to maintain his fragile kingdom's progress and unity. Michael Kramer tackles Liu's epic scope and intricate political maneuvering with authority.
- 7
The Final Empire
The Mistborn Saga • Book 1
Narrated by Michael Kramer
Why this book?
Michael Kramer's measured, deliberate narration enhances both works' intricate magic systems and philosophical depth, creating an immersive experience that rewards close listening. Sanderson's The Final Empire shares the epic scope and character-driven storytelling of The Shadow of What Was Lost, with the added benefit of a more self-contained narrative arc that unfolds across its substantial runtime.
★ 4.78 ABR Score (1.1M ratings)★ 4.49 Goodreads (999.3K) ★ 4.79 Audible (97.4K)More about this pick
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.
- 8
The Great Hunt
The Wheel of Time • Book 2
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Why this book?
Michael Kramer's masterful narration brings the same epic scope and intricate world-building to The Great Hunt, while Robert Jordan's exploration of destiny and magic will resonate with readers drawn to Islington's meditation on fate and the weight of hidden knowledge. Both audiobooks deliver immersive, complex fantasy that rewards close listening across their substantial runtimes.
★ 4.61 ABR Score (406.9K ratings)★ 4.27 Goodreads (358.9K) ★ 4.77 Audible (48.0K)More about this pick
Jordan's second Wheel of Time novel follows Rand's desperate flight from destiny while ancient prophecies converge, with Reading and Kramer's dual narration handling the sprawling cast expertly.
- 9
The Dragon Reborn
The Wheel of Time • Book 3
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Why this book?
Michael Kramer's masterful narration brings the same epic scope and intricate plotting to The Dragon Reborn, creating an immersive listening experience that rewards patient attention to detail—a quality that defines both Islington's intricate magic system and Jordan's sprawling world-building. Both series build their narratives through layered mysteries and complex character development, making the audiobook format ideal for tracking the subtle threads that bind their elaborate fantasy worlds together.
★ 4.61 ABR Score (365.6K ratings)★ 4.28 Goodreads (326.7K) ★ 4.77 Audible (38.9K)More about this pick
Rand al'Thor flees from his destiny as the prophesied Dragon Reborn, knowing he's destined to save the world by destroying it. Reading and Kramer's dual narration handles Jordan's complex fantasy world as multiple storylines follow different characters pursuing the reluctant chosen one.
- 10
The Eye of the World
The Wheel of Time • Book 1
Narrated by Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Why this book?
Michael Kramer's distinctive narration brings the same epic scope and intricate world-building to The Eye of the World that makes The Shadow of What Was Lost so immersive, while both stories balance complex magic systems with intimate character journeys across sprawling fantasy landscapes.
★ 4.53 ABR Score (667.1K ratings)★ 4.19 Goodreads (598.1K) ★ 4.68 Audible (69.0K)More about this pick
Three farm boys discover they're tied to an ancient prophecy about the Dark One's return, launching this massive fantasy epic. Kate Reading and Michael Kramer's dual narration splits perspectives seamlessly across Jordan's sprawling world.
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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.