Best Michael J. Sullivan Audiobooks
Michael J. Sullivan built his fantasy career the old-fashioned way — writing the entire Riyria Revelations series before publishing a single book, which shows in how tightly plotted and satisfying the whole arc feels. Theft of Swords introduces Royce and Hadrian, a thief-and-swords partnership so well-drawn that their banter carries the books as much as the intrigue does. Sullivan's prose is clean and propulsive, favoring momentum over ornamentation, with mysteries and political conspiracies that unfold with genuine elegance. The Legends of the First Empire prequel series, beginning with Age of Myth, adds mythic scope and richer worldbuilding to the same world. Readers who've grown tired of grimdark excess and want heroic fantasy with actual heart — plus plotting that doesn't cheat them — will find Sullivan one of the most reliably satisfying writers in the genre.
Where to Start with Michael J. Sullivan
- Best entry point → The Crown Tower
- Best standalone → When Swords Fall Silent: An Assassination Anthology
- Start the Riyria Revelations series → Theft of Swords
- What fans keep coming back to → Heir of Novron
- Best narrator for Michael J. Sullivan → Rise of Empire
- Highest rated by listeners → The Rose and the Thorn (The Riyria Chronicles #2)
Best Michael J. Sullivan Audiobooks
- 1
Heir of Novron
The Riyria Revelations #5-6 • Book 3
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.69 ABR Score (83.6K ratings)★ 4.51 Goodreads (55.5K) ★ 4.83 Audible (28.1K)More about this pick
Reynolds concludes the Riyria saga with characteristic warmth, guiding Royce and Hadrian through their final heist as empires clash and ancient prophecies demand fulfillment.
- 2
The Rose and the Thorn
The Riyria Chronicles • Book 2
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.57 ABR Score (46.7K ratings)★ 4.4 Goodreads (31.0K) ★ 4.79 Audible (15.8K)More about this pick
Tim Gerard Reynolds returns to voice Royce and Hadrian's darkest adventure as they confront abuse, corruption, and the birth of their legendary partnership. Reynolds captures each character's distinct voice perfectly.
- 3
Rise of Empire
The Riyria Revelations #3-4 • Book 2
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.55 ABR Score (82.5K ratings)★ 4.36 Goodreads (57.6K) ★ 4.74 Audible (24.9K)More about this pick
Royce and Hadrian navigate political conspiracy while an empire expands around them in this fantasy epic. Reynolds gives each character memorable voices as kingdoms clash and secrets unravel.
- 4
Age of War
The Legends of the First Empire • Book 3
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.54 ABR Score (34.1K ratings)★ 4.43 Goodreads (21.3K) ★ 4.76 Audible (12.8K)More about this pick
The fragile alliance between humans and renegade Fhrey faces its ultimate test as godlike beings return to reclaim their dominion. Tim Gerard Reynolds has become the definitive voice of Sullivan's world, guiding listeners through this epic clash of magic and determination.
- 5
The Crown Tower
The Riyria Chronicles • Book 1
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.53 ABR Score (61.9K ratings)★ 4.33 Goodreads (43.5K) ★ 4.75 Audible (18.4K)More about this pick
Before Royce and Hadrian became the legendary Riyria, they were enemies forced to work together on an impossible heist targeting the realm's most secure vault.
- 6
Age of Empyre
The Legends of the First Empire • Book 6
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.48 ABR Score (19.5K ratings)★ 4.39 Goodreads (12.8K) ★ 4.76 Audible (6.7K)More about this pick
Sullivan's epic fantasy conclusion pits dragons against the living while the dead hold the key to survival, and Tim Gerard Reynolds delivers every emotional beat perfectly.
- 7
The Death of Dulgath
The Riyria Chronicles • Book 3
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.48 ABR Score (30.3K ratings)★ 4.37 Goodreads (21.3K) ★ 4.73 Audible (9.0K)More about this pick
Hired to prevent an assassination, Royce and Hadrian discover that saving the last of an ancient noble line means navigating political schemes and magical threats. Tim Gerard Reynolds captures both the witty banter and underlying darkness of their partnership.
- 8
Age of Swords
The Legends of the First Empire • Book 2
by Michael J. Sullivan, Marc Simonetti
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.47 ABR Score (42.5K ratings)★ 4.29 Goodreads (26.6K) ★ 4.72 Audible (15.9K)More about this pick
Gods proved mortal in the first book, now humans and Fhrey prepare for all-out war while seeking legendary weapons. Reynolds captures both intimate character moments and sweeping battle sequences.
- 9
Theft of Swords
Riyria Revelations • Book 1
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.44 ABR Score (110.0K ratings)★ 4.23 Goodreads (77.8K) ★ 4.65 Audible (32.2K)More about this pick
A simple sword heist frames thief Royce and mercenary Hadrian for regicide, launching them into a conspiracy that spans kingdoms.
- 10
Drumindor
The Riyria Chronicles • Book 5
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.36 ABR Score (5.6K ratings)★ 4.37 Goodreads (4.0K) ★ 4.77 Audible (1.6K)More about this pick
Riyria's easy job stopping a vengeful dwarf craftsman at a paradise resort turns into a city-threatening nightmare. Tim Gerard Reynolds brings Sullivan's signature character chemistry to this fantasy heist adventure.
- 11
Age of Myth
The Legends of the First Empire • Book 1
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.36 ABR Score (57.9K ratings)★ 4.22 Goodreads (41.5K) ★ 4.61 Audible (16.4K)More about this pick
Humans discover their gods can bleed when Raithe kills a Fhrey warrior, shattering millennia of religious belief. Tim Gerard Reynolds brings his signature energy to Sullivan's fresh take on fantasy mythology.
- 12
The Crown Tower : The Riyria Chronicles 1 (Riyria Chronicles)
The Riyria Chronicles • Book 1
Narrated by Bradley Foster Smith, Chris Genebach, Danny Gavigan, Nora Achrati, Peter Holdway, Shanta Parasuraman, Terence Aselford, John Kielty, Kay Eluvian, Brandon Burton, Stewart Crank
★ 4.28 ABR Score (43.7K ratings)★ 4.33 Goodreads (43.5K) ★ 4.76 Audible (223)More about this pick
A warrior and thief who hate each other must steal from an impregnable tower in this origin story, performed by a full cast that handles the fantasy world-building beautifully.
- 13
The Rose and the Thorn : The Riyria Chronicles 2 (Riyria Chronicles)
The Riyria Chronicles • Book 2
Narrated by Bradley Foster Smith, Chris Genebach, Danny Gavigan, Jeff Allin, Nora Achrati, Shanta Parasuraman, Terence Aselford, Kay Eluvian, Earl Fisher, Andrew James Spooner, David M. Jourdan
★ 4.27 ABR Score (31.2K ratings)★ 4.4 Goodreads (31.0K) ★ 4.77 Audible (143)More about this pick
Thieves Royce and Hadrian return to confront the woman who saved their lives, only to find her trapped by a powerful noble's abuse. This full-cast production brings Sullivan's ensemble to vibrant life.
- 14
Professional Integrity
The Riyria Chronicles #2.6
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 4.20 ABR Score (18.3K ratings)★ 4.19 Goodreads (4.3K) ★ 4.51 Audible (14.0K)More about this pick
Hadrian and Royce's thieves-for-hire partnership faces a test of professional ethics in this classic fantasy short set years after their mercenary beginnings.
- 15
Age of Legend (2 of 2)
The Legends of the First Empire • Book 4
Narrated by Amanda Forstrom, Bradley Smith, Chris Stinson, Colleen Delany, Jacob Yeh, Joe Mallon, Nora Achrati, Terence Aselford, Todd Scofield, Tracy Olivera
★ 4.20 ABR Score (16.0K ratings)★ 4.35 Goodreads (15.9K) ★ 4.66 Audible (153)More about this pick
The ensemble cast handles Sullivan's climactic battle between humans and Fhrey with emotional weight, as unlikely heroes face their final test against immortal enemies.
- 16
Age of Death (1 of 2)
The Legends of the First Empire • Book 5
by Michael J. Sullivan, Amanda Forstrom, Terence Aselford, Todd Scofield, Nora Achrati, Bradley Smith, Nanette Savard, Yasmin Tuazon, Kimberly Gilbert, Colleen Delany, Tracy Olivera, Tia Shearer
Narrated by Amanda Forstrom, Bradley Smith, Colleen Delany, Kimberly Gilbert, Nanette Savard, Nora Achrati, Terence Aselford, Tia Shearer, Todd Scofield, Tracy Olivera, Yasmin Tuazon
★ 4.13 ABR Score (13.5K ratings)★ 4.28 Goodreads (13.3K) ★ 4.59 Audible (130)More about this pick
Humanity seeks a way across the Nidwalden River while time runs out for the mystic Suri in Sullivan's penultimate epic. The full cast handles the massive ensemble with distinct character voices.
- 17
Age of Empyre (Dramatized Adaptation)
Legends of the First Empire • Book 6
Narrated by Amanda Forstrom, Bradley Smith, Chris Stinson, Christopher Walker, Colleen Delany, Kimberly Gilbert, Lise Bruneau, Nora Achrati, Terence Aselford, Tia Shearer, Todd Scofield
★ 4.07 ABR Score (139 ratings)★ 4.75 Audible (139) - 18
Drumindor (Dramatized Adaptation): The Riyria Chronicles
The Riyria Chronicles • Book 5
by Michael J. Sullivan, Full Cast
Narrated by full cast, Bradley Foster Smith, Danny Gavigan, Terence Aselford, Nora Achrati, Andrew James Spooner, Jenna Sharpe, Zura Johnson, Peter Holdway, Emlyn McFarland, Stewart Crank, Chris Davenport
★ 4.04 ABR Score (4.1K ratings)★ 4.37 Goodreads (4.1K) ★ 4.76 Audible (17)More about this pick
A fired master craftsman dwarf threatens to obliterate a city, so Riyria gets hired to stop him. The full cast production brings Sullivan's fantasy heist to cinematic life.
- 19
The Jester
The Riyria Chronicles #2.5
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 3.89 ABR Score (21.9K ratings)★ 3.94 Goodreads (6.7K) ★ 4.24 Audible (15.2K)More about this pick
Riyria's hired to steal a jester's treasure, but their target proves far more cunning than expected. Tim Gerard Reynolds returns to voice another clever adventure in Sullivan's beloved fantasy world.
- 20
Unfettered II: New Tales
Gunnie Rose #0.0 - The Gunnie
by Shawn Speakman, Naomi Novik, Brandon Sanderson, Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, Michael J. Sullivan, Janny Wurts, Bradley P. Beaulieu, Mark Lawrence, Seanan McGuire, Peter Orullian, Aidan Moher, Erin Lindsey, John A. Pitts, Anthony Ryan, Scott Sigler, Django Wexler, Rachel Caine, Sarah Beth Durst, David Farland, Terry Brooks
Narrated by Sarah Coomes, Michael Kramer, Emily Woo Zeller, Nick Podehl, Erin Mallon, Tim Gerard Reynolds
★ 3.78 ABR Score (1.5K ratings)★ 3.92 Goodreads (1.1K) ★ 4.25 Audible (340)More about this pick
Twenty-one fantasy heavyweights contribute original stories to this charity anthology, creating a sampler that showcases the genre's current masters across multiple narrative styles.