6 Must-Listen Audiobooks for Your Queue: Fantasy, Romantasy, and Dystopian Reviews
Looking for your next listen? Our book club shares honest, unfiltered reviews of 6 incredible new audiobooks, from dark fantasy to cozy romantasy.
Six book club members, six audiobooks, and absolutely zero chill! Our group chat has been blowing up lately with some incredible new listens. Whether you are a fan of high-stakes magical heists, slow-burn dystopian survival, or academic rivals-to-lovers with dragons, we have a recommendation for you.
Here are our honest, unfiltered thoughts on the audiobooks hitting our feeds right now.
The Best New Fantasy & Romance Audiobooks to Stream Next
1. Best Dark Fantasy: Devils We Know by L.T. Thompson
Narrated by: Stephanie Cannon
Publisher: Titan Books
Top Tropes: Found family, queer fantasy, high-stakes quest
The Review: "I am completely obsessed! Queer sailors racing a secret society to find Death itself and make a deal? Yes, please. Stephanie Cannon’s narration kept my heart rate through the roof. The found-family dynamic between Cas, Remy, and Finn is pure gold. If you love dark, high-stakes fantasy, download this immediately!"
2. Best Dystopian Fiction: All We Have Left by Emily Paxman
Narrated by: Aven Shore
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Top Tropes: Marriage of convenience, slow-burn romance, survival grit
The Review: "I took on this post-apocalyptic, dystopian Canadian wasteland, and wow. It’s a marriage of convenience story to secure medical care for a sick sister. Aven Shore captures Kayla's survival grit flawlessly. It’s moody, deeply emotional, and the slow-burn tension with cranky-but-kind Sid is exquisite."
3. Best Romantasy: When Dealing With Dragons by Dana Swift
Narrated by: Charlotte Lobdell & Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Top Tropes: Academic rivals-to-lovers, dual narration, magic school
The Review: "Academic-rivals-to-lovers + dragon veterinarian school? Sign me up! The dual narration was absolute perfection. Farren and James have insane chemistry, and the secret crush dynamic made me squeal. It’s fast, fun, and the perfect balance of magic and romance."
4. Best Fantasy Heist: Kingdom of Waves by Melissa de la Cruz
Narrated by: Alexandra Palting & Matt Mercurio
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Top Tropes: Rivals-to-lovers, magical heist, fast-paced adventure
The Review: "If you want a magical heist, this is it. It's about a sunken sea kingdom and two rival thieves chasing the same ancient treasure. The narrators brought so much swagger and spark to Eban and Gineth. It's a quick, high-energy fantasy that felt like a blockbuster movie in my ears."
5. Best Cozy Romance: Letters from the Last Apothecary by Bita Behzadi
Narrated by: EM Wylde & Samara Naeymi
Publisher: Hay House LLC
Top Tropes: Workplace rivals, anonymous letters, cozy fantasy
The Review: "My inner romantic is literally crying! Imagine clashing with your uptight coworker in a magical apothecary by day, but secretly falling in love with them via anonymous letters by night. The vocal chemistry here is top-tier. It's cozy, whimsical, and incredibly passionate."
6. Best Mythological Fantasy: Their Will Undone by R.J. Valldeperas
Narrated by: Elena Rey & Christian Barillas
Publisher: Libro FM (and author)
Top Tropes: Forced proximity, Incan-inspired lore, forbidden love
The Review: "This Incan-inspired romantic fantasy blew my mind. Nina sacrifices herself to a gilded cage to save her sister, and her journey to the emperor with a broody lieutenant is filled with forced proximity and awakening magic. The narrators completely transport you. I need book two right now!"
Looking for More Audiobook Recommendations?
A massive thank you to Bloomsbury, Titan Books, Macmillan Audio, Hay House LLC, Blackstone Publishing, Libro FM, and the incredible authors for sharing these audiobooks with our club!
