What are the Best Sci-fi Audiobooks?
Here is the list of the 20 best fantasy audiobooks:
1. Dune by Frank Herbert
This epic masterpiece takes you to the desert planet of Arrakis, where political intrigue, mystical powers, and ecological struggles intertwine, narrated by Scott Brick. With its rich world-building and compelling characters, “Dune” is a must-listen for any sci-fi enthusiast.
2. Neuromancer by William Gibson
Considered a pioneering work in the cyberpunk genre, “Neuromancer” explores a dystopian future where hackers and artificial intelligence collide. Brace yourself for a thrilling ride through a world of virtual reality and corporate espionage.
3. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
In this coming-of-age tale, humanity is under threat from an alien race, and a young boy named Ender Wiggin is chosen to train in a battle school to become a military genius. Join Ender as he faces moral dilemmas and strategic challenges in his quest to save the human race.
4. Ready Player On by Ernest Cline
Set in a future where virtual reality has taken over, “Ready Player One” follows the adventures of Wade Watts as he embarks on a treasure hunt within the vast virtual world of OASIS.
5. The Martian by Andy Weir
Stranded alone on Mars, astronaut Mark Watney must use his resourcefulness and scientific knowledge to survive until rescue is possible. Full of suspense and scientific accuracy, “The Martian” will keep you on the edge of your seat as you root for Watney’s survival.
6. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
In this thought-provoking dystopian masterpiece, Aldous Huxley paints a chilling portrait of a future society where technology, genetic engineering, and social conditioning have created a seemingly perfect world. In a world where happiness is engineered, individuality is suppressed, providing a unique listening experience.
7. Binti by Nnedi Okarofar
Winner of the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award for Best Novella, Binti is an ideal listening choice for sci-fi novel lovers who want a quick listen. In summary, Binti is the first of the Himba people to be offered a place at the premier learning institution in the galaxy, Oomza University.
8. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Prepare for an intergalactic adventure filled with humor and absurdity, narrated by Stephen Fry. Join Arthur Dent as he is whisked away from Earth just before its destruction and embarks on a journey across the cosmos guided by the eponymous guidebook.
9. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
In a future where artificial intelligence seeks revenge, “Ancillary Justice” explores themes of identity, power, and the nature of humanity. As well as having a unique perspective and intricate world-building, this audiobook offers a fresh take on the genre.
10. Star Trek: The Next Generation – Q-Squared” by Peter David
Enter the captivating world of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” as the omnipotent and mischievous entity known as Q returns to wreak havoc on the crew of the USS Enterprise. This audiobook weaves together multiple timelines and alternate realities, offering an enthralling adventure filled with familiar characters, interstellar politics, and mind-bending twists.
11. Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline, narrated by Wil Wheaton
Step into a near-future dystopian world where virtual reality offers an escape from bleak reality. This thrilling audiobook follows the adventures of Wade Watts as he embarks on a high-stakes treasure hunt within the vast virtual universe of OASIS.
12. Star Wars: Thrawn” by Timothy Zahn, narrated by Marc Thompson
Star Wars: Thrawn” introduces one of the most iconic and complex characters in the franchise, Grand Admiral Thrawn. In summary, this thrilling tale follows Thrawn’s rise through the ranks of the Galactic Empire as he becomes a formidable strategist and an enigma to his allies and enemies alike.
13. 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke, narrated by Dick Hill
The elder statesman of British sci-fi, Sir Arthur C. Clarke published his spacefaring classic more than half a century ago. Since then, the year 2001 has come and gone, and we’re no closer to sending manned missions to Saturn or to colonizing the moon.
14. 1984: New Classic Edition by George Orwell
George Orwell’s “1984” is a chilling dystopian tale that explores themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, and the erosion of individual freedom, it is one of the new york times bestsellers. In summary, the novel is set in a bleak future where Big Brother watches over every move.
15. Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
Leviathan Wakes is the first book of James S.A. Corey’s Expanse series — which eventually turned into a TV show, The Expanse, on the Syfy channel — that explores humanity that has colonized other planets throughout the solar system.
16. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
In this thrilling and award-winning novella, Martha Wells introduces us to the character of Murderbot, a self-aware and introverted security android. While Murderbot accompanies a team of scientists on a mission to explore a distant planet, it becomes entangled in a conspiracy that puts their lives at risk.
17. The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu
The Three-Body Problem takes readers on epic tropes that combine science, philosophy, and cultural revolution. Set in both present-day and during China’s tumultuous history. He thought the narrator, Luke Daniels, made the physics and technical jargon woven into the text easier to digest.
18. World War Z, by Max Brooks
Much like The Martian, World War Z is a sci-fi book that became a movie, starring Brad Pitt — and though many reviewers still picture him as the main character, trekking through the zombie apocalypse, one reviewer says the audiobook was “star-studded” enough on its own, with a long list of actors taking on different roles.
19. Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Red Rising introduces readers to a dystopian future where humanity has colonized other planets and is divided into color-coded castes, each with its own hierarchy and purpose, narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds. In brief, the story follows Darrow, a member of the lowest caste, who embarks on a dangerous mission to infiltrate the elite ruling class and spark a rebellion.
20. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
The Fifth Season immerses readers in a world plagued by catastrophic natural disasters known as Fifth Seasons. While the story follows three women, each with their own unique abilities, they navigate a broken and unforgiving landscape. In particular, Robin Miles’ complex, layered performance — honed by her years on- and off-Broadway — turns this beautiful Afrofuturist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Audiobooks are voice recordings of the text of a book that you listen to rather than read. Audiobooks can be exact word-for-word versions of books or abridged versions. Also, you can listen to audiobooks on any smartphone, tablet, computer, home speaker system, or in-car entertainment system.
Science fiction, a genre defined by its limitless potential, propels us into the unknown and stimulates our minds with futuristic concepts, technological marvels, and also mind-bending adventures.
Sci-fi audible books are audio adaptations of science-fiction literature. Significantly, they offer an immersive and engaging way to experience science fiction stories through audio narration. Also, this audiobook version typically features professional voice actors or sometimes even the authors themselves, who bring the characters and worlds to life with their performances.
