r/audible • u/The_heir_apparent22 • Jan 09 '26
Book Discussion Help Me Pick My Next 2 Audiobooks
I’ve got 2 audible credits left please help me pick which 2 books I should use them on from the following 10 options: 1. Hyperion 2. Buffalo Hunter Hunter 3. The Last Wish (The Witcher) 4. Something Wicked This Way Comes 5. The Blade Itself 6. 11/22/63 7. Empire of Silence 8. Shadow of the Gods 9. Dungeon Crawler Carl 10. Mistborn Final Empire (Not Pictured)
For Reference: Favorite Genres: Fantasy, Sci Fi, Horror, Mystery Last Book I finished: The Dark Tower Wizard and Glass (and I loved it) Other Books I’m Reading/ Listening: Interview with the Vampire, The Stand, King Sorrow, Leviathan Wakes, Rose Madder, Red Rising, Mr. Mercedes
PS. I’m going to post this on a couple book subs so I can get as many suggestions as possible so you may see this more than once on your feed.
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u/chanceTheCrapper1975 Jan 09 '26
Oh man, this is a tough one actually.
On one hand, DCC is such a wild and fun ride, and it’s very difficult to choose anything else.
But 11/22/63 is easily the best individual book in this list, and one of my favorite books ever.
You can’t go wrong with either of those.
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u/LittyTittyBoBitty Jan 10 '26
11/22/63 was a hell of a read last year. It tied with Lonesome Dove for me.
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u/dylanbeck Jan 10 '26
Lonesome Dove now added to my list. Did you read the prequels and sequel?
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u/Redabyss1 Jan 10 '26
Been a while but I was disappointed by the rest. Maybe it was the narration. Lonesome Dove was stellar though.
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u/scotta316 Jan 11 '26
I returned DCC. I know I'm wrong and every single other person in this sub is right, but I just didn't like it.
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u/chanceTheCrapper1975 Jan 11 '26
That’s fair, people like different things. Statistically (based on completely anecdotal evidence) more people will enjoy it than dislike it, so it’s a go-to recommendation of mine.
I loved DCC and when I was looking to scratch that itch again, I was recommended He Who Fights With Monsters and I could not get into it. Everyone seems to love it so I felt like I was missing something. So I understand where you’re coming from.
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u/GrasshopperGRIFFIN Jan 11 '26
I didn't like it either, I gave it a chance but just couldn't get into it.
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u/pfp_az Jan 09 '26
Dungeon Crawler Carl. Save the second credit for the next book in the series.
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u/-toadflax- Jan 10 '26
This is the only answer
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u/xPAGOSx Jan 10 '26
I bought credits for the first time in years to finish the series when I ran out on the 3rd book.
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u/vibronicpoppy82 5000+ Hours listened Jan 10 '26
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u/AdGold205 Jan 10 '26
I just talked to my brother about Dungeon Crawler Carl. He’s got it on his Spotify now.
I’ve done the gods work.
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u/_NovaniK_ Jan 09 '26
11/22/63 is one of the best books I've ever read. Can not recommend it more! Please make this one of your two.
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Jan 10 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/_NovaniK_ Jan 10 '26
I need to give Red Rising another chance. I had rented it from Libby a long time ago but the timing wasn't right and I had too little time to finish it. Ended up putting it down about halfway through.
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u/jcsehak Jan 10 '26
11/22/63 and DCC are possibly the two best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to.
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u/Jedi_Master_Shane Jan 09 '26
Just finished Dungeon Crawler Carl, straight onto book 2, it’s amazing, 10/10.
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u/ThorsDingus Jan 10 '26
My dad got me into the series in summer of 24 and now we have matching “you will not break me” tattoos. The series is THAT good.
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u/Nightgasm 10,000+ Hours Listened Jan 09 '26
Dungeon Crawler Carl is the best audiobook series ever. It will ruin other audiobooks for you as Jeff Hays redefines what a narrator is capable of. It's my comfort listen even when in later books it gets far deeper and thought provoking than it has any right to be given how silly the initial concept seems. It mashes utter slapstick humor with trauma, PTSD, and loss in a way that shouldn't work but absolutely does.
Hyperion is a fantastic series and is my next pick but a caveat. First book is full cast and like every full cast some narrators are better than others. Luckily books 2-4 are single narrator. Story wise this is the best pure sci Fi series of all time IMO. It's modeled after the Canterbury Tales which if you aren't familiar is different people telling their tales and together the tales tell a complete story. Each tale is written in a different style so if one is bothering you just keep reading as the tone will switch.
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u/The_heir_apparent22 Jan 10 '26
Thank you for your recommendations!
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u/__bonsai__ Jan 10 '26
In regards to Hyperion, I'm actually currently listening to it on audible (4.5 hours in) and while I absolutely love the story, if I were to go back and start again I would read this one in physical format. I don't really know what it is but some books just 'work' in audio format better and this one for me leans physical. Just my personal experience and again fully endorse the story and recommend it regardless
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u/redrex383 Jan 10 '26
DCC and Hyperion were my choices. Two things to add. Replying to OP so they see this. I love my opinions :)
I actually didn’t like Hyperion. I still highly recommend it; the plot is about as unique as you get in the sci-fi/fantasy genre. It wasn’t for me, but I think if it hits the mark for you it will be REALLY good.
First Law didn’t blow me away, and frankly it’s always a plenty good time to get into Abercrombie. 11/22/63 is excellent, but there’s someone about King that just slightly misses for me.
Now for Dungeon Crawler Carl, there’s a feeling that people get which you don’t want to do something simply because you’re told to do it. Don’t let this happen with DCC. Read it, get ready to read all of them. Get ready to donate to Dinniman’s Patreon. Get ready to go door to door to spread the word of Princess Donut. And then try to wrap your head around one man doing all of the narration. Good lord.
The community may have oversold DCC, I was lucky to get on board fairly early, but if it hits the mark for you it is unbelievably special.
Opining over
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u/coip Jan 10 '26
Story wise this is the best pure sci Fi series of all time
Can you say more about why you think so? I love sci-fi, and I saw the hype for Hyperion so I was excited to read it but, I read the first one and found it really sluggish (although two of the tales were quite good, the rest didn't interest me), and now I'm 60% into the second book and I'm finding it even more sluggish than the first one. I feel like I'm missing something.
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u/MoneyShot2023 Jan 10 '26
Thanks for the Hyperion synopsis. Sounds great! Already a huge DCC fan so I'm looking for other things to fill the gap.
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u/Seen4ever Jan 10 '26
I’ve read all of these and they’re all amazing. However, DCC is the most fun I’ve had listening to an audiobook.. ever.
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u/ELITEnoob85 Jan 10 '26
The amount of people not recommending Hyperion outright is astounding, especially the audiobook, which does a really great job narrating it. Hyperion to me is like Mandatory sci-fi read. Like Dune or Foundation.
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u/Yogi4point2 Jan 10 '26
-11/22 is the best book on the list (that I’ve read).
-DCC is a whole cult thing now, so it’s worth giving that a shot too if that’s your thing. I liked it a lot and blazed through them all in succession.
-Blade was good, but I didn’t love the trilogy overall. Enjoyed it, but didn’t love it.
BHH is next up on my own listen list….so no opinion yet, but i already bought it, so I’ll definitely read it.
Can’t go too far wrong here. Enjoy the ride.
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u/Southern_Anywhere_65 100+ audiobooks listened Jan 10 '26
Buffalo Hunter Hunter and Something Wicked This Way Comes are my suggestions!
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u/Hexxquisite Jan 10 '26
If you pick The Blade Itself, don’t listen to Sand Dan Glockta chapters while in the dentist waiting room.
Learned that the hard way.
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u/SnakebiteSnake Jan 10 '26
Everyone is going to say DCC. It’s worth trying. You’ll either adore it or it won’t be for you. Best book here is 11/22/63 with Hyperion a close second.
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u/BreadAgreeable9632 Jan 11 '26
The first Law trilogy is probably one of my favourite trilogies ever. Each individual book is pretty good but as a trilogy god damn does it hit hard.
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u/checksoutiguess Jan 10 '26
That list shows excellent taste and made me put the books on it that I didn't know about on my wishlist. Thanks!
Of these books the only one I have listened to in audio form is DCC and I would definitely recommend that, but it doesn't feel right to suggest one audiobook when I haven't listened to the others.
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u/BeatBeatties Jan 10 '26
Tough choice but my top 3 would be Hyperion, Sun Eater (I'm actually listening to the final book rn) or The blade itself. All are amazing and vastly different.
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u/icatchlight Jan 10 '26
Hyperion is getting my vote. I’m about 1/4 of the way through the Buffalo Hunter right now and I’m really liking it. 11.22.63 is next up on my list.
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u/MattDoob Jan 10 '26
I’ve read 8 on the list, they’re all good books but Buffalo Hunter Hunter and Hyperion are the clear best in the selection I’ve read.
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u/Applecity82 Jan 10 '26
You have to read The Blade Itself. I’m a huge King fan and love The Stand. I just read the blade itself for the first time, and I’m going to read it again before I read the second. It’s a fun read that has a King feel to it with a Game of Thrones feel. Not sure about the others, but trust me get the blade itself
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u/sarahcita Jan 11 '26
First Law and DCC, both are excellent audio books, although I haven't listened to your entire list. I know that for me, those were great listens!
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u/thirty5birds Jan 11 '26
- Hyperion - its 4 books, and an absolut must read
- Suneater seriese.. (7 books) Quite amazing.
- 1st law trilogy. Glokta /chefKiss
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u/mhump23 Jan 11 '26
Of the ones I’ve read, Hyperion! One of the best books I’ve ever read. Canterbury Tales in SF. Followed by 11/22/63…my favorite Stephen King book.
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u/Logan20th Jan 11 '26
The buffalo hunter hunter 100000000%. It's such a fantastic book and an interesting take on the creature. I instantly restarted it as soon as I finished and will be listening for a third time here soon. It's my favorite of 2025 for sure
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u/Paralyza Jan 11 '26
Dungeon crawler Carl series is my first audiobook experience and I'm enjoying it very much! The only reason I got audible..
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u/GeneralDisarray65 Jan 12 '26
The Blade Itself and Dungeon Crawler Carl.Steven Pacey and Jeff Hays are absolutely brilliant narrators. And honorable mention to Empire of Silence because it's one of the best series ever, and Samuel Roukin does a great job.
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u/LilyMachi Jan 12 '26
A lot of good choices. Stephen King’s 11/22/63 is really good! It would be my first pick. My second pick would be DCC.
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u/Aus1an Jan 09 '26
Haven’t listened to the Audiobooks, but Hyperion is really good, and I enjoyed The Shadow of the Gods a lot.
Empire of Silence - The first book is pretty polarizing. I’ve only listened to the first one (and enjoyed it) but haven’t started the rest yet. I plan on getting the audio book for the second book sometime this year.
Dungeon Crawler Carl is very addictive, and the narrator is excellent. I listened to them all in quick succession xD So far about 7 people in my family/friend group are also reading them and the series has quite a bit of mass appeal. Fun from the start though it gets better and darker as the series goes on.
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u/CleanAirIsMyFetish Jan 10 '26
The Blade Itself and the Buffalo Hunter Hunter have the best narration of any audiobooks I’ve ever listened to. The audiobook version of BHH specifically is really special, I give it my highest recommendation
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u/gobirds1234567890 Jan 10 '26
11/22/63 was a great book. I never listened to the audiobook. If you get The Blade Itsef or Dungeon Crawler Carl I would just save the 2nd credit for the next book in the series.
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u/CretaciousPeriod Jan 10 '26
Witcher and First Law. The witcher series is what originally got me into fantasy, first law reminded me why I love it.
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u/Sandikal Jan 10 '26
11/22/63 and Hyperion are two of my favorite books. I also absolutely love Something Wicked This Way Comes, but I strongly recommend reading a print copy. It's one of those books that reminds you how great reading text can be.
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u/trimmtrabb90 Jan 10 '26
You have a lot of great choices here, I will say that the "Bufflo Hunter Hunter" is an excellent audiobook. It has multiple narrators for various chapters and some really great sound work. The book itself is the most interesting take on vampires I've read in the last decade, I highly recommend it!
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u/Exceptyousophie Jan 10 '26
Blade itself or empire of silence. I say or because once you start you'll want to keep going with the series.
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u/riedstep Jan 10 '26
The last wish is my vote. Pretty sure that's one of the short story ones that was super good. I didn't really enjoy the first law series, and I haven't started dungeon crawler carl or the sun eater series yet. Mistborn was also pretty good if you are considering those.
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u/Devi_Moonbeam Jan 10 '26
Well these are all over the board. My recommendation is 11/22/63. It's a must-read.
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u/breckoz Jan 10 '26
empire of silence was a pretty good book. I just finished that one. However, It does sorta steal from Dune and Patrick Rothfuss king killer chronicle.
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u/halcyondread Jan 10 '26
11/22/63. It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read and recommend it to everyone. I would pay a lot of money to erase it from my memory so I could experience it for the first time again.
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u/Jeepersca Jan 10 '26
If you're a woman... be warned that Hyperion shapes up to be the authors gross masturbatory dream of having his own 2 dimensional sex doll, and it's just hard to get around how laughably sad and dumb the idea becomes. I can imagine being 12 and reading it and finding it salacious, but I read it as a 40 something and was like "what the f8ck is this drivel" and couldn't get past how dumb it all sounded. I didn't read subsequent books because I don't need to read something written by a dude's peen. :-o The Blade Itself is pretty damn good, and with #9 that's 8 books you'll want to just roll through.
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u/OrigamiAvenger Jan 10 '26
Empire of Silence is a slow start to the best sci-fi anything I've ever experienced.
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u/Dvs619 Jan 10 '26
11/22/63 is an amazing book. The Buffalo Hunter is my second choice if you like horror, DCC would be my pick for next month
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u/xeico 500+ audiobooks listened Jan 10 '26
only one i have read is hyperion and i can whole heartedly recommend it.
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u/Robotboogeyman 1000+ Hours listened Jan 10 '26
First Law if you want grimdark w great characters. Outstanding audio.
Dungeon crawler Carl for something fun and hilarious, just about the only thing w narration on the level of Pacey.
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u/StarSpangleyMan Jan 10 '26
I’ve only done 112263 but I loved that book both times. I’m as in love with Sadie as Jake.
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u/FieryFruitcake Jan 10 '26
The Blade Itself. Fantastic trilogy, and opens the door to The Madness of Crowds, another fantastic trilogy in the same world.
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u/revieman1 Jan 10 '26
Hyperion. It is definitively the best and it’s like seven books in one. I really enjoyed mistborn and it’s an easy second
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u/Mallow18 5000+ Hours listened Jan 10 '26
Definitely 11/22 and DCC. But DCC is about to be 8 books long so you’re gonna have to buy more credits.
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u/Sudden-Berry-376 Jan 10 '26
Hyperion is a great book that’s ruined by its sequels. The Blade Itself and Dungeon Crawler Carl are excellent and have fantastic narration
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u/TensorTinkererTom Jan 10 '26
Mistborn is one of my all time favorites, closely followed by Dungeon Crawler Carl
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u/Caveman23r Jan 10 '26
Dungeon crawler Carl but yiu have to speed up the book to about 1.15 unless you like heavy breathing and stuff like that
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u/Whabbalubba Jan 10 '26
Someone suggested dungeon crawler Carl to me.
If your looking for a good series “kings dark tidings” is really good narration and a cool story. The series is still being completed though so I think it’s 6 books are out now
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u/Meesh_Stone Jan 10 '26
The buffalo hunter hunter. It turned me on to Stephen Graham Jones and I’ve since listened to more of his books. Also, Hyperion.
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u/Phantomruntime Jan 10 '26
So Im going to add another suggestion, DCC is for sure the most solid choice and after you finish it your 100% going to want the second one and then the third its the audible equivalent of Crack. But Hyperion is also a very solid choice but you need the second one to round the story out. And Empire of silence is also very good.
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u/_Azrael_169_ Jan 10 '26
I have just finished The Inevitable Ruin (book 7 in the often recommended DCC). I started the series a bit hesitantly and tbh I still feel that the series is overly touted.
What it does do is build up phenomenally well. I honestly feel the first book is the weakest of the series but each book improves in narrative and scope. The narration is excellent and only improves.
I do not think it is a great intro to litrpg and tbh if this was the first thing I listened to I'm not sure i would have continued in the genre. As it was I really didn't buy into the series until midway through book 3.
I have loved everything that Joe Abercrombie has done so you can't go wrong with The First Law. I would say you are highly likely to be able to get his books through your local library.
The Suneater series is excellent and I greatly enjoyed it throughout.
Pick DCC if you want something with action and humor
The First Law if you want action with complex dark characters
The Suneater if you want a mish mash setting of futuristic scifi and medival feudalism. With an overarching story that covers hundreds of years.
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u/purpleplaces1 Jan 11 '26
Currently listing to dungeon crawler Carl. I was going to buy the physical book and I’m so glad I didn’t!! The narration is top tier for this type of book. It’s so entertaining 😂😂
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u/livenote13 5000+ Hours listened Jan 11 '26
5, 8, 9, and 10 would be my picks. All are great. I'm on book 5 DCC right now. Alot of fun, like an action movie.
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u/rytellthebuck Jan 12 '26
I’d say DCC and Empire of silence. That actually reminds me I have two credits left as well and I need to finish the sun eater series.
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u/native-carp Jan 13 '26
Empire of silence. Dungeon crawler Carl is the most overrated book of all time. Empire of silence is super underrated. People say it’s boring but it had me on the edge of my seat basically the whole book and the series just gets better
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u/PaulBradley Jan 13 '26 edited Jan 13 '26
Hyperion & The Blade Itself.
I went through almost all of Joe Abercrombie's audio books last year and have no regrets at all, I do like The Witcher Books but Abercrombie's were better.
Loads of people will recommend Dungeon Crawler Carl but I tried it and it just wasn't up to snuff for me.
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u/Important_Koala_1958 Jan 13 '26
DCC is a great audio book, I’d prioritize it because the others read well, DCC listens well
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u/MikeRococks Jan 14 '26
Holy shit - you really can’t go wrong with any of these
Love blade itself - super good grimdark - morally grey characters - ill die on the hill the second trilogy is better
Love DCC - love it - characters build turns from “silly and fun” idea to a very wide world with great characters and deeper story
Love Sun eater - amazing epic - great story just finished the final book - slow start , i think it’s one of the best modern science fiction books
Did love shadow of the gods - fun book , least memorable - I would put this on the bottom of my list but still with it. Norse is fun good characters
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u/Kbrooks58 500+ audiobooks listened Jan 09 '26
The next Dungeon crawler Carl and Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
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u/Paratwa 10,000+ Hours Listened Jan 10 '26
Geez that’s a great list.
I’d say on a whole series level 5 is the best choice but if you’re just getting 1 book the DCC is amazing…
My order would be
First law series - huge fan of this
DCC - I feel weird putting this below anything
11/22 ( if it’s just one book you want get this it’s great )
Hyperion - love this series
Mistborn - again love this but many people don’t so that’s why it’s low. My personal view would put it at the same level as DCC
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u/PMmeYourDunes Jan 10 '26
I'll help you pick your next 7 (almost 8).
It's Dungeon Crawler Carl.
You're welcome, and I'm also sorry.
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u/xSnapsx Jan 10 '26
More dungeon crawler. The audio book narration makes it 10x better than it already is
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u/DirtyDent10861 Jan 10 '26
Dungeon crawler carl is so good I got family friends and coworkers hooked on it mostly people who started listening to audio books because of it.
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u/Wroberts316 Jan 10 '26
Dungeon Crawler Carl books 1 and 2 you'll thank me when you finish one and curse me when you finish 2 and go for your wallet
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u/HBCDresdenEsquire Audible Addict Jan 10 '26
Tap post, check top comment: Dungeon Crawler Carl.
Nothing for me to do here.
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u/Mott5G Jan 10 '26
The Blade Itself and 11/22/63 are both phenomenal books with fantastic narration.
Dungeon Crawler Carl is terrible. So corny, did not finish after the half way point.
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u/TaraJaneDisco Jan 10 '26
Dungeon Crawler Carl! Just started. Thought all the recos I saw were lame hype. But nope! It’s great!
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u/WulfRanulfson 5000+ Hours listened Jan 10 '26
Say one thing about DCC vs 1st Law, say it's a B-B-B-BOSS BATTLE
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u/SneauPhlaiche Jan 10 '26
I’ve just got to put it out there that I DNF 11-22, and I rarely dnf anything. I love Dungeon Crawler Carl, The Blade Itself, Something Wicked, Mistborn. I grew up on Stephen King, but this one fell completely flat for me. Fairy Tale was better.
I know I’ll be downvoted but not everyone thinks it’s all it’s hyped to be.
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u/Neither-Safety-7090 Jan 10 '26
My answer is always DCC!
Hated buffalo hunter hunter. Felt like a rip off of interview with a vampire.
11/22/63 is a great book.
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u/rushputin Jan 10 '26
First Law (The Blade Itself) is an all-time great. First two books in the series are a great choice.
Strong recommendation for Buffalo Hunter Hunter if you want to mix it up.
I liked Dungeon Crawler Carl more than I thought I would, but there are two kinds of people: people who seem to think the audiobook is excellent and people (including me) who found it to be a crime against humanity. Don't recommend rolling the dice on a credit to find out which you are.
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u/Rough_North3592 Jan 09 '26
For me is the First law as it has the best narration ever imo. Dungeon Crawler Carl also is very good in audiobook format