Sci-fi is such an intriguing genre. Halfway between so-called "realistic" fiction, which concerns itself with what's real, and f🌜antasy, which concerns itself with the wholly unreal, sci-fi concerns itself with a middle-ground, consisting of that💮 which is not real, but which still complies with the rules of our world just enough that iꦗt feels like it could be real, someday.

Audiobooks were once a sci-fi concept. Having books read aloud to you on command once would've seemed an impossible luxury, but now it's something everyone can enjoy. So, here's a list of the best sci-fi audiobooks you can find on Audible, the largest audiobook platform in the world.

Updated August 13, 2024, by Nic Guastella: 2024 has proven to be a banner year for sci-fi fans, with an influx of new audiobooks rising to prominence thanks to their explorations on TV and silver screens. From the mind-bending Netflix rendition of The Three-Body Problem gearing up for its second season to The Acolyte's deep dive into Sith lore, the titles below offer plenty for anyone looking to enrich their understanding of these, and other, burgeoning and expansive universes.

Dive back into the epic world of Dune with Dune Messiah, the riveting sequel that continues Frank Herbert’s legendary saga. This auﷺdiobook picks up with Paul Atreides as Emperor, delving into the complexities of his rule and the political intrigue that surrounds him. With its profound them🎀es and intricate storytelling, Dune Messiah is a crucial chapter for any sci-fi enthusiast or longtime fan of the series.

Narrated by Simon Vance, whose expert delivery brings Herbert’s characters and their world to life, this audiobook offers an immersive experience. Published by Recorded Books, renowned for their high-quality productions, it ensures a polished and engaging listen. Don't miss out—experience Dune Messiah on Audible and delve deeper into the universe of the Atreides lore.

We begin with a foundational work of science fiction. Dune is an old, genre-codifying sci-fi epic, responsible for many of the tropes we take for granted in science fiction today. Franchises as disparate as Star Wars, Star Trek, and Warhammer 40,000 take influence from it. It is an essential item of Western popular culture. It's a difficult book in some ways. It's long and a bit dense, but both of those problems get milder with the addition of an audiobook.

The narration here is really solid, and it breathes life into some of the more expository passages in the book. If you've been frightened away from this book by its length or density, this audiobook is a great way to experience it. For Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert, the audiobook is narrated by Simon Vance and published by Recorded Books.

Science fiction has a way of becoming reality. Perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised by this. Sci-fi authors base their work on their imaginings of what the future might be like, so perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that they occasionally get it right. Decades ago, when serious cloning was brand new, Michael Crichton fantasized about the possibility of bringing dinosaurs back from extinction. Now we live in a world where the ability to resurrect species from DNA samples seems inevitable, and Douglas Preston is here to offer a similar exploration of what it might be like for us to resurrect ice-age megafauna, something that will probably be possible within our lifetimes.

That's just one of the things going on in this novel. On top of that, there's the kidnapping that's got to be figured out. Jurassic Park was already a thriller, and this novel has an even thicker mystery element. A lot is going on here, and a lot to keep you turning the page. The audiobook of Extinction: A Novel by R.R. Haywood is narrated by Joe Jameson and published by Tantor Audio.

Speaking of books with a lot going on, there's an incredible amount that's interesting about Parable of the Sower, one of the greatest novels ever written. Set in a future that treads the line between dystopia and post-apocalypse, Parable of the Sower tells the story of one young woman's ꧟168澳洲幸运5开奖网:struggle to s📖urvive in a devastated wasteland.

The audiobook Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler is narrated by Janina Edwards and published by Tantor Audio. That performance on its own is interesting enough that it could've carried the book, but, on top of that, the story is vast and engaging. Its main character is working to found a religion, and it's a fascinating religion, full of compelling and thought-provoking ideas. On top of that, there's the main character's hyper-empathy, a condition which causes her to literally feel any pain she witnesses. All three of these elements could've been a book on their own. Together, they make for an incredibly interesting read. This book is dark. A lot of people die horribly, and a lot of awful things happen, but underneath all of that, it is an incredibly hopeful tale, about how characters persist in the face of horror and tragedy, and where they find the strength to do so.

Given how dour the last novel was, let's shift to something a bit lighter. Redshirts is a parody novel, telling the story of a new Ensign assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, whose eccentric crew is liable to be strangely familiar to many of us, and whose happenings follow recurring formulas that generally don't harm the command staff, but pose a lethal threat to the expendable grunts under their command.

The novel is a parody of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Star Trek, right down to being narrated by Wil Wheaton. Though making fun of the original Star Trek may seem a bit easy and obvious now that that show is five decades old, this story isn't just about a single science fiction show. It's about the nature of fiction itself. The narrative is alive in this book, and it wants to kill our characters. It is genuinely one of the most terrifying antagonists in the history of fiction. It has absolute control over what happens, and can even force its victims to make mistakes in order to get them killed.

Set on a dystopian Mars, where one's color-coded caste determines the life one lives, Red Rising is the first part of a trilogy of books about resistance and the sacrifices that must be made to achieve it. That moral ambiguity is one of the stronger elements of this novel. It knows about, and is not afraid to deal with, the darker elements of revolution. It does a great job managing the distinction between a necessary evil and an easier one.

On top of all of that, the book is excellently narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds. Elements of it were inspired by the plight of Irish-American immigrants in the nineteenth century, a fact which makes Reynolds' voice especially fitting. On top of that, his performance is simply excellent.

While we're hanging out on Mars, we may as well take a look at another novel set on the red planet. The Martian is a far more grounded and realistic tale of survival and adversity. Its Mars is not a terraformed, futuristic world, but simply the planet as it exists in our night sky, with the sole addition of a handful of humans, soon reduced to one, and a bit of plausible technology. After our main character is stranded on Mars during the first manned mission to the planet, he must use the sparse resources around him to survive the great expense of time it will take before he can be rescued.

This is another book narrated by Wil Wheaton, and he once again does an amazing job bringing to life the sarcastic and witty elements of this novel's writing. It's a great example of how the right narrator can do an enormous amount to boost a novel's voice.

If you’re still recovering from The Acolyte and craving more dark side drama, Darth Plagueis by James Luceno is here to fill that void. This novel delves into the shadowy backstory of one of the galaxy’s most mysterious Sith Lords, providing the kind of dark-side intrigue that’s hard 𒁏to resist.

Narrated by Daniel Davis, who brings a chilling gravitas to the role, this audiobook is published by Random House Aud🥂io. If you’ve ever wondered what makes the Sith tick—or if you just enjoy a good dose of Sith lore with your coffee—this is a must-listen. Get ready to explore the dark depths of the Star Wars universe like never before.

If you’re looking for a riveting space adventure to dive into before it hits the big screen, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is your go-to. Following the success of The Martian, Weir delivers another compelling tale of survival, focusing on a lone astronaut's desperate mission to save Earth. With a film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling in the works, now’s the perfect time to experience this thrilling story in audiobook format. Narrated by Ray Porter, his dynamic performance captures the tension and excitement of Weir’s latest masterpiece, making it a standout listen.

The Magitech Chronicles is an excellent work of fiction. The audiobook is narrated by Michael Kramer and published by Tantor Audio. One of the boldest and most unashamed examples of Sci-fi Fantasy ever written, its space-faring world gleefully fuses magic and technology, as space marines in powered armor fight dragons with spells words, spellrifles, and spellships. This is a saga of gods and governments, of war and wizardry, of spells and spacecraft, and it is glorious. The initial saga follows a newly conscripted soldier as he's forced to fight the draconic threat making war against humanity and its allies, and from that small beginning, the scope of this saga explodes outward.

As good as these books are in their own right, the most remarkable thing about this purchase is how many of them you get for a single audible credit. The original Magitech Chronicles series consists of seven books. At the time this bundle was made, its sequel series, Magitech Legacy, was six books into its eventual eight-book run. This bundle includes all 13 books that were out at the time, close to two full series worth of material, albeit with one of those series not yet concluded. Still, this is amazing value, over a hundred hours for just one credit. If our description of this work makes you even a little interested in it, you should ch𒐪eck it out.

The Three-Body Problem is a mind-bending journey that explores humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization, setting the stage for an expansive science fiction epic. Liu Cixin's novel intricately combines cosmic mystery with profound philosophical questions, offering a fresh and challenging perspective on first contact scenarios.

The story, set against the backdrop of China’s Cultural Revolution, delve🐬s into the dramatic consequences of encountering advanced alien technology and its impact on human society. With the TV adaptation gaining success and continuing to captivate audiences, now is the perfect time to immerse yourself in this audiobook. Narrated by Luke Daniels, whose performance infuses the text with depth and intensity, the audiobook brings Cixin’s intricate world-building and complex narrative to life.

FAQ

Are most books free on Audible?

No. Having an Audible membership gives you credits that allow you to purchase books on audible📖. In addition, there is a selection of books that can be listened to free with your membership. This catalog of free titles includes many excellent works, though there are also plenty of books worth buying.

What should I listen to on Audible?

Besides the titles above, any good book is likely to have a good audiobook, so you can check out our other 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:lists of great books for some decent suggestions. In addition, audible's system of pricing has an interesting quirk. Every book on Audible can be purchased for a set price, or for one credit. As a result, full-series bundles and other collections of multiple books often allow you to get an enormous amount of material for a single credit. If you want to use audible efficiently, you should consider buying those bundles to listen to.