Seven Audio Series That Rock!

August 17th, 2018 Kimberly Feature 34 Comments

17th Aug

Audio Series That Rock Caffeinated 2018

Audiobooks have become a HUGE part of my reading each year. In fact for 2018 I would say I am 68% Audiobooks out of 168 novels I’ve finished. My favorite genre for audio hands down is Urban Fantasy, followed my suspense thrillers, mysteries, horror and paranormal. I do dabble in romance and its subgenres and cozy mysteries are great fun on audio. I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite series since I began devouring audiobooks.

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*All cover images linked to Amazon Audible

The Others by Anne Bishop

Narrated by Alexandra Harris, Anne Bishop’s Others series remains one of my favorite urban fantasy series. I own this series on audio, hardcover and ebook. This is “a world inhabited by the Others, unearthly entities – vampires and shape-shifters among them – who rule the Earth and whose prey are humans.” It begin in the Lakeside Courtyard when Meg Corbyn, a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet seeks shelter among the Others to hide from the Controller she has escaped from.

From the world building to the amazing cast of characters I slip immediately into this world and the outside world slips away. There is a subtle romance, but it is the interactions between humans and the terra indigenes that keep me on edge waiting for my next visit to Thasia.

Crossbreeds by Dannika Dark

First I must confess, I’ve listened to everyone of Dark’s series and love them. All take place in the same world, but are very different. There is the Mageri series, Seven series and now the Crossbreed series which I must confess is my favorite. All the feels, suspense, snark and swoons one could hope for in an urban fantasy series. Her characters are vivid, unique and I love them all, from the snarky, kickass heroines to the swoon-worthy,misunderstood heroes. Nicole Poole narrates and does so brilliantly. She moves easily from female to male voices and you’d never know she wasn’t male. I love her accents particularly for a smexy vampire who manages to appear in both the Mageri and Crossbreed series.

The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne

I came to the Iron Druid Chronicles late and devoured them. I have since started two more series by Hearne, also narrated by Luke Daniels and have fully entered the fandom. There are many books in between the series, all but one available on audio..some are full length. I recommend listening (or reading) EVERYTHING. Snark, talking dogs, dangerous creatures, mythology, elementals and so much more make this an epic urban fantasy. This series has ended so feel free to binge listen 🙂

Luke Daniels narrates this series and his range of voices and ability to capture the tone of each scene blows my mind. He is a narrator that will get me to try an unknown author.

Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews

Much like the Iron Druid series, I began the Kate Daniels series late and began on audio. The first book was a little rough and middle of the road for me, but I wanted more of Kate and Curran. Book two, Magic Bites I was all in and there was no turning back. I quickly devoured everything that was released and later this month the final audio Magic Triumphs will release. This is a ten book series, but there are MANY novellas and full-length books in between Some are on audio and some are not. Of course I recommend listening whenever you can. This series began my fandom with Ilona Andrews and I’ve read or listened to everything they’ve written. I continue to be mind blown by this writing duo.

Renée Raudman narrates just about everything the Andrews team writes and it is a perfect pairing. Raudman is the voice of Kate and Curran, not to mention hundreds of secondary characters, beasts and more. I love her pacing and ability to capture the tone and emotions of scenes as they unfold.

White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland

Do you like mysteries and snarky heroine? Then this series is for you!  Sure our herione is a kickass Zombie, but Rowland’s zombies are nothing like the zombies of horror books. Sure they eat brains but in a civilized manner. Slushies, tacos, and frozen dinners. I love listening to this series with its humorous moments and intense mysteries. I have laughed until my sides hurt and even wept a time or two.  Set near the swamps of southern Louisiana this tale introduces us to teenage delinquent and high school dropout,  Angel Crawford who finds there is a whole other world out there when she wakes up a zombie. I love this series and cannot wait for the next installment.

Allison McLemore narrated and I just love her southern twang, wide range of voices and her uncanny ability to capture the essence and one-line zingers that is Angel Crawford.

Bill Hodges Trilogy by Stephen King

I am a huge Stephen King fan, and love the blending of mystery and supernatural elements in the Bill Hodges trilogy. In a distressed midwestern town we meet, a retired cop named Bill Hodges who is suffering from depression, poor health and is haunted my unsolved crimes. When a driver runs down eight people in an employment line that kills fifteen innocents and escapes, Bill sets out to investigate. I was hooked from the onset. Dark, gritty and suspenseful with flawed, unique characters that are classic King I devoured these on audio.

Will Patton narrates and I should straight up confess his is a voice I could listen to endlessly. His tone and wide range of voices are a perfect match to King. In fact he has narrated some of my favorites including King’s latest release, The Outsider, which was phenomenal.

Search and Rescue Series by Katie Ruggle

I love romantic suspense, and Katie Ruggle grabs me everytime. The Search and Rescue series is fun, because each book features a new couple and suspense angle but there is an overall arc that ties them all together building the suspense for the readers. Swoon worthy heroes and strong female heroines, not to mention some humor and sexy times make this series a keeper. George wa my favorite character of the series..his quiet presence was memorable. (insert laughter)

Rachel Dulude narrates the series and does a stellar job with both the male and female voices. Her pacing, sense of tone and ability to enhance the story make this a perfect series for listening.

Caffeinated shares Seven Series that Rock on #Audio #TheOthers #Crossbreeds #TheIronDruidChronicles #KateDaniels #WhiteTrashZombie #BillHodges #SearchandRescue Share on X

What audio series do you love? Feed my addiction….

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

34 Responses to “Seven Audio Series That Rock!”

  2. Lauren @ Always Me

    Yes, The Others and The Iron Druid Chronicles are a couple of the best on audio! I also love The Diviners series by Libba Bray – January LaVoy is a fantastically talented narrator. 🙂

  5. Amy M Ermie

    My husband is constantly telling me that reading an audiobook doesn’t count as reading, so i shouldn’t use them in my book totals. Thinking about getting a new husband…

  8. Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight

    Wow, 68% audiobooks, you do really love them! I’ve heard a sample of the White Trash Zombie audio, and I’d love to try that one, but it’s not available at my library or Hoopla :-/ I’ll have to check if any of these others are though. I think Keystone might be!

  9. Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

    I will definitely check out the Iron Druid series on audio; it might be the way for me to pick up the series again. And perhaps I’ll give the Kate Daniels series a try, too. Great post!

  10. MarthaE

    Those are some good series. I would add the Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs, and, for me, The Destroyerman Series by Taylor Anderson.

  11. Teresa Mary Rose

    I have been meaning to read The Iron Druid Chronicles and the Search and Rescue books for a while now! Glad to hear the audios are good, maybe that will help me get to them faster!

  15. ShootingStarsMag

    I want to read a lot of these series! I don’t really do well with audios though. I tried again this year and I just find I can’t focus well enough, even speeding it up, etc.

    -Lauren

  17. Ana Kurland

    Some of my favorites have been: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, The Flavia De Luce by Alan Bradley, and the Bloody Jack series by L.A. Meyer.

  20. Jackie Briere

    I think the reason I love visiting your blog is that generally, we have the same taste in genres, and you did introduce me to Anne Bishop The Others. Also perhaps it is due to the author, but I love Paranormal Romance. J.R. Ward with the Black Dagger Brotherhood and Karen Marie Mornings sexy Highlanders and Fever series are a favourite of mine. Jeaniene Frost Huntress series was good too except Tavia Gilbert got on my nerve in this one. Lol no biggie. I liked Tavia Gilbert in Walking Disaster, however. It depends on the book. Also sometimes I love chick lit or comedy like H.P. Mallory or Dakota Cassidy or Molly Harper.

  23. Anne

    I know all these series but have not typically listened to them in audio. I have listened to Kate Daniels, some of them on audio. I have read a few Iron Druid and intend to start over on audio. I plan to also listen to the Dannika Dark series. I have to see about White Trash Zombies – I have one in print. Steven King is too scary for me.usually but this sounds great. Katie Ruggle I enjoy. I’ve listened to 2 and read 2, either way seems to work for me. On audio series, I love Harry Dresden by Jim Butcher, Charley Davidson by Darynda Jones, Jane Jameson and Half Moon Hollow books by Molly Harper, OF COURSE Harry Potter, and The Inspector Jury mysteries by Martha Grimes. Anne – Books of My Heart

  24. Lorna

    You know I loved seeing Crossbreed on your list and also expected it. The Others, I think I listened to at least three of those and loved them. Listened to White Trash Zombie and had so much fun on a very long drive while listening. I have book 2 on audio for one of these days. Good choices!

    Lorna recently posted: Review: Blind Kiss by Renee Carlino

  25. Heidi

    Yep. I have listened ot at least one book if not all the books in every one of theses series. I am still working a couple of them, and I am starting Danika Dark today on audio. Looking forward to it. So glad you finally discovered Kevin Hearne and Luke Daniels. I adore Luke Daniels.

  26. Sophia Rose

    No surprise about which ones made your list. 🙂

    My favorites are both Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander and Lord John series read by Davina Porter, Angie Fox’s Southern Ghost Hunter read by Tavia Gilbert, and a few that you have up there already. 🙂

  28. Angela

    I love the Kate Dianel’s series also Mercy Thompson and The Dresden Files is good too in audio. Great picks I’ll have to try a few out.

  30. Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

    Bishop’s The Others series is audiobook perfection. Alexandra Harris’ narration makes for an amazing listening experience. From Meg’s quiet, naïveté, to Simon’s gruff voice, each character sounds unique and she brings them all to life.

  31. Ginni Bush

    The In Death series by JD Robb is my all time favorite. Eve Dallas…Roark….Peabody….. I can pick anywhere in the series and feel like I’m ‘on the case’ with them.

  32. Kai Strand

    My reading list is heavily weighted in audio too. I mostly listen to YA, but I enjoyed Mr. Mercedes. King is a master. The thing I find with YA is sometimes they make the characters sound too young, whiney, flighty and it can totally ruin my experience. It leaves me wondering if I’d have liked the book better if I’d read it. But you can’t have two first experiences with a book.