Last Updated on by Nishil Prasad
So, you know how sometimes you just want to dive into a great Story without spending hours reading? Well, that’s where an audiobook comes to the rescue. And if you’re into light novels – those cool, bite-sized tales that are like the snacks of the book world – then you’re in for a treat. We’re here to chat about the greatest light novel audiobooks that will have you entertained and hooked, all while you go about your day. But before we do that, let’s first look at what light novels are.
What are Light Novels?
Light novels are like the snack-sized stories of the book world, immensely popular among young adults. They’re like books, but shorter and often have some cool pictures sprinkled in. This is also what separates them from manga which are heavy on graphics. Think of them like reading a TV show episode instead of a whole season. They are Japanese in origin and publish all sorts of genres from adventure to romance. The best part? They’re easy to gobble up in one sitting. So if you’re in the mood for a quick story fix, light novels are like your bite-sized book buddies. Now you can Listen to and download these stories through any device easily using audiobook platforms like Audible and Audiobooks.com.
Best Light Novel Audiobooks For You: From Saga of Tanya the Evil to Sword Art Online
1. Spice and Wolf, Vol. 1 by Isuna Hasekura
This is a story with a mix of adventure and… well, a bit of weirdness. Kraft Lawrence, a traveling merchant used to his lonely life with his horse and cart, suddenly gets a surprise passenger when he finds a wolf goddess. Yeah, I know, sounds pretty out there, right? This girl, Holo, is tired of farm work and wants to spice things up by joining on his travels. And she’s got a deal for him – she’ll use her wolf smarts to help him make more money, and in return, he takes her along.
But here’s the twist: having a divine figure around isn’t all smooth sailing. Seems like there’s a whole lot of wildness to deal with. So, while Lawrence might get a boost in profits, he’s also in for some wild excursions. Will he be able to handle this unusual partnership? J. Michael Tatum voices this audio adaptation delightfully that keeps you coming back to it, and before you know it, you’re craving the next volume!
2. Overlord, Vol. 1: The Undead King by Kugane Maruyama
The audiobook is set in a virtual reality called Yggdrasil where a guild of skeletal folks do monster stuff together. They’re all having a grand old time until the game decides to end forever But their leader Momonga decides to give it one last look before saying goodbye, and that’s when a twist arrives. The game’s not a game anymore. Suddenly, this fantasy land is real, and Momonga is right in the middle of it.
Imagine having all those virtual minions at your beck and call in the real world. But it’s not all fun and games. The world’s not quite the way he remembers it. Narrated by Chris Guerrero, this tale of Ainz Ooal Gown, his crew, and their exploits is just beginning. If you love to discover tales that mix imagination and reality, Overlord would be right up your alley. Also, if you’d like to listen to more stories like this, try out this selection of the best urban fantasy audiobooks.
3. So I’m a Spider, So What? by Okina Baba
Imagine that you’re a regular high school student, minding your own business. But then, out of nowhere, you’re not in Kansas anymore – you’re a spider now! Yes, it’s as wild as it sounds. Suddenly, you’re in this bizarre place you’ve never seen before, and you’ve got eight legs instead of two. Our spider hero’s got a challenge ahead. for she’s stuck in the worst dungeon ever, and I mean literally the worst.
Imagine being a teeny-tiny spider in a place that’s more like a monster’s dream buffet. No rulebook, no guidebook – nada. It’s like someone threw her into a survival game with no instructions. This fun supernatural story has been performed by Caitlin Kelly and her narration makes this story all the more hilarious and engaging for you.
4. Sword Art Online 1: Aincrad by Reki Kawahara
Imagine a world where video games become your whole reality. In 2022, a super cool game called Sword Art Online drops. It’s not just any game – it’s a VRMMORPG, which stands for a bunch of fancy words. Basically, it’s a game where you’re inside the game. You put on this gear that makes you feel like you’re actually in the world of the game. For more stories like these, this selection of the best sci-fi audiobooks must not be missed.
So, players everywhere are pumped to dive into this virtual experience. But things quickly turn from party mode to danger mode super fast. Once everyone’s in the game, they realize there’s no way out for it’s missing the most basic function: a log-out button, nothing. Now, they’re stuck in this virtual universe called Aincrad permanently, and their real bodies are trapped in the real world. And yes, if you die in the game, you die for real. To get out, you need to cross all the levels. Bryce Papenbrook’s narration only makes this story, part 1 of the best selling series, that much more thrilling.
5. The Saga of Tanya the Evil, Vol. 1: Deus lo Vult by Carlo Zen
The audiobook takes place in a world in chaos, filled with fighting and spells. And in the midst of it all, there’s a young girl named Tanya Degurechaff. She’s like a sky warrior, dueling with other mages high up in the air. Bullets, spells, and sharp things – she has it all. Tanya’s no ordinary girl, for inside her head, there’s a whole other person – a shrewd ex-businessman from Japan.
This guy’s like a tactical genius, always thinking ahead. But now he’s in a new world world, a world at war. Tanya’s just trying to survive, using whatever she’s got. She’s called the Devil of the Rhine and is one of the best soldiers the empire has ever seen. Monica Rial is the perfect voice for Tanya as she fleshes out her personality with all its eccentricities and complexities.
6. The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent by Yasuyuki Syuri and Yuka Tachibana
A girl named Sei gets summoned to another world as a saint, but they summon two saints by mistake. Oops! So, Sei is kind of left on the sidelines. Fortunately for her, she ends up living a pretty chill life, working in an herbal workshop. And guess what? Turns out, she has legendary magical abilities.
Here’s the interesting part though – this book isn’t all about flashy spells and big battles. It’s more about Sei finding her place in this new world. The performance by Veronica Taylor translates perfectly in the final production as she enchants and draws you into the story. If you liked this recommendation, there’s a high chance you’ll love the selection of audiobooks in this list of the best Rick Riordan audiobooks as well.
7. Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! Vol. 1: Oh! My Useless Goddess!
This book is a mix of imagination, comedy, and a bunch of weird stuff. Kazuma is a bit of a shut-in and doesn’t really have anything going for him. But guess what? He dies. Yep, dead. But things get wild when he meets a female deity named Aqua, and she offers him to reincarnate to a parallel magical world and defeat the Demon King. And, of course, he accepts.
But don’t expect a typical hero’s journey. Nope, this is more like a hilarious mess. Aqua isn’t exactly a genius, and she and Kazuma end up in a not-so-great situation. This story is all about these misfit heroes stumbling through quests and getting into all sorts of ridiculous situations. For those who love inventive stories but also want a good laugh, you’ll love Konosuba. Arnie Pantoja narrates this audiobook with Erica Mendez as his companion, and they create an immersive listening experience for you.
8. 86 Vol. 1 by Asato Asato
Voiced by Alejandro Saab alongside Suzie Yeung, this audiobook is like diving into a world of war, but with a twist. The Republic of San Magnolia has been dealing with a bunch of autonomous drones from their not-so-friendly neighbors, the Giadian Empire. These drones are called the Legion, and they’ve been causing a lot of trouble. The Republic came up with their own drones, and suddenly the war is all high-tech and stuff. They say it’s a war without any casualties, but that’s not exactly true. For those interested in stories around war, this compilation of the best military audiobooks is highly recommended.
You see, beyond the walls of the Republic, there’s a place they don’t really talk about. It’s called the Eighty-Sixth Sector. And there are these young folks living there, called the Eighty-Six who’re sent out to battle with those “unmanned” weapons, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. This story is all about the real horrors of war, about those Eighty-Six, stripped of their humanity, fighting a battle that’s anything but bloodless. It’s a peek into a different kind of battlefield, one where the heroes are more than just soldiers – they’re survivors.
9. Classroom of the Elite Vol. 1 by Tomoseshunsaku and Syougo Kinugasa
There’s this fancy school called Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School where the students get to do whatever they want – but only if they can score enough points. You gotta win, trade, or save up those points to move up the ranks. Our main character, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, starts in the lowest class, Class D. It’s like the class everyone looks down on.
But then he meets Horikita Suzune, who’s all about climbing to the top and making it to Class A. It’s a battle against the rules in this school where everyone’s fighting to be the best. So hop along in this crazy ride filled with competition, strategy, and some serious drama. Voiced by Eddy Lee, this story is a game where the rules are ruthless, and only the strongest survive.
10. Reborn as a Space Mercenary: I Woke Up Piloting the Strongest Starship! Vol. 1 by tetsuhiro Nabeshima and Ryuto
Satou Takahiro is just living his regular life when suddenly he gets sucked into his favorite video game. But it’s not just any game – it’s a world full of space battles and other cool stuff. He’s not Satou anymore here – he’s Hiro, the tough space mercenary.
What’s more, he’s got a spaceship and attractive women by his side. Not just that, there are space pirates to fight, girls to save, and lots of trouble to get into (and hopefully out of). It’s a fun-filled ride and Fred Berman’s performance only enriches this wild ride of a story!
