Best Young Adult Audiobook Series to Listen to Right Now

Grishaverse Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo has created a lush and exciting fantasy world in her Grishaverse series. Start out with the Grisha trilogy, which tells the story of Alina and Mal, childhood friends turned soldiers who discover that Alina has a rare magic that could put her at the center of a dangerous political plot. Listen to those audiobooks in order, then jump to the Six of Crows duology, followed by the King of Scars duology. Leigh also has a standalone short story collection set in the Grishaverse called The Language of Thorns that can be read at any time. Lauren Fortgang narrates all of Leigh's books, which are Audible exclusives, and is joined by a full cast for the Six of Crows duology, making your listening experience totally smooth and immersive.

Winners' Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski

Justine Eyre narrates this trilogy about a world caught up in war, which glorifies fighting and violence. Kestral is a general's daughter who doesn't want to get married or join the military. One day, in an act of defiance, Kestral buys a slave at auction. But Arin isn't someone to be possessed. His fire attracts Kestral, and she finds herself risking everything for him and the secrets he holds. Listen to these audiobooks in order, and if you enjoy them, check out Rutkoski's new fantasy series, set in the same world, starting with The Midnight Lie.

An Ember in the Ashes Series by Sabaa Tahir

Inspired by the Roman Empire, this sweeping fantasy series is about Elias, a solder at the most elite military academy in the land, and Laia, a slave. When Laia infiltrates the academy, it's at great peril—no spy has ever come out of there alive. Elias is their finest student, but his biggest secret is that he'd rather do anything else. When Elias and Laia cross paths, just as a deadly as a deadly military competition begins, their choices could influence an empire. Listen to this four audiobook series in order, starting with An Ember in the Ashes. Steve West and Fiona Hardingham narrate the first audiobook and are joined by Katherine Lee McEwan and Maxwell Caulfield in the sequels.

Folk of the Air Trilogy by Holly Black

At the age of seven, just after her parents were murdered, Jude and her two sisters were whisked away from everything they knew by faeries. Jude grew up in the High Court of Faerie, always slightly ostracized, but now Jude wants to belong there permanently. The only problem: the fae look down on human, and none more than the youngest prince of the court, Cardan. Jude defies him in order to win a place in court, but must soon risk everything if she's to save the faeries, her sisters, and herself. This trilogy is performed brilliantly in the crisp cadence of narrator Caitlin Kelly.

Daughter of Smoke & Bone Trilogy by Laini Taylor

Khristine Hvam narrates this magical trilogy, which is set partly in Prague and partly in a magical world. It follows Karou, a young, blue-haired woman who studies art by day and runs errands at night for the chimera who raised her. When a stranger named Akiva appears, he topples Karou's worldview, and she must search through the magic and her buried half-memories to discover her past—and the part she must play in the magical struggle going forward. Listen to all three audiobooks in order, then be sure to check out the short story companion, Night of Cake & Puppets.

Illuminae Files Trilogy by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

The Illuminae Files is a mixed-format trilogy with a full-cast performance about what happens when an evil corporation attacks an illegal mining operation on a small, out-of-the-way planet. Kady and Ezra live on this planet, and they had just broken up when the attack changed their lives. Now the survivors are on a ship, trying to outrun their enemies in order to make it to freedom and Kady and Ezra will have to work together, along with many friends both new and old, in order to tell the universe what has happened—and get to the bottom of the attack.

The Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer

Fairy tales get a techno twist with this series from Marissa Meyer, narrated by Rebecca Soler. Set in a futuristic world, the series opens with the story of Cinder, a mechanic cyborg who is treated as a second-class citizen thanks to her parts. Then she becomes entangled with Prince Kai of New Beijing, and discovers that she plays a pretty significant role in an epic intergalactic struggle, complete with an evil queen. Don't miss this series, which retells the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White. You'll want to listen in order, then grab Stars Above, a companion short story collection, and Fairest, a companion novella.

Arc of a Scythe Trilogy by Neal Shusterman

In a near future where death has been eradicated and anyone can reset their age to 25, death isn't exactly a distant memory. Scythes "glean" people at random to remind humanity of mortality and control population. Rowan and Citra have just been chosen to become Scythe apprentices, and they're wary. What they don't yet realize is that they and their mentor are about to become pawns in a larger struggle from within Scythedom that will have them questioning everything they thought they knew about their world, and the Scythe moral code. This excellent Audible exclusive audiobook trilogy is skillfully narrated by Greg Tremblay.

Legend Series by Marie Lu

This series is set in a futuristic United States, now called the Republic, a military state that rules the west and picks wars with its neighbors. June is a military prodigy, whose life is overturned when her brother is murdered. The government is quick to pin the blame on Day, one of their most wanted criminals and June immediately vows to exact revenge. What ensues is a cat and mouse game as these two elites track each other down. But Day is much more than the criminal the state makes him out to be. When the two finally collide, they'll discover there's so much they don't know about the Republic.

The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

If you're looking for a modern YA supernatural classic, then look no further than the Mortal Instruments. Clary is enjoying a night on the town when she witnesses a murder committed by three teens who are covered in strange tattoos that no one else seems to notice. Not long after, her mother disappears and she's attacked by a demon. Clary discovers the world of Shadowhunters, who keep humanity safe from the demons and darkness that lurks just out of sight, and she learns that she has her own destiny within this strange world. The narrators to this series vary, but include Jason Dohring, Molly C. Quinn, Natalie Moore, and Sophie Turner. Listen to the Mortal Instruments series in order, then check out more Shadowhunter series with The Infernal Devices, The Dark Artifices, and The Last Hours.

Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead

If vampires are your thing, definitely check out this action-packed six-audiobook series about a secret underworld of vampires comprised of Moroi (good vampires), Dhampir (half-human, half-vampires), and Strigoi (evil undead vampires). Rose is a Dhampir, sworn to protect her best friend Lissa, a Moroi. They ran away when an unknown danger spooked them, but now they've been hauled back to St. Vladimir's Academy, nestled in the Rocky Mountains, where they're expected to continue their education and act like nothing happened. But Rose knows the danger hasn't passed, and she's got her work cut out for her to convince Dimitri, her sexy new trainer, that her best friend's life is at stake. Narrators include Khristine Hvam, Emily Shaffer, and Stephanie Wolff, who make this fantastic series both thrilling and romantic.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before Trilogy by Jenny Han

If you're looking for a romantic series, check out Jenny Han's sweet trilogy about Lara Jean Song Covey, a teen who has more than enough on her plate when her big sister breaks up with her boyfriend and heads off to college. So when all of the love letters she ever wrote to her crushes and kept in a hat box get mailed, it's a disaster…except, maybe not. Because when one of her crushes, Peter K, agrees to enter into a fake relationship to divert attention from the other guys who received letters, Lara Jean finds herself falling—for real. This swoon-worthy trilogy is narrated by Ali Ahn.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda Series by Becky Albertalli

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda took the YA world by storm with its sweet and heart-wrenching story about Simon, a closeted gay teen who has no reason to fear coming out, but just isn't ready. When a school confessions site connects him with Blue, they start a secret correspondence and Simon begins to fall hard. But he has to figure it out on his own terms. This audiobook is performed by Audie Award winner Michael Crouch. In the companion listen, Leah on the Offbeat, Simon's best friend Leah deals with the ups and downs of being in a band and figuring out that she's bisexual, just as her friend group begins to break apart. Definitely don't miss the audio performance by Shannon Purser, perhaps best known as Barb from Stranger Things.

Dimple and Rishi Series by Sandhya Menon

If you're looking for a delightful, classic-rom-com-inspired YA series, look no further than Sandhya Menon's fun trilogy. Each installment is a standalone listen, but you'll see familiar characters throughout the novels. Start with When Dimple Met Rishi, an amusing story about what happens when two teens whose parents want to see them marry arrive at the same summer camp...and despite themselves, fall for each other. In There's Something About Sweetie, Ash agrees to let his parents find him a girlfriend- until he meets Sweetie, who is amazing in so many different ways, even if she doesn’t fit the beauty standards of his traditional Indian parents. The third book in the series, 10 Things I Hate About Pinky, is about a restless young rebel named Pinky, who hires the dependable Samir to pose as her boyfriend for the summer to get her parents off her back-a plan that backfires spectacularly. Vikas Adam, Soneela Nankani, and Sneha Mathan narrate this fun romance trilogy.

Trouble Series by Stephanie Tromly

Kathleen McIrney narrates this hilarious trilogy about Zoe, a new girl who just wants to fly under the radar and have a normal high school experience. All of that is thwarted when Digby shows up and demands that she help him investigate his sister's kidnapping from years ago and Zoe finds herself reluctantly dragged along on a wild adventure spanning three books and multiple conspiracy theories. Listen to this series in order, especially if you're looking for an escape with some serious Veronica Mars vibes.

Truly Devious Trilogy by Maureen Johnson

Stevie Bell is a true crime aficionado and she's finally been admitted to Ellingham Prep, a boarding school in Vermont that was the site of one of the country's most famous unsolved crimes 75 years earlier. Stevie fully intends to investigate and crack the case, but as she probes into history, she makes a few startling discoveries that would imply their original murderer isn't quite finished. You’ll definitely want to listen to this fantastic trilogy narrated by Kate Rudd one after another, as each ends with a cliffhanger.

One of Us Is Lying Series by Karen McManus

When five very different teens are sent to detention, they're shocked when one of them dies—and suspicions are cast. Told in rotating points of view, One of Us Is Lying follows Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper as they go over their final moments with Simon, the creator of a notorious gossip app, and figure out just how he died…and which of them might be responsible. Definitely listen to this series in order to avoid spoilers, and enjoy a full-cast production in both books with performances by Kim Mai Guest, Shannon McManus, Robbie Daymond, Macleod Andres, Maria Liatis, Holly Linneman, Fred Berman, and Karissa Vacker.

The Agency Series by Y.S. Lee

Justine Eyre narrates this fun Victorian-set series about a super-secret spy agency run and staffed by women. Mary is an orphan who was saved from the gallows and given the privilege of a proper education. Upon graduation, she realizes that her school is a cover for a spy agency and signs on. In A Spy in the House, she takes on her first solo mission. But the case turns complicated when her investigations take her close to a secret from her past that no one—not even her handlers—know about. Listen to this series in order, and especially if you enjoy historical adventure and strong female characters.

Montague Siblings Series by Mackenzi Lee

If you enjoy historical shenanigans, pick up this series set in the mid-18th century, about the misadventures of the Montague siblings. In The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, Monty doesn't want to become his father's heir. Instead, he wants to go on a grand European tour with his best friend (who’s probably the love of his life), Percy...but nothing goes as planned once they're away from home. In The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, Monty's sister Felicity would do anything to become a doctor, including traveling undercover to Germany to convince her hero to give her a chance at studying. Look for The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks, starring Monty and Felicity's baby brother all grown up, coming later in 2020, and don’t miss The Gentleman's Guide to Getting Lucky, a Monty and Percy short story.