My quota of male to female narrators used to be greatly skewed towards the fairer sex because Urban Fantasy is mostly about kickass chicks, and the women who write them. In recent years, we’ve seen a shift in that trend, although admittedly there are some dudes who’ve been owning that genre for quite some time now. Same goes for Paranormal Romance. That being said, my list of favourite female readers is quite extensive when compared to the opposite side of the gender spectrum, so I figured I’d broach the latter first in the hopes of adding to my audiobook stockpile. Part two of this Question will follow soon.
This week’s discussion post was actually inspired by my most recent male narrator discovery: R.C. Bray. He’s the voice behind Andy Weir’s THE MARTIAN, and my head is still spinning from how quickly I became hooked on his performance. I’d like to thank Marcela from The Bookaholic Cat for the wonderful recommendation! I don’t care for Science Fiction, or Math, and this story has both, and I LOVED IT. Another staple on my iPhone is Kevin Hearne’s THE IRON DRUID CHRONICLES with Luke Daniels; he usually has me laughing out loud within minutes of hitting play, and his rendition of Oberon is priceless.
Roger Wayne is in the same league as Daniels delivery-wise, except the protagonist in Elliott James’ PAX ARCANA series is a cooler, more modern version of Atticus O’Sullivan, so if you like one, you’re pretty much guaranteed to hit it off with both of these talented artists. Melanie from Hot Listens is to blame for my seven month long binge listen (and still counting) of Kresley Cole’s IMMORTALS AFTER DARK. It just goes to show that if you say “sexy Scottish werewolves” to me enough times, I’ll agree to almost anything, even committing to thirteen+ installments. I have to hand it to her though, Robert Petkoff is THE MAN!
I’ve also been on a THE DRESDEN FILES tear lately because Jim Butcher’s books have been on my bucket list for ages now, and as soon as I found out that James Marsters (a.k.a. Spike) was the reader, I couldn’t resist any longer. There are some kinks in the narration in the earlier installments, but once the story gets going it’s wildly entertaining. I liked Dan Bittner in Maggie Stiefvater’s SINNER, and Keith Nobbs in POISON PRINCESS (Kresley Cole); however both of those audios had two narrators, so my experience with them is rather limited.
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
I may be biased (okay, I am HUGELY biased), but David Wilson Brown, the audiobook narrator doing the male voices on the upcoming Ivy Granger audiobook Blood and Mistletoe, is amazing.
The only problem is that I just know I’m going to blush when we meet in person. His narration of Ceff and Forneus made my toes curl. Yep, definitely going to blush. 😉
Have you met many audiobook narrators at book events? With the demand for voice actor attendance at anime/fantasy conventions, I’m surprised that there isn’t a stronger presence from voice actors in our industry.
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Blood and Mistletoe is going to be on audio. Yay! I’ll be able to get to it way quicker on audio. I’ll be sure to check that out. I wish there were ever narrators at events. I talked to several people at RT who would love to attend a panel of narrators.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Hold Me Like a Breath by Tiffany Schmidt
Yes, I’m excited! Shadow Sight, Ghost Light, and Club Nexus are currently in audiobook format (narrated by Traci Odom). I recently began working with Melanie and David, and I am so thrilled with their work on Blood and Mistletoe. Having the luxury of both male and female narrators really brings these characters to life.
And speaking of RL…
We’re trying to get Melanie Mason and David Wilson Brown to attend ARC NOLA in July. I think it would be fun to have them stop by my signing table to speak with readers, and sign swag. Of course, there’s that problem with the blushing…lol.
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Q+A with Nadia Nader + The Enchanted Rose $50 Giveaway
My male narrators are few and far between but so far my favorites are James Marster and Kaleo Griffith (Branded and Broken by Laura Wright) only guy I have pretty much swooned while listening to him read a romance novel. 🙂
Stormi recently posted…Audiobook review of Dear Mr. Knightley
My favorite male narrators are James Marsters and Robert Petkoff. In all actually, regardless of sex, Robert Petkoff is hands down the best narrator I’ve ever listened to. That man rocks!
Let’s just say this: I’ve only come across ONE male narrator in the few audiobooks I’ve read so far. Thus, I can’t exactly say much about that one narrator, aside from the fact he didn’t do a really bad job.
I think maybe I’ll come across more male narrators throughout the summer. :3
Sophia recently posted…DNF Audiobook Review: Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly (Sophia Is Having Audibly Bad Luck)
My favorite male narrators are Phil Gigante (narrator of Christine Feehan’s books and the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning), James Marsters (LOVED his work on Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr), and Paul Michael (narrator of the Robert Langdon books by Dan Brown).
I have to say I love James Marsters with just about anything he narrates. I also like Nick Podehl and Will Patton. Will does The Raven Boys series.
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Hmm, let’s see…Simon Vance, Michael Kramer (who does excellent work with his wife Kate Reading on Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive), Macleod Andrews, Marc Thompson’s Star Wars stuff, and I really liked R.C. Bray’s performance on The Martian. There’s a bunch I’m probably missing, but those are the names that came to my mind when I saw your question of the day!
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The only male narrator I’ve listened to so far is James Marsters (how can you not love Spike, right?!) as Harry Dresden but I do love him, even with an American accent! I hope to find a few new faves, which includes the Kevin Hearne series is on my TBR thanks to your reviews 🙂
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Petkoff is the man!! He’s on the top of my list of favorite male narrators. Luke Daniels and Roger Wayne are also on the list. And I agree if you like one you are sure to like the other.
Here are a few that’s not on your list that you may enjoy:
MacLeod Andrews – Sandman Slim series
Fred Berman – Great work on The Walking Dead books
Jonathan Cole – Great British accent (not sure if it’s real or not but I love it)
Michael Urie – The Asylum Tales by Jocelynn Drake, he has a similar feel to Daniels and Rogers
Sebastian York – GREAT snarky and cocky voice for those bastard like characters
Jennifer recently posted…Thrifty Thursday Review Treading Water by Marie Force
I really love Michael Page. MacLeod Andrews and R. C. Bray are good ones too.
Cat recently posted…Review: X-23, Vol. 1: The Killing Dream by Marjorie M. Liu, Alina Urusov (Illustrator)
I will have to try those narrators you mention. I haven’t had much experience with narrators in general so my scope is limited. I enjoy David Brenin’s voice for the Rom Suspense I’ve been listening too and I liked Noah Michael Levine for the sci-fi.
The Martian is high on my list.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Last Kiss by Jessica Clare and Jen Frederick #Review
James masters and luke Daniels ^_^
I adore Luke Daniels he is amazing. I also love Bittner. I just listened to him narrate Where She Went. Andrew McCleod is awesome and I also love Charlie Thurston he narrates the I Hunt Killers series and Will Patton is outstanding he narrates some of Stephen King’s books as well as Maggie Stiefvater’s Raven Cycle series. Great question.
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For me it’s Luke Daniels in the Iron Druid and right up there with him is Ray Porter who does Joe Ledger. Both of them make the characters live. Everyone else is fighting for third place.
I’ve only listened to one audio book and I didn’t care for it so I haven’t tried any others. I can read a book faster than they can read it to me. lol
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I have no favs 🙁
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“I don’t care for sci-fi or math.” BWAHAHAHA. Truer words have not been uttered Carmel!
I have some major issues with male narrators, especially in YA because the kid always sound like grown ass men. I think my favorite male narrator at the moment is Sebastian York of the Tangled (Emma Chase) series.
Amber Elise recently posted…Book Review: An Ember in the Ashes
Brad wills, Wayne Farrell, Paul Woodson, Daniel Dorse.
William Dufris, Ray Porter, Luke Daniels, RC Bray (totes agree with that), Holter Graham….
I could go on but I agree I used to mostly skip male narrated books. However, now they are about 50/50 with the females!
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This will probably sound funny but the first male main character I can ever actually remember loving is Harry from the H.P. series. I really wasn’t into guy POVs until after reading that series.
I still don’t read a lot of them but I do enjoy books from the male POV, especially in UF and YA because there are so few of them.
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: The Devil You Know by Trish Doller
Sexy Scottish Werewolves!
Sexy Scottish Werewolves!
Sexy Scottish Werewolves!
Sexy Scottish Werewolves!
Robert Petkoff is one of my favorites. I’ve yet to listen to any Luke Daniels books, but those are my list. I would also add Holter Graham. I love his narration of Alpha & Omega.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Hold Me Like a Breath by Tiffany Schmidt
Hoooold up! No one is cooler than Atticus O’Sullivan. So take it back.
lol.
No, but Luke Daniels is the only male narrator I’ve listened to. I mean a full book anyway. But he is freaking great. I think it’s because he acts too and really gets into the characters.
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Oh, this is actually a super duper easy question for me! (I can’t believe I just write super duper to polite company). Holter Graham (Chronicles of Nick, Alpha and Omega) and MacLeod Andrews (Reckoners). Luke Daniels is there somewhere too, but I stopped reading Hearne’s books for different reasons so he kind of got lost along the way. But Graham and Andrews are amazing.
James Masters for sure, – he is amazing! Luke Daniels too. I’d also add Kobna Holbrook-Smith. He is behind Ben Aaronvitch’s books. Love him! I admit I haven’t heard that many audio books with male narrators, but enjoyed most of them.
kara-karina recently posted…Eurovision Song Contest 2015: Snarky Commentary
Sebastian York is the best, but I only like him for adult books. His deep sexy voice just doesn’t go well with young 20-something characters… MacLeod Andrews, Jason Carpenter/Deacon Lee are a few other favorites too.
Oh and Zachary Webber has a sexy voice!
Nereyda recently posted…Weekly Recap & Book Haul (150)
I haven’t listened to any audio narrated by a man…but then, I’ve only listened to 5 so far. 🙂 I do plan on listening to The Dresden Files purely for James Marsters because, YUM! And I almost picked up an audio recently because it was narrated by Colin Firth! *ha* Once I listen to a few more audios – with male narrators – I’ll get back to you. 😉
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Review ~ With Visions of Red ~ Trisha Wolfe
With Spike as the narrator, I’d listen to anything!!!!
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