Japanese Light Novel Book Club discussion

Has anyone given the new audio book versions of light novels a chance? I'm half way through SAO Volume 1 and I think it's pretty good.

I have listened to the audiobook of Solo Leveling vol. 1 and wasn't impressed;; The narrator wasn't convincing and kind of boring sounding, and he made all of the sound effects with his voice.

I'm glad to hear the SAO audiobook is good - I heard they got a voice actor to narrate it, and the sample was nice!!

I bought all of the audiobooks besides Solo-Leveling, but haven't sat down to listen to them all yet.

I hear that Overlord is really good.

I like the voice actress for Reincarnated as the Last of my Kind, Vol. 1 , Cassandra Morris, but I know some think her voice is too babyish to listen to for long (I like her voice in anime and video games though, like Edea Lee in Bravely Default).

Shield Hero I have tried listening to. Slower voiced narrator and he's got a cringe weak voice for Myne (and all the nobles / knights have very loud booming voices compared to his usual relaxed Naofumi narration). So idk if I can recommend it.

I'm looking forward to The Miracles of the Namiya General Store .

as of 10/2024 there are several that are quite good:

Hell Mode (Tantor Audio)
Even Dogs go to other worlds (Podium Audio)
My Quiet Blacksmith Life (Podium Audio)
Reborn as a Space Mercenary (Seven Seas Audio) - I esp like this series
So You want to live the Slow Live? (Podium Audio)
Solo Leveling (Yen Audio)
The Saint's Magic is Omnipotent (Seven Sea Audio) - My Fav

I didn't know Saint's Magic had an audio book. I will have to check that one out :)

Selena wrote: "I didn't know Saint's Magic had an audio book. I will have to check that one out :)"
I really liked the light novels and manga so it was very enjoyable to listen to the audiobooks.
They have produced 9 vols so far in audiobook. I have listened to the first 4.
4-5*s for me.

I am listening to the audiobook series version of By the Grace of the Gods: Volume 1 Roy . and produced for Tantor Audio read by Ray Greenley. I loved the series and it is pleasurable to listen to the audio version of it now during walks.

I have also greatly enjoyed the Audiobooks of Ascendance of a Bookworm (Light Novel), Part 1 Volume 1 as they come out. I have read the complete LN series and (fan boy) I have watched the anime and read the manga as it is released. The audiobooks are a quite nice to experience a story that I am fond of.
English version is from J-Novel Club.

Current LN audiobook is Black Summoner (v6). I am slowly working through the series after reading a number of the LNs. It is quite a fun series and does not take itself seriously.

The audiobooks of I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, Vol. 1 are pretty entertaining and cute. Rachelle Heger, the narrator of the series, does a fine job conveying the character of the MC and the humor of the writing.

I am listening to the audiobook for The Beginning after the End: Publisher's Pack #1-2. Quite good and I am happy the anime version just started.

I'm the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!, Volume 1 is a pretty entertaining LN. Anime based upon the LN is in the Spring 2025 season. Yes, there are standard tropes but the usage is inventive and it is hard not to be amused.

My second time through was with the new audiobook production by Seven Seas Siren and narrated by Cliff Kirk. It was fun! I will be listening to the audiobook productions as they become available.