“Traitors” star Dylan Efron loves a good fantasy audiobook.
Calling himself a “multitask listener,” Efron tells Page Six he likes to do everyday things like walking his dog, going to the gym or slacklining “while being transported to another world.”
Efron has made his love for the genre known, even telling us a few months ago that he wants to be in the upcoming “Fourth Wing” TV series.
“Oh, hell yeah! Sign me up,” he enthusiastically said at the time.
See below for Efron’s six must-read book recommendations.
“It’s like ‘The Hunger Games’ meets ‘Game of Thrones’ in space, where a lowborn rebel fights to overthrow a brutal caste system on Mars. I was writing screenplays and started writing my first book (still haven’t finished). My friend read the first 100 pages of my book and told me it reminded him of his friends book ‘Red Rising.’
“I started, thinking it was a little-known series, and was hooked. I read it front to back in less than a week, called my friend and told him how blown away I was and that this should be turned into a movie. He then informed me his friend is a NYT bestselling author and the franchise is really popular. I’ve read them all and listened back through… one of my favorite book narrators of all time, but reading the first one helps you manage all of the characters.”
“This one doesn’t need a summary, but for those who aren’t aware, It’s like Hogwarts, but instead of cozy magic classes, it’s life-or-death dragon boot camp and some steamy love. After reading ‘ACOTAR,’ I got the romantasy bug… but I felt like this series is the superior franchise to start if you’re thinking of picking one.”
“‘Stormlight Archive’ follows Kaladin, a former soldier turned slave, as he discovers his hidden powers and rises to become a leader in a world on the brink of war.
“‘Mistborn’ follows Vin, a street urchin with rare magical abilities, as she joins a group of rebels to overthrow a tyrannical immortal ruler.
“If I had to choose one, I’d pick ‘Stormlight Archive.’ But these books are fantasy to the core — like ‘Wheel of Time’ nerdy — so if you dabble in romantasy but aren’t a full fantasy person, it might not be for you. But Brandon Sanderson is one of the best fantasy writers of all time, known for his masterful world-building, intricate magic systems and compelling characters that blend epic scope with emotional depth.
“His one knock is he writes long books… so I recommend listening to these series on 1.1 speed on Audible. If you start the series, you probably have 100 hours of adventure ahead of you, so be ready.”
“Joe Abercrombie’s ‘First Law’ trilogy stands out for its gritty, darkly humorous take on fantasy, with morally complex characters and brutal, unpredictable storytelling that upends traditional heroic tales. This was a refreshing, quicker read after finishing Sanderson’s novels. Loved the main character, Logen Ninefingers — brutal honesty and complexity. He’s a feared warrior haunted by his violent past but still struggles to find some shred of humanity and redemption.”
“Scott Lynch’s ‘Lies of Locke Lamora’ series shines with its clever blend of intricate heists, witty dialogue and a richly detailed city filled with dangerous politics and unforgettable characters. Locke and Jean are the ultimate crime duo — Locke’s a smooth-talking trickster with a plan for everything, and Jean’s the grumpy, muscle-bound enforcer who somehow keeps their wild schemes from totally crashing.”
“‘Demon Copperhead’ by Barbara Kingsolver is a contemporary retelling of Charles Dickens’ ‘David Copperfield,’ set in rural Appalachia. This one isn’t fantasy like the rest. Its raw, heartfelt storytelling shines a powerful light on real struggles with empathy, humor and unforgettable characters who feel deeply human. My girlfriend recommended it to me, and it was worth straying out of my genre for.”