Fantasy for the Ages

Jim Scriven
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Science Fiction
  • Updated Weekly

Jim (Father) and Zach (Son) talk about their ideas and perspectives on fantasy fiction, starting with Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series but straying in various other directions as well. The generational difference in how they view what they read will become obvious (and entertaining, they hope!). Come enjoy our debates and explorations over what all these books mean, and see who you agree with.

  1. 1d ago

    Six Books In… Has the Bobiverse Still Got It?

    Six books into the Bobiverse, has Dennis E. Taylor still got it—or is the formula starting to feel stale? In this spoiler-lite review of The Infinite Extent, Jim explores whether Bobiverse book 6 delivers the creativity, humor, mysteries, and cosmic stakes that keep readers coming back. From the Bobs’ impressive—but limited—abilities to humanity’s reliably questionable decision-making, there’s plenty to discuss. Jim shares six reasons to read this installment, considers how it balances immediate payoffs with the larger story, and explains why he’s already eager for book 7. Plus: where does this one rank among his Bobiverse favorites, and how does Heaven’s River fit into the bigger picture? 🚀 What did YOU think of The Infinite Extent? Where does it rank in the series? Let us know in the comments—and please keep things spoiler-lite! 👍 Like the video, subscribe to Fantasy for the Ages, and ring the notification bell for more fantasy, science fiction, and speculative fiction reviews, recommendations, and discussions. ❤️ A huge thank-you to our Patreon supporters! Your support helps keep these episodes coming. Join our community for early releases, bonus content, and more: https://patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #TheInfiniteExtent #Bobiverse #DennisETaylor #ScienceFiction Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? The Infinite Extent: https://t.ly/EPCl2 Ways to connect with us: Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening 2:10 - Book Details 3:59 - Why Jim Read This 5:25 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 7:01 - Six Reasons to Read This 13:07 - Reasons To Pass 14:50 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 16:49 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

  2. 2d ago

    Survival, Violence, and Dark Comedy | My Thoughts on SEND HELP

    A tropical island. A terrible boss. And absolutely no HR department. 🏝️🥥 In this spoiler-lite review, Jim takes a look at Send Help (2026), Sam Raimi’s darkly comedic survival thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien. What starts as a workplace nightmare becomes something far more dangerous—and considerably more entertaining—when an overlooked employee and her arrogant boss survive a plane crash together. Office authority doesn’t count for much when you can’t find lunch. Jim discusses: ✈️ The movie’s premise, production, box office, and reception 🥥 Why this landed on his “watch while traveling” list—and his “my wife wouldn’t want to watch this” list 🌴 A spoiler-lite setup that protects the surprises 🎭 Rachel McAdams’ terrific performance 😂 Sam Raimi’s wicked blend of suspense, violence, and dark comedy 🔥 Six reasons to watch—and three reasons you might want to skip it 🤔 How the movie keeps complicating who you should root for 🏆 Why Survivor fans may get an extra kick out of this one 💬 Have you watched Send Help? Did its twisted sense of humor work for you? And what other movie convinced you it was one kind of story before becoming something very different? Join the conversation below—but please clearly mark major spoilers! 👍 Like the video 🔔 Subscribe and ring the notification bell for more fantasy, science fiction, and horror ❤️ A huge THANK YOU to our Patreon supporters for helping make Fantasy for the Ages possible!: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges ⸻ #SendHelp #SendHelpReview #SamRaimi #RachelMcAdams #DylanOBrien #HorrorMovies #MovieReview #FantasyForTheAges Ways to connect with us: Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening 2:07 - Show Details 4:37 - Why Jim Watched This 6:48 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 8:39 - Six Reasons You Should Watch This 14:39 - Three Reasons to Skip It 17:11 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 19:29 - Conclusion & Wrap-up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

  3. 6d ago

    Empire of Silence: I Finally Read It. You Were Right.

    You kept telling me to read Empire of Silence. I finally listened. Were you right—or has the entire reading community developed a collective case of recency bias? In this spoiler-lite review, Jim dives into Christopher Ruocchio’s Empire of Silence, the opening novel of The Sun Eater, to explore its sprawling worldbuilding, fascinating characters, beautiful prose, and reflective storytelling. So many recommendations came with a warning: “The first book is slow. Just wait until book two.” In this episode: 📚 What Empire of Silence is about—without spoiling the big discoveries 🌌 Five reasons you might love it 🏛️ Three reasons it might not be your kind of read 📖 Why a completed series finally pushed Sun Eater up my TBR 🔥 Whether this much-recommended debut lived up to the hype Have you read Empire of Silence? Did you love it immediately, or did the series take longer to win you over? Let us know in the comments—and please keep the discussion spoiler-lite! 👍 Enjoyed the review? Like, subscribe, and ring the notification bell for more fantasy, science fiction, horror, and enthusiastic additions to your already unreasonable TBR. A huge thank-you to our Patreon supporters for helping make Fantasy for the Ages possible! Join them here: https://patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #EmpireOfSilence #SunEater #ChristopherRuocchio #BookReview #ScienceFantasy #BookTube #FantasyForTheAges *Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?* Empire of Silence: https://t.ly/31rjo *Check Out Spencer at The Fantasy Files Podcast:* https://www.youtube.com/@FantasyFiles *Ways to connect with us:* Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com *Check out our merch:* https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening 2:26 - Book Details 4:08 - Why Jim Read This 5:58 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 7:40 - Five Reasons You’ll Enjoy This 13:56 - Three Reasons To Pass on This 17:28 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 20:00 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

  4. Sep 27

    I Was NOT Ready For Obsession | Movie Review

    What happens when wanting something—or someone—stops being desire and becomes something much darker?In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim dives into Obsession (2026), a twisted genre film that takes a familiar idea and pushes it into increasingly disturbing territory. What starts out strange gets stranger, as obsession, desperation, and some seriously questionable choices collide in a story that refuses to stay comfortable.But does all that weirdness actually add up to a good movie? Jim breaks down what worked, what didn’t, how effectively the film delivers on its premise, and whether Obsession is worth adding to your watchlist.This is a SPOILER-LITE review, so you can watch before seeing the movie without having its biggest surprises ruined.Have you seen Obsession? Let us know what you thought in the comments!And as always, if you enjoy conversations about fantasy, science fiction, horror, books, movies, and all things speculative fiction, LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE to Fantasy for the Ages, and ring that notification bell so you don’t miss what’s coming next!Support Fantasy for the Ages on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges⸻#Obsession #Obsession2026 #MovieReview #HorrorMovies #HorrorReview #FantasyForTheAgesWays to connect with us:Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.socialFollow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheagesJim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening1:57 - Show Details3:43 - Why Jim Watched This5:00 - Spoiler-Lite Summary6:07 - Six Reasons You May Get a Kick Out of This11:40 - Three Reasons to Pass on This13:44 - Jim’s Final Thoughts15:11 - Conclusion & Wrap-up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

  5. Sep 26

    I Still Don’t Understand Why Nobody Reads This Series

    Pilgrim’s Storm Brooding by Damien Black is the third book in The Broken Stone Chronicle—and three books in, I’m still asking the same question: Why is nobody talking about this series?! The first book was really good. The second was a huge step forward. So could Damien Black possibly keep that momentum going with a massive third installment, or was this where the series would finally plateau—or worse, fall apart? In this spoiler-lite review, I dig into Pilgrim’s Storm Brooding and talk about: • How the series continues to expand its already impressive worldbuilding • The growing scope of the story and its many POV characters • Some seriously satisfying reveals • Strong character development across the expanding cast • Why its classic good-vs.-evil foundations work so well • The potential drawbacks of committing to such a HUGE epic fantasy • And whether book three actually manages to improve on what came before For me, The Broken Stone Chronicle continues to be one of the most surprising under-the-radar epic fantasy discoveries I’ve made. Three books in, Damien Black has delivered an enormous, ambitious fantasy story that feels classic in its foundations while still offering modern prose, complexity, and storytelling. So seriously... WHY ISN’T THIS SERIES GETTING MORE ATTENTION? If you’ve read Pilgrim’s Storm Brooding or any of The Broken Stone Chronicle, let me know what you think in the comments. Please keep things spoiler-conscious for readers who are still making their way through the series! And if you enjoy fantasy, science fiction, horror, book reviews, rankings, discussions, and plenty of questionable opinions about enormous books, subscribe to Fantasy for the Ages and join us for more! Thanks as always to our amazing Patreon supporters for helping make Fantasy for the Ages possible!: https://patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #FantasyForTheAges #PilgrimsStormBrooding #DamienBlack #TheBrokenStoneChronicle #EpicFantasy #FantasyBooks #BookReview #SelfPublishedFantasy *Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?* Pilgrim’s Storm Brooding: https://t.ly/pJlwf *Ways to connect with us:* Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com *Check out our merch:* https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening 2:50 - Book Details 4:34 - Why Jim Read This 6:27 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 8:22 - Six Reasons You Should Read This 14:08 - Three Reasons To Skip This One 16:22 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 18:09 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— _Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:_ https://elements.envato.com/

  6. Sep 25

    Stephen King’s The Stand: 10 Questions We HAVE to Talk About

    Zach has finally read Stephen King’s THE STAND—and now we have some things to talk about. Jim and Zach are joined by Eric Haan for a full-spoiler conversation about one of King’s biggest, most ambitious, and most beloved novels. This isn’t a traditional review. Instead, we’re digging into the questions, characters, bizarre moments, and huge ideas that make THE STAND so much fun to discuss after you’ve finished it. Could Harold Lauder have been saved? Why did Nick have to die? Is Tom Cullen secretly one of the greatest heroes in the book? What exactly IS Randall Flagg—and why does he seem to lose control as the story progresses? And then there’s Vegas. Why did Larry, Glen, Ralph, and Stu have to make that journey? What was their actual purpose? Does the Hand of God ending work? And what does THE STAND add to our understanding of Randall Flagg and the larger DARK TOWER universe? We’re getting into ALL of it. ⚠️ FULL SPOILERS for THE STAND throughout this episode! If you haven’t read it yet, you’ve been warned. Join Jim, Zach, and Eric as we wrestle with Stephen King’s epic battle between good and evil—and the question King ultimately leaves hanging over everything: Do people ever learn? Let us know YOUR answers in the comments. Which character had the greatest journey? What do you make of Randall Flagg? And does the ending of THE STAND work for you? If you enjoy conversations about fantasy, science fiction, horror, and everything in between, LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE to Fantasy for the Ages, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss what’s coming next! And, as always, a huge thank-you to our Patreon supporters for helping make Fantasy for the Ages possible!: https://patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #TheStand #StephenKing #RandallFlagg #TheDarkTower #HorrorBooks #FantasyForTheAges ⸻ *Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?* Giffy and the Sea People: https://t.ly/75G3q The Stand: https://t.ly/wC3aj Ways to connect with us: Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening 2:17 - Guest Introduction 6:10 - Brief Episode Explanation 8:25 - When Did the Apocalypse Feel Most Real? 13:41 - Who Undergoes the Greatest Transformation? 17:57 - Regarding Harold Lauder 23:08 - Nick’s Death 27:11 - Let’s Talk Tom Cullen 30:46 - About Randall Flagg… 39:47 - Did the Guys NEED to Go to Vegas? 47:47 - How Does Reading The Stand Impact The Dark Tower? 51:00 - Bonus Question! 51:26 - Do People Every Really Learn Anything? 54:57 - Wrap-up & Conclusion ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

  7. Sep 22

    The Last House Review: Great Premise, Ridiculous Movie

    What happens when your home becomes an inescapable prison—and the thing trapping you appears to be solid water? In this spoiler-lite review, Jim dives into Netflix’s 2026 sci-fi horror thriller The Last House, starring Greta Lee and Wagner Moura. The movie offers an intriguing survival premise, tense family dynamics, mysterious creatures, strong performances, and some impressive effects. It also features wildly inconsistent rules, questionable survival solutions, and an ending that left Jim with more than a few questions. Is The Last House an entertaining creature feature, a frustrating missed opportunity, or both? Let’s talk about it. Have you watched The Last House? Tell us what you thought—and how long you could survive trapped inside your own home—in the comments! Subscribe for more fantasy, science-fiction, horror, book, movie, and television reviews, as well as ranking videos and other nerdy discussions. Support Fantasy for the Ages on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges ⸻ #TheLastHouse #MovieReview #NetflixMovie #SciFiHorror #HorrorMovies #FantasyForTheAges #GretaLee #WagnerMoura Ways to connect with us: Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening 2:11 - Show Details 4:34 - Why Jim Watched This 6:12 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 8:14 - Six Reasons You May Enjoy This 15:02 - Three Reasons You Might Want to Skip This One 19:15 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 23:01 - Conclusion & Wrap-up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

  8. Sep 18

    I Thought I Knew Zombie Horror… Then I Read The Rising

    You think you know zombie apocalypse stories? The Rising by Brian Keene might have a few surprises waiting for you. In this spoiler-lite review, Jim dives into the 2003 Bram Stoker Award-winning novel that helped kick off the modern zombie-fiction resurgence—and somehow escaped his attention for more than two decades. These aren’t your typical shambling, mindless undead. Keene’s zombies can think, communicate, strategize, and use the knowledge they possessed while alive. And that’s only the beginning of what makes this apocalypse different. Jim breaks down: • Why The Rising stands apart from traditional zombie fiction • The surprisingly deep supernatural mythology behind the apocalypse • Why nobody seems to have plot armor • The father-and-son story that gives the novel its emotional core • Multiple POVs that expand the scope of the catastrophe • Keene’s relentlessly effective pacing • Plenty of gore—without becoming gore simply for gore’s sake • Three reasons this version of the zombie apocalypse still might NOT work for you Plus, Jim explains why the supernatural elements—both dark and surprisingly hopeful—may have been his favorite unexpected aspect of the entire novel. If you’ve read The Rising, tell us what you thought! And without spoilers, which Brian Keene novel should Jim tackle next? And the really important question: Are zombies scarier when they can THINK? Thanks for watching Fantasy for the Ages! If you enjoy conversations about fantasy, science fiction, and horror, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and ring that notification bell. And a huge THANK YOU to our Patreon supporters for helping us keep the channel going!: https://patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #therising #BrianKeene #ZombieHorror #ZombieApocalypse #HorrorBooks #BookReview #FantasyForTheAges Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? The Rising: https://t.ly/SxgE5 Ways to connect with us: Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening 1:49 - Book Details 3:00 - Why Jim Read This 4:11 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 5:50 - Seven Reasons You May Want to Read This 11:37 - Three Reasons This Won’t Work for You 13:42 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 15:20 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

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About

Jim (Father) and Zach (Son) talk about their ideas and perspectives on fantasy fiction, starting with Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series but straying in various other directions as well. The generational difference in how they view what they read will become obvious (and entertaining, they hope!). Come enjoy our debates and explorations over what all these books mean, and see who you agree with.

Information

  • Creator
    Jim Scriven
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.1K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jim Scriven
  • Show Website
    Fantasy for the Ages

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