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. 12H AGO

    Horror Film? Sci-Fi Thriller? Mystery? - YES!: "Companion", a 2025 Movie

    What happens when you stumble onto a sci-fi horror thriller you knew nothing about… and it turns out to be fantastic? In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim reviews the 2025 sci-fi horror thriller Companion, directed by Drew Hancock and starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid. What started as a random movie discovery during a night stuck in a hotel room with bad Wi-Fi turned into a genuinely entertaining surprise. Jim shares a spoiler-lite review, discussing what makes the film work so well — from its clever blend of science fiction, horror, and mystery, to a cast that absolutely delivers. He also talks about why going in with very little prior knowledge made the experience even better. If you enjoy smart, twisty sci-fi thrillers with horror elements, this might be one you want to check out. In this review: • Film details and cast highlights • Why Jim decided to watch the movie • A spoiler-lite synopsis • Five reasons you might enjoy Companion • A few reasons it might not be for everyone • Jim’s final thoughts on the film Have you seen Companion yet? Did the twist work for you? Let us know in the comments! If you enjoy discussions of fantasy, science fiction, and horror across books, movies, and more, be sure to like, subscribe, and join the Fantasy for the Ages community. And a huge thank-you to our Patreon supporters for helping make this channel possible!: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #sciencefiction #scifimovies #horrormovies #moviereview #fantasyfortheages #scifihorror #thrillermovies #movietalk 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 1:21 - Film Details 2:26 - Why Jim Watched This 3:51 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 4:42 - Five Reasons You May Enjoy This Movie 6:57 - Three Reasons You Might Not 7:36 - Final Thoughts 8:27 - Conclusion & Wrap-up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    9 min

  2. 1D AGO

    This Fantasy Has Something Most Books Don't | "Swords of the Six" - Jim's Review

    Is Swords of the Six the start of a great new epic fantasy series? In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim dives into Scott Appleton’s Swords of the Six — the opening novel in The Sword of the Dragon series. With dragons, battles, betrayal, sacrifice, and a powerful emotional core, this story delivers the kind of sweeping fantasy adventure many readers love. But what really makes this book stand out is its deeper theme: how you win matters. Victory alone isn’t the goal — staying true to what is right is. That idea runs through the entire story and gives this epic tale a surprising emotional weight. Jim shares a spoiler-lite overview, explores what makes this book compelling, and discusses why it might appeal especially to readers who enjoy fantasy with a strong moral foundation — without sacrificing the thrills of epic storytelling. If you enjoy classic-feeling epic fantasy with dragons, great prose, and meaningful themes, this may be a series worth adding to your reading list. Let us know in the comments: Have you read Swords of the Six yet? ⸻ 👍 If you enjoy fantasy, sci-fi, and horror discussions, be sure to like, subscribe, and join us here at Fantasy for the Ages! And a special thank you to our Patreon supporters for helping make the channel possible: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #fantasybooks #epicfantasy #fantasyreview #dragonfantasy #booktube #fantasyforthages #scifiandfantasy #bookreview #dragonbooks #epicfantasyseries Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? Swords of the Six: https://t.ly/J2Jy5 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 1:42 - Book Details 2:51 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 3:53 - Nine Reasons You May Enjoy This Book 7:28 - Three Reasons It May Not Be for You 8:49 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 9:58 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    11 min

  3. 2D AGO

    The Complete SFFH Best Picture History | Rankings & Analysis

    Science fiction, fantasy, and horror rarely get invited to the Academy Awards’ biggest table. The Oscars traditionally favor historical drama, biopics, and prestige filmmaking — not spaceships, monsters, magic, or multiverses. But every once in a while, speculative fiction breaks through. In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim ranks every science fiction, fantasy, and horror film ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, from the earliest nominees of the 1930s all the way to modern blockbusters like Dune and Get Out. Along the way we’ll look at which films almost won… and the four legendary genre films that actually pulled off the impossible and won Best Picture. If you love speculative storytelling on the big screen, this is a fascinating look at how the Oscars have (occasionally) embraced the fantastic. Which of these films do you think should have won Best Picture? Let us know in the comments! 👍 If you enjoy discussions of fantasy, science fiction, and horror across books, movies, and fandom culture, subscribe to Fantasy for the Ages for reviews, rankings, debates, and deep dives into the worlds we love. Special thanks to our Patreon supporters who help keep this channel well-supported! Consider joining up, and gaining some extra perks in thanks: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #Fantasy #ScienceFiction #Horror #Oscars #AcademyAwards #BestPicture #LordOfTheRings #Dune #StarWars #MovieRanking #FantasyForTheAges 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 1:27 - Episode Explanation 2:45 - The Nominees, Ranked 11:36 - Ranking the Four Winners 13:29 - Wrap-up & Conclusion ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    14 min

  4. 3D AGO

    Poll Results Revealed! What Did HUNDREDS of Fiction Fans Actually Pick?

    Today on Fantasy for the Ages, Jim and Zach dive into the results of several recent community polls from the channel! 🗳️ Before revealing how viewers voted, Jim presents the question and answer choices while Zach attempts to predict how the Fantasy for the Ages community responded. Sometimes he gets it right… sometimes he’s way off! Then we reveal the results and share our own thoughts on the topics. Seven poll discussions await you here. We also discuss which results surprised us the most, where we agree with the audience, and where we might disagree. 💬 Join the conversation: Which of these poll results do you agree with? Which one surprised you the most? What poll questions should we run next? Thanks to everyone who participates in the Fantasy for the Ages community polls — your votes make episodes like this possible! Special thanks to our Patreon supporters who help keep this channel well-supported! Consider joining up, and gaining some extra perks in thanks: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #FantasyForTheAges #FantasyBooks #SciFi #NerdCulture #LordOfTheRings #StarWars #BladeRunner #GameOfThrones #StrangerThings #BookTube 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 - Episode Explanation 3:11 - The Poll Discussions 20:38 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    23 min

  5. 4D AGO

    These Brilliant Sci-Fi Novels Wouldn't Find Publishers Today!

    Are some of the greatest science fiction books ever written… “unpublishable” today? In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, we explore classic sci-fi masterpieces that might struggle to get published in today’s market—not because they’re bad, but because publishing trends have changed. Classic science fiction often focused on big ideas: philosophy, sociology, religion, artificial intelligence, the future of humanity, and massive conceptual worldbuilding. Many of these stories were episodic, idea-driven, experimental in structure, or deeply philosophical—things that modern publishing sometimes finds harder to market. So what would happen if these legendary books landed on a publisher’s desk in 2026? Would editors ask for: • faster pacing? • stronger central protagonists? • fewer philosophical digressions? • clearer genre hooks? Today we’re looking at 11 classic sci-fi books and series that might not get published today—but absolutely should. These works helped shape the entire science fiction genre, influencing generations of writers, filmmakers, and readers. But would they make it through the modern publishing process today? Let’s talk about it. ⸻ 💬 Join the discussion: Which classic science fiction novel do YOU think might struggle to get published today? And which modern sci-fi might not have survived the Golden Age of science fiction? ⸻ If you enjoy thoughtful discussions of science fiction, fantasy, and horror across generations, consider subscribing to Fantasy for the Ages and becoming part of the community. And thank you to our Patreon supporters who help keep the channel going strong!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #ScienceFiction #ClassicSciFi #SciFiBooks #SpeculativeFiction #BookTube #FantasyForTheAges #Dune #Foundation #Cyberpunk #SpaceOpera #SciFiClassics #ReadingCommunity Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? The Book of the New Sun: https://t.ly/klihi A Canticle for Leibowitz: https://t.ly/tch4I Childhood’s End: https://t.ly/z0OB4 Dune Saga: https://t.ly/kHwtV The Forever War: https://t.ly/DmVBh Foundation Series: https://t.ly/IEoNh Hyperion: https://t.ly/UlIAM The Martian Chronicles: https://t.ly/-orjO Neuromancer: https://t.ly/lN79I Ringworld: https://t.ly/8I4gi Stranger in a Strange Land: https://t.ly/gXvOp 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 1:46 - Episode Explanation 3:01 - The Eleven Sci-Fi Classics 9:05 - The Bigger Point 9:32 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    10 min

  6. 5D AGO

    King Sorrow Proves Joe Hill Is Unstoppable

    What happens when a college mistake unleashes a dragon… and the consequences last for decades? In today’s episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim reviews one of the most talked-about horror novels of 2025 — King Sorrow by Joe Hill. This massive supernatural thriller blends occult horror, folklore, and modern mythology into a sweeping story that stretches across decades. Featuring unforgettable characters, shocking twists, and a dragon unlike anything you’ve seen before, King Sorrow might just be Joe Hill’s most ambitious novel yet. Jim dives into the book’s premise, its strengths and weaknesses, the themes that drive the story, and why this nearly 900-page horror epic never seems to drag. Is King Sorrow worth the hype? And how does it compare to Hill’s earlier novels NOS4A2 and The Fireman? Let’s talk about it. If you enjoy discussions about fantasy, science fiction, and horror, consider subscribing to Fantasy for the Ages and joining the conversation in the comments! If you enjoy fantasy book reviews, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and check out our Patreon to help support Fantasy for the Ages: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #JoeHill #KingSorrow #HorrorBooks #BookReview #FantasyForTheAges #SpeculativeFiction #HorrorFiction #DarkFantasy #BookTube #SFFBooks Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? The Fireman: https://t.ly/EqQPy King Sorrow: https://t.ly/rucBo NOS4A2: https://t.ly/X7CXy 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 1:38 - Book Details 3:50 - Why Jim Read This 4:33 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 6:02 - 10 Reasons You May Enjoy This Book 8:22 - 5 Reasons It May Not Be for You 9:39 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 10:33 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    11 min

  7. 6D AGO

    Generational Taste? SFF We CANNOT Agree On!

    Do different generations look for different things in their fantasy and science fiction stories?Today on Fantasy for the Ages, Jim and Zach explore that question by sharing SFF books and series they love… but suspect the other probably wouldn’t enjoy.With nearly 30 years between their reading experiences, Jim and Zach grew up in different storytelling eras. That means different pacing expectations, different character preferences, and sometimes very different reactions to the same kinds of stories.In this episode, each of them shares five books or series they enjoy that they believe the other is unlikely to love—and then they discuss why.Along the way, Jim and Zach talk about things like:• Why some older epic fantasies feel different to modern readers• Whether pacing expectations have changed across generations• The role of flawed protagonists in storytelling• Why some classic SFF still resonates today• And why generational taste differences aren’t necessarily a bad thing💬 Join the conversation in the comments:What SFF books or series do you love that someone from a different generation in your life just doesn’t connect with?And are there any books your kids, parents, or friends rave about that just aren’t your thing?We’d love to hear about it! Huge thanks to all our Patreon supporters, keeping the lights on for this channel. Check out our Patreon page to see how you also could become part of our community of true believers!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#FantasyForTheAges #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #BookTube #SFF #GenerationalDifferences #FantasyDiscussion #ScienceFiction #BookDiscussionWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant: https://t.ly/2Dl6pThe Dandelion Dynasty: https://t.ly/LZT33The Dresden Files: https://t.ly/KWi7IThe Dune Saga: https://t.ly/drmMjKing Sorrow: https://t.ly/rucBoThe Locked Tomb Series: https://t.ly/dM-xQOutlander Series: https://t.ly/q2_GfThe Realm of the Elderlings: https://t.ly/JvhuiThe Remaining Series: https://t.ly/90hDiThe Stand: https://t.ly/UG_4mThe Underland Chronicles: https://t.ly/yYvTzWays 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.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 - Opening & Banter2:44 - Episode Setup3:39 - Sharing & Debating Our Selections41:28 - Closing & Wrap-Up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

    43 min

  8. MAR 7

    Kings of the Wyld - Does It Live Up to the Hype? And Should You Bother?

    Could Kings of the Wyld really be as good as people say? In this Fantasy for the Ages review, Jim finally dives into Nicholas Eames’ wildly popular 2017 fantasy novel — a story about a legendary band of mercenaries getting back together for one last adventure. With monsters roaming the land, ancient dangers lurking beyond the frontier, and a desperate mission to rescue a friend’s daughter from a besieged city, Kings of the Wyld delivers a fast-paced fantasy romp packed with humor, heart, and unforgettable characters. This book has been recommended to Jim for years by viewers and fellow content creators alike. Now, thanks to a gorgeous special edition from The Broken Binding, it finally rose to the top of the TBR. In this spoiler-lite review, Jim discusses the story, what makes it so entertaining, who might enjoy it most, and whether the hype surrounding this fan-favorite fantasy novel is justified. Is Kings of the Wyld a must-read fantasy classic… or simply a very fun adventure? Let’s talk about it. If you’ve read Kings of the Wyld, be sure to share your thoughts in the comments! And if you enjoy fantasy reviews, rankings, and discussions, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and join the Fantasy for the Ages community. Special thanks to our Patreon supporters who help keep this channel well-supported! Consider joining up, and gaining some extra perks in thanks: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #FantasyForTheAges #KingsoftheWyld #NicholasEames #FantasyBooks #EpicFantasy #BookReview #FantasyBookReview #GrimdarkFantasy #ModernFantasy #BookTube #FantasyReaders Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? Bloody Rose: https://t.ly/-X6NX Kings of the Wyld: https://t.ly/7mUlY 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 1:13 - Book Details 2:32 - Why Jim Read This 3:48 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 4:45 - Seven Reasons You May Enjoy This Book 7:56 - Three Reasons It Might Not Work for You 9:10 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 10:50 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    11 min
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5
out of 5
9 Ratings

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
    911
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jim Scriven
  • Show Website
    Fantasy for the Ages