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. 22H AGO

    A Parade of Horribles Proves Matt Dinniman Still Has It

    What happens when a series reaches Book 8? Usually… fatigue sets in. Repetition creeps in. The magic starts fading. Apparently nobody told Matt Dinniman. Today, Jim dives into a spoiler-lite review of A Parade of Horribles — the newest entry in the wildly chaotic, hilarious, emotionally devastating, and somehow STILL incredibly fresh Dungeon Crawler Carl series. Can Dinniman really keep escalating the madness without the whole thing collapsing under its own insanity? And how is this series still balancing: ⚔️ explosive action 😂 absurd humor 💔 emotional gut punches 👑 Princess Donut chaos 🤖 one of the most unhinged A.I.s in modern sci-fi/fantasy Join Jim as he discusses: * why DCC became an insta-read series * the increasingly important galactic storyline * why the stakes feel bigger than ever * whether long-series fatigue is finally becoming a factor * and THAT ending twist… Whether you’re a longtime crawler or just LitRPG-curious, this review explores why Dungeon Crawler Carl continues to dominate the conversation. Have you read A Parade of Horribles yet? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments! 👍 Like 📚 Subscribe 🔔 Ring the Notification Bell ❤️ Support the channel on Patreon if you’d like to help fund Jim’s increasingly unhealthy book-buying habits: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #DungeonCrawlerCarl #MattDinniman #LitRPG #FantasyBooks #BookReview #SciFiBooks #PrincessDonut #BookTube #FantasyForTheAges #ReadingCommunity #FantasySeries #ScienceFiction #Audiobooks #CarlAndDonut #NerdCulture Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? A Parade of Horribles: https://t.ly/p71Sh 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 1:51 - Book Details 2:58 - Why Jim Read This 4:11 - Spoiler-Lite Synopsis 5:28 - Nine Reasons You Might Enjoy This Book 9:56 - Three Reasons This May NOT Be for You 11:18 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 12:33 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    13 min

  2. 2D AGO

    Can’t Miss SFF Recs — Roofmistress Leigh-a’s Top 5!

    What books do you recommend when someone says: “I want to get into fantasy and sci-fi… but I don’t know where to start?” Today, Jim is joined once again by the one and only Roofmistress Leigh-a for a lively, funny, and passionate discussion about FIVE speculative fiction recommendations she believes NEVER miss. These are the books and series she confidently hands to friends, family, and curious newcomers—the stories that reliably create new SFF fans. Some picks are classic. Some are modern. Some may surprise you. But all of them come with the full Leigh-a seal of approval. Along the way, expect plenty of banter, passionate defense of favorite books, discussion about what makes stories truly accessible and memorable, and probably at least one moment where Jim realizes he’s being judged for his reading habits. If you enjoyed Glenn the Geeky Hippie’s “go-to recommendation” episode, this is very much in that same spirit—but now with more tiara energy. What are YOUR go-to, can’t-miss SFF recommendations? Let us know down in the comments! If you enjoy the episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Notification Bell so you never miss future fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and other nerdy content here on Fantasy for the Ages. A huge thank you to our Patreon supporters for helping make the channel possible!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #Fantasy #ScienceFiction #BookTube #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #SFF #SpeculativeFiction #FantasyForTheAges #BookRecommendations #ReadingRecommendations #Bookish #FantasyCommunity #SciFiCommunity ⸻ Want More Roofmistress Leigh-a Content? 3-Fold Talk: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpDXQ7qgxQ49eS77oKRlWSyaNHQOZtSw Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? Dark Disciple: https://t.ly/ltqnz Darth Plagueis: https://t.ly/EqAmy The Dresden Files: https://t.ly/mZKXm Dungeon Crawler Carl: https://t.ly/8Azjn The Expanse: https://t.ly/vVGAw Necroscope Series: https://t.ly/aO5MZ Nettle & Bone: https://t.ly/IWcWV Origins of The Wheel of Time: https://t.ly/qfqW_ A Parade of Horribles: https://t.ly/p71Sh Seaborn Cycle: https://t.ly/YiIfD The Thrawn Trilogy: https://t.ly/lPt7t 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 1:11 - Welcome Guest / Episode Explanation 2:23 - The Value of Recommendations 3:46 - Roofmistress Leigh-a’s Top 5 25:20 - Jim’s Take 28:13 - Wrap-up & Conclusion ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    30 min

  3. 3D AGO

    Jim Butcher's "Out Law" Is Deceptively Important — Here's What I Found

    What happens when a fandom addicted to The Dresden Files finally gets another hit of content? Jim Butcher drops Out Law — the brand-new Dresden Files novella (Book 18.5) — and Dresden fans everywhere immediately descend like magical raccoons looking for scraps. But is this novella just a fun distraction while we wait for the next BIG novel… or is it secretly much more important than it first appears? In this spoiler-lite review, Jim dives into: ⚡ Harry Dresden’s continued character growth ⚡ The emotional and thematic depth of Out Law ⚡ The novella’s connection to Changes ⚡ Why Dresden novellas often become MORE important later ⚡ And whether this shorter story truly delivers for longtime fans Along the way, we discuss: 📚 Why Dresden addicts can never get enough 📚 Five reasons you may love this novella 📚 Three reasons it might not work for everyone 📚 Jim Butcher’s mastery of consequences and emotional fallout 📚 And why Harry Dresden may be maturing more… slightly If you love fantasy, urban fantasy, wizard detectives, morally messy storytelling, supernatural action, or just watching Harry Dresden suffer creatively, this one’s for you. Be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and RING THE NOTIFICATION BELL for more fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and other nerdy content from Fantasy for the Ages! And special thanks to our Patreon supporters for helping keep the magical lights on around here.: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #DresdenFiles #JimButcher #OutLaw #HarryDresden #UrbanFantasy #FantasyBooks #BookReview #FantasyForTheAges #BookTube #Fantasy #SciFi Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? Out Law: https://t.ly/yui7O 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 2:14 - Book Details 3:21 - Why Jim Read This 4:48 - Spoiler-Lite Synopsis 5:42 - Five Reasons You May Enjoy This 8:38 - Three Reasons It Might Not Work for You 10:04 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 11:48 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    12 min

  4. 4D AGO

    The Best Christian Fantasy That ISN'T Actually Christian? | Devil’s Night Dawning

    If you love classic-feeling epic fantasy filled with ancient evil, dangerous magic, deep worldbuilding, quests, mentors, prophecy, and genuinely thoughtful themes of faith and purpose… then Damien Black’s Devil’s Night Dawning may be exactly the hidden gem you’ve been looking for. In this spoiler-lite review, Jim dives into this self-published fantasy novel that impressed readers during Mark Lawrence’s SPFBO competition and explores why it worked SO well for those judges/readers. From its fascinating analog to Christianity and the Church, to its rich mythology, multiple POVs, compelling young characters, and unapologetic embrace of classic fantasy tropes, this is one of those books that feels both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly sincere. And perhaps most impressive of all? The way faith is handled here — not as parody, propaganda, or simplistic moralizing, but as something meaningful, powerful, and deeply authentic. Whether you’re a longtime fan of epic fantasy or someone looking for fantasy stories that treat faith with nuance and respect, this discussion may point you toward your next great read. Have you read Devil’s Night Dawning? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments! If you enjoy fantasy reviews, book discussions, lists, rankings, and all kinds of nerdy content, be sure to Like this video, Subscribe to the channel, and Ring the Notification Bell so you never miss an episode from Fantasy for the Ages! A huge thank you as well to all of our Patreon community for helping support the channel!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #Fantasy #EpicFantasy #BookReview #FantasyBooks #DamienBlack #DevilsNightDawning #SPFBO #FantasyForTheAges #IndieFantasy #SelfPublishedFantasy #ChristianFantasy #BookTube #FantasyReader #EpicFantasyBooks #FantasyBookReview Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? Devil’s Night Dawning: https://t.ly/L2oDW 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 2:11 - Book Details 4:07 - Why Jim Read This 5:38 - Spoiler-Lite Synopsis 7:20 - Eight Reasons Someone May Enjoy This Book 13:00 - Three Reasons It May Not Be for You 14:18 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 16:27 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    17 min

  5. MAY 19

    Top 10 Australian SFF Legends That You REALLY Should Have Heard Of

    Australia may not produce as many science fiction and fantasy authors as the U.S. or the UK… …but the ones they do produce? They tend to be unforgettable. In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, I’m ranking the Top 10 Australian SFF Authors of All Time, from epic fantasy legends to hard sci-fi masterminds to dark, emotionally intense storytellers who helped shape modern speculative fiction. Some of these names you’ll likely know. Some? Not so much, but here we correct that. This list explores the writers who helped define Australian speculative fiction and bring it to global audiences. We’re talking: * Epic fantasy * Hard science fiction * YA fantasy * Dystopian fiction * Dark fantasy * Paranormal fantasy * And some VERY strange Australian storytelling ⸻ 🔥 In This Episode: * The Top 10 Australian SFF Authors (ranked!) * Why Australian fantasy often feels darker and stranger * The influence of Australian dystopian fiction * How Australian SFF punches above its weight globally * The authors who shaped fantasy and sci-fi for generations of readers ⸻ 💬 Join the Conversation: Who is the greatest Australian SFF author of all time? And who did I completely miss? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I read all of them! ⸻ 👍 If You Enjoyed This Video: Like 👍 | Subscribe 🔔 | Share 📚 ⸻ 🙌 Support the Channel: Want to support Fantasy for the Ages and get extra content? Check out the Patreon: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #Fantasy #ScienceFiction #SFF #BookTube #AustralianFantasy #AustralianSciFi #GarthNix #JayKristoff #GregEgan #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #BookRecommendations #FantasyForTheAges ⸻ Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? The Black Magician Trilogy: https://t.ly/nPaML The Books of Change: https://t.ly/1u-sF Diaspora: https://t.ly/4huq- Empire of the Vampire: https://t.ly/VPeGO The Force Unleashed: https://t.ly/mZuMj John Grimes Series: https://t.ly/-fDUK Nevernight: https://t.ly/nMbS0 The Old Kingdom: https://t.ly/QHFvZ Permutation City: https://t.ly/7uVEA Riley Jenson Guardian Series: https://t.ly/TkeTX Sabriel: https://t.ly/FWeBq Tender Morsels: https://t.ly/5-06E Tomorrow, When the War Began: https://t.ly/bcfQV The Wayfarer Redemption: https://t.ly/bGQUk 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 & Episode Explanation 2:00 - The Top 10 List 12:22 - Jim’s Take 13:30 - Wrap-up & Conclusion ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    14 min

  6. MAY 17

    Humanity Is Completely Cooked in Scalzi’s “The Last Colony” | Jim’s Review

    Humanity’s enemies are everywhere in John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War universe… and in The Last Colony, things get even messier. Alien species are maneuvering against humanity, political tensions are boiling over, and somehow humanity itself may still be its own worst enemy. In this spoiler-lite review, Jim dives into the third full novel in the Old Man’s War series by John Scalzi and discusses why The Last Colony may be one of the strongest entries yet. From the outstanding character work of John Perry, Jane Sagan, and Zoe, to the nonstop tension and political intrigue, this is a sci-fi adventure that keeps escalating in all the best ways. Jim also breaks down: * Why Scalzi’s writing style remains so addictive * How this novel brilliantly connects threads from earlier books * The emotional heart of the Perry/Sagan family dynamic * Why the pacing works so incredibly well * A few reasons the book may not work for every sci-fi reader If you’re a fan of military science fiction, political science fiction, character-driven adventures, or the Old Man’s War series itself, this is a book review you won’t want to miss. Be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Notification Bell for more fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and other nerdy content here on Fantasy for the Ages! A huge thank you to all of our Patreon supporters for helping support the channel!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #JohnScalzi #TheLastColony #OldMansWar #ScienceFiction #SciFiBooks #BookReview #MilitarySciFi #FantasyForTheAges #BookTube #SciFiReview Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? The Last Colony: https://t.ly/ZZft1 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 1:45 - Book Details 2:32 - Why Jim Read This 3:36 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 4:59 - Seven Reasons You May Enjoy This Book 8:27 - Three Reasons It Might Not Work for You 9:55 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 10:36 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    11 min

  7. MAY 15

    Cold War Vampires + Psychic Spies? Necroscope Is INSANE! | Jim’s Review

    What happens when you combine Cold War espionage, psychic warfare, vampires, supernatural horror, and one of the WEIRDEST protagonists in horror fiction? You get Necroscope by Brian Lumley — and honestly, Jim cannot believe it took him this long to finally read it. In this spoiler-lite book review, Jim dives into the first book in the legendary Necroscope series, exploring why this cult horror classic has built such a passionate fanbase over the decades. From psychic spy agencies and creepy supernatural powers to the unforgettable Harry Keogh and the deeply strange Wamphyri vampire mythology, this book delivers a wild blend of horror, thriller, fantasy, and outright weirdness. If you love supernatural thrillers, Cold War paranoia, horror novels with heart, or vampire novels that go in VERY different directions, this may be a series you need to check out. ⚰️ Why did Jim wait so long to read this? 🧠 What exactly IS a Necroscope? 🧛 Why are the Wamphyri so memorable? 👻 And just HOW weird does this book get? Watch to find out! If you enjoy fantasy, science fiction, horror, and other nerdy things, make sure to: 👍 Like this video 📺 Subscribe to the channel 🔔 Ring the notification bell 💬 Share your thoughts in the comments Have you read Necroscope or the later books in the series? No spoilers — but let us know your thoughts below! A huge thank you to all of our Patreon supporters for helping support Fantasy for the Ages!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #Necroscope #BrianLumley #HorrorBooks #BookReview #VampireBooks #HorrorCommunity #FantasyForTheAges #SupernaturalHorror #ColdWarHorror #HorrorFantasy #WeirdFiction #BookTube #SciFiFantasy #CultClassicBooks Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? Necroscope: https://t.ly/c-geM 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 1:15 - Book Details 1:59 - Why Jim Read This 3:13 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 5:07 - Nine Reasons You May Enjoy Necroscope 9:59 - Three Reasons It Might Not Work for You 11:40 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 12:43 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    13 min

  8. MAY 14

    Platform Decay Proves Murderbot Deserves to Be a Sci Fi Icon | Jim's Review

    Murderbot is back… and somehow still the most relatable socially awkward being in science fiction. 🤖📺💥 Today on Fantasy for the Ages, Jim is diving into Platform Decay by Martha Wells — book 8 in The Murderbot Diaries series. We’ll talk about Murderbot’s continued emotional growth (whether it likes it or not), the relentless pacing, fascinating worldbuilding, corporate chaos, and why the interactions with Dr. Mensah’s family may be some of the best material in the series yet. This isn’t a spoiler-filled deep dive — just a spoiler-lite review discussing what works, who this book is for, and why this series continues to be one of the most consistently excellent modern sci-fi franchises out there. Also… we need to talk about the possibility that the NEXT Murderbot book could be the LAST. 😭 Have you read Platform Decay yet? Where does it rank for you among the Murderbot books? If you enjoy fantasy, science fiction, horror, book reviews, rankings, adaptations, and all things nerdy, be sure to subscribe to Fantasy for the Ages!. 🙏 Special thanks to our Patreon supporters—you make content like this possible!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #Murderbot #PlatformDecay #MarthaWells #TheMurderbotDiaries #ScienceFiction #SciFiBooks #BookTube #FantasyForTheAges #BookReview #MurderbotDiaries Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? Platform Decay: https://t.ly/Vwyns 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 1:20 - Book Details 2:15 - Why Jim Read This 3:27 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 4:38 - Eight Reasons You May Enjoy This Book 9:48 - Three Reasons Someone May NOT Enjoy This Book 11:12 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 13:03 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    13 min
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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
    964
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jim Scriven
  • Show Website
    Fantasy for the Ages