Fantasy for the Ages

Jim Scriven
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  • 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. 3 DAYS AGO

    Harry Potter Didn’t Invent Fantasy School… THIS Did

    What if I told you that the whole “magic school” fantasy trend didn’t start where you think it did? Before Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone… before modern fantasy made it cool… there was Menolly—and her journey through the Harper Hall of Pern. Today, we’re diving into Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey—a foundational fantasy novel that helped shape the genre in ways many readers don’t even realize. This is a spoiler-lite review of Book 2 in the Harper Hall of Pern trilogy, and honestly? This is where I went from liking Pern… to being completely hooked. ⸻ 📚 In this video, we cover: • A quick, spoiler-lite synopsis of Dragonsinger • Why Menolly is one of fantasy’s most underrated protagonists • The incredible supporting cast (Piemur, Sebell, and the Masterharper!) • How this book quietly influenced generations of fantasy stories • Six reasons you may LOVE this book • And a few reasons it might not be for everyone ⸻ 🎶 Why this book matters: This is a “fantasy school” story before that was even a recognized trope. The Harper Hall setting, the musical focus, and Menolly’s personal journey all come together into something timeless—and incredibly influential. ⸻ 👍 If you enjoy deep dives into classic fantasy, hit LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more content like this! 💬 Join the conversation: Have you read Dragonsinger? Do you think it holds up today? And where does it rank among the Pern books for you? ⸻ 🔥 Support the channel on Patreon: Join our Tolkien, Abercrombie, and Brooks tier supporters and help keep Fantasy for the Ages going strong!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #Fantasy #DragonridersOfPern #AnneMcCaffrey #BookReview #FantasyBooks #SciFiFantasy #ClassicFantasy #YouTubeBooks #FantasyForTheAges Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? Dragonsinger: https://t.ly/Xqhd- 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 1:39 - Book Details 2:37 - Why is Jim Reviewing This? 4:08 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 5:25 - Six Reasons You May Love This Book 7:34 - Three Reasons This Might Not Be Your Thing 8:21 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 9:03 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    10 min

  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    Don't Die Dave SHOCKED Me | This Book is Insanely Entertaining

    What if your life suddenly turned into a game… and the only objective was don’t die? Today, I’m diving into Don’t Die Dave by A. R. Witham — a chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt LitRPG that completely caught me off guard. I went into this thinking I’d check out an ARC and see what it had to offer… …and instead, I burned through it swiftly — and had an absolute blast doing it. In this review, I’ll break down: • Why this audiobook is one of the BEST-produced indie audio experiences I’ve heard • What makes Dave and his penguin sidekick Pepper such a fantastic duo • How this compares to Dungeon Crawler Carl (yes… we’re going there) • Who this book is PERFECT for… and who might want to pass If you love LitRPG, underdog stories, ridiculous humor, and a little bit of meta video game chaos — this one might be right up your alley. And seriously… 👉 Do the audiobook. Trust me on this one. ⸻ 👍 If you enjoy fantasy, sci-fi, and horror content, be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE! 💬 Have you read Don’t Die Dave? What did you think of Pepper?? Let me know down in the comments! ❤️ Support the channel on Patreon: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #FantasyForTheAges #LitRPG #DontDieDave #BookReview #SciFiBooks #Audiobooks #BookTube Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? Don’t Die Dave: https://t.ly/NVbzN 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 1:08 - Book Details 1:55 - Why Did Jim Read This? 3:21 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 4:42 - 10 Reasons to Enjoy Don’t Die Dave 7:29 - Four Reasons It Might Not Be for You 8:35 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 9:52 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    11 min

  3. 5 DAYS AGO

    They Actually Pulled This Off?! | Monarch Season 1 Review

    Did Monarch: Legacy of Monsters just become the BEST thing in the MonsterVerse?! 🐲 I went into this Apple TV+ series expecting a fun, monster-filled side story… and what I got was something WAY more compelling than I anticipated. Season 1 of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters doesn’t just give us giant creatures — it gives us mystery, character, and a surprisingly strong connection to the larger MonsterVerse. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down what worked, what really worked, and why this might be one of the biggest surprises in recent sci-fi TV. ⸻ 👍 If you enjoy sci-fi, fantasy, and horror reviews like this, make sure to LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE to Fantasy for the Ages, and hit that notification bell so you don’t miss future content! 💬 And I want to hear from YOU: Have you watched Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 1? Did it exceed your expectations, or were you left wanting more? ⸻ 🎬 In This Video: • Quick overview of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 1 • Spoiler-light thoughts on the story and characters • How it fits into the MonsterVerse • What surprised me the most • Final verdict: Is it worth your time? ⸻ 🔥 Join the Community: Want to support the channel and get extra perks? Check out the Patreon and join an awesome group of SFF fans!: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges ⸻ #MonarchLegacyOfMonsters #MonsterVerse #Godzilla #SciFiTV #FantasyForTheAges #TVReview #AppleTVPlus 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 1:29 - Show Details 2:34 - Why Jim Watched This 3:59 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 4:44 - Eight Reasons You May Enjoy This 6:58 - Four Reasons This Might Not Be for You 8:03 - Final Thoughts 8:58 - Conclusion & Wrap-up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    10 min

  4. 6 DAYS AGO

    Top 25 SciFi & Fantasy Authors of Europe (No Americans!)

    What happens if you REMOVE every American author from science fiction and fantasy?Do you still have a strong list?Oh yeah… you absolutely do.In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, we’re ranking the Top 25 European SFF Authors since the 1930s—but with one major twist:👉 No authors primarily known as AmericanThat means no Isaac Asimov, no Ursula K. Le Guin, no Philip K. Dick……and yet, what’s left might surprise you.From the foundational brilliance of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, to modern masters like Joe Abercrombie and Adrian Tchaikovsky, to global sensations like Andrzej Sapkowski, Europe has shaped SFF in ways that are impossible to ignore.We’re talking:• The authors who built modern fantasy• The minds behind philosophical, mind-bending sci-fi• The creators who pushed SFF into weirder, darker, and more experimental territoryAnd yes… there may be a few controversial rankings along the way.⸻🔥 In This Video:• The Top 25 European SFF Authors (ranked!)• Why the UK dominates fantasy history• How Poland and Russia punch WAY above their weight• A few names you probably haven’t read yet (but should)⸻💬 Join the Conversation:Who is the greatest European 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 #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #Tolkien #Witcher #Discworld #BookRecommendationsWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?2001: A Space Odyssey: https://t.ly/t3_m_Amatka: https://t.ly/QeZPfAmerican Gods: https://t.ly/e_8taCatlantis: https://t.ly/WNAXSChildren of Time: https://t.ly/_cwiNThe Chronicles of Narnia: https://t.ly/AbE34The Culture Series: https://t.ly/3BErmDiscworld: https://t.ly/JHF7zThe Drowned World: https://t.ly/tk5wWElric of Melniboné: https://t.ly/SZpevFirst Law Trilogy: https://t.ly/cPurjGormenghast: https://t.ly/WuBHQThe Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: https://t.ly/_lsy5Journey to the Center of the Earth: https://t.ly/URDsxThe Living: https://t.ly/9YS5EThe Lord of the Rings: https://t.ly/1eEP9Metro 2033: https://t.ly/kCU-lNeverwhere: https://t.ly/KZwy8The Night’s Dawn Trilogy: https://t.ly/sg1KoNight Watch: https://t.ly/xLPIHPerdido Street Station: https://t.ly/BMosBRevelation Space: https://t.ly/Uj0vXRoadside Picnic: https://t.ly/6zzudRosewater: https://t.ly/lLzUhSolaris: https://t.ly/Jth3pStar Maker: https://t.ly/wU6SMThe Witcher Series: https://t.ly/gqVawWays 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 - Opening1:23 - Episode Explanation2:38 - Numbers 25-1113:34 - The Top 1021:29 - Final Take21:56 - Wrap-up & Conclusion————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

    23 min

  5. 6 DAYS AGO

    Struggle for Existence Review — A Shockingly Strong Sequel

    What if I told you a self-published sci-fi sequel didn’t just hold up… it actually got BETTER? Today, I’m diving into Struggle for Existence by Geoff Jones—book two of The Preservation of Species trilogy — and this one surprised me in all the right ways. After really enjoying Rule of Extinction, I went in hopeful… but cautious. Did this sequel keep the momentum going? Did it stumble like so many book twos do? Or did it level up the story in a BIG way? Let’s talk about it. In this review, I’ll give you: • A spoiler-lite breakdown of the story • What this book does REALLY well (including some wild elements 👀) • A few reasons it might not work for everyone • And my final verdict on whether this series is worth your time If you enjoy apocalyptic sci-fi, first contact stories, multiple POV narratives, and high-stakes survival with plenty of mystery, this might be a series you’ll want to check out. ⸻ 👍 If you enjoy content like this, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell! 💬 Have you read this series yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! ❤️ Support the channel on Patreon: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #SciFiBooks #BookReview #FirstContact #ApocalypticFiction #IndieAuthors #FantasyForTheAges #BookTube #ScienceFiction #ReadingCommunity Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? Rule of Extinction: https://t.ly/vw0_0 Struggle for Existence: https://t.ly/1WB4D 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 1:19 - Book Details 1:57 - Why Did Jim Read This? 2:57 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 4:01 - Seven Reasons You Might Like This Book 5:49 - Three Reasons You Might Not 6:45 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 7:42 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    8 min

  6. 8 APR

    The STRANGEST SciFi, Fantasy, & Horror Movie Decisions Ever!

    Ever watched a movie and thought… “Wait… WHY did they do it like that?” Today on Fantasy for the Ages, we’re diving into the 25 STRANGEST decisions ever made in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror movie history — and yes… these are all real, documented choices that actually happened. From a remake that’s basically the exact same movie shot-for-shot, to films released with multiple endings depending on the theater, to actors who didn’t even know what was going to happen in their own scenes… 👉 This is Hollywood at its most experimental… 👉 its most chaotic… 👉 and sometimes, its most brilliant. We’re ranking the wildest behind-the-scenes choices, production risks, and distribution gambles — from legendary classics to modern blockbusters — and breaking down whether each one was: ✔️ Brilliant ❌ Completely Insane 🤯 Or somehow… both at the same time ⸻ 💬 Join the Conversation: What’s the STRANGEST movie decision you’ve ever seen? Did any of these surprise you? Is there another that should’ve made #1? Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇 ⸻ 👍 Support the Channel: If you enjoy deep dives into fantasy, sci-fi, and horror: • Like the video 👍 • Subscribe for more SFF content 📺 • Hit the bell so you don’t miss an episode 🔔 Want to go deeper? Join the Patreon and help support the channel! patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #SciFi #Fantasy #Horror #MovieFacts #FilmHistory #WeirdMovies #BlairWitch #Psycho #Piranha #FilmAnalysis #MovieNerd #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 & Episode Explanation 1:30 - Numbers 25-11 14:40 - The Top 10 22:16 - Wrap-up & Conclusion ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    23 min

  7. 6 APR

    Dumb Fun or Just Dumb? | Not Sure 2025's Anaconda Works

    They remade Anaconda… and made it a comedy?! Oh boy. 🐍 In today’s episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim dives into the 2025 remake of Anaconda, a film that takes the cheesy creature-feature fun of the 1997 original and… does something VERY different with it. Starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd, this version leans hard into comedy, meta-humor, and over-the-top ridiculousness. The question is… does it work? 👀 In this review, we cover: • What the movie actually is (because it might surprise you) • A spoiler-lite breakdown of the story • What works (yes… some things do!) • What really doesn’t • And whether this remake is worth your time… or totally skippable As someone who genuinely enjoys the original Anaconda, Jim went into this one with very mixed expectations. Curious? Concerned? Slightly afraid? Yeah… all of the above. ⸻ 👍 If you enjoy fantasy, sci-fi, and horror content with a little humor and honesty, make sure to: • LIKE the video • SUBSCRIBE to the channel • Ring the bell so you don’t miss future episodes 💬 And let us know in the comments: Did this remake work for you… or should they have left Anaconda alone? ⸻ 🔥 Want to support the channel and get more content? Check out the Patreon here:: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges ⸻ #Anaconda #MovieReview #HorrorMovies #ComedyMovies #CreatureFeature #JackBlack #PaulRudd #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 1:16 - Film Details 2:30 - Why Jim Watched This 3:28 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 5:09 - Seven Reasons You May Enjoy This 7:04 - Four Reasons You Might Not 8:11 - Final Thoughts 9:18 - Conclusion & Wrap-up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    10 min

  8. 5 APR

    I Regret Ignoring Old Man's War for 20 Years — BIG Mistake!

    🚀 Jim waited 20 YEARS to read this… was it worth it?! In today’s episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim finally dives into Old Man’s War by John Scalzi—a sci-fi classic that’s been sitting on his shelf for way too long. After loving Scalzi’s newer books like Redshirts, The Kaiju Preservation Society, and Starter Villain, it was finally time to go back to where it all began. And wow… this one delivers. From its wildly fun premise — elderly recruits turned super-soldiers — to its sharp humor and fast-paced storytelling, Old Man’s War proves why it remains one of the most beloved gateway sci-fi novels out there. In this review, Jim covers: • What the book is about (spoiler-lite!) • Why it’s still so popular nearly 20 years later • Six reasons you might absolutely love it • Three reasons it might not work for you • And whether this series is worth committing to ⸻ 👍 If you enjoy sci-fi and fantasy reviews with energy, humor, and honesty, make sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell! 💬 Join the conversation! Have you read Old Man’s War? Is it worth the hype? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 🎧 Want more discussion? Join our growing community on Discord and talk SFF with fellow fans. Find the link below! ❤️ Support the channel on Patreon! Get early access, shoutouts, and help shape future content:: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges #SciFiBooks #OldMansWar #JohnScalzi #BookReview #ScienceFiction #SpaceOpera #MilitarySciFi #BookTube #FantasyForTheAges Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? The Kaiju Preservation Society: https://t.ly/BGopw Old Man’s War: https://t.ly/70Dbk Redshirts: https://t.ly/_ZPHk Starter Villain: https://t.ly/CGxLm 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 1:17 - Book Details 2:31 - Why Did Jim Read This? 4:30 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 5:46 - Six Reasons You Might Enjoy This Book 7:51 - Three Reasons You Might Not 8:52 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 9:50 - Closing & Wrap-Up ———————————————————————————— Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/

    10 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
    938
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jim Scriven
  • Show Website
    Fantasy for the Ages