Fantasy for the Ages

Starting The Fellowship of the Ring and feeling overwhelmed by names, races, and places you’re “supposed” to know already?You’re not alone.In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim breaks down a clean, beginner-friendly Who’s Who of The Fellowship of the Ring — the characters who actually matter, what their roles are, and why you should care, without drowning in Tolkien lore, appendices, or homework.We’ll cover:• Every member of the Fellowship• Key Elves, Hobbits, and Men you’ll meet along the way• The ancient beings and quiet side characters that add emotional weight• The shadowy forces that set the stakes for the entire journeyWhether this is your first time reading Tolkien, a reread after years away, or you’ve only ever watched the movies and want to try the books, this episode is designed to make Middle-earth feel approachable, not intimidating.👇 Let’s talk TolkienWho was the character that confused you the most on your first read?And who’s your favorite member of the Fellowship? Let me know in the comments!👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like🔔 Subscribe and ring the Bell for more fantasy, sci-fi, and horror content💬 Join the conversation — Fantasy for the Ages is better with you in itSupport us on Patreon for exclusive content, varied perks, and early access: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#LordOfTheRings #TheFellowshipOfTheRing #Tolkien #MiddleEarth#FantasyForTheAges #FantasyBooks #EpicFantasy #BookTube#TolkienForBeginners #FantasyExplainedWant to purchase books mentioned in this episode?The Fellowship of the Ring: https://t.ly/DYEYOWays 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: @[email protected] Email us: [email protected] 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 - Opening1:12 - Episode Explanation2:04 - The Fellowship4:27 - The Elves6:10 - Hobbits & Bree Folk7:46 - The Strange & The Ancient8:18 - The Shadow9:22 - Why Does This Matter?9:40 - Wrap-up & Conclusion————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

Fantasy doesn’t have to be horror to be terrifying.Some fantasy worlds creep under your skin not with jump scares, but with oppressive atmospheres, broken systems, ancient evils, and places that feel fundamentally wrong. In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim counts down the Top 20 Creepiest Fantasy Settings — worlds that are horrifying in tone and implication, even though they aren’t technically classified as horror.From decaying castles and poisoned landscapes to bureaucratized nightmares and civilizations that have accepted apocalypse as normal, these settings linger in your imagination long after the story ends.⚠️ No jump scares. No slasher vibes. Just deeply unsettling fantasy worlds.⸻💬 Join the Conversation: • Which fantasy setting creeps you out the most? • Which one would you absolutely refuse to visit? • Did I underrate or overrate any of these worlds?Let me know in the comments — I love reading your takes.⸻👍 Support the Channel:If you enjoyed this video:• Like the video to help it reach more fantasy fans• Subscribe for weekly fantasy, sci-fi, and horror content• Ring the bell so you don’t miss future episodesWant to go deeper?• Join our Discord for ongoing fantasy discussion• Support us on Patreon for exclusive content, polls, and early access: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#FantasyForTheAges #FantasyBooks #CreepyFantasy #DarkFantasy#FantasyWorldbuilding #EpicFantasy #FantasyDiscussion#BookTube #SFFBooks #FantasyRankingsWant to purchase books mentioned in this episode?Berserk: https://t.ly/k52jcThe Black Company: https://t.ly/Z8c82The Blade Itself: https://t.ly/LSDn2The Darkness That Comes Before: https://t.ly/aDLrIThe Dreaming City: https://t.ly/_bBM3The Dying Earth: https://t.ly/Bb6bGThe Eye of the World: https://t.ly/V-eqmThe Fifth Season: https://t.ly/FzjKpGardens of the Moon: https://t.ly/k7X6aThe Gunslinger: https://t.ly/U7LP2Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell: https://t.ly/8MoJBThe Last Wish (The Witcher): https://t.ly/mMT_oThe Lord of the Rings: https://t.ly/1eEP9Lord Foul’s Bane: https://t.ly/gMP0oNine Princes in Amber: https://t.ly/OyucNThe Pastel City: https://t.ly/TuKo-Perdido Street Station: https://t.ly/BMosBPrince of Thorns: https://t.ly/dEdM4Ship of Magic: https://t.ly/aaq2PTitus Groan: https://t.ly/Cux7CWays 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: @[email protected] Email us: [email protected] 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 - Opening1:40 - Episode Explanation1:54 - Top 20 Creepiest Fantasy Settings13:08 - Wrap-up & Conclusion————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

After nine years, five seasons, and one massive cultural footprint, Stranger Things has officially come to an end — with the final episode dropping on December 31. And on Fantasy for the Ages, we couldn’t let that moment pass without a deep, honest, spoiler-filled conversation.In this episode, Jim is joined by longtime Stranger Things fans and frequent FFTA guests Eric, Karri, and Roofmistress Leigh-a for a full roundtable discussion of Stranger Things (2016–2025). We’re talking the entire series — the highs, the heartbreaks, the monsters, the music, the characters we loved, and the choices that sparked debate.Most importantly, we dive deep into Season 5 and the ending:• Did the finale stick the landing?• Were the character arcs earned?• Did the Upside Down mythology hold together?• What worked brilliantly — and what didn’t?• Where does Stranger Things rank among the all-time great genre shows?⚠️ This is a FULL SPOILER episode — nothing is off-limits. If you haven’t finished the series yet, bookmark this and come back after the credits roll.Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Notification Bell! Join the discussion in the comments, tell us where Stranger Things lands for you, and come continue the conversation with us on Discord. If you want to help support the channel and keep Fantasy for the Ages going strong, check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#StrangerThings #StrangerThingsSeason5 #StrangerThingsEnding #FullSpoilers #FantasyForTheAges #NetflixSeries #GeekDiscussion #TVFinale #GenreTV #FFTAWays to Connect with Our Guests:Eric Haan's Author Site: https://www.jakethedragontalker.comKarri on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hathor46.bsky.socialRoofmistress Leigh-a on Three-Fold Talk: https://www.youtube.com/@MalkierTalks/playlists 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.socialFollow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @[email protected] Email us: [email protected] 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 - Opening1:25 - Episode Explanation5:05 - Big Picture Reflections, and THAT ENDING!21:59 - Character Arcs29:34 - Villains, Horror, and Stakes40:07 - Worldbuilding & Lore44:03 - Emotional Payoffs / Iconic Moments53:06 - Critiques59:25 - Legacy & Final Verdicts1:06:23 - Conclusion & Wrap-up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

2025 gave us a new I Know What You Did Last Summer — and yes, this is a true sequel, not a reboot.In this spoiler-lite review, I break down whether this 2025 follow-up to the 1997 slasher classic could recapture the magic that made the original so iconic… or whether this is a sequel that never really needed to exist in the first place.We’ll talk about:• How the film compares to the original• The surprisingly strong script and plot twists• Why Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. completely outshine the new cast• The modern slasher elements, kills, and production value• That very weird ending after the ending• And whether this sequel actually weakens the legacy of a horror classicI enjoyed this movie—but enjoyment doesn’t always mean justification.If you’re a fan of modern slashers, mystery-driven horror, or just wanted to see Hewitt and Prinze back in these roles one more time, this review is for you.👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments:Did you love it? Hate it? Or walk away feeling conflicted but entertained?Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Notification Bell! And if you want to help support the channel and keep Fantasy for the Ages pumping out content, check out our Patreon. Perks await!: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#IKnowWhatYouDidLastSummer #HorrorMovies #SlasherFilms #MovieReview#FantasyForTheAges #HorrorReview #LegacySequels #2025MoviesWays 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: @[email protected] Email us: [email protected] 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 - Opening1:06 - Movie Details2:40 - Jim’s Take3:39 - Five Reasons You May Enjoy This4:25 - Three Reasons You Might Not Care for It5:14 - Final Thoughts5:46 - Conclusion & Wrap-up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

Some books are fun to read…Others refuse to let you stop talking about them.In today’s Fantasy for the Ages episode, Jim and Zach tackle a topic every speculative fiction fan understands instinctively: the SFF best books and series we could discuss for HOURS.These are the stories with unforgettable worlds, endlessly debated characters, and themes that spark conversation long after the final page. They’re the books that inspire rereads, theories, arguments, and passionate defenses—the ones that turn casual readers into lifelong fans.Each of us brought five picks to the table, then worked together (and occasionally argued) to create a collaboratively ranked Top 10 list. Along the way, we talk about why certain stories demand repeated discussion, how fandom keeps these worlds alive, and what separates a good reading from a truly unforgettable one.And of course… there was overlap.📚 In this episode, we discuss:• What makes a book or series endlessly discussable• The role of worldbuilding, characters, and theme in long-term fandom• Which SFF stories reward rereads and deep dives• Why some books never stop being relevantNow we want to hear from you.👉 What books or series can you talk about for hours?👉 Which ones did we miss?👉 And which rankings do you passionately disagree with?Drop your picks in the Comments, and if you want to keep the conversation going, come join us on our Discord server—invite link in the show notes.Thank-you to our Patreon supporters for keeping Fantasy for the Ages possible. Check out our Patreon page to discover the perks our supporters enjoy!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#FantasyForTheAges #SpeculativeFiction #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #BookDiscussion #SFFCommunity #BookTube #Top10Books #FantasyReadersWant to purchase books mentioned in this episode?The Acts of Caine: https://t.ly/TqFnTThe Dark Tower: https://t.ly/0yCfxDawnshard: https://t.ly/CdHYUThe Dragonriders of Pern: https://t.ly/lLO5PThe Dresden Files: https://t.ly/mZKXmDune Saga: https://t.ly/gb3K1Dungeon Crawler Carl: https://t.ly/3DxEtEdgedancer: https://t.ly/4l6R0The Expanse: https://t.ly/Pq067The Hobbit: https://t.ly/993A3Hyperion Cantos: https://t.ly/qhM-bThe Lightbringer Series: https://t.ly/NzrYcThe Locked Tomb Series: https://t.ly/dM-xQThe Lord of the Rings: https://t.ly/1eEP9Malazan Book of the Fallen: https://t.ly/6JLnpMistborn: Secret History: https://t.ly/y-ZISThe Murderbot Diaries: https://t.ly/xvnyYNight Angel Nemesis: https://t.ly/j2S-ARed Rising Saga: https://t.ly/33acxShannara: https://t.ly/X6MvmThe Silmarillion: https://t.ly/iX9LiThe Stormlight Archive: https://t.ly/x2NkJThe Wheel of Time: https://t.ly/vmGYtWays 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: @[email protected] Email us: [email protected] 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 - Episode Explanation5:49 - Our Picks37:16 - The Final Rankings39:22 - Concluding Thoughts40:27 - Wrap-up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/