Fantasy for the Ages

If you enjoy fantasy stories in the vein of The Witcher—following a lone slayer from supernatural problem to supernatural problem—then today’s review and book recommendation might be for you.In this episode, Jim goes solo to review Witchazel, A Slayer’s Pilgrimage I, the debut dark fantasy novel by T.C. Roberts-Finn. Inspired by The Witcher and even Blade Runner, this book delivers episodic “monster of the week” adventures centered on Kaleb Slow, a troubled slayer wandering a grim world filled with magic, demons, lycanthropes, and a mysterious disease slowly destroying everything.Jim breaks down:• What the book does well—and where it struggles• How the episodic structure works (and for whom it works best)• Why the meta-narrative and ending may divide readers• Who should absolutely check this book out—and who may want to passThis is a spoiler-lite review, perfect if you’re curious if this is one of the books to read for you, but not ready to commit yet.💬 Have you read Witchazel? Did you continue on to book two? Let us know in the comments!👍 Like📚 Subscribe🔔 Ring the notification bell💙 And thanks, as always, to our Patreon supporters for helping keep Fantasy for the Ages going strong. 👉 patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#FantasyForTheAges #DarkFantasy #BookReview #FantasyBooks #IndieFantasy #MonsterHunterFantasy #TheWitcherVibes #FantasyReaders #BookTubeWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?Witchazel: https://t.ly/rQSuSWays 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 - Opening1:37 - Book Details2:11 - Why Jim Read This2:27 - Spoiler-Lite Summary4:18 - Jim’s Take6:00 - Five Reasons You May Enjoy This Novel7:24 - Two Reasons You Might Not Care for This Book8:07 - Final Thoughts8:53 - Closing & Wrap-Up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

What were the BEST fantasy, sci-fi, and horror experiences of 2025?In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Zach & Jim each reveal their Top 5 content experiences from five different categories, giving you a ranked list of 25 must-read and must-watch picks that defined our year in speculative fiction.We’re covering:• 🧙‍♂️ Fantasy Books• 🚀 Science Fiction Books• 📖 Other Genre Books (Horror, Thriller, Weird, and more)• 📺 SFFH TV Shows• 🎥 SFFH MoviesThese aren’t just the biggest releases of 2025—these are the stories that hit us the hardest, surprised us the most, and stuck with us long after the final page or credits rolled.Expect:• Ranked lists• Strong opinions• A little disagreement• And plenty of great recommendations for your TBR and watchlistLet us know in the comments:👉 What were YOUR top books, shows, and movies of 2025?👉 Which of our picks do you agree with—or strongly disagree with?If you enjoy fantasy, science fiction, horror, and thoughtful (but fun) nerdy discussion, make sure to Like, Subscribe, and ring the notification bell so you don’t miss future episodes.And a huge thank-you to our Patreon supporters—your support helps keep Fantasy for the Ages going strong: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#FantasyForTheAges #BestOf2025 #FantasyBooks #ScienceFiction #HorrorBooks #Booktube #SFF #GeekCulture #Top5ListsWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?The Angel of Indian Lake: https://t.ly/g2ug_Artemis: https://t.ly/gw8AoAssassin’s Fate: https://t.ly/x8x9jThe Black Crown: https://t.ly/7ycD6Black Talon: https://t.ly/NXcJMThe Burning White: https://t.ly/d4WGmDancer’s Lament: https://t.ly/YEbhYThe Dark Forest: https://t.ly/o4s06Don’t Fear the Reaper: https://t.ly/SgBC0Ex-Heroes: https://t.ly/UWz6hFamily Business: https://t.ly/3N5FgGalaphile: https://t.ly/MQpWCThe Girl With All the Gifts: https://t.ly/bb_ADThe Grace of Kings: https://t.ly/huoPVTo Green Angel Tower: https://t.ly/ghUweThe Haunting of Hill House: https://t.ly/bCYwPI Was a Teenage Slasher: https://t.ly/noNaSThe Last Graduate: https://t.ly/WQ0f0My Heart is a Chainsaw: https://t.ly/UcfEiThe Name of the Wind: https://t.ly/ndJbgNetwork Effect: https://t.ly/ZtKprNevernight: https://t.ly/nMbS0Project Hail Mary: https://t.ly/WWjb-Rogue Protocol: https://t.ly/DELGLThe Running Man: https://t.ly/0ymdLThe Silent Patient: https://t.ly/auGctThe Strength of the Few: https://t.ly/4pyvsSystem Collapse: https://t.ly/HyR-qThis Inevitable Ruin: https://t.ly/_Z_qZWool: https://t.ly/-qJ9kWays 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 - Opening2:00 - Episode Explanation3:10 - Top 5 Fantasy Books of 202512:59 - Top 5 Sci-Fi Books of 202522:31 - Top 5 Other Genre Books of 202531:38- Top 5 SFFH TV Shows of 202543:49 - Top 5 SFFH Movies of 202555:38 - Conclusion & Wrap-up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

BookTube and BookTok hype is everywhere—but does it actually deliver?Some books explode across BookTube and BookTok and become completely unavoidable. Everyone’s talking about them. Everyone’s recommending them. And everyone assumes they must be incredible.But experience says… that’s a coin toss.In this episode, Jim breaks down the Top 10 “BookTube & BookTok Famous” SFF novels he actually liked, ranked from a much larger Top 100 list based on how dominant these books were across online book communities—not just how “good” they’re supposed to be.You’ll hear:📚 Which massively hyped fantasy and sci-fi novels truly lived up to expectations🔥 Which popular titles missed the mark—and why🧠 How hype, longevity, and algorithmic saturation shaped the ranking😏 A few spicy takes on books Jim has no intention of readingFrom epic fantasy and science fiction classics to modern BookTok juggernauts, this list proves that sometimes the hype is justified… and sometimes it absolutely isn’t.👇 Join the discussion in the comments:What book did you discover through BookTube or BookTok that you ended up loving?And do you want to see the rest of Jim’s Top 100 list?⸻Fantasy for the Ages is where a father (and usually his son) talk fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and all things nerdy—from classic literature to modern fandom debates.👍 Like the video📺 Subscribe for more SFF content🔔 Ring the notification bell so you don’t miss future episodes💙 Support the channel on Patreon for bonus content and early access: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#FantasyForTheAges ##BookTube #BookTok #FantasyBooks #ScienceFictionBooks #SFF #BookRecommendations #FantasyReads #SciFiReads #SpeculativeFiction#BookCommunityWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?The Atlas Six: https://t.ly/5CzOEA Court of Thorns and Roses: https://t.ly/UB9A0The Cruel Prince: https://t.ly/jPti4Dune: https://t.ly/4_w_kAn Ember in the Ashes: https://t.ly/sqgfpThe Eye of the World: https://t.ly/V-eqmFourth Wing: https://t.ly/fYmJzA Game of Thrones: https://t.ly/o7bq0Gideon the Ninth: https://t.ly/YssfkThe Hunger Games: https://t.ly/E4GSFThe Lies of Locke Lamora: https://t.ly/1UV3hThe Martian: https://t.ly/9Ty2EMistborn: The Final Empire: https://t.ly/ErX1KThe Name of the Wind: https://t.ly/ndJbgThe Poppy War: https://t.ly/d6CIFRed Rising: https://t.ly/yIHdFScythe: https://t.ly/G7iciShadow and Bone: https://t.ly/hI9CGThe Stormlight Archive: https://t.ly/x2NkJThrone of Glass: https://t.ly/l7yhEThe Way of Kings: https://t.ly/WSI9CWays 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 - Opening1:17 - Episode Explanation2:28 - Top 10 Booktube & Booktok Famous Sff I Actually Liked10:12 - What About The Rest Of The Top 21?12:31 - Conclusion & Wrap-up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

When a master of modern horror tackles one of the most well-worn subgenres of all time, expectations are naturally high. In today’s episode, Jim takes a spoiler-lite look at The Gospel of Z, a zombie apocalypse novel by Stephen Graham Jones that aims to do something different with the end of the world.Rather than focusing on nonstop action and survival horror, The Gospel of Z leans into politics, power, corruption, and the uncomfortable truths about what people bring with them when society collapses. The result? A thoughtful, character-driven zombie story that I liked—but didn’t quite love.In this review, I cover:• Why I finally circled back to this novel while reading through Jones’ full bibliography• A spoiler-lite summary of the story and its structure• What worked for me—and what didn’t• Who this book is most likely to appeal to• Why longtime fans of Stephen Graham Jones may still want to give it a shotIf you love zombie apocalypse stories, literary horror, or simply enjoy seeing familiar genres reimagined in unexpected ways, this one is worth discussing.Let me know in the comments: have you read The Gospel of Z? Did it land for you, or did you walk away feeling the same way I did?👍 Like the video if you enjoy honest, spoiler-lite horror reviews📚 Subscribe for more fantasy, sci-fi, and horror content🔔 Ring the bell so you don’t miss future episodes❤️ As always, thank you to our Patreon supporters. We could do this without you, but it wouldn’t be NEARLY as much fu!. Want to explore the perks that come from joining our community? Check out the link! 👉 patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#StephenGrahamJones #TheGospelOfZ #ZombieApocalypse #HorrorBooks #BookReview #LiteraryHorror #FantasyForTheAges #ZombieFictionWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?The Gospel of Z: https://t.ly/_Up1LWays 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 - Opening1:10 - Book Details1:56 - Why Jim Read This2:29 - Spoiler-Lite Summary3:18 - Jim’s Take4:17 - Four Reasons You Might Enjoy This Book5:36 - Two Reasons You Might NOT Enjoy It6:17 - Final Thoughts7:01 - Closing & Wrap-Up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

Yes. I said it. And I stand by it.In this Fantasy for the Ages episode, Jim goes solo to tackle one of the most divisive topics in SFFH fandom:👉 For many fantasy, science fiction, and horror stories, the audiobook isn’t just a valid format — it’s the definitive one.This isn’t about gatekeeping. It’s about storytelling.Jim breaks down why great narration can elevate character, sharpen humor, clarify complex worlds, and make emotional beats hit harder than they sometimes do on the page. Using concrete examples from across fantasy, sci-fi, and horror, this episode explores when and why performance transforms story.We’re talking about:• When character voices completely change how a story lands• Why some humor only truly works when spoken aloud• How audiobooks help navigate dense, complex worlds• Why certain horror stories hit harder when heard• And why listening is not “cheating” — it’s choosing a different storytelling experience👇 Let’s hear it:Which SFFH audiobook completely won you over?Which story do you think is better in audio than in print?And which books do you still insist must be read, not heard?If you enjoy thoughtful SFFH discussion, honest takes, and respectful disagreement, don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and ring the notification bell so you don’t miss future episodes.And a huge thank-you to our Patreon supporters for making Fantasy for the Ages possible.: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#FantasyForTheAges #Audiobooks #SFF #FantasyBooks #ScienceFiction #HorrorBooks #BookTube #AudiobookLovers #SpeculativeFiction #ReadingDebateWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?Discworld: https://t.ly/fURTiThe Dresden Files: https://t.ly/mZKXmThe Exorcist: https://t.ly/F7Eq2The First Law: https://t.ly/cPurjMalazan Book of the Fallen: https://t.ly/6JLnpThe Murderbot Diaries: https://t.ly/6YGiOPet Sematary: https://t.ly/O35B7Project Hail Mary: https://t.ly/WWjb-Red Rising: https://t.ly/33acxThe 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 - Opening1:29 - Episode Explanation2:35 - When Character Voices Transform the Story3:35 - Humor That Lands Better Out Loud4:41 - Complex Worlds Made Clearer by Performance6:50 - Horror That Hits Harder When Heard7:50 - Sci-Fi Where Audio Unlocks the Story8:43 - The Core Argument9:12 - Conclusion & Wrap-up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/