Fantasy for the Ages

Every once in a while, a debut novel comes along that completely blindsides you—in the best possible way.In this Jim solo review, I’m talking about Fly Stone, Fly, a dark fantasy debut by Dust Kunkel that’s already racking up awards and recognition for its astonishing prose, layered worldbuilding, and deeply human storytelling.This one hit especially close to home. Dust is a real-life friend and coworker, and when he shared that he’d written a fantasy novel, I expected something interesting. What I got instead was a literary dark fantasy that completely exceeded my expectations — thoughtful, emotionally rich, and quietly powerful.In this spoiler-lite review, I cover:• Why I picked up this book (and why it surprised me so much)• A spoiler-free overview of the story and its unique framing device• What makes the prose and worldbuilding stand out• A traumatized, neurodivergent protagonist with untapped powers• A hidden supernatural world beneath rural Idaho• A VERY good boy 🐕• Why this book deserves far more attention, and possibly a mainstream publisherI also share a couple of honest caveats about pacing and prose style, and why I still believe this book is absolutely worth your time if you love rich, thoughtful fantasy.Long-time subscribers know I rarely do author interviews — but I’ll be having Dust on the channel soon. That should tell you just how much this book stuck with me.If you love dark fantasy, literary fantasy, or discovering incredible indie and debut novels before they blow up, this one’s for you.❤️ Much love to our Patreon supporters. You help us keep this crazy ride going. Want to explore the perks that come from joining our community? Check out the link! 👉 patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#FlyStoneFly #DarkFantasy #FantasyBookReview #IndieFantasy #FantasyForTheAges #BookTube #FantasyBooks #DebutNovel #IndieAuthor #SpeculativeFictionWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?Fly Stone, Fly: https://t.ly/wG_gWWays 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 - Opening1:28 - Book Basics1:48 - Why Jim Read This2:33 - Spoiler-Lite Summary4:03 - Jim’s Reaction6:18 - SIX REASONS You May Absolutely LOVE This Book7:44 - TWO Reasons This Story Might NOT Be For You8:29 - Final Thoughts9:04 - Closing & Wrap-Up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

📚 What are YOU reading in 2026?Every year brings new releases, long-awaited sequels, and that ever-growing TBR pile we swear we’ll finally tackle next year. Well… next year is almost here.In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim and Zach break down the books and series we’re most excited to read in 2026 — from epic fantasy commitments and sci-fi favorites to horror reads, self-published gems, and a few long-overdue classics that have been staring us down from the shelf.We’ll talk:• 📖 Upcoming and recent releases we can’t wait to dive into• 🐉 Massive fantasy and sci-fi series we’re finally committing to• 👻 Horror reads that promise to hurt us (emotionally… probably)• 📚 Beloved authors we’re revisiting—and new ones we’re eager to tryWhether you love planning your reading year, hunting for recommendations, or just want to feel better about your own out-of-control TBR, this episode is for you.💬 Join the conversation:What’s already locked into your 2026 reading plans?Which series are you finally going to commit to?And which of our picks should we read first?Let us know in the comments!👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Notification Bell so you don’t miss future Fantasy for the Ages content.❤️ Support the channel:If you’d like to help Fantasy for the Ages grow, check out our Patreon for early access, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes fun. Here’s the link: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges🧙‍♂️ Join our community:Come hang out with us on the Fantasy for the Ages Discord, where the book talk never stops.#FantasyForTheAges #2026TBR #BookTube #FantasyBooks #ScienceFictionBooks #HorrorBooks #EpicFantasy #ReadingPlans#BookRecommendations #TBRPile #SFFHWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?The Age of Madness: https://t.ly/BM1frArtemis: https://t.ly/gw8AoBabel: https://t.ly/6xveMBest Served Cold: https://t.ly/_k4x2The Binding Tenets Trilogy: https://t.ly/F5eefBlood Over Bright Haven: https://t.ly/oNJNqThe Bloodsworn Saga: https://t.ly/NkngxThe Bone Season: https://t.ly/M11lUThe Buffalo Hunter Hunter: https://t.ly/dQVauThe Devils: https://t.ly/USE7IDragon Harper: https://t.ly/9eLANDragon’s Fire: https://t.ly/ouc1hDragon’s Kin: https://t.ly/HzYu_The Dragonriders of Pern: https://t.ly/JQyiGDungeon Crawler Carl: https://t.ly/8AzjnThe Edan Trilogy: https://t.ly/hKKNyFallen Light Series: https://t.ly/a9q1pA Gift of Dragons: https://t.ly/JcJ6ZThe Heroes: https://t.ly/yJe-nJonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: https://t.ly/8MoJBThe Licanius Trilogy: https://t.ly/P1EFvThe Lotus Wars: https://t.ly/NQikoThe Martian: https://t.ly/9Ty2ENecroscope: https://t.ly/c-geMThe Nevernight Chronicle: https://t.ly/jHS7sThe Newsflesh Trilogy: https://t.ly/LeX-Z Old Man’s War Series: https://t.ly/70DbkThe Only Good Indians: https://t.ly/WA3J-Parasitology Trilogy: https://t.ly/e0mN6Path to Ascendancy: https://t.ly/VVctoThe Priory of the Orange Tree: https://t.ly/uBltDProject Hail Mary: https://t.ly/WWjb-Red Country: https://t.ly/YJkvNThe Rise of the West: https://t.ly/l8AMjThe Shepherd King Duology: https://t.ly/atdvrThe Skies of Pern: https://t.ly/SLikfThe Skyman’s Legacy: https://t.ly/fCp1BThe Song of Achilles: https://t.ly/O2lwXThe Spear Cuts Through Water: https://t.ly/MLpdeStarter Villain: https://t.ly/CGxLmTwelve Months: https://t.ly/vZRA2The Wise Man’s Fear: https://t.ly/zKufnThe Wolf Den Trilogy: https://t.ly/ng033Ways 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] 0:00 - Opening1:57 - Episode Explanation2:32 - Our 2026 Reading Plans27:26 - Conclusion & Wrap-up

This is it — the grand finale of my Top 100 Sci-Fi Reads of All Time (2025 Edition). Today we reveal my Top 20 — the books that define science fiction for me.These stories shaped my imagination, challenged my thinking, broke my heart, and reminded me why sci-fi is one of the most powerful storytelling genres we have. This tier is mythic. Philosophical. World-shaping. And yes… the number one spot may not surprise you — but it’s absolutely earned.If you’ve enjoyed this series, thank you for coming along for the ride. Be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Bell to keep the conversation going beyond this list.📚 In this episode:• Ranks 20–1 revealed• Genre-defining masterpieces• Philosophical giants and epic sci-fi sagas• My all-time favorite science fiction novelDrop your Top 5 or Top 10 in the comments — and tell me where we agree… and where I’m completely wrong.❤️ Thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too could have early releases! Patron-only bonus content! Occasional live recordings! Check us out at the link: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#SciFiBookTube #Top100SciFi #SpeculativeFiction #BookLists #ScienceFiction #SciFiReads #BookRanking #ScienceFictionBooks #Top100Books #BookDiscussion #FantasyForTheAges #SciFiClassics #BookTubeSciFi #ScienceFictionFans #BookTube #SciFiClassicsWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?Abaddon’s Gate: https://t.ly/XsxtoBabylon’s Ashes: https://t.ly/vLBpzCaliban’s War: https://t.ly/WtTtAChapterhouse Dune: https://t.ly/IoUvUChildren of Dune: https://t.ly/bfTU-Dark Age: https://t.ly/6zlIlDune: https://t.ly/4_w_kFoundation and Empire: https://t.ly/z7wivThe Girl With All the Gifts: https://t.ly/l4nGrGod Emperor of Dune: https://t.ly/GGKICIron and Gold: https://t.ly/OkOuaLeviathan Falls: https://t.ly/XrIwpLeviathan Wakes: https://t.ly/muEYaLight Bringer: https://t.ly/f3PA6Morning Star: https://t.ly/KIwpmNemesis Games: https://t.ly/5jD5WNetwork Effect: https://t.ly/ZtKprRed Rising: https://t.ly/yIHdFSystem Collapse: https://t.ly/HyR-qWar World Z: https://t.ly/WYhtlWays 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 - Opening1:14 - Episode Explanation2:00 - Books 20 - 113:57 - Conclusion & Wrap-up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

Welcome to elite territory. In Part 4 of my Top 100 Sci-Fi Reads of All Time, we’re counting down ranks 40 through 21 — books that represent the core of what science fiction can do.These are stories about power, intelligence, control, revolution, and the long-term consequences of human ambition. Civilizations rise and fall here. Artificial intelligences gain personalities. Revolutions begin. Futures pivot.At this point, rankings get especially painful — moving any of these feels wrong… and yet, choices must be made.If you’ve been following the series, you’re not going to want to miss the finale. Be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Notification Bell.📚 In this episode:• Ranks 40–21• Canon-level sci-fi and modern classics• AI, revolutions, and galactic power shifts• Some of the most influential books I’ve ever readWhich of these belong in the Top 10? And which ones already are — in your mind?❤️ Enjoy our channel? Might want to check out our Patreon. Early releases! Patron-only bonus content! patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#SciFiBookTube #Top100SciFi #SpeculativeFiction #BookLists #ScienceFiction #SciFiReads #BookRanking #ScienceFictionBooks #Top100Books #BookDiscussion #FantasyForTheAges #SciFiClassics #BookTubeSciFi #ScienceFictionFansWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?All Systems Red: https://t.ly/t0plRArtificial Condition: https://t.ly/qc9AyDune Messiah: https://t.ly/kVEGuEnder’s Game: https://t.ly/Z62MeExit Strategy: https://t.ly/APVgBFeed: https://t.ly/sHLzhThe Ferryman: https://t.ly/4PnZGFugitive Telemetry: https://t.ly/LCwHtFoundation: https://t.ly/IEoNhGolden Son: https://t.ly/X2BOuHeretics of Dune: https://t.ly/00fQ5Hunters of Dune: https://t.ly/4s8BPThe Martian: https://t.ly/9Ty2EThe Mist: https://t.ly/Dd5otPersepolis Rising: https://t.ly/_5A-5Rogue Protocol: https://t.ly/DELGLSandworms of Dune: https://t.ly/btdSiSecond Foundation: https://t.ly/VIuZjTiamat’s Wrath: https://t.ly/9esjqWool: 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 - Opening0:59 - Episode Explanation1:50 - Books 40 - 2113:32 - Conclusion & Wrap-up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

Now we’re getting serious. In Part 3 of my Top 100 Sci-Fi Reads, we tackle ranks 60 through 41 — the stretch where the books stop being “just good” and start being deeply influential.This tier is full of apocalypses, time travel, AI ethics, societal collapse, and massive “what if” questions. These are stories that linger long after you turn the last page — and several that reshaped how I think about science fiction as a genre.Some longtime favorites slip a bit this year. A few newer reads surge upward. That’s the beauty (and frustration) of doing this annually.If you’re enjoying the series so far, please Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Bell — the upper tiers only get heavier.📚 In this episode:• Ranks 60–41• Apocalypse, ethics, and big-idea sci-fi• Hard sci-fi meets emotional storytelling• Books that changed how I read the genreWhich of these crack your Top 50? Let’s talk in the comments.❤️ Thank you to our Patreon supporters. You truly help this keep going. Join us for special perks and early releases! patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#SciFiReads #BookRanking #ScienceFictionBooks #Top100Books #BookDiscussion #SciFiBookTube #Top100SciFi #SpeculativeFiction #BookLists #ScienceFiction #FantasyForTheAgesWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?11/22/63: https://t.ly/TlX-VThe Battle of Corrin: https://t.ly/oTehnThe Butlerian Jihad: https://t.ly/ORuS2Catching Fire: https://t.ly/DUcyAThe Dark Forest: https://t.ly/o4s06Devolution: https://t.ly/5otzaDust: https://t.ly/VJa_eEon: https://t.ly/D9i79Foundation and Earth: https://t.ly/FIw8MFoundation’s Edge: https://t.ly/PoYXGHell Divers Series: https://t.ly/KQPTJThe Hunger Games: https://t.ly/t21SWThe Machine Crusade: https://t.ly/ovgH9The Passage: https://t.ly/GkrCrPilgrims: https://t.ly/rnlMTPines: https://t.ly/jwp98Project Hail Mary: https://t.ly/WWjb-Redshirts: https://t.ly/_ZPHkThe Three-Body Problem: https://t.ly/3OQVGTrackers Series (Books 1-4): https://t.ly/WmKYzWays 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 - Opening1:23 - Episode Explanation2:07 - Books 60 - 4114:08 - Conclusion & Wrap-up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/