Fantasy for the Ages

What makes an opening scene truly unforgettable?

In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim and Zach count down their Top 10 Opening Scenes in Fantasy & Sci-Fi — across books, movies, and television. These are the moments that hooked us instantly, set the tone for everything that followed, and made us say, “Oh… I’m in.”

We’re talking about opening scenes that:
• Instantly establish tone, stakes, and voice
• Redefine a genre or subgenre
• Still hit just as hard on a rewatch or reread
• Made us trust the storyteller within minutes (or even seconds)

From iconic first lines on the page, to jaw-dropping cinematic prologues, to TV pilots that changed the game, these openings didn’t just start a story — they announced something special.

⚠️ This episode is spoiler-light, focusing on why these openings work rather than ruining what comes next.

👉 Let us know in the comments:
• Which opening scene hooked you the fastest?
• Which one do you think should’ve made the Top 10?
• And which opening still gives you chills every time?

If you love Fantasy & Sci-Fi discussions that dig into why stories work, this one’s for you.

Don’t forget to:
👍 Like the video
📺 Subscribe for weekly Fantasy, Sci-Fi, & Horror content
🔔 Ring the bell so you don’t miss future countdowns and debates
💬 Join the conversation in the comments

Visit our Patreon page to help support the channel and get some special “thank you” perks like our other supporters: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#FantasyForTheAges #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #OpeningScenes #BookTube #SciFiMovies #FantasyMovies #SFF #Top10Fantasy #Top10SciFi

Ways to connect with us:
Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven
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Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges
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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 - Episode Explanation
3:32 - We Build Our Top 10 List
25:51 - Wrap-up & Conclusion

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Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:
https://elements.envato.com/

What happens when a past wrong refuses to stay buried?

In this episode, I dive into The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones, a modern horror novel that twists familiar haunting and revenge tropes into something deeply unsettling, emotionally sharp, and completely its own.

After falling in love with The Indian Lake Trilogy, I spent about a year working my way up to this book, where many readers first encounter Stephen Graham Jones’ unmistakable voice. And wow… this one delivers.

We’ll talk about:
• Why Jones’ authorial voice is so unique in the horror space
• How this novel reimagines haunting and revenge
• His continued fascination with (and reinvention of) the final girl trope
• Why this is a quick, low-commitment read that still hits hard
• And why I think this is a great first Stephen Graham Jones book for new readers

This is horror that lingers — not just because of what it shows you, but because of what it asks you to sit with afterward.

If you’ve read The Only Good Indians, I’d love to hear your take in the comments. And if this is your first time considering Stephen Graham Jones… this might be the perfect place to start.

⸻

📚 Join the conversation:

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments
🧠 Join us on Discord to talk horror, sci-fi, and fantasy with fellow fans
👍 Like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy thoughtful genre discussions
⚔️ Join the Fantasy for the Ages community: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#TheOnlyGoodIndians #StephenGrahamJones #HorrorBooks #BookReview #ModernHorror #IndigenousHorror #FinalGirl #BookTube #FantasyForTheAges #SpeculativeFiction

Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?
The Indian Lake Trilogy: https://t.ly/g2ug_
The Only Good Indians: https://t.ly/WA3J-

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: @[email protected]
Email us: [email protected]

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
1:35 - Book Details
2:26 - Why Jim Read This
3:45 - Spoiler-Lite Summary
4:37 - Jim’s Take
6:20 - Six Reasons You May Love This Story
9:15 - Three Reasons It Might Not Work for Some Readers
10:49 - Final Thoughts
11:18 - Closing & Wrap-Up

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Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:
https://elements.envato.com/

Science fiction isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Some readers love big ideas and long-term strategy.
Others want emotional depth, character-driven stories, or fast, cinematic action.

And here’s the thing: your personality plays a huge role in the kind of sci-fi you love.

In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, I’m matching science fiction reading recommendations to common Myers-Briggs personality types. Using the same framework as our fantasy episode, I take 10 of the most common personality types and pair each one with two sci-fi series that align with how those readers tend to think, feel, and engage with speculative ideas.

Whether you’re a systems thinker, a people-first reader, a big-picture strategist, or someone who just wants sci-fi that moves, there’s something here that fits you.

🚀 Sci-Fi Series Featured Include:
• Dune by Frank Herbert
• The Expanse by James S.A. Corey
• Foundation by Isaac Asimov
• The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold
• The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells
• The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu
…and many more.

💬 Drop your personality type in the comments and let me know if these picks nailed your sci-fi taste—or if you’d recommend something different.
👍 Like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy thoughtful, personality-driven reading recommendations.
🔔 Hit the bell so you don’t miss future episodes from Fantasy for the Ages!

If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out the companion episode of Fantasy reading recommendations! https://youtu.be/LEVmoA4aZ50

Check out our Patreon page to help support the channel and get some special “thank you” perks like our other supporters: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#FantasyForTheAges #ScienceFiction #SciFiBooks #BookTube #PersonalityTypes #MBTI #ReadingPersonality #BookRecommendations #SciFiRecommendations #WhatToReadNext #ReadingCommunity #SciFiReaders

Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?
The Commonwealth Saga: https://t.ly/PJ_Bb
The Dispossessed: https://t.ly/WK1qr
Dune: https://t.ly/4_w_k
Ender’s Saga: https://t.ly/32sI_
The Expanse: https://t.ly/SdOZl
Foundation: https://t.ly/IEoNh
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy:
Honor Harrington: https://t.ly/f8Sln
Hyperion Cantos: https://t.ly/qhM-b
The Left Hand of Darkness: https://t.ly/avJCx
Legend of the Galactic Heroes: https://t.ly/x3Zb8
The Mote in God’s Eye: https://t.ly/xnd-e
The Murderbot Diaries: https://t.ly/xvnyY
Old Man’s War: https://t.ly/70Dbk
Parable of the Sower: https://t.ly/Zmygj
Red Rising Saga: https://t.ly/33acx
Station Eleven: https://t.ly/smq7C
The Three-Body Problem: https://t.ly/3OQVG
Vorkosigan Saga: https://t.ly/oYJHR
Wayfarers: https://t.ly/qe_Zd

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: @[email protected]
Email us: [email protected]

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
1:57 - Episode Explanation
3:12 - 10 Personality Types / 20 Recs
9:20 - Wrap-up & Conclusion

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Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:
https://elements.envato.com/

We asked YOU… and then Zach tried to guess how you voted. 😄
What could possibly go wrong?

In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim brings a stack of Fantasy & Sci-Fi poll questions straight from our community, and Zach has one job: predict the results before we reveal them. Sometimes he nails it. Sometimes… not so much.

We cover a wide range of nerdy goodness, including:
• Favorite and least-favorite SFF tropes
• Beloved characters and controversial picks
• Hot takes that surprised both of us
• And a few results that sparked immediate debate

Along the way, Jim and Zach share their own opinions, react to the community’s choices, and occasionally question everyone’s life decisions (with love, of course).

👉 Play along at home — pause the video and see if you can guess the poll results before Zach does!
👉 Then jump into the comments and tell us where you agreed… and where you absolutely did not.

If you enjoy interactive episodes, polls, and father-son fantasy & sci-fi banter, this one’s for you.

Don’t forget to:
👍 Like the video
📺 Subscribe for more Fantasy, Sci-Fi, & Horror content
🔔 Ring the bell so you don’t miss future polls and results
💬 Join the conversation in the comments

Check out our Patreon page to help support the channel and get some special “thank you” perks like our other supporters: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#FantasyForTheAges #FantasyPolls #SciFiPolls #BookTube #SFF #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #GeekDebate #YouTubePolls

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: @[email protected]
Email us: [email protected]

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
1:21 - Episode Explanation
2:21 - We Tackle Your Poll Results
20:27 - Wrap-up & Conclusion

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Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:
https://elements.envato.com/

Harry Dresden has survived apocalypses.
But surviving after one? That’s another story entirely.

In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim reviews The Dresden Files Book 18, Twelve Months by Jim Butcher — a novel that trades nonstop spectacle for something far more powerful: grief, healing, responsibility, and growth.

Set in the year following the devastating Battle of Chicago, Twelve Months follows Harry Dresden as he struggles to process trauma, loss, guilt, and the weight of everything he’s survived. This is a quieter Dresden book in some ways — but also one that meaningfully advances the overarching story, deepens relationships, and delivers a strong, satisfying climax.

In this spoiler-lite review, Jim discusses:
• Why Twelve Months may be some of Jim Butcher’s best writing
• How realistically the book handles grief, loss, and recovery
• The evolving (and complicated) relationship between Harry Dresden and Lara Raith
• Major story progression for the series as a whole
• Why Harry Dresden remains one of fantasy’s great long-form protagonists
• Who will love this book, and who might struggle with its pacing or approach

If you’re a longtime Dresden fan, this is an essential discussion. And if you’ve been waiting to see whether Twelve Months was worth the long wait since Battle Ground — this review is for you.

👇 Have you read Twelve Months yet?
What worked for you? What didn’t? Let’s talk Dresden in the comments.

👍 Like
📚 Subscribe
🔔 Ring the bell
⚔️ Join the Fantasy for the Ages community: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#TheDresdenFiles #TwelveMonths #JimButcher #UrbanFantasy #FantasyBooks #BookReview #HarryDresden #FantasyForTheAges #FantasyBooktube #SpoilerLiteReview

Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?
Twelve Months: https://t.ly/vZRA2

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: @[email protected]
Email us: [email protected]

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
0:58 - Book Details
1:35 - Spoiler-Lite Summary
2:40 - Jim’s Take
4:44 - Six Reasons You Might Enjoy Twelve Months
6:44 - Three Reasons It Might Not Be for You
8:05 - Final Thoughts
8:37 - Closing & Wrap-Up
9:09 - BLOOPER REEL

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Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:
https://elements.envato.com/