Fantasy for the Ages

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/

One of the most divisive horror films of 2025 is here — and it’s doing something very different with the vampire genre.In this spoiler-lite review, Jim dives into Sinners, a stylish, ambitious period-piece horror film that audiences seem to either absolutely love… or completely reject. Set during the Prohibition era in the Deep South, Sinners blends historical drama, social commentary, and supernatural horror into a bold, uncompromising experience.We’ll cover:• What makes Sinners such a unique take on vampire mythology• The stunning period setting and cinematography• Michael B. Jordan’s impressive dual performance as twin brothers• How music and atmosphere are woven into the supernatural elements• Why this film has struck such a strong — and polarized — chord with viewersThis is high-brow horror done with intention, depth, and gravitas. There are no cheap scares here — just thoughtful storytelling, powerful themes, and moments of full-throttle horror when the switch finally flips.Whether you’re a vampire movie fan, a lover of period pieces, or just curious about one of the most talked-about genre films of the year, this review will help you decide if Sinners is worth your time.💬 Have you seen Sinners yet? Did you love it, hate it, or land somewhere in between? Let us know in the comments!👍 Like📺 Subscribe🔔 Ring the notification bell❤️ And thanks to our Patreon supporters for helping make Fantasy for the Ages possible!: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#Sinners2025 #HorrorMovies #VampireMovies #MichaelBJordan #FilmReview #PeriodHorror #FantasyForTheAges #HorrorFans #MovieDiscussionWays 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 - Opening1:35 - Film Details3:34 - Spoiler-Lite Summary4:31 - Jim’s Experience & Thoughts6:32 - Five Reasons You May Enjoy This Film9:19 - Two Reasons These May10:28 - Final Thoughts11:09 - Conclusion & Wrap-up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

In today’s Fantasy for the Ages episode, Jim goes solo to break down the Top 15 CONFIRMED Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror novels coming in 2026 — books with officially announced publication dates that are already shaping what kind of reading year 2026 is going to be.This isn’t a speculative list. Every title discussed has been confirmed by publishers, and Jim digs into:• What kind of story each book is bringing• The genre and subgenre it fits into• Whether it’s a standalone or part of a series (and which number)• Why each one matters in the bigger SFFH conversation• Whether Jim plans to read it or notFrom massive fan-favorite series returns to buzzy standalone releases, literary speculative fiction, dark fantasy, science fiction, and horror, this list covers the full spectrum of what SFFH readers can genuinely expect in 2026.👇 Join the discussion:Which book on this list is your most anticipated?Which one surprised you?And which 2026 release do you think is going to dominate the year?If you enjoy thoughtful SFFH discussion, ranked lists, and keeping ahead of what’s actually coming — be 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 for helping make Fantasy for the Ages possible.: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAgesWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter: https://t.ly/QyNabBattle Ground: https://t.ly/e_gvhThe Caretaker: https://t.ly/3_j-TDead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep: https://t.ly/y2pqLThe Dragon Has Some Complaints: https://t.ly/ZgvqAThe Expanse: https://t.ly/a1vXeThe Faith of Beasts: https://t.ly/s5YUSThe Fox and the Devil: https://t.ly/hCD1GFrankenstein: https://t.ly/H167TThe Glowing Hours: https://t.ly/oryqYHoneysuckle: https://t.ly/PmGtrMercy of the Gods: https://t.ly/-8gEJOperation Bounce House: https://t.ly/6R3pdSing the Night: https://t.ly/g1BhNA Soul Full of Shadows: https://t.ly/VJUU9Strange Familiars: https://t.ly/M_UGaTwelve Months: https://t.ly/vZRA2Vigil: https://t.ly/Z0ttDWeavingshaw: https://t.ly/B-PS1Ways 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 - Opening & Episode Explanation1:50 - The Top 15 Confirmed 2026 SFFH Releases15:32 - Conclusion & Wrap-up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

In today’s Fantasy for the Ages episode, Jim goes solo to count down his Top 10 Most Unpopular Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror Opinions — ranked by how much backlash they tend to generate.These aren’t rage-bait takes. They’re thoughtful, experience-driven observations about the current state of SFFH books, movies, and TV… but fair warning: you probably won’t agree with all of them.We’re talking about:• Why page count has become a badge of honor (and why that’s a problem)• Whether audiobooks are actually the best way to experience some stories• Why some grimdark has lost its emotional impact• How modern SFF TV often feels stretched too thin• Why villains are often more compelling than heroes right now• And a few opinions that reliably make fandom very uncomfortableThis episode is designed to spark thoughtful disagreement, not shouting matches — but if you feel strongly about any of these takes, the comments section is open and waiting.👇 Jump in and tell us:Which opinion do you disagree with the most?Which one secretly made sense?And which take do you think should be more popular than it is?If you enjoy deep-dive discussions, ranked lists, and honest SFFH conversation, 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 — you help make this channel possible: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAgesWays 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 - Opening & Episode Explanation1:32 - The 10 Opinions17:39 - Conclusion & Wrap-up————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/