Fantasy for the Ages

Some characters AREN’T the hero… but we’d riot if they weren’t in the story.

In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim counts down his Top 30 Extremely Likable Minor Characters in Science Fiction and Fantasy. These are the side characters, supporting players, comic relief legends, loyal companions, mysterious wanderers, wise mentors, and scene-stealers who somehow become some of the most beloved figures in their respective stories.

From fantasy epics and urban fantasy to classic science fiction and space opera, these characters may not get the most page time or screen time, but they leave an impact far greater than their role would suggest. Whether they make us laugh, inspire us, break our hearts, or simply make every scene better by showing up, these are the characters we can’t help but love.

Featuring favorites from:
⚔️ The Lord of the Rings
⚔️ The Wheel of Time
⚔️ The Dresden Files
⚔️ The Cosmere
⚔️ Malazan
⚔️ Star Wars
⚔️ Star Trek
⚔️ The Expanse
⚔️ Discworld
⚔️ Firefly
⚔️ Harry Potter
⚔️ The Witcher
…and more!

Who are your favorite minor characters in SFF? Which side character steals the show every time they appear? Did Jim miss one of your favorites? Let us know in the comments!

If you enjoy fantasy, science fiction, horror, book reviews, rankings, discussions, and all things nerdy, be sure to like, subscribe, and ring the bell so you don’t miss future episodes.

Special thanks to our amazing Patreon supporters. Your support helps make Fantasy for the Ages possible!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#FantasyForTheAges #FantasyBooks #ScienceFiction #LordOfTheRings #WheelOfTime #StarWars #DresdenFiles #Cosmere #Malazan #Discworld #BookTube #FantasyRanking #SFF

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0:00 - Opening
1:21 - Episode Explanation
2:34 - Honorable Mention
4:10 - From 30 to 21
11:14 - From 20 to 11
18:02 - The Top 10
26:10 - Wrap-up & Conclusion

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What if vampirism wasn’t supernatural… but biological?

In today’s review, I dive into The Strain (2009), the first novel in Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s acclaimed vampire horror trilogy. Long before I knew this was a book series, I enjoyed watching FX’s four-season adaptation. Once I discovered there were novels behind the show, this one shot straight onto my TBR.

Featuring a terrifying blend of vampire mythology, viral infection, scientific investigation, ancient prophecy, and apocalyptic horror, The Strain delivers one of the most unique takes on vampires you’ll ever encounter. Add in a memorable cast of characters, Holocaust survivor Abraham Setrakian, a truly unforgettable opening mystery involving a jetliner full of dead passengers, and audiobook narration by Ron Perlman himself, and you’ve got a recipe for a fantastic horror read.

Join me as I discuss what makes this novel work so well, who will love it, who might want to skip it, and why I think vampire fans owe it to themselves to check out this modern horror classic.

Have you read The Strain? Did you watch the TV adaptation? Which did you prefer? Let me know in the comments!

If you enjoy fantasy, science fiction, and horror reviews, rankings, recommendations, and discussions, be sure to subscribe and join us here at Fantasy for the Ages. And if you’d like to help support Fantasy for the Ages, consider joining our Patreon community!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#TheStrain #GuillermoDelToro #ChuckHogan #Vampires #HorrorBooks #BookReview #HorrorFiction #FantasyForTheAges #Audiobooks #RonPerlman #HorrorCommunity #BookTube #DarkFantasy #SupernaturalHorror #VampireBooks

Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?
Necroscope: https://t.ly/c-geM
The Strain: https://t.ly/KhAmi

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
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Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de
Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com

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
1:34 - Book Details
3:09 - Why Jim Read This
5:43 - Spoiler-Lite Synopsis
7:02 - Seven Reasons You May Enjoy The Strain
10:06 - Three Reasons This Book Won’t Be For You
11:13 - Jim’s Final Thoughts
13:07 - Closing & Wrap-Up

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

What makes a truly great father?

In fantasy and science fiction, we’re surrounded by heroes, villains, kings, captains, warriors, wizards, and chosen ones. But some of the most inspiring characters in all of speculative fiction aren’t remembered for saving worlds—they’re remembered for raising the next generation.

In this episode, Jim and Zach each reveal their Top 10 Fathers in Fantasy and Science Fiction, counting down the dads who best exemplify sacrifice, integrity, wisdom, courage, love, and the ability to inspire their children to become the best versions of themselves. Along the way, they compare lists, debate rankings, share honorable mentions, and discuss what qualities truly define great fatherhood.

Will their lists be similar? Which picks will spark the biggest debates? And which beloved characters just missed the cut?

Join us for this celebration of some of the finest examples of fatherhood in speculative fiction!

What characters would make YOUR list of the greatest fathers in fantasy and science fiction? Let us know in the comments!

If you enjoy fantasy, science fiction, horror, book discussions, rankings, reviews, and all things speculative fiction, be sure to like, subscribe, and ring the notification bell so you won’t miss future content from Fantasy for the Ages.

⚔️ Support the channel on Patreon: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#FantasyForTheAges #FantasyBooks #ScienceFiction #SFF #BookTube #Fantasy #SciFi #Top10 #BookDiscussion #SpeculativeFiction #FantasyCharacters #SciFiCharacters #Fatherhood #FictionalCharacters #GeekCulture

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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: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de
Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com

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
1:51 - Early Tangents
2:40 - The Rest of the Opening!
3:20 - Episode Explanation
5:47 - Zach’s Honorable Mention
7:07 - Picks 10 - 6
20:37 - The Top 5
39:51 - Wrap-up & Conclusion

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

Did Richard Chizmar stick the landing?

After the phenomenal success of Chasing the Boogeyman and Becoming the Boogeyman, expectations were sky-high for the final installment of the Boogeyman Trilogy. In this spoiler-lite review, Jim dives into an Advance Reader Copy of Killing the Boogeyman — releasing October 6, 2026 — to find out whether this highly anticipated conclusion delivers the payoff readers have been waiting for.

Can Chizmar bring together the mystery, suspense, true-crime atmosphere, unforgettable characters, and lingering supernatural questions that have made this trilogy such a hit? Or will readers be left wishing for more?

Join Jim as he explores what makes this final chapter work so well, who it might appeal to, and whether the Boogeyman trilogy earns a place among the most satisfying thriller trilogies in recent memory.

Have you read Chasing the Boogeyman or Becoming the Boogeyman? Are you planning to pick up Killing the Boogeyman when it releases? Let us know in the comments!

If you enjoy our content, please Like, Subscribe, and ring the notification bell so you never miss an episode. And if you’d like to help support Fantasy for the Ages, consider joining our Patreon community!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#RichardChizmar #KillingTheBoogeyman #ChasingTheBoogeyman #BecomingTheBoogeyman #BookReview #HorrorBooks #ThrillerBooks #MysteryBooks #TrueCrimeFiction #HorrorCommunity #BookTube #FantasyForTheAges

Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?
Chasing the Boogeyman: https://t.ly/YOr9N
Becoming the Boogeyman: https://t.ly/V2tAA
Killing the Boogeyman: https://t.ly/ySGgy
Gwendy’s Button Box: https://t.ly/f--O8

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: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de
Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com

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
1:37 - Book Details
2:38 - Why Jim Read This
3:53 - Spoiler-Lite Synopsis
5:26 - Six Reasons You May Enjoy This Novel
8:57 - Three Reasons It May Not Work for You
10:12 - Jim’s Final Thoughts
11:32 - Closing & Wrap-Up

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

What if everything you’ve ever been told about vampires was wrong?

In this spoiler-lite review of Necroscope III: The Source by Brian Lumley, I continue my journey through one of horror’s most beloved cult-classic series. After two increasingly impressive novels, Lumley takes things to another level by dramatically expanding the mythology behind his terrifying vampires—and trust me, the explanation isn’t anything like what you’re expecting.

Join me as I discuss what worked, what didn’t, how Harry Keogh continues to be one of horror’s most unique protagonists, and whether this third installment keeps the momentum rolling after the excellent Necroscope II: Vamphyri!.

Have you read The Source? What did you think of Lumley’s evolving vampire mythology? Let me know in the comments below!

If you enjoy fantasy, science fiction, and horror book reviews, rankings, recommendations, author discussions, and all things speculative fiction, be sure to like, subscribe, and ring the notification bell so you won’t miss future episodes from Fantasy for the Ages.

Want to help support the channel and gain access to additional content and perks? Consider joining us on Patreon!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#Necroscope #BrianLumley #HorrorBooks #BookReview #Vampires #HorrorFiction #FantasyForTheAges #DarkFantasy #SupernaturalHorror #HorrorLiterature #BookTube #ReadingCommunity #SpeculativeFiction #HarryKeogh #CultClassic

Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?
Necroscope III: The Source: https://t.ly/gk2gF

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: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de
Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com

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
1:42 - Book Details
3:21 - Why Jim Read This
5:00 - Spoiler-Lite Synopsis
5:59 - Five Reasons You May Enjoy This Book
8:38 - Four Reasons This Perhaps Won’t Be Your Thing
10:46 - Jim’s Final Thoughts
11:58 - Closing & Wrap-Up

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