Has modern fantasy lost its sense of wonder… or are we just looking for it in the wrong places?
In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim is joined by Glenn the Geeky Hippie for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about one of the biggest questions in fantasy today: Does modern fantasy still have wonder?
We dive into what “wonder” even means in the first place — whether it’s awe, mystery, discovery, or something harder to define — and then compare the magic of classic fantasy with the tone and priorities of modern storytelling. From the sweeping worlds of The Lord of the Rings to the grit of The First Law Trilogy and the innovation of The Broken Earth Trilogy, we ask: has something changed — and if so, is it for better or worse?
Along the way, we highlight modern works that absolutely still capture that sense of wonder.
We also tackle some deeper questions:
* Is modern fantasy more focused on realism than magic?
* Has wonder become quieter and more personal?
* Are we the reason it feels different now?
This is one of those conversations that blends nostalgia, critique, and genuine appreciation for how the genre continues to evolve.
It also turns into a rec list, a whole bunch of books you might add to your TBR!
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💬 Join the conversation:
Do you think modern fantasy still has wonder? Or do you miss the magic of older stories?
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Connect Further with Glenn:
Non-Terrestrial Half-Life YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@non-terrestrialhalf-life
Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?
The Anxious Generation: https://t.ly/hJCww
The Books of Babel: https://t.ly/naL2I
Broken Earth: https://t.ly/PPa-7
The Chronicles of Narnia: https://t.ly/AbE34
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant: https://t.ly/gMP0o
City of Ember: https://t.ly/bERg9
Codex Alera: https://t.ly/mlNwY
The Dark Tower Series: https://t.ly/0yCfx
The Demon Cycle: https://t.ly/lYWms
The Expanse: https://t.ly/20-9Q
The Farseer Trilogy: https://t.ly/9BIPB
First Law: https://t.ly/XpiiK
The Gentleman Bastard Series: https://t.ly/hKrsh
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: https://t.ly/V4Nuv
Liveship Traders Trilogy: https://t.ly/aaq2P
The Lord of the Rings: https://t.ly/1eEP9
The Magician’s Trilogy: https://t.ly/AjMs1
Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Trilogy: https://t.ly/zw91m
Mortal Engines: https://t.ly/I1f_b
The Name of the Wind: https://t.ly/ndJbg
Perdido Street Station: https://t.ly/BMosB
The Priory of the Orange Tree: https://t.ly/uBltD
Spinning Silver: https://t.ly/SI3Q7
The Stormlight Archive: https://t.ly/x2NkJ
Uprooted: https://t.ly/08qm3
War of the Flowers: https://t.ly/nw_0D
The Wheel of Time: https://t.ly/vmGYt
The Witcher: https://t.ly/gWbcy
Ways to connect with us:
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0:00 - Opening & Episode Explanation
2:23 - Defining “Wonder”
8:55 - Classic Fantasy vs Modern Fantasy
18:15 - Does Modern Fantasy Still Create Wonder?
27:02 - Has the Audience Changed?
38:26 - Final Takes
40:18 - Wrap-up & Conclusion
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Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:
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