After nine years, five seasons, and one massive cultural footprint, Stranger Things has officially come to an end — with the final episode dropping on December 31. And on Fantasy for the Ages, we couldn’t let that moment pass without a deep, honest, spoiler-filled conversation.

In this episode, Jim is joined by longtime Stranger Things fans and frequent FFTA guests Eric, Karri, and Roofmistress Leigh-a for a full roundtable discussion of Stranger Things (2016–2025). We’re talking the entire series — the highs, the heartbreaks, the monsters, the music, the characters we loved, and the choices that sparked debate.

Most importantly, we dive deep into Season 5 and the ending:

• Did the finale stick the landing?

• Were the character arcs earned?

• Did the Upside Down mythology hold together?

• What worked brilliantly — and what didn’t?

• Where does Stranger Things rank among the all-time great genre shows?

⚠️ This is a FULL SPOILER episode — nothing is off-limits. If you haven’t finished the series yet, bookmark this and come back after the credits roll.

Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Notification Bell! Join the discussion in the comments, tell us where Stranger Things lands for you, and come continue the conversation with us on Discord. If you want to help support the channel and keep Fantasy for the Ages going strong, check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#StrangerThings #StrangerThingsSeason5 #StrangerThingsEnding #FullSpoilers #FantasyForTheAges #NetflixSeries #GeekDiscussion #TVFinale #GenreTV #FFTA

Ways to Connect with Our Guests:

Eric Haan's Author Site: https://www.jakethedragontalker.com

Karri on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hathor46.bsky.social

Roofmistress Leigh-a on Three-Fold Talk: https://www.youtube.com/@MalkierTalks/playlists

Ways 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.social

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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

1:25 - Episode Explanation

5:05 - Big Picture Reflections, and THAT ENDING!

21:59 - Character Arcs

29:34 - Villains, Horror, and Stakes

40:07 - Worldbuilding & Lore

44:03 - Emotional Payoffs / Iconic Moments

53:06 - Critiques

59:25 - Legacy & Final Verdicts

1:06:23 - Conclusion & Wrap-up

————————————————————————————

Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:

https://elements.envato.com/

2025 gave us a new I Know What You Did Last Summer — and yes, this is a true sequel, not a reboot.

In this spoiler-lite review, I break down whether this 2025 follow-up to the 1997 slasher classic could recapture the magic that made the original so iconic… or whether this is a sequel that never really needed to exist in the first place.

We’ll talk about:

• How the film compares to the original

• The surprisingly strong script and plot twists

• Why Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. completely outshine the new cast

• The modern slasher elements, kills, and production value

• That very weird ending after the ending

• And whether this sequel actually weakens the legacy of a horror classic

I enjoyed this movie—but enjoyment doesn’t always mean justification.

If you’re a fan of modern slashers, mystery-driven horror, or just wanted to see Hewitt and Prinze back in these roles one more time, this review is for you.

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments:

Did you love it? Hate it? Or walk away feeling conflicted but entertained?

Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Notification Bell! And if you want to help support the channel and keep Fantasy for the Ages pumping out content, check out our Patreon. Perks await!: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#IKnowWhatYouDidLastSummer #HorrorMovies #SlasherFilms #MovieReview

#FantasyForTheAges #HorrorReview #LegacySequels #2025Movies

Ways to connect with us:

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

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Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges

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Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4

Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n

0:00 - Opening

1:06 - Movie Details

2:40 - Jim’s Take

3:39 - Five Reasons You May Enjoy This

4:25 - Three Reasons You Might Not Care for It

5:14 - Final Thoughts

5:46 - Conclusion & Wrap-up

————————————————————————————

Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:

https://elements.envato.com/

Some books are fun to read…

Others refuse to let you stop talking about them.

In today’s Fantasy for the Ages episode, Jim and Zach tackle a topic every speculative fiction fan understands instinctively: the SFF best books and series we could discuss for HOURS.

These are the stories with unforgettable worlds, endlessly debated characters, and themes that spark conversation long after the final page. They’re the books that inspire rereads, theories, arguments, and passionate defenses—the ones that turn casual readers into lifelong fans.

Each of us brought five picks to the table, then worked together (and occasionally argued) to create a collaboratively ranked Top 10 list. Along the way, we talk about why certain stories demand repeated discussion, how fandom keeps these worlds alive, and what separates a good reading from a truly unforgettable one.

And of course… there was overlap.

📚 In this episode, we discuss:

• What makes a book or series endlessly discussable

• The role of worldbuilding, characters, and theme in long-term fandom

• Which SFF stories reward rereads and deep dives

• Why some books never stop being relevant

Now we want to hear from you.

👉 What books or series can you talk about for hours?

👉 Which ones did we miss?

👉 And which rankings do you passionately disagree with?

Drop your picks in the Comments, and if you want to keep the conversation going, come join us on our Discord server—invite link in the show notes.

Thank-you to our Patreon supporters for keeping Fantasy for the Ages possible. Check out our Patreon page to discover the perks our supporters enjoy!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#FantasyForTheAges #SpeculativeFiction #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #BookDiscussion #SFFCommunity #BookTube #Top10Books #FantasyReaders

Want to purchase books mentioned in this episode?

The Acts of Caine: https://t.ly/TqFnT

The Dark Tower: https://t.ly/0yCfx

Dawnshard: https://t.ly/CdHYU

The Dragonriders of Pern: https://t.ly/lLO5P

The Dresden Files: https://t.ly/mZKXm

Dune Saga: https://t.ly/gb3K1

Dungeon Crawler Carl: https://t.ly/3DxEt

Edgedancer: https://t.ly/4l6R0

The Expanse: https://t.ly/Pq067

The Hobbit: https://t.ly/993A3

Hyperion Cantos: https://t.ly/qhM-b

The Lightbringer Series: https://t.ly/NzrYc

The Locked Tomb Series: https://t.ly/dM-xQ

The Lord of the Rings: https://t.ly/1eEP9

Malazan Book of the Fallen: https://t.ly/6JLnp

Mistborn: Secret History: https://t.ly/y-ZIS

The Murderbot Diaries: https://t.ly/xvnyY

Night Angel Nemesis: https://t.ly/j2S-A

Red Rising Saga: https://t.ly/33acx

Shannara: https://t.ly/X6Mvm

The Silmarillion: https://t.ly/iX9Li

The Stormlight Archive: https://t.ly/x2NkJ

The Wheel of Time: https://t.ly/vmGYt

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

5:49 - Our Picks

37:16 - The Final Rankings

39:22 - Concluding Thoughts

40:27 - Wrap-up

————————————————————————————

Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:

https://elements.envato.com/

Step into a piece of corporate horror where the office isn’t just soul-crushing—it might be haunted.

In this episode, Jim reviews The Indigo Room by Stephen Graham Jones, a short, unsettling work that blurs the line between reality, perception, and the quiet dread of modern work life.

As part of a collaborative collection of short horror reads—each written by a different author—The Indigo Room shows Jones working within constraints, delivering a tight, atmospheric story that keeps readers guessing. Is something supernatural happening… or is the horror rooted in burnout, isolation, and the pressures of corporate existence?

Jim breaks down:

• Why Stephen Graham Jones remains one of the most interesting voices in horror

• How this story plays with ambiguity and perception

• What works, what doesn’t, and who this short read is best suited for

• Why this isn’t Jim’s favorite Jones story—but still very much worth your time

If you’re new to Stephen Graham Jones, this is a fascinating sampler.

👍 Like

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💙 And thanks, as always, to our Patreon supporters for helping keep Fantasy for the Ages going strong. 👉 patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#FantasyForTheAges #TheIndigoRoom #StephenGrahamJones #HorrorBooks #CorporateHorror #PsychologicalHorror #BookReview #HorrorFiction #BookTube

Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?

The Indigo Room: https://t.ly/FdAnw

The Only Good Indians: https://t.ly/WA3J-

The Shivers: https://t.ly/dTTQN

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

1:31 - Book Details

2:42 - Why Jim Read This

3:21 - Spoiler-Lite Summary

4:05 - Jim’s Take

4:50 - Five Reasons You May Enjoy This Novel

5:33 - Two Reasons You Might Not Care for This Book

5:53 - Final Thoughts

6:31 - Closing & Wrap-Up

————————————————————————————

Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:

https://elements.envato.com/

In today’s episode, Jim sits down with Dust Kunkel, the author of the dark fantasy debut Fly Stone, Fly, for a wide-ranging conversation about writing, influences, and the strange, brutal, deeply human story that’s already turning heads.

We start spoiler-free, getting to know Dust as a person and a reader—favorite books, movies, and inspirations—before diving into the origins of Fly Stone, Fly, why dark fantasy was the right home for this story, and how a debut novel ends up landing award attention right out of the gate.

From there, we talk craft:

📖 the role of Shakespeare (and The Riverside Shakespeare)

🖋️ developing a powerful narrative voice

🎨 the meaning behind the cover design

🎧 audiobook plans

📚 and whether a sequel is on the horizon

⚠️ SPOILER WARNING:

Later in the episode, we clearly mark the transition into full spoiler territory. If you haven’t read Fly Stone, Fly yet, you’ll want to pause before that section and come back after you’ve finished the book.

If you enjoy thoughtful author interviews, dark fantasy with depth, indie books, and conversations that go beyond surface-level hype, this one’s for you.

👉 Have you read Fly Stone, Fly yet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

⸻

👍 Like | 🔔 Subscribe | 💬 Comment | 💻 Join Discord | ❤️ Join Patreon: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#FantasyForTheAges #FlyStoneFly #DustKunkel #DarkFantasy #AuthorInterview #FantasyBooks #SpeculativeFiction #BookTube #IndieFantasy #FantasyDiscussion #indiebooks

Connect with Dust Kunkel further:

Email: [email protected]

Author Website: https://dustauthor.com/

Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?

The Book Eaters: https://t.ly/6RCdd

The Book of the New Sun: https://t.ly/klihi

Fly Stone, Fly: https://t.ly/NMVPb

The Gallivanter Saga: https://t.ly/HhSBf

The Girl with a Thousand Faces: https://t.ly/6dBox

The Lord of the Rings: https://t.ly/Nw3kY

Winter’s Bone: https://t.ly/xZCWO

The Wizard Knight: https://t.ly/snELz

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

1:03 - Guest Welcome & Context

3:21 - Warm-Up Questions

10:46 - Deeper Questions

23:34 - Influences, Craft, & Format

35:27 - SPOILER Questions

52:21 - Conclusion & Wrap-up

————————————————————————————

Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:

https://elements.envato.com/

If you enjoy fantasy stories in the vein of The Witcher—following a lone slayer from supernatural problem to supernatural problem—then today’s review and book recommendation might be for you.

In this episode, Jim goes solo to review Witchazel, A Slayer’s Pilgrimage I, the debut dark fantasy novel by T.C. Roberts-Finn. Inspired by The Witcher and even Blade Runner, this book delivers episodic “monster of the week” adventures centered on Kaleb Slow, a troubled slayer wandering a grim world filled with magic, demons, lycanthropes, and a mysterious disease slowly destroying everything.

Jim breaks down:

• What the book does well—and where it struggles

• How the episodic structure works (and for whom it works best)

• Why the meta-narrative and ending may divide readers

• Who should absolutely check this book out—and who may want to pass

This is a spoiler-lite review, perfect if you’re curious if this is one of the books to read for you, but not ready to commit yet.

💬 Have you read Witchazel? Did you continue on to book two? Let us know in the comments!

👍 Like

📚 Subscribe

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💙 And thanks, as always, to our Patreon supporters for helping keep Fantasy for the Ages going strong. 👉 patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#FantasyForTheAges #DarkFantasy #BookReview #FantasyBooks #IndieFantasy #MonsterHunterFantasy #TheWitcherVibes #FantasyReaders #BookTube

Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?

Witchazel: https://t.ly/rQSuS

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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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

2:11 - Why Jim Read This

2:27 - Spoiler-Lite Summary

4:18 - Jim’s Take

6:00 - Five Reasons You May Enjoy This Novel

7:24 - Two Reasons You Might Not Care for This Book

8:07 - Final Thoughts

8:53 - Closing & Wrap-Up

————————————————————————————

Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:

https://elements.envato.com/

What were the BEST fantasy, sci-fi, and horror experiences of 2025?

In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Zach & Jim each reveal their Top 5 content experiences from five different categories, giving you a ranked list of 25 must-read and must-watch picks that defined our year in speculative fiction.

We’re covering:

• 🧙‍♂️ Fantasy Books

• 🚀 Science Fiction Books

• 📖 Other Genre Books (Horror, Thriller, Weird, and more)

• 📺 SFFH TV Shows

• 🎥 SFFH Movies

These aren’t just the biggest releases of 2025—these are the stories that hit us the hardest, surprised us the most, and stuck with us long after the final page or credits rolled.

Expect:

• Ranked lists

• Strong opinions

• A little disagreement

• And plenty of great recommendations for your TBR and watchlist

Let us know in the comments:

👉 What were YOUR top books, shows, and movies of 2025?

👉 Which of our picks do you agree with—or strongly disagree with?

If you enjoy fantasy, science fiction, horror, and thoughtful (but fun) nerdy discussion, make 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—your support helps keep Fantasy for the Ages going strong: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges

#FantasyForTheAges #BestOf2025 #FantasyBooks #ScienceFiction #HorrorBooks #Booktube #SFF #GeekCulture #Top5Lists

Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?

The Angel of Indian Lake: https://t.ly/g2ug_

Artemis: https://t.ly/gw8Ao

Assassin’s Fate: https://t.ly/x8x9j

The Black Crown: https://t.ly/7ycD6

Black Talon: https://t.ly/NXcJM

The Burning White: https://t.ly/d4WGm

Dancer’s Lament: https://t.ly/YEbhY

The Dark Forest: https://t.ly/o4s06

Don’t Fear the Reaper: https://t.ly/SgBC0

Ex-Heroes: https://t.ly/UWz6h

Family Business: https://t.ly/3N5Fg

Galaphile: https://t.ly/MQpWC

The Girl With All the Gifts: https://t.ly/bb_AD

The Grace of Kings: https://t.ly/huoPV

To Green Angel Tower: https://t.ly/ghUwe

The Haunting of Hill House: https://t.ly/bCYwP

I Was a Teenage Slasher: https://t.ly/noNaS

The Last Graduate: https://t.ly/WQ0f0

My Heart is a Chainsaw: https://t.ly/UcfEi

The Name of the Wind: https://t.ly/ndJbg

Network Effect: https://t.ly/ZtKpr

Nevernight: https://t.ly/nMbS0

Project Hail Mary: https://t.ly/WWjb-

Rogue Protocol: https://t.ly/DELGL

The Running Man: https://t.ly/0ymdL

The Silent Patient: https://t.ly/auGct

The Strength of the Few: https://t.ly/4pyvs

System Collapse: https://t.ly/HyR-q

This Inevitable Ruin: https://t.ly/_Z_qZ

Wool: https://t.ly/-qJ9k

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

2:00 - Episode Explanation

3:10 - Top 5 Fantasy Books of 2025

12:59 - Top 5 Sci-Fi Books of 2025

22:31 - Top 5 Other Genre Books of 2025

31:38- Top 5 SFFH TV Shows of 2025

43:49 - Top 5 SFFH Movies of 2025

55:38 - Conclusion & Wrap-up

————————————————————————————

Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:

https://elements.envato.com/

BookTube and BookTok hype is everywhere—but does it actually deliver?

Some books explode across BookTube and BookTok and become completely unavoidable. Everyone’s talking about them. Everyone’s recommending them. And everyone assumes they must be incredible.

But experience says… that’s a coin toss.

In this episode, Jim breaks down the Top 10 “BookTube & BookTok Famous” SFF novels he actually liked, ranked from a much larger Top 100 list based on how dominant these books were across online book communities—not just how “good” they’re supposed to be.

You’ll hear:

📚 Which massively hyped fantasy and sci-fi novels truly lived up to expectations

🔥 Which popular titles missed the mark—and why

🧠 How hype, longevity, and algorithmic saturation shaped the ranking

😏 A few spicy takes on books Jim has no intention of reading

From epic fantasy and science fiction classics to modern BookTok juggernauts, this list proves that sometimes the hype is justified… and sometimes it absolutely isn’t.

👇 Join the discussion in the comments:

What book did you discover through BookTube or BookTok that you ended up loving?

And do you want to see the rest of Jim’s Top 100 list?

⸻

Fantasy for the Ages is where a father (and usually his son) talk fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and all things nerdy—from classic literature to modern fandom debates.

👍 Like the video

📺 Subscribe for more SFF content

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#FantasyForTheAges ##BookTube #BookTok #FantasyBooks #ScienceFictionBooks #SFF #BookRecommendations #FantasyReads #SciFiReads #SpeculativeFiction

#BookCommunity

Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?

The Atlas Six: https://t.ly/5CzOE

A Court of Thorns and Roses: https://t.ly/UB9A0

The Cruel Prince: https://t.ly/jPti4

Dune: https://t.ly/4_w_k

An Ember in the Ashes: https://t.ly/sqgfp

The Eye of the World: https://t.ly/V-eqm

Fourth Wing: https://t.ly/fYmJz

A Game of Thrones: https://t.ly/o7bq0

Gideon the Ninth: https://t.ly/Yssfk

The Hunger Games: https://t.ly/E4GSF

The Lies of Locke Lamora: https://t.ly/1UV3h

The Martian: https://t.ly/9Ty2E

Mistborn: The Final Empire: https://t.ly/ErX1K

The Name of the Wind: https://t.ly/ndJbg

The Poppy War: https://t.ly/d6CIF

Red Rising: https://t.ly/yIHdF

Scythe: https://t.ly/G7ici

Shadow and Bone: https://t.ly/hI9CG

The Stormlight Archive: https://t.ly/x2NkJ

Throne of Glass: https://t.ly/l7yhE

The Way of Kings: https://t.ly/WSI9C

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: @[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

1:17 - Episode Explanation

2:28 - Top 10 Booktube & Booktok Famous Sff I Actually Liked

10:12 - What About The Rest Of The Top 21?

12:31 - Conclusion & Wrap-up

————————————————————————————

Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:

https://elements.envato.com/

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 shot

If 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 #ZombieFiction

Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?

The Gospel of Z: https://t.ly/_Up1L

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

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0:00 - Opening

1:10 - Book Details

1:56 - Why Jim Read This

2:29 - Spoiler-Lite Summary

3:18 - Jim’s Take

4:17 - Four Reasons You Might Enjoy This Book

5:36 - Two Reasons You Might NOT Enjoy It

6:17 - Final Thoughts

7:01 - Closing & Wrap-Up

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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 #ReadingDebate

Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?

Discworld: https://t.ly/fURTi

The Dresden Files: https://t.ly/mZKXm

The Exorcist: https://t.ly/F7Eq2

The First Law: https://t.ly/cPurj

Malazan Book of the Fallen: https://t.ly/6JLnp

The Murderbot Diaries: https://t.ly/6YGiO

Pet Sematary: https://t.ly/O35B7

Project Hail Mary: https://t.ly/WWjb-

Red Rising: https://t.ly/33acx

The Wheel of Time: https://t.ly/vmGYt

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

1:29 - Episode Explanation

2:35 - When Character Voices Transform the Story

3:35 - Humor That Lands Better Out Loud

4:41 - Complex Worlds Made Clearer by Performance

6:50 - Horror That Hits Harder When Heard

7:50 - Sci-Fi Where Audio Unlocks the Story

8:43 - The Core Argument

9:12 - Conclusion & Wrap-up

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Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:

https://elements.envato.com/