Fantasy doesn’t have to be horror to be terrifying.

Some fantasy worlds creep under your skin not with jump scares, but with oppressive atmospheres, broken systems, ancient evils, and places that feel fundamentally wrong. In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim counts down the Top 20 Creepiest Fantasy Settings — worlds that are horrifying in tone and implication, even though they aren’t technically classified as horror.

From decaying castles and poisoned landscapes to bureaucratized nightmares and civilizations that have accepted apocalypse as normal, these settings linger in your imagination long after the story ends.

⚠️ No jump scares. No slasher vibes. Just deeply unsettling fantasy worlds.

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💬 Join the Conversation:

• Which fantasy setting creeps you out the most?

• Which one would you absolutely refuse to visit?

• Did I underrate or overrate any of these worlds?

Let me know in the comments — I love reading your takes.

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Want to purchase books mentioned in this episode?

Berserk: https://t.ly/k52jc

The Black Company: https://t.ly/Z8c82

The Blade Itself: https://t.ly/LSDn2

The Darkness That Comes Before: https://t.ly/aDLrI

The Dreaming City: https://t.ly/_bBM3

The Dying Earth: https://t.ly/Bb6bG

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

The Fifth Season: https://t.ly/FzjKp

Gardens of the Moon: https://t.ly/k7X6a

The Gunslinger: https://t.ly/U7LP2

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell: https://t.ly/8MoJB

The Last Wish (The Witcher): https://t.ly/mMT_o

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

Lord Foul’s Bane: https://t.ly/gMP0o

Nine Princes in Amber: https://t.ly/OyucN

The Pastel City: https://t.ly/TuKo-

Perdido Street Station: https://t.ly/BMosB

Prince of Thorns: https://t.ly/dEdM4

Ship of Magic: https://t.ly/aaq2P

Titus Groan: https://t.ly/Cux7C

Ways to connect with us:

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0:00 - Opening

1:40 - Episode Explanation

1:54 - Top 20 Creepiest Fantasy Settings

13:08 - Wrap-up & Conclusion

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