Fantasy for the Ages

Not every book is meant to be reread—and today, Jim’s flying solo to talk about the other side of the bookshelf. These are the SFF books, trilogies, and series he finished once… and will never go back to. Whether they fizzled out, dragged on, or just left him scratching his head, these eight selections are ones that didn’t earn a second chance. This episode follows up on Jim’s recent countdown of...

We’re humbled and thrilled to have hit 4,000 subscribers on YouTube, just a couple months after hitting 3,000! Glad to have you all with us, enjoying our content. In celebration, we invited eight guests — authors, content creators, supporters of the show — and we spent 90 minutes in glorious goofiness related to SFFH nerdiness! Enjoy the fun we had, and if you have the ability, watch the live chat...

Some books are so good, they don’t just stick with you—they call you back. Even with more than 1,700 books waiting on my TBR, these are the SFFH novels and series I’d gladly reread anytime, anywhere. In this episode, I’m sharing my Top 10 Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror books I would read again in a heartbeat, along with a couple of honorable mentions. From epic fantasy and classic horror to space ope...

Some of the greatest fantasy and science fiction series ever written… completely blew the landing. In this episode, Jim takes a hard look at sci-fi and fantasy series that started strong, won our hearts, and then left us scratching our heads (or yelling at the pages) with finales that just didn’t measure up. From legendary epics to cult favorites, these are the endings fans still debate—and in man...

Zach’s been on a reading spree! In this episode, Jim introduces the last 10 fantasy and science fiction reads Zach has enjoyed — with spoiler-lite synopses — while Zach reacts, sets the record straight, and shares three reasons why you might want to pick each up. From grimdark battles to magical schools, from strange new worlds to unforgettable characters, this catch-up episode covers a wide range...

Think you already know everything after The Girl With All the Gifts? Think again. In this solo review, Jim explores The Boy on the Bridge by M.R. Carey—a novel that both expands and deepens the haunting world of the first book. With shocking reveals, unforgettable characters, and a powerful ending, this isn’t just a prequel… it’s a story that changes everything. Jim shares why this book completely...

Some characters get all the love… but do they really deserve it? In this episode, Jim and Zach dive into the Most Overhyped Characters in Fantasy. From beloved heroes to so-called legends of the genre, we’re putting names on the table and asking the tough question: Are they really that good, or is the fandom just a little too obsessed? Don’t get us wrong — many of these characters are great! But t...

🚀✨ It’s the grand finale of our series on the Best Science Fiction Novels Overlooked by the Awards! ✨🚀 Across the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, Clarke, Campbell, and BSFA ballots of the 2010s, countless worthy books never received a nomination. In this episode, Jim dives into the two best sci-fi novels from each year, 2010 through 2019, that somehow slipped through the cracks. From brilliant debuts to...

The 2000s gave us some of the biggest names and boldest ideas in science fiction—space operas that redefined the genre, cyberpunk evolutions, and near-future thrillers that feel eerily relevant today. But here’s the twist: not every great book of the decade made it onto the Hugo, Nebula, or Locus ballots. In this episode, Jim continues the series by uncovering the real gems of the 2000s—one Best a...

✨ The 1990s were packed with groundbreaking science fiction—cyberpunk matured, space opera returned in force, and near-future thrillers exploded. The Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards recognized plenty of classics…but they didn’t catch everything. In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim takes you year by year through the 1990s to spotlight the top two sci-fi novels from each year that were comp...

✨ Think the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards caught all the best science fiction of the 1980s? Think again. In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim digs deep into the decade that gave us cyberpunk, space opera epics, and dystopian thrillers—spotlighting the amazing books that somehow slipped through the awards radar. From forgotten alien invasions to near-future technothrillers, post-apocalypt...

Some of the best science fiction of the 1970s never even made it onto an awards ballot. No Hugos. No Nebulas. No Locus trophies, Clarke medals, or BSFA plaques. But these are books that sold strongly, earned lasting fan love, and still hold up with terrific ratings and critical praise. In this episode, Jim digs into the hidden gems of each year in the decade—from 1970 through 1979—spotlighting two...

The 1960s gave us some of the most legendary science fiction ever written… but many incredible novels were completely ignored by the Hugos, the Nebulas, and every other major award. In this episode, Jim dives deep into the data — sales numbers, Goodreads/StoryGraph/Amazon ratings, and critical reviews — to uncover 20 sci-fi gems from the 1960s that were beloved by fans and critics alike, yet recei...

Step into the mind of a killer—if you dare. In this solo review, Jim explores The Least of My Scars by Stephen Graham Jones, a psychological horror novel that locks you into the twisted thoughts of a serial killer. With its shocking opening scene, layers of manipulation, and an ending you’ll never see coming, this book is as unsettling as it is brilliant. Jim shares why this novel was such an incr...

What makes a zombie apocalypse novel stand out from the crowd? In this solo review, Jim explores The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey—a dystopian sci-fi horror story that’s as thoughtful as it is terrifying. From the unforgettable protagonist Melanie, to the shocking opening, to that mind-blowing conclusion, this book delivers everything you want in an intelligent page-turner. Jim shares why...

Step into the unsettling world of Stephen Graham Jones with Three Miles Past (2011), a chilling collection of three novellas: Interstate Love Affair, No Takebacks, and The Coming of Night. In this episode, Jim dives into each story with spoiler-lite synopses, then shares why this volume stands out as a delightfully creepy addition to Jones’ growing body of work. From serial killers on the open roa...

🎧 Ever been swept away by an audiobook so good you forget you’re doing chores, working out, or driving across town? In this episode, Jim shares the Top 15 Audiobook Series (plus an honorable mention!) that he’s loved binging—trilogies and longer series that combine incredible storytelling, immersive worlds, and unforgettable narration. From epic fantasy sagas to post-apocalyptic survival, grimdar...

What are the best self-published fantasy and science fiction novels of the last decade-plus? From The Martian and Wool to The Sword of Kaigen and Waybound, indie authors have proven they can go toe-to-toe with the biggest names in traditional publishing. In this episode, Jim walks through four standout indie releases from every year between 2011 and 2024—one of the most successful and one of the m...

Mira Grant’s Newsflesh Trilogy is one of the most brilliant zombie apocalypse series ever written… but what about Feedback (2016), the so-called “Book 4”? In this spoiler-lite review, Jim (flying solo for Fantasy for the Ages) dives into this parallel tale that runs alongside the events of Feed. Does Feedback add anything compelling to the Newsflesh universe, or does it stumble under the weight of...

Some opening lines stay with you forever. From the mysterious, the chilling, and the downright legendary, these first words transport us into other worlds and unforgettable stories. In this episode, Jim takes you on a journey through 30 of the best opening lines in fantasy, science fiction, and horror — moving from lesser-known gems to the most iconic of all time. But here’s the twist: Jim reads t...

Bauchelain and Korbal Broach are back—and things are as dark, grotesque, and hilarious as ever. In this episode, I review The Second Collected Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach by Steven Erikson, which bundles together three novellas: The Crack’d Pot Trail (2009), The Wurms of Blearmouth (2012), and The Fiends of Nightmaria (2016). Join me for a spoiler-lite look at each tale, plus my thoughts...

💔 Some characters die. Others take a piece of us with them. In this gut-punch of an episode, Jim and Zach dig deep into the most devastating deaths in fantasy fiction—the ones that made us cry, rage, or throw the book across the room. From noble sacrifices to unexpected gut-wrenchers, these are the moments that left permanent scars. 📚 Whether it’s classic epic fantasy, modern grimdark, or hidden...

Not all “classics” are created equal. Some science fiction novels are hailed as visionary, genius, and even essential by critics… while regular readers toss them across the room in frustration. In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim takes on 10 sci-fi novels since 1930 that critics adored but fans couldn’t stand. From psychedelic word salads to books that feel more like anthropology textbook...

Some fantasy novels win awards, earn glowing reviews, and get called “masterpieces” by critics… but when actual fans picked them up? They cried, “Boring!” “Pretentious!” and “I want my weekend back!” In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim counts down 10 fantasy novels since 1930 that critics adored but general readers couldn’t stand. From sprawling gothic castles to postmodern fever dreams,...

🗿 Only FOUR can be carved in stone. Who gets eternal glory… and who gets left in the rubble? In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim and Zach face one of the most impossible challenges in fantasy fandom—choosing the ultimate Mount Rushmore of Fantasy. We each make our author nominations and fiercely defend our picks. Expect: • Legendary names (Tolkien? Martin? Sanderson?) • Controversial snu...