Has Modern Fantasy LOST Its Sense of Wonder?

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!⸻👍 If you enjoy thoughtful fantasy discussions like this, be sure to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell!💬 Join the conversation:Do you think modern fantasy still has wonder? Or do you miss the magic of older stories?💙 Support the channel on Patreon for exclusive perks and shoutouts!: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#FantasyForTheAges #FantasyDiscussion #ModernFantasy #EpicFantasy #BookTube #SFF #FantasyBooksConnect 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/naL2IBroken Earth: https://t.ly/PPa-7The Chronicles of Narnia: https://t.ly/AbE34The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant: https://t.ly/gMP0oCity of Ember: https://t.ly/bERg9Codex Alera: https://t.ly/mlNwYThe Dark Tower Series: https://t.ly/0yCfxThe Demon Cycle: https://t.ly/lYWmsThe Expanse: https://t.ly/20-9QThe Farseer Trilogy: https://t.ly/9BIPBFirst Law: https://t.ly/XpiiKThe Gentleman Bastard Series: https://t.ly/hKrshHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: https://t.ly/V4NuvLiveship Traders Trilogy: https://t.ly/aaq2PThe Lord of the Rings: https://t.ly/1eEP9The Magician’s Trilogy: https://t.ly/AjMs1Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Trilogy: https://t.ly/zw91mMortal Engines: https://t.ly/I1f_bThe Name of the Wind: https://t.ly/ndJbgPerdido Street Station: https://t.ly/BMosBThe Priory of the Orange Tree: https://t.ly/uBltDSpinning Silver: https://t.ly/SI3Q7The Stormlight Archive: https://t.ly/x2NkJUprooted: https://t.ly/08qm3War of the Flowers: https://t.ly/nw_0DThe Wheel of Time: https://t.ly/vmGYtThe Witcher: https://t.ly/gWbcyWays 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.socialFollow 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/fantasyfortheagesJim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening & Episode Explanation2:23 - Defining “Wonder”8:55 - Classic Fantasy vs Modern Fantasy18:15 - Does Modern Fantasy Still Create Wonder?27:02 - Has the Audience Changed?38:26 - Final Takes40:18 - Wrap-up & Conclusion————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/