Emily Elizabeth Louie, American University

Christopher Paolini’s ‘The Inheritance Cycle,’ a series about dragons, magic and distant lands, uses detailed storytelling and worldbuilding to keep its following engaged two decades later.

Jordan Oulela, University of Texas at San Antonio

Tolkien left an abundance of source material to work from, but speculators wonder if the new series will stay true to his original vision.

Janey Schmidt, Columbia College Chicago

Amazon’s return to Middle-earth leaves something to be desired for hardcore Tolkien fans.

Illusion Ventura, Whittier College

While very little information has been released about the beloved series’s upcoming film, we do know that it will be featuring a refreshing anime art style.

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

Amazon Prime Video’s new show aims to fill the large gap left by the conclusion of ‘Game of Thrones.’

Jenna Amore, Oakland University

As November marks the beginning of National Novel Writing Month and creators everywhere are embarking on their imaginative journies, many are sinking into overdone writing pitfalls.

Sonia Noorbakhsh, UC Berkeley

Regardless of genre, the TV show is filled with humor, drama and philosophical questions that can draw in anybody.

Ian Linn, Oberlin College

Frank Herbert’s seminal novel has influenced countless science fiction writers, even though it has remained a relatively niche series.

Zach Spangler, University of Michigan

Prime Video hopes to incorporate elements of HBO’s hit ‘Game of Thrones,’ such as sex and violence, into its LOTR prequel series, but risks doing a disservice to its source material in the process.

Elliot Jackson-Ontkush, Skidmore College

The rich environmental imagery featured in ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ make them the perfect novels to read outside.

Joseph Gorzka III, University of Virginia

The art of constructing a language adds an extra dimension to world-building and allows deeper immersion into books, films and games.

Marie Christensen, George Fox University

In a time when so many seem embroiled in pessimism, there’s something out there that speaks to hope.

Rocco Romano, University of Iowa

With exciting world-building and a unique commentary on social issues, ‘Carnival Row’ is another solid effort by Amazon Prime.

Rocco Romano, University of Iowa

Classical music isn’t dead, it’s just evolved into something greater.

Daniel Reed

Looking for a fantasy fix? Check out these works from a variety of different media to get a break from the day-to-day.

Rocco Romano, University of Iowa

We might be approaching a golden age of TV sci-fi and fantasy.

Carli Moses, Union University

English majors needing validation, you’ve come to the right place.

Sierra Zareck, Haverford College

Rife with magic, nuance and creativity, fantasy gets to completely reimagine what’s possible.

Ryan Secard, College of Wooster

If Amazon is smart, they’ll read this article and avoid producing another ‘Hobbit’-like disaster.

Liam Ainslie Mayo, Bard College

The worlds of Middle-earth and same-day shipping have finally collided.

Devon Hodge, Western Washington University

A look at some of the most addicting, immersive and captivating standalone novels and series to dive into over summer break.