Pages

If Fictional Worlds Had Yelp Reviews

 (Because even magical kingdoms can’t escape bad customer service.)

 


1. MORDOR — 

“Too many stairs. Too much lava. Zero handrails. Customer service nonexistent — had to walk myself the whole way to the volcano. Also, giant flaming eyeball won’t stop watching me while I sleep. Would not recommend unless you enjoy despair and mild heat stroke.”
Frodo B.

Pros: Great views, excellent for cardio.
Cons: One does not simply… enjoy Mordor.


2. HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY — 

“Food is amazing, ghosts are friendly, but safety protocols are nonexistent. Nearly got eaten by a three-headed dog in week one. Also, 50% chance your professor is evil in disguise.”
Hermione G.

Pros: Free housing, teleporting staircases, magic everywhere.
Cons: Basilisks, trolls, homicidal textbooks, unpaid house-elves.

Owner Response:

“We take student safety seriously. All future Dark Lords will be dealt with after final exams.” — Headmaster M.D.


3. WESTEROS — 

“Weather is nice until the zombies show up. Zero job security for nobles. Weddings are traumatizing.
Sansa S.

Pros: Gorgeous castles, dragons, ale.
Cons: Betrayal, plague, child kings.

Update: Dropped from  to  after another invasion and surprise beheading.


4. NARNIA — 

“Came through a wardrobe expecting adventure. Got frostbite and roped into a war with a talking lion. Also, time dilation is insane — missed 12 years of Netflix.”
Lucy P.

Pros: Friendly beavers, great fur coat fashion.
Cons: Evil snow witch, limited Wi-Fi, occasional spontaneous prophecy.


5. GOTHAM CITY — 

“Loud at night. Constant explosions. Billionaire vigilante keeps denting my car chasing clowns. Rent is too high for a city that’s always on fire.”
Anonymous Commuter

Pros: None.
Cons: Literally everything.

Owner Response:

“Justice has no curfew.” — B. Wayne


6. RIVENDELL — 

“Peaceful, beautiful, everyone sings for no reason. I came for one night, stayed for 200 years. Elrond’s hair game? Flawless.”
Aragorn S.

Pros: Excellent ambiance, eternal youth.
Cons: Hard to leave. Like, literally impossible.


7. THE DEATH STAR — 

“Got a great deal on a timeshare, but the place exploded before checkout. Also, terrible air circulation. Long hallways with no exits. Staff mostly clones.”
Wedge A.

Pros: Big open concept design, perfect for dramatic entrances.
Cons: One thermal exhaust port ruins everything.


8. NEVERLAND — 

“No taxes, no bedtime — great for kids! But pirates constantly shoot at you, and the mosquitoes are the size of small birds.”
Wendy D.

Pros: Flying! Eternal youth! Mermaid lagoons!
Cons: Creepy immortal boy won’t stop following you around.


9. FORKS, WASHINGTON — 

“Rains constantly. Locals sparkle in sunlight for some reason. The high school cafeteria is 80% awkward staring.”
Bella S.

Pros: Romantic vampires.
Cons: Romantic vampires.


10. MIDDLE-EARTH AIRLINES — 

“No flights available. Apparently we have to walk to Mordor. Again.”
Every Hobbit Ever


11. RACCOON CITY — Zero 

“Checked in for a work trip. Everyone’s dead. Still got charged a cleaning fee.”
Jill V.

Pros: None.
Cons: Zombies, evil megacorp, everything’s flammable.


12. THE SHIRE — 

“Charming cottages, second breakfasts, zero drama. Only downside is occasional wizard dropping by to ruin everything.”
Sam G.

Pros: Food, beer, fireworks, naps.
Cons: Adventure recruiters.


13. THE UNDERWORLD (GREEK EDITION) — 

“Beautiful rivers, great ambiance, but the ferry system is terrible. No return policy. Staff are… skeletal.”
Orpheus O.

Pros: Dramatic lighting, moody atmosphere.
Cons: Customer service literally ghosted me.


14. DISNEYLAND — 

“Honestly, this feels like every fictional world mashed together. Expensive but magical. I saw a duck wearing pants and no one questioned it.”
Mickey M.

Pros: Churros. Music. Talking animals.
Cons: $12 water bottles.

 

The Most Popular Nerd Culture YouTube Channels

Not sure what to watch on YouTube?

We've got some suggestions for you... 


1. Nerdist

Focus: Movies, TV, comics, sci-fi, and pop culture analysis.
Why it’s great: Offers fun, fast-paced commentary on blockbuster franchises, Easter eggs, and geek trends.
Ideal for: Nerds who want smart yet entertaining breakdowns of mainstream media.


2. Vsauce

Focus: Science, philosophy, and thought experiments.
Why it’s great: Appeals to the intellectual side of nerds with fascinating “what if” questions and explorations of science behind fiction.
Ideal for: Nerds who love learning and big ideas as much as lightsabers and dragons.


3. Top10Nerd

Focus: Comic book lore, superhero rankings, and deep cuts from Marvel and DC.
Why it’s great: Fast-paced list videos that cover origins, alternate realities, and hidden storylines.
Ideal for: Comic fans who enjoy quick, informative content.


4. Black Girl Nerds

Focus: Geek culture through an inclusive, diverse lens.
Why it’s great: Brings fresh perspectives and representation to fandom commentary, reviews, and discussions.
Ideal for: Viewers who want a mix of nerd culture and cultural insight.


5. Geek & Sundry

Focus: Tabletop gaming, board games, and RPGs.
Why it’s great: Helped launch the modern tabletop movement with shows like TableTop and Critical Role.
Ideal for: Fans of Dungeons & Dragons, board games, and creative storytelling.


6. The Critical Drinker

Focus: Film reviews and cultural commentary.
Why it’s great: Sharp humor, British wit, and brutally honest takes on Hollywood trends.
Ideal for: Movie nerds who like their critiques with a dose of sarcasm.


7. RedLetterMedia

Focus: Film analysis, reviews, and comedic commentary.
Why it’s great: Known for the Plinkett Reviews and satirical deep dives into beloved (and hated) movies.
Ideal for: Cinephiles and sci-fi fans with a dark sense of humor.


8. Game Theory / Film Theory

Focus: Pop culture analysis through logic, science, and storytelling.
Why it’s great: Breaks down everything from Mario to Marvel with surprising depth and nerdy energy.
Ideal for: Fans who love dissecting games, movies, and story tropes.


9. New Rockstars

Focus: Movies, TV shows, and Easter egg hunts.
Why it’s great: Every Marvel and Star Wars release gets detailed frame-by-frame breakdowns.
Ideal for: Pop-culture detectives who love spotting hidden details.


10. Screen Junkies

Focus: Movie commentary and satire.
Why it’s great: Famous for Honest Trailers, which roast popular films while showing deep love for them.
Ideal for: Nerds who like humor with their criticism.


11. Man at Arms: Reforged

Focus: Real-life blacksmiths recreating weapons from movies, anime, and video games.
Why it’s great: Turns fantasy weapons into working steel masterpieces.
Ideal for: Fans of fantasy, craftsmanship, and historical weaponry.


12. The Cosplay Channel / Kamui Cosplay

Focus: Tutorials and inspiration for costume design.
Why it’s great: Teaches armor-building, prop-making, and painting techniques used by professional cosplayers.
Ideal for: Aspiring creators and cosplay enthusiasts.


13. Corridor Crew

Focus: VFX breakdowns and film-making experiments.
Why it’s great: Explains movie magic and digital effects with humor and geeky enthusiasm.
Ideal for: Tech-minded nerds fascinated by how movies are made.


14. Tested (Adam Savage’s Channel)

Focus: Making, crafting, and prop-building.
Why it’s great: Adam Savage (of MythBusters) shares builds, experiments, and convention projects.
Ideal for: Makers, builders, and Star Wars prop enthusiasts.


15. Angry Video Game Nerd (Cinemassacre)

Focus: Retro gaming reviews and comedy.
Why it’s great: Hilarious, nostalgic rants about classic (and terrible) video games.
Ideal for: Gamers who grew up on NES and love vintage game culture.


16. Scott the Woz

Focus: Video game history, humor, and commentary.
Why it’s great: Fast-paced comedy meets genuine love for gaming culture.
Ideal for: Younger audiences and retro gaming fans alike.


17. WatchMojo

Focus: Pop culture list videos.
Why it’s great: Covers everything from superheroes to sci-fi franchises, anime, and beyond.
Ideal for: Casual nerds who love quick lists and countdowns.


18. PBS Space Time

Focus: Astrophysics, cosmology, and theoretical science.
Why it’s great: Deep, mind-bending explanations of space and time — perfect for science-loving nerds.
Ideal for: Fans of sci-fi who like their science accurate.


19. Markiplier

Focus: Gaming and comedy.
Why it’s great: Charismatic playthroughs, emotional storytelling, and community-driven energy.
Ideal for: Gamers and Let’s Play fans who love personality-driven content.


20. Linus Tech Tips

Focus: Technology, PC builds, and hardware.
Why it’s great: Makes tech accessible and entertaining for both experts and beginners.
Ideal for: Tech nerds who like tinkering, upgrading, or just watching PCs explode in RGB glory.

 


 

And a few honourable mentions:

Charles Moffat, the Fantasy Author

https://www.youtube.com/@CharlesMoffatAuthor

Viva La Dirt League (Nerdy Sketch Comedy)

https://www.youtube.com/@VivaLaDirtLeague 

 

 

 

YouTube Channels That Review Fantasy Books


Charles Moffat Author
Charles Moffat is a Canadian fantasy author and artist who shares insights into his own works and reviews a variety of fantasy novels by his colleagues. His content includes discussions on epic fantasy, sword & sorcery, and dark fantasy genres. He also provides updates on his own book series, such as The Adventures of Wrathgar.

Matt's Fantasy Book Reviews
Matt offers non-spoiler reviews of fantasy and science fiction books, providing immediate reactions upon finishing each book. His straightforward approach helps viewers decide if a book aligns with their tastes.

Fun Fantasy Books
This channel assists viewers in finding their next fantasy 5-star read, often utilizing spreadsheets and data to provide book recommendations. The host's enthusiasm for fantasy literature is evident in each video.

Mike's Book Reviews
Mike reviews a wide range of books, including fantasy, horror, and science fiction. His reviews are detailed and cater to readers seeking in-depth analyses of various genres.

Elliot Brooks
Elliot provides thoughtful reviews and discussions on fantasy books, often focusing on character development and world-building. Her channel is a great resource for readers interested in comprehensive book analyses.

Bethany Atazadeh - YA Fantasy Author
Bethany Atazadeh is a YA fantasy author who shares her thoughts on fantasy literature, writing tips, and book recommendations. Her channel is particularly useful for those interested in young adult fantasy genres.

Daniel Greene
Daniel Greene is a well-known figure in the fantasy book community, offering reviews, author deep dives, and discussions on fantasy and science fiction literature. His engaging content appeals to a wide audience of fantasy enthusiasts.

Merphy Napier
Merphy Napier provides thoughtful reviews and analyses of fantasy and science fiction books, often delving into themes and character arcs. Her channel is a valuable resource for readers seeking in-depth discussions.

Mike's Book Reviews
Mike reviews a wide range of books, including fantasy, horror, and science fiction. His reviews are detailed and cater to readers seeking in-depth analyses of various genres.

Discover ArcaneTomes.org: Your Gateway to Indie Fantasy Worlds











 

If you're a fan of fantasy literature and enjoy exploring works from independent authors, ArcaneTomes.org is a treasure trove waiting for you. This online fantasy bookstore is dedicated exclusively to showcasing books by indie fantasy authors, offering readers a diverse range of stories across various subgenres.


What Is ArcaneTomes.org?

ArcaneTomes.org is an online platform that connects readers with indie fantasy authors. Unlike traditional bookstores, it doesn't sell books directly. Instead, it provides a curated collection of indie fantasy works, linking to external platforms where readers can purchase or download the books. This approach allows indie authors to reach a broader audience without the constraints of mainstream publishing.


A Hub for Indie Fantasy Authors

The platform is sponsored by Peasant Magazine, a non-profit literary magazine that features fantasy and historical fiction short stories. Peasant Magazine aims to connect readers with authors who write in pre-1750 settings, focusing on original works that are family-friendly and polished before submission.

Indie authors can join ArcaneTomes.org for free by submitting their books or magazines. The only requirement is that they must have at least one published work. This initiative offers authors a platform to promote their books without any financial cost, fostering a community of storytellers and readers passionate about indie fantasy literature.


Explore a Diverse Collection

ArcaneTomes.org features a wide array of indie fantasy books, including:

  • "The Dark Side of Reverence" by F. M. Hepton: A tale of rebellion and dark forces in the realm of Valoria.

  • "Kameryu Dreamer" by Matt Mememaro: A spicy romantic fantasy filled with tension and dark, steamy action.

  • "Where Memories Lie" by Irene Lee: A story of memory magic and a magical conspiracy within the FBI.

These are just a few examples of the rich and varied stories available on the site. Whether you're into epic sagas, romantic fantasy, or historical fiction, ArcaneTomes.org has something to offer.


Join the Community

If you're an indie fantasy author looking to share your work, ArcaneTomes.org welcomes submissions. Simply email your book details, including purchase/download links, cover images, descriptions, and author biographies, to peasantmagazine@gmail.com

How to brandish a quarterstaff like a Kung Fu Master

Note to Self:

This looks like fun. Must learn how to do this.