Episode 51 - And So What We Have Learned

Does K-Pop Demon Hunters contain the best villain song ever? Is writing for a particular audience important? Why would Karlissa call Spy x Family an allegory? Jason and Karlissa reflect on what they’ve learned about writing this year and discuss stories they’ve been enjoying.

Note: the director of K-Pop Demon Hunters is Maggie Kang (along with Chris Appelhans)

To all our listeners: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and thank you for joining us for the third year of the Book-Bat podcast! Subscribe to the Book-Bat newsletter by visiting our website, book-bat.com, to get reminders of new episodes and updates on book releases!

Episode 50 - To Narnia and Beyond

Karlissa J’s latest book, To Narnia and Beyond, comes out next year! In this episode, she talks about the inspiration behind the book, her research process, and how she hopes readers will be inspired to pick up more classic works of fantasy!

To Narnia and Beyond explores the fantasy novels of George MacDonald, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Madeleine L’Engle.

More about To Narnia and Beyond: book-bat.com/nonfiction

Publisher’s website: siretona.com

Preordering and Release: To Narnia and Beyond will be released in 2026; stay tuned to hear when it becomes available for preorder!

Episode 49 - Rankings Part 3: Fantasy Animated Movies

In this three-part series, Jason and Karlissa J each give their top fives in fantasy: top 5 animated fantasy shows, top 5 fantasy novels, and top 5 animated fantasy movies!

It’s time for our top movie picks! Jason and Karlissa J each give their top 5 animated fantasy movies, reflect on when they first discovered these animated films, and explore what makes them stand out.

SPOILER ALERT: some of the dialogue runs into mild spoiler territory!

Do you agree with any of our picks? What are your favourite fantasy animated movies?

Episode 48 - Rankings Part 2: Fantasy Novels

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In this three-part series, Jason and Karlissa J each give their top fives in fantasy: top 5 animated fantasy shows, top 5 fantasy novels, and top 5 animated fantasy movies!

Here on the Book-Bat podcast, we talk about movies, shows, even video games - but of course, we also talk about books! In Part 2 of our Rankings series, Jason and Karlissa J each list five fantasy novels that stand out as exceptionally well-written and memorable.

Towards the end of the episode, Jason shifts the topic into exploring Karlissa’s book preferences and how she writes her stories.

Jason’s review for his favourite book!

What are your top five fantasy novels of all time? Do you agree with some of the picks on our lists? Let us know in the comments!

Episode 47 - Rankings Part 1: Animated Fantasy Shows

Here on the Book-Bat podcast, we regularly drop references to our favourite media and stories. Now, in this three-part series, Jason and Karlissa J each give their top fives in fantasy: top 5 animated fantasy shows, top 5 fantasy novels, and top 5 animated fantasy movies!

In Part 1, Jason and Karlissa J discuss the animated fantasy shows they love and what makes these shows stand out!

Episode 46 - The Dragon Prince Revisited

After all our early hyping of the animated show The Dragon Prince, we ceased to talk about it as its final seasons released. Let’s just say our thoughts have changed. We review the show, discussing the good and the bad, and comparing it to the show it was designed to resemble, Avatar: the Last Airbender.

SPOILER ALERT: this episode contains spoilers for the ending of both The Dragon Prince and Avatar: the Last Airbender. We begin the episode with a bit of spoiler-free territory, describing the show, it’s creation, and plot points covered in the first few episodes. Then, we discuss any potential content concerns for Christian viewers (6:33-10:10), and finally transition into our spoiler-heavy review (10:45+).

Episode 45 - War of the Rohirrim Review

Last year, a Lord of the Rings movie was released that garnered little attention. We give our review of The War of the Rohirrim, along with thoughts on Tolkien-esque storytelling, Japanese perspective, spiritual themes in Tolkien’s books, and what people expect from tales about Middle Earth.

SPOILER ALERT: we give notice when we are about to discuss an event that happens later in the movie (starting 18:15), though we never give away the ending.

Note: Production companies included New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Animation, WingNut Films, Sola Entertainment, Domain Entertainment (II).

Join the Conversation!

Have you seen The War of the Rohirrim? What did you think of it?

Episode 44 - Reflections on Lilo & Stitch

With the release of Disney’s live-action remake on the horizon, Jason and Karlissa discuss what made 2002’s Lilo & Stitch among Disney’s best animated movies, diving into fun trivia about the art, voice acting, and storytelling.

This episode contains SPOILERS for the 2002 Lilo & Stitch!

Join the Conversation!

Are you more optimistic about the upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch? Will you be watching it in theatres? Let us know in the comments!

Episode 43 – Interview with Fantasy Author H.M. Richardson

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Karlissa J is joined by Heidi Richardson, Canadian author of the Tower of the Deep series, to discuss what inspired her to write, why she chose to write fantasy, and some strategies she used in creating her fantasy world.

 

Synopsis for book one, The Prisoner and the Traitor:

Hennelyn is only fourteen, born into a fierce, warlike race – the Starkhons. Her father, General Tai Kanow, has orders to conquer and enslave the remaining indigenous people who are still living free on the prairie toes of a beautiful mountain range west of the established Starkhon territories. These small people who were first in this land call themselves Bunjis.

But Hennelyn is also the daughter of a woman from Luina, whose people are peaceful and kind. After being put in charge of her father’s first captured Bunji in their prairie outpost, Hennelyn finds herself drawn to the young man. She feels a need to act – but which legacy should she choose, her father’s or her mother’s?

The bunji’s life is in her hands. She must decide what to do… even if her chosen path costs her everything.

 

Visit Heidi’s Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.ca/stores/Heidi-Richardson/author/B09QLW84NS?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true