Episode 57 - "To Narnia and Beyond" Preview!

May 21, 2026 by Karlissa Koop in Classic Novels & Authors, Sneak Peek

A peek inside To Narnia and Beyond!

What if fantasy stories hold spiritual insights that can be your pathway to a deeper faith? This brief, approachable guide invites readers into the major fantasy works of four writers of great fantasy: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, George MacDonald, and Madeleine L’Engle. They all share in the distinction of being outspoken about their Christian faith, as well as having written stories of fantasy that have endured and inspired generations.

Whether you are discovering these authors and their works for the first time or are a fan seeking fresh insight, To Narnia and Beyond presents spiritual themes, historical background, and scholarly analysis in an accessible manner.

Learn more about the book: https://www.book-bat.com/nonfiction

Episode 50 - To Narnia and Beyond

November 20, 2025 by Karlissa Koop in Classic Novels & Authors, Sneak Peek, Author Insights

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 48 - Rankings Part 2: Fantasy Novels

September 18, 2025 by Karlissa Koop in Book Review, Thoughts on Fantasy

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 43 – Interview with Fantasy Author H.M. Richardson

April 17, 2025 by Karlissa Koop in Author Insights

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

Episode 33 - 6 Things About Lilith

July 11, 2024 by Karlissa Koop in Classic Novels & Authors

Time to talk about George MacDonald, and his final novel, Lilith! Karlissa gives six reading tips for understanding what's going on under-the-surface in this philosophical, magical story.

Fernando Soto’s article “The Worm as Metaphor in Lilith” was published in 2006 in North Wind: A Journal of George MacDonald Studies, and can be found on the George MacDonald society website, at https://digitalcommons.snc.edu/northwind/

Episode 32 - The Great Divorce and The Divine Comedy

June 27, 2024 by Karlissa Koop in Classic Novels & Authors

What does CS Lewis’ novel The Great Divorce have in common with Dante’s Divine Comedy? Is The Great Divorce a fantasy book, or not quite? Jason and Karlissa have finished reading The Great Divorce, and discuss its themes, before Karlissa tells Jason about her experience reading The Divine Comedy (Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso).

Much of Karlissa’s understanding of The Divine Comedy comes from Jason M. Baxter’s guide, A Beginner’s Guide to Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Episode 31 - Perelandra and Star Wars

June 13, 2024 by Karlissa Koop in Thoughts on Fantasy, Classic Novels & Authors

Jason finished reading CS Lewis’ Perelandra! What did he think? Karlissa and Jason use this as a launch point for talking about hard and soft sci-fi, Star Wars, CS Lewis’ novels, and more!

Spoiler warning for Perelandra! This is the second book in CS Lewis’ Space Trilogy, between Out of the Silent Planet (book one) and That Hideous Strength (book three).

Books Referenced:

Perelandra (CS Lewis); Sonic the Hedgehog, Volume 10: Test Run! (IDW Comics); Paradise Lost (Milton); Shivering World (Kathy Tyers); Out of the Silent Planet (CS Lewis); That Hideous Strength (CS Lewis); The Divine Comedy (Dante); The Great Divorce (CS Lewis); Till We Have Faces (CS Lewis);

Notes:

Milton’s (Paradise Lost) first name is John. John Milton.

Perelandra was referenced in the Language of God podcast, “166. Molly Worthing – Science and the Journey to Faith.” Molly Worthing states, “For the most part, I don’t find Mere Christianity to be this very powerful apologetic intervention that I think many people think it is, and for me, The Space Trilogy is most absolutely his most powerful apologetic work.”

Alister McGrath has talked about the racism concerns in Lewis’ books on the CS Lewis Podcast.

Episode 28 - Pros and Cons of Christian Fantasy

May 10, 2024 by Karlissa Koop in Thoughts on Fantasy

What are the pros and cons of the recent state of Christian Fantasy? Jason and Karlissa consider the value of Christian-written fantasy, and areas where the ‘genre’ we call Christian Fantasy could grow by moving away from market trends.

Currently Reading: “Silverwing” graphic novel (Kenneth Oppel), “Sonic Volume 16: Misadventures” (Ian Flynn, Evan Stanley), “The Divine Comedy” (Dante, English translations), “A Beginner’s Guide to Dante’s Divine Comedy” (Jason M Baxter), “Perelandra” (CS Lewis).

Correction: “The Divine Comedy” was written about 700 years ago (not 600)!

Episode 27 - Allegory

April 25, 2024 by Karlissa Koop in Thoughts on Fantasy

What is allegory? The word “allegory” often gets brought up in discussions about Christian fantasy - but what do people really mean when they use that word?

Karlissa is currently reading: “The Divine Comedy” (Dante, various translations); “A Beginner’s Guide to Dante’s Divine Comedy” (Jason M Baxter).

Episode 25 - Fear of Death

March 27, 2024 by Karlissa Koop in Thoughts on Fantasy

Lord of the Rings; Harry Potter; The Dragon Prince; Puss in Boots: The Last Wish – what do all have in common with a verse from the book of Hebrews?

Spoiler Warning for “The Dragon Prince” show from Wonderstorm! (Also, be aware that this series contains abundant LGBTQ+ content and some dark themes.)

Currently Reading: “The Woodcutter” by Lorn Wolf; “J. R. R. Tolkien: The Mind Behind the Rings” by Mark Horne.