The Castle Herald No. II - August 2026

Only Castles Playing

Liberty or Death: The American Insurrection (GMT Games, 2016): Started the month with a fairly abbreviated play of this COIN game (2 player War in the South scenario, but only two campaigns). The combat feels a bit more old school, which fits the lines of battle of the era. I still want to play a full game of this someday, but so far has been hard to table with a group.

Moon Colony Bloodbath (Rio Grande Games, 2025): Hilarious tableau builder that feels a little like "Murderbot: The Game." The thing that makes this game itch so good is the escalating event deck that whittles away at your population as things get added to it. Manage your resources well or you'll be left with only a zero value flag (like me).

Of Popes & Plagues (Hilary's Toy Box, 2025): An update of an older game that is pure "take that" but with a really unique up and down track that charts the course of pre-plague and post-plague. Great light game with a darkly funny theme.

Frosthaven (Cephalofair, 2022): We are about 25 scenarios into this behemoth and barely made it through the latest one. Oof! My character is on level 7 and no clue when they will retire at this point. Until then, I'll keep flinging shadows all over the place.

The British Way: Counterinsurgency at the End of Empire (GMT, 2023): Last month, I played the expansion with an opponent on Discord...now I'm playing the base game with a friend I talked into buying a copy through text. I love this modern day "chess by mail" way of playing games like this. It's just nice to be able to think about your turn and do it in between other things over a couple days.

Seaside (Littoral, 2024) and Azul Mini (Plan B, 2024): It's summer and we've been sitting on our patio a lot. These two games have proven great companions that you can set up and play without all your cards and pieces blowing away.

Daybreak (CMYK, 2023): I've played this game a number of times and I've been thinking of writing a longer post about it, but it's very good, very relevant, and a cool production.

The One Ring (Free League): This is my first real experience with an RPG and first time running one. It's a learning experience for me but I'm having fun with it for sure. Being able to live in Middle-Earth for a little while is a pleasure and Free League's production is stellar. I'll likely write a post about my experiences soon.

Vijayanagara (GMT Games, 2024): The subtitle lets you know what to expect: "The Deccan Empires of Medieval India, 1290-1398)." Yes, this is a historical game about an era of history that most people won't be aware of. It's also the first game in the Irregular Conflict Series (of which Cross Bronx Expressway was the third). Only one play of this so far but it's a fascinating use of the COIN system and I hope to return to it soon.

Only Castles Listening

Dinosaur Jr (Kemba Live! Columbus, Ohio, July 26, 2026): Finally saw Dinosaur Jr. Over the years, this has been a band I've wanted to see but realized I never had. When they opened/co-headlined a show with Band of Horses about 2 hours from me, I bought tickets without thinking. On a Sunday night no less! It was absolutely worth it. J blew me away, Murph is incredible, and seeing Lou Barlow banging away on the bass is quite a sight, especially since my main impression of Lou is from Sebadoh. Them playing the entirety of Where You Been was a nice bonus, but the little set after that was maybe the highlight. "Just Like Heaven" got a huge response (and even a mosh pit), but "Little Fury Things" ended their set in an epic fashion.

Only Castles Reading

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Island by Patrick Radden Keefe (William Collins, 2018): Finally read this and it's pretty remarkable. I would not claim to know everything about The Troubles after reading this, but the slice that it does narrate is alternately compelling, horrifying, poignant, disturbing, inspiring. See below for thoughts on the Hulu adaptation.

Neil Young: Reflections in Broken Glass by Sylvie Simmons (Third Man, 2026): A reissue of an older MOJO book, it's been expanded with some great raw interviews from various points over Neil's career. Simmons really presses him on some things that I felt were bold. I thought I knew most Neil stories, but there are quite a few anecdotes and quotes in this book that are new to me. Well worth reading!

The September Society by Charles Finch (Minotaur, 2008): I love detective stories like this and Finch makes these a pleasure to read. It's a world where the protagonists are very polite and devoted, but with their own funny quirks.

The Lion's Tusk by Robert Jackson Bennett (Amazon, 2026): Bennett is one of the most reliable writers around and his Ana and Din/Leviathan series is catnip for me (fantasy + detective stories?). He wrote this Ana-narrated story for an Amazon series and it's really fun to hear a whole story in her hilarious voice. Ana and Din #3 comes out in a couple days and I'm really looking forward to it!

Only Castles Watching

Silo (Apple TV): I love this show. Have never read the books, but might after the show is over. The vibe, the music, the mood, the cinematography, it all just works really for me.

Sugar (Apple TV): This is a cool show. It doesn't blow me away, exactly, but Colin Farrell is a fantastic actor in everything, and watching his kind, generous, occasionally violent noir detective zoom around LA thinking about movies is one of the more unique things on TV.

The Odyssey (2026): I found this much-hyped film to be incredible. I've always liked Nolan and it was interesting to see what he would do with something that sits in a mythological/fantasy type of world full of magic. He treats that aspect of it in an interesting "low magic" kind of way that I appreciate. What I really responded to was the messaging and theme of the movie. I like that he portrays this as a story of hubris, rather than a hero's journey. Absolutely worth seeing.

Say Nothing (Hulu): A tricky book to adapt, but they pulled it off, despite there being a distinctly different vibe. The show feels much more rock 'n' roll (especially the first half), but also excels at the somber moments. The leads playing the younger Price sisters are the highlights here, but the actors portraying the younger and older Brendan Hughes gave the show an unexpected heart. This is a case where the "book is better" simply because it's more fully fleshed out and detailed, but the show stands on its own as a worthy adaptation.