Damien Lawardorn
@damienlawardorn.bsky.social
Writer, editor, and lover of stories in all their forms.
Pinned
Magical Literature: How Myths Build the World of Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Every fiction writer builds worlds. It’s most evident in speculative works of soaring castles, neon-drenched streets, or fantastical…
medium.com
Okay, last time pushing this essay on Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, written because I loved the book so damn much. #BookSky
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Reposted by Damien Lawardorn
man people really gripe about the state of journalism and then make a reddit post ripping your article topic/custom art for a discussion but don't actually link to your piece
February 3, 2026 at 3:41 PM
man people really gripe about the state of journalism and then make a reddit post ripping your article topic/custom art for a discussion but don't actually link to your piece
Once again, "woke" is a meaningless signifier to people who use it unironically. To them, it means whatever grievance they're choosing to express against vague 'leftism'.
Look I know there's a lot going on right now.....but what in the fresh hell is this
February 1, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Once again, "woke" is a meaningless signifier to people who use it unironically. To them, it means whatever grievance they're choosing to express against vague 'leftism'.
Reposted by Damien Lawardorn
Last share on my review of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Not just a great book in its own right, it's also been very influential on fantasy in the twenty years since its release. #booksky
Read the review here:
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Read the review here:
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Should You Read: Jonathon Strange & Mr Norrel by Susanna Clarke
There’s a strong case to be made that Strange & Norrell is one of the classics of the new millennium.
medium.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Last share on my review of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Not just a great book in its own right, it's also been very influential on fantasy in the twenty years since its release. #booksky
Read the review here:
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Read the review here:
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Decided to drop the one-sentence reviews this year to instead do monthly reflections on the things I've read/watched/played.
Here's the first, covering off January 2026. Media list in the first screenshot.
Here's the first, covering off January 2026. Media list in the first screenshot.
February 1, 2026 at 5:35 AM
Decided to drop the one-sentence reviews this year to instead do monthly reflections on the things I've read/watched/played.
Here's the first, covering off January 2026. Media list in the first screenshot.
Here's the first, covering off January 2026. Media list in the first screenshot.
Last share on my review of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Not just a great book in its own right, it's also been very influential on fantasy in the twenty years since its release. #booksky
Read the review here:
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Read the review here:
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Should You Read: Jonathon Strange & Mr Norrel by Susanna Clarke
There’s a strong case to be made that Strange & Norrell is one of the classics of the new millennium.
medium.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Last share on my review of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Not just a great book in its own right, it's also been very influential on fantasy in the twenty years since its release. #booksky
Read the review here:
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Read the review here:
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Interesting conversation about human curation vs algorithmic recommendation and ideas of how the difference between those things affects our taste.
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
How do recommendation algorithms affect our sense of taste? - ABC listen
There are few things more peculiar to a person than their preferences; why they favour one genre of music or one style of writing over another. And in our world of endless digital reproduction, we inc...
www.abc.net.au
January 31, 2026 at 1:46 AM
Interesting conversation about human curation vs algorithmic recommendation and ideas of how the difference between those things affects our taste.
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
Reposted by Damien Lawardorn
Game 5 of 2026 is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. It's okay, I guess? It is a classic; well designed and executed. And I can see that. I liked it enough to not feel frustrated at it, and enjoyed it enough all the way through. I guess I just didn't fall in love with it. medium.com/@lawksland/g...
Game 5 of 2026 is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Game 5 of 2026 is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
medium.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:31 AM
Game 5 of 2026 is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. It's okay, I guess? It is a classic; well designed and executed. And I can see that. I liked it enough to not feel frustrated at it, and enjoyed it enough all the way through. I guess I just didn't fall in love with it. medium.com/@lawksland/g...
I don’t comment much on the godawful politics of America and elsewhere lately, but the fury, sorrow, and... befuddlement, really, is coming through in my writing.
Not really surprising. Art imitates life, etc.
Not really surprising. Art imitates life, etc.
January 29, 2026 at 9:49 PM
I don’t comment much on the godawful politics of America and elsewhere lately, but the fury, sorrow, and... befuddlement, really, is coming through in my writing.
Not really surprising. Art imitates life, etc.
Not really surprising. Art imitates life, etc.
God damn!
I've never read a Tim Winton book before, but heard interviews and read some of his articles.
I feel like I'm in for a wonderful time here 💙📚
I feel like I'm in for a wonderful time here 💙📚
January 29, 2026 at 10:55 AM
God damn!
Reposted by Damien Lawardorn
I don't know how to solve this and it's not the fault of anyone who is starting a worker owned outlet but if I know anything about publishing (and I know a little) I know that we're saturating the market and not even creating the support infrastructure for longevity, e.g., something like ads
January 28, 2026 at 11:33 PM
I don't know how to solve this and it's not the fault of anyone who is starting a worker owned outlet but if I know anything about publishing (and I know a little) I know that we're saturating the market and not even creating the support infrastructure for longevity, e.g., something like ads
Reposted by Damien Lawardorn
ICYMI: My latest book review is of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, which I think makes a case for being one of the greatest fantasy works of the millennium so far
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Should You Read: Jonathon Strange & Mr Norrel by Susanna Clarke
There’s a strong case to be made that Strange & Norrell is one of the classics of the new millennium.
medium.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:48 PM
ICYMI: My latest book review is of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, which I think makes a case for being one of the greatest fantasy works of the millennium so far
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Reposted by Damien Lawardorn
We're launching a website.
Jank is an independent PC games website funded by readers.
jank.cool
If you like funny, thoughtful games journalism and can't stand adverts, deals posts, affiliate links, and other nonsense - Jank is for you.
Jank is an independent PC games website funded by readers.
jank.cool
If you like funny, thoughtful games journalism and can't stand adverts, deals posts, affiliate links, and other nonsense - Jank is for you.
January 27, 2026 at 12:50 PM
We're launching a website.
Jank is an independent PC games website funded by readers.
jank.cool
If you like funny, thoughtful games journalism and can't stand adverts, deals posts, affiliate links, and other nonsense - Jank is for you.
Jank is an independent PC games website funded by readers.
jank.cool
If you like funny, thoughtful games journalism and can't stand adverts, deals posts, affiliate links, and other nonsense - Jank is for you.
ICYMI: My latest book review is of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, which I think makes a case for being one of the greatest fantasy works of the millennium so far
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Should You Read: Jonathon Strange & Mr Norrel by Susanna Clarke
There’s a strong case to be made that Strange & Norrell is one of the classics of the new millennium.
medium.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:48 PM
ICYMI: My latest book review is of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, which I think makes a case for being one of the greatest fantasy works of the millennium so far
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Reposted by Damien Lawardorn
Game 4 of 2026 is Nioh 2. Nioh 2 is a more complex, more streamlined, more polished, better game than Nioh 1. It takes all the mechanics of the previous game, and then it adds more. There are So Many Buttons. If you're a loot goblin, you'll love the endgame grind. medium.com/@lawksland/g...
Game 4 of 2026 is Nioh 2
Game 4 of 2026 is Nioh 2
medium.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Game 4 of 2026 is Nioh 2. Nioh 2 is a more complex, more streamlined, more polished, better game than Nioh 1. It takes all the mechanics of the previous game, and then it adds more. There are So Many Buttons. If you're a loot goblin, you'll love the endgame grind. medium.com/@lawksland/g...
Reposted by Damien Lawardorn
I will take any opportunity to post this random 4chan post that absolutely wrecks Harry Potter's shit in three paragraphs
January 26, 2026 at 9:39 PM
I will take any opportunity to post this random 4chan post that absolutely wrecks Harry Potter's shit in three paragraphs
Reposted by Damien Lawardorn
I've written about Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell again for this week's review. No surprise on my conclusion, I think 💙📚
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Should You Read: Jonathon Strange & Mr Norrel by Susanna Clarke
There’s a strong case to be made that Strange & Norrell is one of the classics of the new millennium.
medium.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:08 AM
I've written about Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell again for this week's review. No surprise on my conclusion, I think 💙📚
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
I've written about Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell again for this week's review. No surprise on my conclusion, I think 💙📚
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Should You Read: Jonathon Strange & Mr Norrel by Susanna Clarke
There’s a strong case to be made that Strange & Norrell is one of the classics of the new millennium.
medium.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:08 AM
I've written about Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell again for this week's review. No surprise on my conclusion, I think 💙📚
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Hottest 100 day!
I've listened to a lot more podcasts than music this year, so I'm not as attached to my horses. Mostly just hoping the countdown isn't as awash in American mid as last year
I've listened to a lot more podcasts than music this year, so I'm not as attached to my horses. Mostly just hoping the countdown isn't as awash in American mid as last year
January 23, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Hottest 100 day!
I've listened to a lot more podcasts than music this year, so I'm not as attached to my horses. Mostly just hoping the countdown isn't as awash in American mid as last year
I've listened to a lot more podcasts than music this year, so I'm not as attached to my horses. Mostly just hoping the countdown isn't as awash in American mid as last year
This really digs at the conflict at the heart of wanting sequels and more of the same. LiS is a great lens for the discussion because of the choices.
Great article. You should read it.
Great article. You should read it.
A game doesn't need to be 'by and for fans'
aftermath.site/life-is-strang...
aftermath.site/life-is-strang...
January 22, 2026 at 7:53 PM
This really digs at the conflict at the heart of wanting sequels and more of the same. LiS is a great lens for the discussion because of the choices.
Great article. You should read it.
Great article. You should read it.
Reposted by Damien Lawardorn
If we want to get into it the ending they "deserve" was the end of the first game, every subsequent story (despite being good or not to varying degrees) has been supurflous. Also Life is Strange stopped being interesting with Exposure, to me at least, soley because it gave up and returned to Max
Life is Strange: Reunion announced, releasing on March 26th news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/0...
"By and for fans of the original, Life is Strange: Reunion finally brings Max and Chloe’s saga to a definitive close."
"By and for fans of the original, Life is Strange: Reunion finally brings Max and Chloe’s saga to a definitive close."
January 20, 2026 at 5:47 PM
If we want to get into it the ending they "deserve" was the end of the first game, every subsequent story (despite being good or not to varying degrees) has been supurflous. Also Life is Strange stopped being interesting with Exposure, to me at least, soley because it gave up and returned to Max
Reposted by Damien Lawardorn
This can't be real. It just can't be.
![NEW: @potus letter to @jonasgahrstore links @NobelPrize to Greenland, reiterates threats, and is forwarded by the NSC staff to multiple European ambassadors in Washington. I obtained the text from multiple officials:
Dear Ambassador:
President Trump has asked that the following message, shared with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, be forwarded to your [named head of government/state]
“Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also. I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hbpefio3f5csc44msmbgioxz/bafkreie7itpptx3xbxhpsnlaqmwk752h7pcrion5ija2apksljtax2adx4@jpeg)
January 19, 2026 at 9:53 AM
This can't be real. It just can't be.
Reposted by Damien Lawardorn
Last time pushing my review of No/Mad/Land. It's a book for people who like big ideas and want to believe it's possible for we ordinnary folk to make the world a better place. 📚💙
Read it here: medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Read it here: medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Should You Read: No/Mad/Land by Francesco Verso
No/Mad/Land is a solarpunk sequel with radically refreshing optimism.
medium.com
January 18, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Last time pushing my review of No/Mad/Land. It's a book for people who like big ideas and want to believe it's possible for we ordinnary folk to make the world a better place. 📚💙
Read it here: medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Read it here: medium.com/@lawardornd/...
Reposted by Damien Lawardorn
This is a good lesson, no matter how you come to learn it
January 18, 2026 at 3:11 PM
This is a good lesson, no matter how you come to learn it
Completely different scenario, but this made me think of La Quimera last year. The way Reburn bigged up the 4A Games connection, then when the reviews hit, turned around and put the game into Early Access after release... Shady.
Still not a patch on Team Kill Media's track record, though
Still not a patch on Team Kill Media's track record, though
The studio behind the recently released Code Violet has a pattern of deceit when it comes to their video game releases.
@nickjcal.bsky.social takes a deeper look in this week's episode of Unpacked.
Presented by @playtracker.bsky.social.
@nickjcal.bsky.social takes a deeper look in this week's episode of Unpacked.
Presented by @playtracker.bsky.social.
The Code Violet Developers Have a Pattern of Deceit | Unpacked
YouTube video by Second Wind
youtu.be
January 18, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Completely different scenario, but this made me think of La Quimera last year. The way Reburn bigged up the 4A Games connection, then when the reviews hit, turned around and put the game into Early Access after release... Shady.
Still not a patch on Team Kill Media's track record, though
Still not a patch on Team Kill Media's track record, though