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Sworn Sword (The Hedge Knight) by George R. R. Martin
Hardcover
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May 16, 2025
Set in a post-war Westeros, still reeling from the Blackfyre Rebellion, Dunk has now become a sworn sword (essentially a salaried knight-retainer) in the service of a minor lord. What begins as a seemingly petty quarrel over water soon unravels into a tale of buried grudges and enduring traumas.
The novella’s great strength lies in its exploration of moral ambiguity. Martin’s world is rarely black and white—antagonists such as Rohanne Webber, the so-called "Red Widow", prove to be far more nuanced than they first appear. Dunk continues to evolve: naive, yes, but with a deeply ingrained sense of honour that renders him genuinely endearing.
There is a quiet political undertone to the piece—the legacy of civil strife, the fragility of alliances, the back-breaking existence of the peasantry. It is a more introspective story, but artfully constructed and immensely satisfying.
The novella’s great strength lies in its exploration of moral ambiguity. Martin’s world is rarely black and white—antagonists such as Rohanne Webber, the so-called "Red Widow", prove to be far more nuanced than they first appear. Dunk continues to evolve: naive, yes, but with a deeply ingrained sense of honour that renders him genuinely endearing.
There is a quiet political undertone to the piece—the legacy of civil strife, the fragility of alliances, the back-breaking existence of the peasantry. It is a more introspective story, but artfully constructed and immensely satisfying.
Displaying 1 of 1 review