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The Tales of Dunk and Egg #3
L'Œuf de dragon
George R.R. Martin : S'il écrit toutes sortes d'histoires depuis les années 1970, son nom est aujourd'hui indissociable de la saga du Trône de fer - Game of Thrones à la télévision - dont chaque nouveau tome fait l'objet d'une attente fébrile par ses millions de fans dans le monde. Les récits du chevalier errant et de son écuyer, loin d'être sans conséquences, contribuent à nourrir la mythologie à l'origine des 7 royaumes.
190 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
198 people are currently reading
11673 people want to read
About the author
George R.R. Martin
1,503 books119k followersGeorge Raymond Richard "R.R." Martin was born September 20, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey. His father was Raymond Collins Martin, a longshoreman, and his mother was Margaret Brady Martin. He has two sisters, Darleen Martin Lapinski and Janet Martin Patten.
Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin's first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: The Hero, sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.
In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.
As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.
In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.
Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.
Martin's present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers' Guild of America, West.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...
Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin's first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: The Hero, sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.
In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.
As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.
In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.
Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.
Martin's present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers' Guild of America, West.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 791 reviews
July 27, 2025
"I begin to understand why your father was so willing to be rid of you." - I don't care if he's creepy as all seven hells, Bloodraven is the best 😁
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2013
Another delightful tale about Dunk and Egg. The relationship between knight and squire has grown, with Ser Duncan the Tall trying to give guidance and discipline to his young squire and Egg obeying in a smart-ass kinda way in spite of the empty threats of a "clout in the ear."
This tale gives us more of the Targaryen history, past rebellions and line of succession. Because of these tales I've been constantly looking at the Targaryen family tree, but it makes no difference, other than a few exceptions, they all look and sound the same to me.
In this adventure Dunk and Egg find themselves in the middle of a rebellion plot, where the son of one of the bastards of one of the Aegon's wants to be King or was is the brother of the son of one of the bastards? Never mind, you get the point. Lords were plotting to rally behind a pretender and put him on the Iron Throne, meeting in the disguise of a wedding and a tourney.
In spite of the many hardships, Dunk remains a true knight, honest, chivalrous, trusting, innocent and so dreamy! At this point he still thinks about having a wife and children, but it looks like his path is taking him to the white cloak of the King's Guard. Time and hopefully one more tale will let us know what happens to this true knight and the future King.
This tale gives us more of the Targaryen history, past rebellions and line of succession. Because of these tales I've been constantly looking at the Targaryen family tree, but it makes no difference, other than a few exceptions, they all look and sound the same to me.
In this adventure Dunk and Egg find themselves in the middle of a rebellion plot, where the son of one of the bastards of one of the Aegon's wants to be King or was is the brother of the son of one of the bastards? Never mind, you get the point. Lords were plotting to rally behind a pretender and put him on the Iron Throne, meeting in the disguise of a wedding and a tourney.
In spite of the many hardships, Dunk remains a true knight, honest, chivalrous, trusting, innocent and so dreamy! At this point he still thinks about having a wife and children, but it looks like his path is taking him to the white cloak of the King's Guard. Time and hopefully one more tale will let us know what happens to this true knight and the future King.
March 11, 2017
Another excellent story by GRRM!
How many eyes has Bloodraven? A thousand eyes, and one.
July 19, 2011
The third Dunk&Egg story, and perhaps the most plot filled, and the one with a more obvious connection to the ASOIAF (Set a couple generations in the future). I think reading this helps to figure out a small mystery in the ASOIAF, particularly a ADWD revelation .
But my enjoyment of the Dunk&Egg stories is seems to be reverse chronology, I loved the first, liked a lot the second story, but this third story I like with reservations. The writing did not work for me the same way strangely. And while there are some subtle details the final scene seems a bit half-cooked
But my enjoyment of the Dunk&Egg stories is seems to be reverse chronology, I loved the first, liked a lot the second story, but this third story I like with reservations. The writing did not work for me the same way strangely. And while there are some subtle details the final scene seems a bit half-cooked
September 2, 2025
A very solid finale to these Dunk and Egg stories. A lot of the world of Westeros in here, many houses and characters and some cat-and-mouse. I'll miss these chaps!
May 13, 2023
Con pena en mi, corazón, me despido de este último relato de las aventuras de Ser Duncan el Alto y Egg. Le doy esas 4.5 estrellas y no las 5 más por despecho que por otra cosa, la verdad. Esas ciento y pocas páginas me han sabido a gloria pero me han escocido enormemente en cuanto se han acabado. Ahora toca buscar algo parecido que me pueda dar tanta satisfacción con tan pocas páginas.
Estamos ante un libro-relato como los anteriores, corto pero intenso, con ese sabor a Westeros que tanto nos gusta a los fans de la saga. El argumento tampoco es que tenga muchos giros de guion o tramas enrevesadas, pero cumple de sobra. El último tercio de la novela es para devorarla de una sentada (como así ha sido).
No sé si George R. Martin tuvo intención en su día de continuar con las aventuras de tan singular dúo, pero desde luego hubiesen dado para una buena novela de las mismas dimensiones que las de las que nos tenía acostumbrados.
No se puede decir mucho más. La sinopsis es bastante clara con lo que sucede y no es plan de alargarse sin necesidad:
Los eventos transcurren aproximadamente ochenta y seis años antes de los eventos de Juego de Tronos.
Los Siete Reinos mantienen paz entre ellos, pero hay inquietud bajo el reino de Aerys I Targaryen y su Mano del Rey, Brynden Ríos. Hombres del Hierro están atracando en la costa oeste y hay rumores recientes de que se avecina una nueva amenaza de los Pretendientes Fuegoscuro. Dunk y Egg están viajando al norte desde Tiesa con esperanzas de ver el Muro, pero les llega la noticia de que va a celebrarse un torneo en Murosblancos.
Estamos ante un libro-relato como los anteriores, corto pero intenso, con ese sabor a Westeros que tanto nos gusta a los fans de la saga. El argumento tampoco es que tenga muchos giros de guion o tramas enrevesadas, pero cumple de sobra. El último tercio de la novela es para devorarla de una sentada (como así ha sido).
No sé si George R. Martin tuvo intención en su día de continuar con las aventuras de tan singular dúo, pero desde luego hubiesen dado para una buena novela de las mismas dimensiones que las de las que nos tenía acostumbrados.
No se puede decir mucho más. La sinopsis es bastante clara con lo que sucede y no es plan de alargarse sin necesidad:
Los eventos transcurren aproximadamente ochenta y seis años antes de los eventos de Juego de Tronos.
Los Siete Reinos mantienen paz entre ellos, pero hay inquietud bajo el reino de Aerys I Targaryen y su Mano del Rey, Brynden Ríos. Hombres del Hierro están atracando en la costa oeste y hay rumores recientes de que se avecina una nueva amenaza de los Pretendientes Fuegoscuro. Dunk y Egg están viajando al norte desde Tiesa con esperanzas de ver el Muro, pero les llega la noticia de que va a celebrarse un torneo en Murosblancos.
February 10, 2016
The Mystery Knight is my favorite novella in the Dunk and Egg prequel series to date. Dunk and Egg meet up with some fellow hedge knights and after learning of a wedding feast Dunk decides to come along in hopes of winning some money in a tournament. It's always great to read about Dunk and Egg and this novella is no excexption. The Mystery Knight is a great read for fans of Dunk and Egg and A Song of Ice and Fire.
December 27, 2022
Well written and entertaining. We definitely need more of these Dunk and Egg stories
February 27, 2025
Best one so far. Boy, I hope we get to read the ending of this little series. George, please finish Winds of Winter. Get that monkey off your back so you can work on other stuff you want to. I still can't believe how many years it's been since Dance with Dragons. I will wait forever, if need be, but I really want George to live to finish his greatest work. I don't want another writer to have to do it. We shall see.
December 23, 2025
CHARACTERS
🔲 mary-sue party
🔲 mostly 2D
🔲 great main cast, forgettable side characters
🔲 well-written
✅ complex and fascinating
🔲 hard to believe they are fictional
PLOT
🔲 you've already heard this exact story a thousand times
🔲 nothing memorable
🔲 gripping
✅ exceptional
🔲 mind=blown
WORLDBUILDING
🔲 takes place in our world
🔲 incoherent
🔲 OK
🔲 nicely detailed
✅ meticulous
🔲 even the last tree in the forest has its own story
ATMOSPHERE
🔲 nonexistent
🔲 fine
🔲 immersive
✅ you forget you are reading a book
PACING
🔲 dragging
🔲 inconsistent
🔲 picks up with time
✅ page-turner
🔲 impossible to put down
Re-read: Bloodraven still steals this book for me, he's just too hype.
🔲 mary-sue party
🔲 mostly 2D
🔲 great main cast, forgettable side characters
🔲 well-written
✅ complex and fascinating
🔲 hard to believe they are fictional
PLOT
🔲 you've already heard this exact story a thousand times
🔲 nothing memorable
🔲 gripping
✅ exceptional
🔲 mind=blown
WORLDBUILDING
🔲 takes place in our world
🔲 incoherent
🔲 OK
🔲 nicely detailed
✅ meticulous
🔲 even the last tree in the forest has its own story
ATMOSPHERE
🔲 nonexistent
🔲 fine
🔲 immersive
✅ you forget you are reading a book
PACING
🔲 dragging
🔲 inconsistent
🔲 picks up with time
✅ page-turner
🔲 impossible to put down
Re-read: Bloodraven still steals this book for me, he's just too hype.
January 7, 2018
The Mystery Knight is the third Dunk and Egg story, another fun novella telling the story of Westeros well before the A Song of Ice and Fire storyline started.
To completely understand The Mystery Knight, you first need to read The Hedge Knight and The Sworn Sword. This third story makes references to past events, carries on from events in the prior story, meaning a complete understanding will come from reading the books in order. As each story is a nice short read, adding together to make a single book, I would certainly recommend working through the books in order.
I really enjoyed The Hedge Knight, giving it a four-star rating. The Sworn Sword and The Mystery Knight, however, didn’t quite hit the same mark – hence the three-star rating of this novella. The Mystery Knight was a fun additional read, adding more to the story of Dunk and Egg, but I feel as though it didn’t quite have enough action to keep me entertained throughout. I was intrigued by what was happening, I was following the story, but I was not lost in the world.
Overall, this was another fun Dunk and Egg story, but it was not my favourite.
To completely understand The Mystery Knight, you first need to read The Hedge Knight and The Sworn Sword. This third story makes references to past events, carries on from events in the prior story, meaning a complete understanding will come from reading the books in order. As each story is a nice short read, adding together to make a single book, I would certainly recommend working through the books in order.
I really enjoyed The Hedge Knight, giving it a four-star rating. The Sworn Sword and The Mystery Knight, however, didn’t quite hit the same mark – hence the three-star rating of this novella. The Mystery Knight was a fun additional read, adding more to the story of Dunk and Egg, but I feel as though it didn’t quite have enough action to keep me entertained throughout. I was intrigued by what was happening, I was following the story, but I was not lost in the world.
Overall, this was another fun Dunk and Egg story, but it was not my favourite.
May 17, 2016
Decidedly better than the second novella in the series of Dunk and Egg, The Sworn Sword, this final outing for Martin's beloved characters from almost a hundred years before the events of A Song of Ice and Fire is nevertheless marred by far too many interchangeable characters that only the most rabid of fans will be able to discern, and still takes an awfully long time to set everything up.
Yet the characters of Dunk and Egg carry this book on their more than capable shoulders, so much so that the events of The Mystery Knight largely fade into obscurity next to their entertaining interactions. And it is fantastic to see Dunk's growth as a character as compared to who he was in The Hedge Knight.
All in all, this is a return to form for Martin and one that I would recommend to his fans - just be ready for long descriptions of knights and feasts and the activities that the former get up to during the latter.
3 Smashed Tourney Lances for The Mystery Knight.
Yet the characters of Dunk and Egg carry this book on their more than capable shoulders, so much so that the events of The Mystery Knight largely fade into obscurity next to their entertaining interactions. And it is fantastic to see Dunk's growth as a character as compared to who he was in The Hedge Knight.
All in all, this is a return to form for Martin and one that I would recommend to his fans - just be ready for long descriptions of knights and feasts and the activities that the former get up to during the latter.
3 Smashed Tourney Lances for The Mystery Knight.
November 6, 2024
Αυτό που προσωπικά θα κρατήσω από το βιβλίο αυτό, είναι η ιδέα της συντροφικότητας και το πως αυτή αποτυπώνεται μέσα από την σχέση και τις περιπέτειες των Ντάνκαν κι Εγκ. Άλλωστε, νομίζω πως στο σύνολο του έργου του Martin, οι ανθρώπινες σχέσεις είναι αυτές που πάντα βρίσκονται στο επίκεντρο και που ουσιαστικά καθορίζουν τα πάντα, ακόμα και την ίδια την πλοκή των γεγονότων και κατ' επέκτασιν, της ιστορίας της ίδιας. Ένα απολαυστικό ταξίδι, μια πολύ ωραία και προσεγμένη έκδοση, με τις εικόνες που παρεμβάλουν στο κείμενο να μας θυμίζουν άλλες εποχές και καταστάσεις και να συμβάλλουν με τον δικό τους τρόπο στην δημιουργία εικόνων από μεριάς του αναγνώστη, ένα εξαιρετικά καλογραμμένο κείμενο και μια ιστορία που αν και δεν είναι εντυπωσιακή, καταφέρνει να διατηρήσει το ενδιαφέρον ακόμα και του μη μυημένου στους μαγικούς κόσμους του Martin αναγνώστη, μέχρι τέλους.
October 17, 2019
3.5 stars - It was really good.
All 3 stories in this little collection were worthwhile with the first and third being tied for the best. According to George R.R. Martin’s introduction, there will be more tales to come (along with the conclusion of the Fire and Ice series I’m sure).
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: Save him now to execute him later? I think not. Let him eat the meal that he meant to serve to you.
First Sentence: A light summer rain was falling as Dunk and Egg took their leave of Stoney Sept.
All 3 stories in this little collection were worthwhile with the first and third being tied for the best. According to George R.R. Martin’s introduction, there will be more tales to come (along with the conclusion of the Fire and Ice series I’m sure).
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: Save him now to execute him later? I think not. Let him eat the meal that he meant to serve to you.
First Sentence: A light summer rain was falling as Dunk and Egg took their leave of Stoney Sept.
May 6, 2015
The best of the prequels so far! ♥ Dunk & Egg's tales are over! :')
Review to come.
Review to come.
November 26, 2022
Finally got around to reading the third of the Dunk and Egg Series, and as the rest of them it is super clever, witty, and has some amazing ASOIAF world building.
Hope we will get to see more novellas in this series! Must read for every Thrones fan
Hope we will get to see more novellas in this series! Must read for every Thrones fan
November 28, 2011
I read "The Mystery Knight," the 3rd novella featuring Dunk and Egg, in the Warriors anthology. It was along the same lines as the other two Dunk and Egg stories, and I enjoyed it.
In this tale, the hedge knight, Dunk, and his squire, Egg, head to a tournament (to get a free meal!) and end up accidentally getting involved in a big political maelstrom.
Again, by reading these books, a fan can learn more of the backstory of Westeros and the history of Targaryen rule. Again, these stories are not exactly light, but I'd say they're not as grim as the main Song of Ice and Fire series.
This jauntier tone is partly a result of Dunk's outlook on life. Dunk is a poor but honorable hedge knight, almost seven feet tall and in his late teens. He thinks about girls and hopes to win just a little bit of gold so that he and his squire can eat--but something always happens and he ends up getting mixed up in things he doesn't entirely understand. He's not ambitious, greedy, or cruel, and his relatively innocent spirit has so far led him both into trouble and out of it. It is interesting to see what Egg learns from Dunk over the course of these stories. I think he'll turn out to be very different from most of his family as a result of squiring for Dunk.
You actually get to meet Bloodraven for a minute at the end of this story, which will be interesting for anyone who has read A Dance with Dragons (look online for theories relating to this if you are curious).
I am purposefully trying to avoid finding out what happens to Dunk and Egg between the time of these novellas and the time of A Game of Thrones. I'd rather just hope for the best for them in all their adventures. I'll read the next Dunk and Egg tale once it is published.
In this tale, the hedge knight, Dunk, and his squire, Egg, head to a tournament (to get a free meal!) and end up accidentally getting involved in a big political maelstrom.
Again, by reading these books, a fan can learn more of the backstory of Westeros and the history of Targaryen rule. Again, these stories are not exactly light, but I'd say they're not as grim as the main Song of Ice and Fire series.
This jauntier tone is partly a result of Dunk's outlook on life. Dunk is a poor but honorable hedge knight, almost seven feet tall and in his late teens. He thinks about girls and hopes to win just a little bit of gold so that he and his squire can eat--but something always happens and he ends up getting mixed up in things he doesn't entirely understand. He's not ambitious, greedy, or cruel, and his relatively innocent spirit has so far led him both into trouble and out of it. It is interesting to see what Egg learns from Dunk over the course of these stories. I think he'll turn out to be very different from most of his family as a result of squiring for Dunk.
You actually get to meet Bloodraven for a minute at the end of this story, which will be interesting for anyone who has read A Dance with Dragons (look online for theories relating to this if you are curious).
I am purposefully trying to avoid finding out what happens to Dunk and Egg between the time of these novellas and the time of A Game of Thrones. I'd rather just hope for the best for them in all their adventures. I'll read the next Dunk and Egg tale once it is published.
March 17, 2015
4.25/5
No sabía que existía una tercera parte de estas aventuras hasta unos meses después de terminar La Espada Leal, y por cuestiones de tiempo y ganas, no lo busqué hasta hace unas semanas.
Al no haber sido publicado en español todavía, tuve que conformarme con un epub traducido por fans que tenía demasiados errores; apenas se entendía qué estaba pasando y me costó no sentirme incómoda en un principio , eso y todo sumado a los verbos mal conjugados y las faltas de ortografía y gramática me superaron, la verdad.
En sí la historia está bien, sigue la misma linea de las dos anteriores, y aunque quizá en un principio no enganche, a partir de la mitad lo hace, pero hasta ahí.
El hecho de que no haya disfrutado tanto la historia no sé si se debe a todas estas complicaciones que mencioné o a el argumento en sí, aunque me inclinaría más hacia la primer opción, no descartando la segunda.
Así que, resumiendo, podría decir que es la entrega que menos me gustó de estas aventuras. Y me quedaré con las ganas de saber cómo habría sido con una buena traducción, pero qué le vamos a hacer.
Egg te amo. Sos lo más.
No sabía que existía una tercera parte de estas aventuras hasta unos meses después de terminar La Espada Leal, y por cuestiones de tiempo y ganas, no lo busqué hasta hace unas semanas.
Al no haber sido publicado en español todavía, tuve que conformarme con un epub traducido por fans que tenía demasiados errores; apenas se entendía qué estaba pasando y me costó no sentirme incómoda en un principio , eso y todo sumado a los verbos mal conjugados y las faltas de ortografía y gramática me superaron, la verdad.
En sí la historia está bien, sigue la misma linea de las dos anteriores, y aunque quizá en un principio no enganche, a partir de la mitad lo hace, pero hasta ahí.
El hecho de que no haya disfrutado tanto la historia no sé si se debe a todas estas complicaciones que mencioné o a el argumento en sí, aunque me inclinaría más hacia la primer opción, no descartando la segunda.
Así que, resumiendo, podría decir que es la entrega que menos me gustó de estas aventuras. Y me quedaré con las ganas de saber cómo habría sido con una buena traducción, pero qué le vamos a hacer.
Egg te amo. Sos lo más.
August 25, 2014
The third in the Dunk & Egg series, this book is a true delight from start to end. The book starts off with the two journeying on their way to The Wall, when they meet some knights on the way who tell them about a tourney. Seeing the chance to earn some money, Dunk & Egg make their way there and get embroiled in all sorts of adventures.
This book is my favourite of the three so far. As usual, I loved Egg's stubborn cheekiness and Dunk's straightforwardness. This story was far more complicated than the previous two and involved a lot more intrigue. With spies, politics, intrigue, murders, weddings, jousting and feasting, this was a page turner.
The twists and turns were awesome and the ending was excellent. Now to sit and wait for the fourth book!
This book is my favourite of the three so far. As usual, I loved Egg's stubborn cheekiness and Dunk's straightforwardness. This story was far more complicated than the previous two and involved a lot more intrigue. With spies, politics, intrigue, murders, weddings, jousting and feasting, this was a page turner.
The twists and turns were awesome and the ending was excellent. Now to sit and wait for the fourth book!
October 23, 2014
It was a good continuing adventure of Dunk & Egg right on par with the Hedge Knight. It takes place just a year or so after that story, not terribly long after the second, so about a century before the main series. Well worth reading.
August 19, 2020
4 Stars!!
Another great tale with Dunk and Egg. Supposedly, there are going to be a few more books about Dunk and Egg. I may have heard that before though.
I will be pleasantly surprised if George R.R. Martin releases any books, but will be ready to read when and if he does.
Another great tale with Dunk and Egg. Supposedly, there are going to be a few more books about Dunk and Egg. I may have heard that before though.
I will be pleasantly surprised if George R.R. Martin releases any books, but will be ready to read when and if he does.
July 9, 2017
My least favourite of the three to be honest, but still gooood! I love westeros so damn much!!!
February 5, 2012
This is so far the last story published in the Dunk and Egg world. As a whole, I thought the stories were pretty enjoyable. I liked seeing some of the history of Westeros through Dunk's eyes, seeing events that are referenced in the main A Song of Ice and Fire books. That said, of the three stories, this one was my least favorite (granted, 4 stars is pretty good, considering I trend low on ratings).
The Hedge Knight tells the story of a diversion Dunk and Egg take while en route to Winterfell and the North. Tired of sleeping on the road, and hopeful to make a little money, they attend the wedding feast for Lord Ambrose Butterwell. As a knight, Dunk takes part of the festivities including the tournament. But all is not as it appears and Egg realizes that the event is a setup to try to incite another rebellion, like the Blackfyre Rebellion.
The problem I had with this story is a problem I remember having when I first started reading A Game of Thrones. There are a lot of characters, all with backstory and many with similar-sounding names. And there is so much going on, it can be hard to follow, especially in the span of such a short story. Though I read the ending of the story twice, I still can't tell you who exactly was the lead schemer in the plot, or why they thought they were entitled to the throne. It had to do with sons of Blackfyre, I believe, but exactly the tie was confusing. Also, the ending seemed a bit too convenient. When Bloodraven shows up, it's hard to say where he came from...why was he so close (geographically) to the event? And just who IS Glendon Ball?
So yeah, it was not my favorite story of the three. I think my favorite was probably The Sworn Sword. That one felt the most concise, with well-defined characters and motivations for each character. It didn't feel like it relied on too much past knowledge, like this one seemed to.
On a completely separate note, it's interesting to see Martin use some conventions here that have made their way into the main Westeros books. One major thing I noticed was how Dunk talks to himself. It reminds me of how Reek talks to himself in A Dance With Dragons. "His name is Reek, it rhymes with weak" compares well with "Dunk, such a lunk..."
I'm looking forward to the next Dunk and Egg story. I want to see how they get back to King's Landing and hopefully see Aemon come into the story.
The Hedge Knight tells the story of a diversion Dunk and Egg take while en route to Winterfell and the North. Tired of sleeping on the road, and hopeful to make a little money, they attend the wedding feast for Lord Ambrose Butterwell. As a knight, Dunk takes part of the festivities including the tournament. But all is not as it appears and Egg realizes that the event is a setup to try to incite another rebellion, like the Blackfyre Rebellion.
The problem I had with this story is a problem I remember having when I first started reading A Game of Thrones. There are a lot of characters, all with backstory and many with similar-sounding names. And there is so much going on, it can be hard to follow, especially in the span of such a short story. Though I read the ending of the story twice, I still can't tell you who exactly was the lead schemer in the plot, or why they thought they were entitled to the throne. It had to do with sons of Blackfyre, I believe, but exactly the tie was confusing. Also, the ending seemed a bit too convenient. When Bloodraven shows up, it's hard to say where he came from...why was he so close (geographically) to the event? And just who IS Glendon Ball?
So yeah, it was not my favorite story of the three. I think my favorite was probably The Sworn Sword. That one felt the most concise, with well-defined characters and motivations for each character. It didn't feel like it relied on too much past knowledge, like this one seemed to.
On a completely separate note, it's interesting to see Martin use some conventions here that have made their way into the main Westeros books. One major thing I noticed was how Dunk talks to himself. It reminds me of how Reek talks to himself in A Dance With Dragons. "His name is Reek, it rhymes with weak" compares well with "Dunk, such a lunk..."
I'm looking forward to the next Dunk and Egg story. I want to see how they get back to King's Landing and hopefully see Aemon come into the story.
April 16, 2014
I think this might have been my favourite Dunk & Egg novella, although this might be because I am interested by the Blackfyre rebellion.
Dunk and Egg have quickly made it to my list of fave ASOIAF characters and I await the next short story almost as much as The Winds of Winter.
Dunk and Egg have quickly made it to my list of fave ASOIAF characters and I await the next short story almost as much as The Winds of Winter.
December 9, 2016
3.5*
It would be much better if Goodreads adds half star as well in their rating system.
It would be much better if Goodreads adds half star as well in their rating system.
July 25, 2022
Libro que sigue narrando las aventuras de estos 2 curiosos personajes en una época anterior a juego de tronos. Recomendable, salen personajes de la época de la rebelión de los fuego oscuro. 7/10
November 10, 2022
Entertaining conclusion to this trilogy.
February 26, 2023
In the end,reading his short stories and othet GOT related book i v come to love the world he created,as dark as it is..no longer carin for when the next books of the original series would come,if ever ...i had my fair share of joy here.
May 25, 2024
Twinks love Dunk confirmed.
January 17, 2016
Author: George R.R. Martin
Genre: Novella, Fantasy
Rating: A
Set in the same world as George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, “The Hedge Knight” is the first in a series of short stores (and graphic novels) about Ser Duncan the Tall, or Dunk, and his squire Egg. “The Hedge Knight,” and the other stories in the Tales of Dunk and Egg are set about a hundred years before the events of A Song of Ice and Fire.
As mentioned, “The Hedge Knight” is the first in this series and follows Dunk as he enters the Tourney of Ashford, following the death of his old master, Ser Arlan of Pennytree. Dunk was an orphan from Flea Bottom who entered into Arlan’s service as a boy, and was knighted by Arlan shortly before his death. While on his way to Ashford Dunk encounters a boy, Egg, at a tavern, who sneaks away in order to enter into Dunk’s service and act as his squire. Not all is as seems with Egg, however, and his true identity is one that alters the course of Dunk’s life.
I really liked this story. The complexity of it is nothing like that of the books from which it is conceived, and within the story Martin reveals a lot more of the world in which it’s based. It’s rather nice reading something and not finding yourself constantly questioning just what’s going on and who’s plotting what and who’s going to die next. Actually, that point alone is really nice – the mantra for A Song of Ice and Fire fans is to not get attached to any of the characters because you don’t know when they’re going to die, but with Dunk and Egg this isn’t the fact. The story just follows the point of view of Dunk and, if you’ve read Martin’s novels you already know how he dies, and it certainly isn’t at Ashford. This certainty doesn’t make “The Hedge Knight” any less exciting, it’s just more of a comfortable journey. You get to know the characters and you get to get attached to them, without that little voice inside your head screaming at you saying ‘this is going to end badly.’ Really, when it comes down to it, “The Hedge Knight” is something that I didn’t know I could expect from Martin.
http://ishreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/06...
Genre: Novella, Fantasy
Rating: A
Set in the same world as George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, “The Hedge Knight” is the first in a series of short stores (and graphic novels) about Ser Duncan the Tall, or Dunk, and his squire Egg. “The Hedge Knight,” and the other stories in the Tales of Dunk and Egg are set about a hundred years before the events of A Song of Ice and Fire.
As mentioned, “The Hedge Knight” is the first in this series and follows Dunk as he enters the Tourney of Ashford, following the death of his old master, Ser Arlan of Pennytree. Dunk was an orphan from Flea Bottom who entered into Arlan’s service as a boy, and was knighted by Arlan shortly before his death. While on his way to Ashford Dunk encounters a boy, Egg, at a tavern, who sneaks away in order to enter into Dunk’s service and act as his squire. Not all is as seems with Egg, however, and his true identity is one that alters the course of Dunk’s life.
I really liked this story. The complexity of it is nothing like that of the books from which it is conceived, and within the story Martin reveals a lot more of the world in which it’s based. It’s rather nice reading something and not finding yourself constantly questioning just what’s going on and who’s plotting what and who’s going to die next. Actually, that point alone is really nice – the mantra for A Song of Ice and Fire fans is to not get attached to any of the characters because you don’t know when they’re going to die, but with Dunk and Egg this isn’t the fact. The story just follows the point of view of Dunk and, if you’ve read Martin’s novels you already know how he dies, and it certainly isn’t at Ashford. This certainty doesn’t make “The Hedge Knight” any less exciting, it’s just more of a comfortable journey. You get to know the characters and you get to get attached to them, without that little voice inside your head screaming at you saying ‘this is going to end badly.’ Really, when it comes down to it, “The Hedge Knight” is something that I didn’t know I could expect from Martin.
http://ishreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/06...
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