Reviews - A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

2.61k reviews for:

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

George R.R. Martin

4.17 AVERAGE

kstockill's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

olitutu's review against another edition

4.0

medium-paced

studyingwlilyevans's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

bookwyrmemma's review against another edition

4.0

A wonderful look into the world of Westeros 100 years before the main events of A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF). It is fascinating to see how the events which transpired in these three stories shaped the future of ASOIAF. I adored the two main characters: Egg & Duncan. From what I read in the additional book I purchased about the history of Westeros, Aegon wasn’t loved by his people but I do think he is a good man. I like seeing how the things he learns as Duncan’s squire influences his future actions and thoughts. I adored the friendship that Duncan and Egg cultivated. Knowing that they had stayed friends and were active in each others lives as they grew older, Aegon becoming king and Duncan becoming Aegon’s Lord Commander of the Kingsguard is very bittersweet.

It’s fascinating to see how the world functioned prior to Robert’s Rebellion and seeing active Targaryen’s ruling the Iron Throne. The Targaryen family has such a complex and rich backstory, there needs to be more time spent to them. As I enjoy many characters, I don’t think I could ever choose a side of Baratheon vs Targaryen. Even in the stories in this book, there was talk of the Red/Black war which featured Targaryen vs Targaryen. So it seems no matter when or where someone is in this universe, there are always going to be people fighting over something or other.

Rated: 4.25/5.0—Overall, a wonderful installment to the ASOIAF universe. I love getting the glimpse of other characters and other times in this universe. I am hungry for more!

Things I Liked
-Egg. I loved getting the glimpse of a future Targaryen king before he actually becomes king.
-Duncan. He is a good man and I am enormously ecstatic to find out that he is Brienne’s ancestor (she is one of my favorite characters of the main narrative!). I love her character and for her to be linked to such an amazing man is quite beautiful. Duncan and Brienne are both underdogs in their own stories but they are true to heart and they give love to the desolate world/time they live in.
-Mini-romance between Rohanne and Duncan in the Sworn Sword story. My romantic heart wishes them to have gotten together as they seemed well suited but alas it didn’t turn out that way. I know it’s said they kissed and he cut off her braid in the end of the story, but I hope that in my reading in between the lines they had some more intimate time together as they deserved it.

Things I Disliked
-How short these stories were. I want to read more about the adventures of Egg and Duncan.

Official Summary: A century before A GAME OF THRONES, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS compiles the first three official prequel novellas to George R.R. Martin’s ongoing masterwork, A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE.

Before Tyrion Lannister and Podrick Payne there was Dunk and Egg. A young, naïve but courageous hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall towers above his rivals – in stature if not experience. Tagging along with him is his diminutive squire, a boy called Egg – whose true identity must be hidden from all he and Dunk encounter: for in reality he is Aegon Targaryen, and one day he will be king. Improbable heroes though they be, great destinies lie ahead for Dunk and Egg; as do powerful foes, royal intrigue, and outrageous exploits.

A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS brings together for the first time the first three official prequel novellas to George R.R. Martin’s ongoing masterwork, A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory. Featuring more than 160 illustrations by Gary Gianni, one of the finest fantasy artists of our time, this beautiful volume will transport readers to the world of the Seven Kingdoms in an age of bygone chivalry.