Ben Avery

This review is actually for the audiobook of The Hedge Knight.

A novella set in the world of A Song of Ice and Fire, this is set around a hundred years before the events in Martin's huge work and is slighter in every way. The Hedge Knight of the title is Dunk, a young man raised by a poor masterless knight and trained in the ways of combat and chivalry. We meet him as as he sets out into the world following his elderly mentor's death, heading to a tourney to prove himself.

The tale lacks the show more intricacy of plot that characterises A Song of Ice and Fire, although things of course do not run smoothly for the would-be knight. Martin's achievement in all the books is create a living, breathing world in the classic fantasy faux-medieval mold and divest it entirely of the romantic gloss that usually lends such literature a rosy glow. Combat is brutal, even for men covered in heavy plates of steel and linked mail, and peasants without training or proper weapons have no chance. Life is nasty, brutish and short for all but a favoured elite, and even they are subject to the natural shocks and the treacheries of power. People die, not because of some all controlling destiny or plan of the gods or the universal balance, but simply through bad luck. The mood is often reminiscent of some of the grittier takes on the Arthurian legends, like the movie Excalibur or [a:T.H. White|426944|T.H. White|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1246071532p2/426944.jpg]'s [b:The Once and Future King|43545|The Once and Future King|T.H. White|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1219625031s/43545.jpg|1140206]

Yet the world view is not necessarily bleak. Dunk, like many of Martin's heroes is a truly moral person, who does the right simply because it is the right thing to do. He believes in the true code of chivalry - that the strong should protect the weak and not abuse their power, that promises and bonds are to be kept, that someone with the ability to stop wrongdoing should not stand idly by - even when he sees that his social superiors do not act that way. If good does triumph, it isn't because it is good but because there are people willing to fight for their principles.

This book also helps to fill in a little history of the later saga. We get to see the near ancestors of some of the great houses ad understand more about how the political situation at the start of A Song of Ice and Fire came about.

This novella and the ones that follow it are a nice, light introduction to Martin's world for those who don't yet know it and an interesting snack for those of us waiting the next table-straining course. show less

The graphic novel adaptation of the first of George R.R. Martin's Dunk & Egg novellas, not only stays true to the originally written story but gives it life with fantastic renderings of all the characters, the locales, and the action. Drawn by artist Mike S. Miller and livened by colorist Mike Crowell, "The Hedge Knight" gives both "Game of Thrones" book and show fans a great look into the history of the Seven Kingdoms by seeing the beginnings of two individuals, Ser Duncan (Dunk) the Tall show more and the future King Aegon (Egg) V, who impact the series even a century later.

The story begins with Dunk burying his mentor Ser Arlan Pennytree before taking his arms and horses to the Tourney at Ashford Meadow in an attempt to win a place in a lord's house by winning a tilt and becoming a champion if only for a little while. Unfortunately Dunk finds himself broiled in a family feud, but this family happens to be the dynasty of the dragonkings--the Targaryens. Not only does Dunk find his temporary squire to be a Prince, but he punches and kicks Egg's older (cruel) brother Aerion which could either leave him dead or maimed. Dunk's fate comes down to a unique form of trial by combat, which has ramifications not only for him but knightly families and the realm itself.

Of the work surrounding the graphic novel itself, I can only praise the work of Miller and Crowell who not only brought into visual life Dunk and Egg but so many other historically important characters in very consistent way throughout the entire book. It is hard to find fault with the work of these two men save with pointing out a few continuity errors, which unfortunately happen in every graphic novel. If anything after viewing their work I'm tempted to find more graphic novel either man has worked on given the good quality of work each put in this book.

If you're a fan of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" world and haven't gotten this book yet I recommend you get it; if you're a television fan of "Game of Thrones" I highly recommend you get this book to see how the ancestors of some of your favorite and least favorite characters interacted while also seeing the Targaryens on the throne. show less

oh what a treat! I've put this book off for so long - I'm not sure what I thought it was going to be, but this wasn't it. Set in the same world as the ice and fire books (game of thrones etc) but long before them - no characters we know but a few names we know here and there - it's a great short sweet tale of honour and chivalry and jousting and morals. I saw some jousting a couple of months back by some brave and interesting reenactment types - one of whom I fell a little bit in love with, show more as his squire dressed him and he told us about his armour, and greatly admired my 'hunting hound' (also known as the idiot beagle). He may have clanked as he walked away, but it certainly made this book feel real. As ever with Mr Martin, the characters are wonderfully written and believable, and while it was extremely short, I honestly don't think it's one I'm likely to forget any time soon. I seen to be reading a lot of short, exciting 'romps' as the moment, but it was most certainly exciting and kept me reading. in fact, I'd planned to get an early night today as tomorrow I'm off to a convention to meet "Daniel Jackson" from Stargate Sg1 but instead it's gone 11pm and I'm still up and my Stargate uniform isn't even ironed yet. But more importantly, I finished this book... show less

For me, this third book of the trilogy is the least impressive. That’s not to say I found it dull or weak in any way, but it didn’t appeal to me as much at the previous two. It’s a bit slow in places but engaging in others.

As usual, the author’s skill makes you see and feel what’s happening in this fantasy world that feels inspired by real medieval history.

All characters are vividly portrayed, with the main two – Dunk and Egg – being very likable.