The Sworn Sword [graphic novel]

Typically, I find the second book of a trilogy to be the least impressive. Yet, in this instance, I enjoyed Book 2 the most.

It’s a bit of a slow start, but once it gets going, it’s highly entertaining.

The plot has a good blend of humour and pathos, action and contemplation, resulting in an engaging narrative. 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.

I particularly enjoyed the subtle love interest between Dunk and Lady Rohanne Webber.

The graphic novel adaptation of the second 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 Sworn Sword gives both "Game of Thrones" book and show fans a great look into the history of the Seven Kingdoms as Ser Duncan (Dunk) the Tall and the future King Aegon (Egg) V learn about the greatest threat to the Targaryen throne nearly a century before Robert’s Rebellion—the Blackfyre Rebellion.

The story begins almost two years after The Hedge Knight, Dunk and Egg are in the service to Sir Eustace Osgrey who holds a small show more tower but reminisces about his family’s ancient glory and his own immediate family’s misfortune. A nearly two year drought has gripped Westeros after the Great Spring Sickness—think the Black Death—resulting in water and people being short, which is when Ser Eustace’s stream disappears. After Dunk and another sworn sword, Ser Bennis, search upstream they discover that Ser Eustace’s neighbor Lady Webber has built a dam to divert the water. Soon things escalate and the two nobles begin to lob threats and promise blood vengeance as Dunk tries to find a way to make peace.

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. But when it came to the memories of Ser Eustace Osgrey about the Battle of the Redgrass Field that ended the threat of Daemon Blackfyre, the artwork is fantastic and brings the memories of the battle alive and giving justice to some of Martin’s best writing.

If you're a fan of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" world and haven't gotten this book yet I, what are you waiting for? I highly recommend this graphic novel adaptation of The Sworn Sword as well as the novella itself, you won’t be disappointed. show less

The Sworn Sword: The Hedge Knight II: Graphic novel. Ser Duncan and his squire Egg have a modest place with Ser Eustace, whose limited holdings come under further threat when the Spider Lady nearby dams his stream for her own crops during a drought. Unfortunately for Ser Duncan, very few people in his world are honorable, and even those that are by their own lights have a code of honor that has little to do with justice or fairness. Again, the sexual coercion (very young girl married, serially, to older men) is offscreen, and Ser Duncan’s relationship with the Lady is a bit trope-resistant although Martin-consistent (in that he ends up being a jerk and doesn’t know it). I’m hooked on Martin’s crapsack world, is the problem, show more though I think I don’t need more prequels/histories; I will just try to find out what horrible things happen to the characters I care about. show less

This is the second graphic novel created from the novellas that Martin wrote as prequels to Game of Thrones. At the beginning of this book (which begins two years after the previous stories), Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg are now in the temporary service of the elderly knight Ser Eustace. The land is in the middle of a drought and the stream belonging to Ser Eustace has suddenly dried up. Too suddenly. Duncan means to look into it, but Ser Bennis who is also in the service of Eustace cautions Duncan to leave well enough alone. You can guess what happens - Duncan decides to check into it anyway and Bennis tags along to keep an eye on him. But Bennis is no honorable knight, and they have barely begun their inquiry before things show more get out of hand. Now Duncan must decide who is telling the truth and who is lying.

This one has a very interesting storyline that did not end up where I thought it would. The artwork is every bit as good as the first book. I am still relatively new to reading GNs, so when I rate them, I rate them as a separate genre combining scores for story and characterization with scores for art - I would give this a 5 for the art and a 4 for the story, so that becomes a 4.5 for my final score. This is highly recommended if you like graphic novels - you can read this as a completely separate entity from the Song of Fire and Ice series and still enjoy the story, but if have a love for that series, as I do, then you will get so much more out of it. Of course, now I am left waiting for the third one! show less

illustrating the second Dunc and Egg story (prequels of The Song of Ice and Fire series) from George R.R. Martin's collection A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. the story is not quite as exciting as the first instalment (The Hedge Knight), but the adaptation is very faithful, and the art is just as good. a lovely adventure, and another perspective on the Game of Thrones from the perspective of low-born hedge knight Sir Duncan the Tall and his 10-year-old charge Egg, the squire who will someday become a Targaryen king, as he receives a moral and social education at ground level.

I wish I remembered the first book a bit better, but that didn't keep me from thoroughly enjoying the storytelling and gorgeous artwork of the second Hedge Knight book. I could follow Duncan and Egg around Westeros for many more adventures.

The 2nd Dunk and Egg story (originally in Legends II) now published in graphic novel format. The authors and illustrators have done a great job turning this into a graphic novel.
While wandering through the midlands, Sir Dunk and Egg wander into the middle of a feud between two houses. Dunk soon discovers he might be on the wrong side, but his honor puts him in a very difficult position. A really great story brought to life with great illustrations. This is based on the short story/novellas by Martin that are prequels to the Game of Thrones plot and Sir Duncan the Tall (Dunk) has become a favorite character of GoT fans. A must read for Game of Thrones fans.