After the end of the Game of Thrones show, I found myself in a bit of a withdrawal, which meant it seemed like the perfect time to read A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Part of me would love to do a reread of the series thus far, but it’s a big commitment, and I think I keep hoping for a real release date for The Winds of Winter to coincide with the reread – assuming that book is ever released (as far as the show goes, I didn’t have an issue with the ending as far as that being where everyone ended up – though I hoped for more for some characters, and like the theory that the Three Eyed Raven is evil, the show just didn’t set it up – but I don’t think they got there in a good way, which is why I really want to see how Martin gets there).
Anyway, I hadn’t read these sooner because as much as I like A Song of Ice and Fire, I am not always that big into short story collections. I vaguely recalled the reviews for this, and was expecting a lighter side of Westeros as a result, the story of a knight and his squire, but this is Martin. Even the lighter side involves political schemes and fights that have long lasting effects on the future (history) of the Seven Kingdoms. Additionally, the stories explore some of the more recent events, the Blackfyre Rebellion led by a bastard born Targaryen who felt he would be a more fitting king than the legitimate heir, and how that war and the divided loyalties still have ripple effects.
The collection contains three stories, the first introducing the hedge knight Dunk (an ancestor of Ser Brienne of Tarth) and his squire Egg. While Dunk believes Egg is a peasant boy with unusual knowledge of the noble houses, he soon discovers something quite different. The story is filled with last names the reader will recognize, getting to meet ancestors of the House Baratheon and others. It is also filled with Targaryens, and very much supports the idea that it’s 50/50 on whether they’ll be mad or not. Dunk is a bit rough at the edges, but like his descendant, he has strong morals and beliefs about the honor of knights, and concepts of right and wrong. With his mentor dead and striking out on his own, he meets many who do not follow those principles. However, he maintains his own code despite seeing many have perverted it, which is how he ends up with Egg has a permanent squire.
The second story involves a dispute about water rights between two minor houses. Dunk has been working for one lord on one side of the dispute but as the story progresses, Dunk realizes he prefers the people on the other side. However, he has given his word, and since both house leaders are set in their ways, it seems like bloodshed is unavoidable.
The final story starts simple enough. Dunk and Egg attend a wedding involving a Frey (because those end well) due to the promise of free food and the potential to compete in a tournament. However, there are some mysterious guests and the longer they stay, the more it seems like something is not quite right.
The third story was my favorite of them, and I am looking forward to any continued adventures. The stories also led me into a rabbit hole on the ASOIAF wiki into Targaryen history until I decided if I was going to do that, I might as well get Fire and Blood to keep scratching that Westeros itch (though I haven’t read it yet).