A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

with the many excellent illustrations reminded me of many books I read in my younger days [Pyle et al]. Clearly written as homage to Fafhed and Mouser the style makes a nice contrast to the rest of the Throne storylines. Dunk is a nice simple hero who is full of good intentions, dragging himself up from Flea Bottom by his bootstraps. Simple goals drive him, win at tournaments, improving his gear and earning a reputation so the even a hedge knight might serve a great lord. Simple, naive, with just enough skills to get by, but little experience. His one advantage is his size. Egg, a 10-year-old lad is his foil, his Mouser, his Sancho and also his luck. Would be nice to get more insight into the inner thoughts and character of Egg with him having more of a central role in their adventures. The intrigue and politics of the 7 Kingdoms are still here just not as darkly drawn. That to my mind is refreshing as the Throne novels can be bleak and depressing. I gave up to be truthful sitting back and watching the TV. However, this reading has drawn me back in. Warning! The reader needs to enjoy or be prepared to wade through the medieval system of jousts, heraldry, and chivalry. In this sense, its definitely a boys book one for the “trainspotters”, painting a vivid and I think well-researched background.