Great intro to Westeros if u can't face the Epics!

Wasn't expecting a "new" George RR Martin book to come out. Therefore, was intrigued when this appeared just as I was finishing the 5th Games of Thrones book! Expecting rants of "why doesn't he concentrate on final installment" (which I've seen for other "epic" novelists who divert temporarily!). However, it appears that these were written as 3 short novellas well before the "real" Game of Thrones.

Therefore, for fans, they're something new to get a short fix of Westeros. For newbies, it's a great intro to Westeros from 2 character perspective... especially if the huge Game of Thrones book set seems too daunting. This is a great was to "put a foot in the water"... see if you like it.

I was surprised how "fully formed" the world is in George's mind at such an early stage. The history is all there... the houses.... it's an exact world, just a 100 years earlier. Had expected to find a more "primitive" back story to the world with some major differences.

So, great self contained book which gives a good view of what to expect from the main set of books!

21 people found this helpful

Superb...

Wasn't sure what to expect, having been a big fan of the Game of Thrones series, but this just really surprised and really impressed.
Written in the typical George R. R. Martin way, the story of Dunk and Egg is another epic adventure, which holds true the history of the various houses which made their names in GOT.
This slots in around 100 years prior to A Game of Thrones, and I enjoyed learning about how many of the main characters in the main series came to pass. This book is perfectly interwoven into the history and legend of the Seven Kingdoms.
Wonderful narration from Harry Lloyd.

9 people found this helpful

The Lunk shows spunk

Would you consider the audio edition of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to be better than the print version?

Just as good - it'd be nice to see it in print and learn how the names and places are spelled, for example, but the characterisation here is wonderful (I do not greatly enjoy Roy Dotrice, sadly, and long for another actor to re-record the Ice and Fire books) and it's great to be able to listen to these stories back to back while relaxing or doing other things, as I think it'd take me too long to read them in print. I did find myself googling certain characters to find out more biographical information and learn more about the battles, because this universe George Martin has created is so vast and rich in its histories i.e. events are referred to in both these stories and Game of Thrones, and they all tally, and it's really nice to immerse yourself in this alternative history; you pick up new details every time you engage with the novels.

What other book might you compare A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to, and why?

Obviously the Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) books because they take place in the same world and have many overlapping characters, settings and so on. It enriches the action of Game of Thrones.

What about Harry Lloyd’s performance did you like?

It was consistent, he really gets into the skin of Dunk the Tall, and knows his way around this world very well having acted in the Game of Thrones series so knows how everything works/how every role works, which comes across in the performance. Funny where it should be; dark and violent at other times - he marks out the internal dialogue from the external dialogue very clearly, it's just a very solid and enjoyable reading.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The Hedge Knight who wasn't...

Any additional comments?

Makes you appreciate George R. R. Martin's immense achievement - we may marvel at how well J.K. Rowling knows her wizarding world, but this is arguably even more impressive, stretching back thousands of years, with every reign fully accounted for: magnificent (and beautifully well written).

7 people found this helpful

Super little story & great narration

A great side story to game of thrones. Thoroughly recommended. Narrator is different to the one for game of thrones, but that works well and he's very good.

9 people found this helpful

Great supliment to the SOIAF series

This book is a great listen, fantastic for those who are dying for a taste of Westoros while we wait for the following books in the main story line

3 people found this helpful

A must for any Game of Thrones fan

Would you consider the audio edition of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to be better than the print version?

Yes, Harry Lloyd brings it to life wonderfully.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dunk the lunk, thick as a castle wall.

What does Harry Lloyd bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

He does amazing voices, a really great narrator - if Roy Dotrice doesn't carry on - then I'd love harry to do the future books.

3 people found this helpful

Words are wind

When I first saw this book was released, I kind of thought: come on George this is not getting the next ice and fire story out. Why are you getting distracted with this?

But I really enjoyed it and it was a nice distraction from Game of Thrones, as I'm sure it was for George. Lot's of the usual kinds of
intrigue, plots and villains. Castles, feasts and fights- and like all GoT books-, it always makes me hungry. Buttered capons and a flaggon of wine- Don't mind if I do!

So thanks George, but please finish Winds of Winter now.

2 people found this helpful

Worth the wait

What made the experience of listening to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms the most enjoyable?

So happy for these novellas to be complied into one audiobook. Fantastic back story to A Song of Ice and fire, bonus points for Harry Lloyd narrating

5 people found this helpful

Great part of Westeros lore

A great addition to the game of thrones series while still being a stand alone novel. The book has a more traditional narrative when compared to Martins larger body of work "A song of fire and ice".
It can be listened to without the listener needing to have heard/read any of the rest of the series.

The performance is good and well read. Couldn't fault it.

Over all good audiobook and would recommend.

3 people found this helpful

Good

The story is pretty decent. But the.narrator.needs.to.learn how.to.use.different.voices.for.different.characters.in.the.book. Same squeeky.voice.seems.to.be.used for the character.Very poor reading

2 people found this helpful