The Mystery Knight by George R.R. Martin is a novella set in the world of Westeros, about a century before the events of the A Song of Ice and Fire series.
It is the third story in the Tales of Dunk and Egg series, which follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), a young hedge knight, and his squire, Egg.
In The Mystery Knight, Dunk and Egg travel to a wedding tournament at Whitewalls, where they encounter various knights and lords. As the tournament unfolds, they uncover a plot that threatens the realm, involving a conspiracy to overthrow King Aerys I Targaryen.
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Westeros is eerily peaceful. King Aerys I sits on the Iron Throne. A ravaging plague has abated. Yet beneath the surface, tensions linger sixteen years after a failed rebellion. In these restless times, noble hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall—Dunk, to his friends—and his precocious boy squire, Egg, travel the Seven Kingdoms performing chivalrous deeds, though Egg’s bloodline must be concealed at all costs.
After heading north for Winterfell, Dunk and Egg are lured off the kingsroad by a wedding feast—and an unusually lucrative tournament. The champion jouster will claim a rare trophy indeed: a dragon’s egg. Dunk, always better in a melee, would be satisfied with a hot meal, a cup of wine, and a purse full of coins. But a treasonous plot is more likely to hatch before another dragon ever stretches its wings. Someone’s on to Egg. And a mystery knight with designs on an even bigger prize soon throws the entire affair into chaos.
About the Author
George R.R. Martin is an American author best known for his epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, which inspired the hit HBO show Game of Thrones. Born in 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey, Martin started writing at a young age and initially made a name for himself with science fiction and horror stories.
His fame skyrocketed with A Game of Thrones in 1996, the first book in his A Song of Ice and Fire series. The series is known for its intricate plots, complex characters, and unexpected twists, drawing readers into the richly detailed world of Westeros.
Martin also played a significant role in the production of the Game of Thrones TV series, helping to bring his elaborate world and characters to life on screen. Despite the series’ success, fans are still eagerly awaiting the last two books, The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. Martin’s work has left a lasting impact on the fantasy genre, making him one of the most influential writers of his time.
What to read next
If you enjoyed the Dunk and Egg novellas, I’d suggest reading all the other books in the Game of Thrones world, including Fire & Blood.
