A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS may not be the book that George R. R. Martin fans are holding their breath for. That would be the forthcoming installment in the Song of Ice and Fire series, THE WINDS OF WINTER. But it’s a book that nevertheless will make them happy indeed.

Set about a century before the action in “Game of Thrones” takes place, it follows two unlikely partners as they travel the Reach, one of the richest and most populated regions of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros: a teenager named Dunk and a child, Egg. Although they are different in almost every conceivable way, theirs is a friendship that transcends differences and has the power to make their chaotic world a better place. Their adventures and partnership, as told in these three novellas, give readers a vital and engaging look at Westeros before Robert's Rebellion.

"A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS offers the best of Martin's Westeros: noble heroes, conflicted loyalties, humor and a hint of magic."

Dunk is actually Ser Duncan the Tall, almost seven feet tall, recently knighted and alone in the world. He was rescued from a life of mean poverty on the streets of Flea Bottom by Ser Arlan of Pennytree when he was just about five years old. He spent the last decade or so as squire to the nomadic hedge knight, learning to care for horses and armor, and prepare a knight for tourneys and battles. He listened to the tales and gentle teasing of Ser Arlan, the closest thing to family he ever had.

Having just buried Ser Arlan, Dunk aims to make his way in the world as a hedge knight as well. Almost immediately he comes across a scrawny bald boy named Egg, who insists on working as his squire. Reluctantly Dunk takes him on; of course, he will need a squire now that he’s a knight, and perhaps he can serve as a mentor and protector as Ser Arlan did for him for so many years. But Egg is no ordinary child. He is, in fact, Aegon Targaryen and will grow up to be King Aegon V, ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and great-grandfather to Daenerys. Egg's knowledge of royal history and political realities, along with his brash cynicism, couple with Dunk's chivalry, honesty and innocence. This duo is unforgettable, and the years this book chronicles sees them mature in poignant and powerful ways.

The world Dunk and Egg inhabit is one of uncertainty, superstition and intrigue. Fresh in the memory of all the characters is the Blackfyre Rebellion, and the resulting devastating loss of life and peace across the Seven Kingdoms. This bit of Westeros history fills in some gaps in the epic that is A Song of Ice and Fire, but Martin is light-handed here and never gets bogged down in details. Tensions simmer, and Dunk and Egg respond to them and reflect them back as they travel the dusty and dangerous roads in search of work, warm food, good ale and safe places to sleep. And, of course, there is enough jousting, tilting, fighting, drinking, treachery and romance to keep readers turning the pages. Gary Gianni's plentiful black-and-white illustrations portray Dunk and Egg, and the people they encounter, with energy and vitality.

A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS offers the best of Martin's Westeros: noble heroes, conflicted loyalties, humor and a hint of magic. As these stories were written before the later series, and because they are character-driven, they work quite well as stand-alones. But for readers entrenched in the series, they offer a terrific peek at the past and some captivating foreshadowing of things to come as Dunk and Egg grow up together and come to be two of the most likable and fascinating figures in Martin's world.