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Tales of Dunk and Egg Reading Order.

Expert Guideby George R. R. Martin
3 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start Tales of Dunk and Egg by George R. R. Martin with "The Hedge Knight", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

A series of novellas set 90 years before A Song of Ice and Fire, detailing the adventures of the hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "The Hedge Knight"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

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Community Consensus

Low Debate

"The comments provided focus on a general community poll ranking SFF novellas, and 'Tales of Dunk and Egg' is treated as a single entry on that list. There is no discussion, recommendation, or analysis regarding the specific internal reading order (e.g., The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, etc.) of the 'Tales of Dunk and Egg' novellas themselves."

Key Reddit Advice

No specific reading order advice for 'Tales of Dunk and Egg' can be derived from these comments.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Tales of Dunk and Egg conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Tales of Dunk and Egg. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "The Hedge Knight" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Tales of Dunk and Egg" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "The Hedge Knight"Explore all by George R. R. Martin

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended. Compare →

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order3 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

The Hedge Knight

Pub: 2013Optional

In this comic book/graphic novel adaptation set one hundred years before the events in George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, The Hedge Knight chronicles a young squire as he travels the cruel and complex path to knighthood in the Seven Kingdoms. Shouldering his fallen master's sword and shield, Duncan (or "Dunk") is determined to reinvent himself as a knight in a nearby tournament. But first Dunk needs a sponsor, and that requirement sends him down a road studded with friends, foes, adventure, and hidden agendas. One such friend is Egg, who becomes Dunk's squire, yet even he may hold secret motivations of his own. In this gripping prequel, Dunk and Egg seek glory in a world both familiar and new to Game of Thrones fans. What the two fortune seekers encounter, however, is a world of distrust and political machinations. Chivalry is not lost while Dunk holds fast to his dreams of honor. But such outdated virtues make him a target--and they may even lead to his ruin. This vivid and elaborately wrought tale brings new dimension to George R. R. Martin's beloved world. This edition includes fifteen pages of new supplemental material: sketches, character designs, and original pages by Mike S. Miller, plus variant and original covers.

Curation Note:These three novellas constitute the entirety of the published series to date and are intended to be read in publication order (The Hedge Knight, followed by The Sworn Sword, followed by The Mystery Knight) as they follow the adventures of Dunk and Egg chronologically.

2

The Sworn Sword

Pub: 2021Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Hedge Knight".

"Set one hundred years before the events in George R. R. Martin's epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, The Sworn Sword graphic novel follows the adventures of Ser Duncan and his squire, Egg, as they quest for honor and glory in the Seven Kingdoms."--P. [4] of cover.

3

The Mystery Knight

Pub: 2017Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Sworn Sword".

A full-color graphic rendering of the novella set a century before the events of the Game of Thrones series continues the adventures of noble but impoverished hedge knight Duncan and his bold squire and Daenerys's great-grandfather, the future King Aegon V.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Tales of Dunk and Egg series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Tales of Dunk and Egg?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "The Hedge Knight" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as George R. R. Martin intended.

Can I read Tales of Dunk and Egg books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Tales of Dunk and Egg universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.