This is collection of three novellas set in the Westeros universe 100 years before the Fire and Ice series. They contain all the hallmarks of Martin's writing: interesting complicated characters, a myriad of supporting characters with complicated heraldry (where my eyes glaze over), twisty politics, dragons (both metaphorical and literal), and battles. I loved the featured hedge knight, Sir Duncan the Tall (one inch short of seven feet) the sweet giant who is a true knight compared to many of the more noble born knights he meets in his travels. Known at "Dunk the lunk, thick as a castle wall," he has more smarts than his mild manner indicates. He's squired by a bald boy known as Egg with a mysterious past and an encyclopedic knowledge of the knights that Dunk meets in his various and disastrous tourney efforts. 
 This was a satisfying read on its own and whet my appetite for the next in the Fire and Ice series.