Winds of Winter: Game of Thrones Book Update

The Winds of Winter, the highly anticipated sixth installment in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, stands as one of the most eagerly awaited fantasy novels. This next chapter in the epic saga that inspired HBO's Game of Thrones has been in progress since Book 5, A Dance with Dragons, which debuted in 2011. During the thirteen-year interim, HBO released Game of Thrones seasons 2 through 8 and two seasons of its first spinoff, House of the Dragon.

While Martin continues writing the next A Song of Ice and Fire novel, here's everything we know about The Winds of Winter – from the author's updates on length and publication timeline to story details and how it diverges from the television adaptation.

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Release date predictionsEstimated book lengthPlot developmentsDifferences from the TV series

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Winds of Winter Release Date

The Winds of Winter currently has no confirmed publication date.

Martin and his publishers originally targeted completing the manuscript by October 2015 for a March 2016 release before Game of Thrones Season 6 aired, according to Martin. This deadline shifted to December 2015 without completion. In January 2017, Martin expressed hope for release by year's end. By 2020, he aimed to finish initial drafts by 2021, though this timeline wasn't met. These mark Martin's last public estimates for Winds' completion.

In October 2022, Martin reported being 75% finished. Progress appeared stagnant by November 2023, when he confirmed having written 1,100 pages – matching his previous December 2022 update on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. His most recent December 2024 interview acknowledged he might never complete The Winds of Winter.

Estimated Length of The Winds of Winter

The book is projected to span approximately 1,500 pages. As of November 2023, Martin had drafted around 1,100 pages with "hundreds remaining." The final two series installments may exceed 3,000 pages combined.

At 1,500 pages, The Winds of Winter would surpass A Dance with Dragons' 1,000-page hardcover edition as the longest in the series.

Winds of Winter Story Details

This section contains no spoilers beyond character names appearing in The Winds of Winter.

The narrative continues from A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons (parallel stories featuring different characters). Martin told Smarter Travel in 2012 that Winds would begin dramatically:

"Numerous cliffhangers from A Dance with Dragons will resolve early on. I'm opening with two major battles – the ice conflict between Stannis Baratheon and Roose Bolton's forces near Winterfell, and the Slaver's Bay confrontation involving Daenerys Targaryen against Yunkai's armies."

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Daenerys and Tyrion's paths will intersect "somewhat," Martin revealed to EW in 2014: "They remain largely separated with significant arcs. Tyrion's newfound will to survive contrasts his earlier despair, while Daenerys embraces her Targaryen heritage."

The author confirmed major Dothraki involvement and escalating events at The Wall. He also teased introducing unconventional unicorns (Winter Is Coming). Martin warned readers at the Guadalajara International Book Fair (via EW): "Expect darkness before light. The title signifies death, cold, and despair – this won't be a feel-good installment."

Confirmed Winds of Winter Characters

As of 2016, Martin planned no new POV characters. Confirmed perspective characters include:

Tyrion LannisterCersei LannisterJaime Lannister/Brienne of TarthArya StarkSansa StarkBran StarkTheon GreyjoyAsha GreyjoyVictarion GreyjoyAeron GreyjoyBarristan SelmyArianne MartellAreo HotahJon Connington

Daenerys Targaryen will likely return as POV, with potential chapters from Davos Seaworth, Samwell Tarly, and Melisandre. Robb Stark's widow Jeyne Westerling appears in the prologue (Hypable), though her narrative role remains unspecified.

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Book vs. Television Differences

The novel's expanded scope ensures significant divergence from Game of Thrones. Martin confirms differing character fates, new introductions, and omitted characters appearing prominently. His 2022 blog post explains:

The narrative continues growing increasingly distinct from the TV adaptation. While some HBO events will occur (potentially altered), many others won't. The books' complexity demands this – with original POVs like Victarion Greyjoy and Arianne Martell influencing core characters differently.

Not all TV deaths will occur in print, nor will all survivors remain. Expect new side characters impacting major arcs. These expansions contribute to Winds' prolonged development.

The ending? You'll have to wait – there will be similarities and substantial differences.

This news may satisfy fans dissatisfied with the show's accelerated final season (IGN). Martin additionally revealed plans for a book-exclusive twist involving a character deceased in the show by Season 5 but alive in the novels.

Future Works Including A Dream of Spring

The seventh book, A Dream of Spring, may surpass 1,500 pages. Martin described its tone as "bittersweet rather than purely happy" (Guadalajara International Book Fair). Beyond completing Winds, Martin works on:

- Blood & Fire (Targaryen history sequel)
- Additional Dunk & Egg tales (basis for HBO's upcoming Knight of the Seven Kingdoms)
- Editing Wild Cards anthology series
- Producing House of the Dragon and AMC's Dark Winds