The highly anticipated sixth installment of George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, titled *The Winds of Winter*, has kept fans on the edge of their seats since the release of the fifth book, *A Dance with Dragons*, in 2011. During this period, HBO's *Game of Thrones* series, based on the books, aired Seasons 2-8, and the first two seasons of the spinoff *House of the Dragon* were released. As Martin diligently works on the next chapter of this beloved saga, we've gathered all the latest information about *The Winds of Winter*, including insights on its length, expected release date, story details, and how it will differ from the TV series.
Jump to:
- When will it come out?
- How long will it be?
- Story details
- Book vs. TV series
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Winds of Winter Release Date
There is no confirmed release date or window for The Winds of Winter. Initially, Martin and his publishers aimed to have the manuscript completed by October 2015, with a planned release in March 2016 before the premiere of Game of Thrones Season 6. However, this deadline was not met, and subsequent targets at the end of 2015 and by the end of 2017 also passed without a finished manuscript. In 2020, Martin expressed hope to complete the initial draft by 2021, but this timeline also slipped. The last public estimation from Martin came in October 2022, when he stated he was about 75% done with the manuscript. By November 2023, he reported having written 1,100 pages, the same number he mentioned in a December 2022 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. In a December 2024 interview, Martin acknowledged the possibility that he might not finish The Winds of Winter in his lifetime.
Winds of Winter Length
The Winds of Winter is expected to be around 1,500 pages long. As of November 2023, Martin had completed roughly 1,100 pages and mentioned having "hundreds more pages to go." The final two books of A Song of Ice and Fire are projected to exceed 3,000 pages combined. If The Winds of Winter reaches 1,500 pages, it will surpass the current longest book in the series, A Dance with Dragons, which was just over 1,000 pages in its original hardcover format.
Winds of Winter Story
There are no spoilers in this section, save for the names of characters who will appear in The Winds of Winter.
The Winds of Winter will pick up where A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons left off, resolving the cliffhangers from the previous books. Martin has promised a dramatic start, with the narrative opening with two major battles: one in the ice between Stannis Baratheon and Roose Bolton at Winterfell, and another at Meereen, known as the battle of Slaver's Bay, between Daenerys Targaryen and the slavers of Yunkai.
Martin has hinted that Daenerys Targaryen and Tyrion Lannister will finally cross paths "in a way," though they will spend much of the book apart, each playing significant roles. The Dothraki will return "in a big way," and significant events will unfold at The Wall. Martin also teased an "interesting take on unicorns." He has warned fans to expect a darker tone, stating, "Things are going to get worse before they get better," reflecting the harshness of winter, a theme central to the series.
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Winds of Winter Characters
As of 2016, Martin confirmed there would be no new point-of-view characters in The Winds of Winter. The following characters are confirmed to have chapters from their perspectives:
- Tyrion Lannister
- Cersei Lannister
- Jaime Lannister and/or Brienne of Tarth
- Arya Stark
- Sansa Stark
- Bran Stark
- Theon Greyjoy
- Asha Greyjoy
- Victarion Greyjoy
- Aeron Greyjoy/Damphair
- Barristan Selmy
- Arianne Martell
- Areo Hotah
- Jon Connington
While not officially confirmed, it's highly likely that Daenerys Targaryen will also have point-of-view chapters. Other potential POV characters include Davos Seaworth, Samwell Tarly, and Melisandre. Additionally, Robb Stark's wife, Jeyne Westerling, will appear in the prologue, though it's unclear if it will be from her perspective.
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Winds of Winter: Book vs. TV Show
The Winds of Winter will diverge significantly from the Game of Thrones TV series due to the books' larger scope and more complex narrative. Martin has stated that some characters who died in the show will live in the books, and vice versa. New characters will be introduced, and characters who never appeared on screen will play important roles.
In a 2022 blog post, Martin elaborated on these differences, noting that his "gardening" approach to writing has taken the story further from the TV adaptation. He mentioned several characters exclusive to the books, such as Victarion Greyjoy, Arianne Martell, and Jon Connington, who will influence the story significantly. Martin also highlighted differences in character portrayals, like the distinct versions of Euron Greyjoy and Yara Greyjoy, and teased the return of characters like Quaithe and Rickon Stark. He assured fans that the ending of the books would differ from the show, promising a mix of similarities and significant deviations.
Martin's comments offer hope to fans disappointed with the rushed pace of the TV series' final season, suggesting a more detailed and nuanced conclusion in the books. Additionally, he hinted at a major twist involving characters, one of whom was dead in the show by the end of Season 5 but not in the books.
A Dream of Spring and Other Future Works
A Dream of Spring, the seventh and final book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, is also expected to be around 1,500 pages or more. Martin has described the ending as likely to be "bittersweet as it is happy," though no release timeline has been set.
In addition to The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring, Martin is working on a second volume of his Targaryen history, tentatively titled Blood & Fire, and more stories in his Tales of Dunk and Egg series, which will be adapted into HBO's Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Martin also continues to edit the Wild Cards series and serves as a producer for House of the Dragon and AMC's Dark Winds.
For those eager to delve deeper into the world of A Song of Ice and Fire, our comprehensive guide on how to read the Game of Thrones books in order is available.
