While George R. R. Martin is preparing along with rest of us for the upcoming final season of Game of Thrones, many fans still await the publication of his novels. The journey to complete The Winds of Winter, the sixth of seven planned novels in his A Song of Ice and Fire series, has taken seven years and counting. It's been three years since the prolific, now-70-year-old author released the latest standalone chapter from the book, so it is unclear whether or not the excerpt will even make it into the final cut.
Last month, the novelist expressed his frustration with his writing, saying he has questioned the likelihood of finishing The Winds of Winter. However, fans looking forward to the sequel can rejoice, as Martin has pledged to deliver it. He took to his personal blog on Dec. 10 to express gratitude for readers enduring the delay, and promises he is working diligently to ensure the release of the work.
"And most of all, my thanks go out to my fans and readers," he said. "I know you want WINDS, and I am going to give it to you...but I am delighted that you stayed with me for [the new book Fire & Blood] as well. Your patience and unflagging support means the world to me. Enjoy the read. Me, I am back in my fortress of solitude, and back in Westeros. It won’t be tomorrow, and it won’t be next week, but you will get the end of A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE."
That end would also include book seven, A Dream of Spring. (The possibility of eight books was floated several years ago, which...good luck with that.)
In addition, Martin teased some other projects that he is involved in, including a GoT prequel "that is not yet officially called THE LONG NIGHT being cast, and a couple more shows still being scripted."
The final season of Game of Thrones is slated to premiere in April 2019. Check out the first teaser, which will give you both the chills and the sweats.
