Critically-acclaimed author George R.R. Martin attended the Guadalajara International Book Fair early this month and as expected, his Q&A session with the fans centered on “The Winds of Winter.”
“The Winds of Winter” is the sixth book in Martin’s fantasy novel series “A Song of Ice and Fire” where the HBO hit series “Games of Thrones” is based on. The sixth book has been rumored to be release as early as late last year but up until this time, there is no official announcement regarding its official release date.
Even George Martin did not say when the book would hit the book shelves but he did confirm during the Guadalajara International Book Fair that it is going to be a dark one. He revealed that the sixth book of his fantasy novel series is not going to be a happy feel-good book, reports Enstars.
He explained that he has been telling his readers for the last 20 years that winter was coming. The upcoming sixth book is when winter has finally arrived in the seven kingdoms of Westeros. He said that winter is the time when things die, and cold and ice and darkness fill the world.
Martin also said that some of the characters in the book are going to be in very dark places but he did not elaborate or identify those characters.
Getting worse before they get better
The author, however, said that the darkness in the sixth book of his seven-book fantasy novel series is important because it is the classic structure of almost every story, because as in life, things get worse before they get better.
Based on the same hint, it is likely that the seventh book of the series, entitled “A Dream of Spring” would be the happy ending that readers and fans would like.
But Martin doused expectations of a true-blue happy ending for the fantasy novel series by saying that the end of the story is going to be bittersweet as much as it is happy.
The fifth book of the series “A Dance of Dragons” was released in 2011 so by next year, it would already be six years of fan wait for “The Winds of Winter” to finally come out.
Queen of the North
There are speculations also coming out saying that Sansa Stark would become the Queen of the North in “The Winds of Winter.” But it seems that the rumors are meant more for the upcoming seventh season of “Game of Thrones” than a plotline of the sixth book, notes Yibada.
In fact, the same set of rumors is saying that the book would be released in January next year, which is really way off the mark.
If the book would be released next month, the promotions would have been extensive already not only this month but the past few months prior, so it is clear that the rumored release date is inaccurate.
According to the same speculation, the eldest daughter of Lord Eddard and Lady Catelyn Stark may inherit the property in the North as the rightful heir since first-born Robb Stark is already dead.
Being the second in the succession line implies that she may become the Queen of the North and rule over a pivotal region.
In all the previous books of the “A Song of Ice and Fire,” Sansa is always at the helm of things but they have never worked out to her advantage.
Hence, she is tired of just being a passerby and becoming a pawn for those in power. It is high time that she takes control of her own life and make her own destiny.
Tyrion Lannister and Jon Snow are reported to play important roles in Sansa’s journey to the throne. She may even marry the imp and then rule ruthlessly over her subjects.
However, all these are mere speculations as it did not come directly from George Martin but merely of fan theories and wishful thinking.