Fans of George R.R. Martin's epic "A Song of Ice & Fire" series have grown frustrated with the author in recent years. Not only are the lapses in time between each book growing (J.K Rowling published seven Harry Potter books in one less year than it has taken Martin to publish five) but HBO's "Game of Thrones" television series is breaking new ground every season, potentially spoiling major story lines for loyal book readers.
Martin's upcoming book "The Winds of Winter" was initially supposed to be published in 2015, though as has become customary, Martin pushed the release date back. Now comes word that the sixth novel in his series will officially be dropping sometime next year.
Alejo Cuervo, editor of Ediciones Gigamesh, the Spanish publisher that owns distribution and translation rights to "The Winds of Winter," had the following exchange on radio station El Mon RAC1, via Watchers on The Wall:
Radio Host: "The sixth book will be?"
Cuervo: "It is expected next year."
Radio Host: "In English, but in Spanish when will it be?"
Cuervo: "We have been promised the manuscript in advance of the release in English which we will translate, there won't be a big difference."
Radio Host: "But you are equally sure it will be next year?"
Cuervo: "Well, let's see, confident...but a meteor could fall."
Outside of a zombie apocalypse, fans should expect "The Winds of Winter" at some point in 2016.
Season five of "Game of Thrones" saw a few select storylines push past their narrative counterpoints. But many of the major arcs were left unspoiled. Perhaps, HBO was biding their time, as seemed to be the case with the Winterfell and Dorne plots in particular. This stalling tactic may have been designed to enable Martin to finish his book before the show was forced to charge forward.
Considering that season six appears to be taking plot points directly from "The Winds of Winter" in some cases, it's reasonable (or just hopeful) to expect the book to be released sometime in early 2016, before the airing of "Game of Thrones."
So fear not, book readers. Jon Snow's fate will likely be unveiled on the page before it hits the small screen.
