George R.R. Martin's The Winds of Winter, the highly anticipated sixth installment in A Song of Ice and Fire, remains shrouded in mystery regarding its release date. While initially projected for completion by late 2015, various deadlines have been missed. In October 2022, Martin reported being approximately 75% finished with the manuscript. However, as of November 2023, he's completed 1,100 pages, a figure unchanged from December 2022. Recent statements suggest the book's completion within his lifetime is uncertain.

Projected Length and Story Details:

The Winds of Winter is anticipated to reach around 1,500 pages, surpassing the length of its predecessors. Martin has indicated the final two books will collectively exceed 3,000 pages. The narrative will pick up from A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, resolving cliffhangers early on with major battles in the North and Meereen. Daenerys Targaryen and Tyrion Lannister's paths will converge, while the Dothraki will play a significant role. The Wall will also see considerable action. Martin promises an "interesting take on unicorns" and warns of darker themes, stating "things will get worse before they get better."

Confirmed Point-of-View Characters:

Martin confirmed the following characters will have chapters from their perspective:

• 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

Daenerys Targaryen's return as a POV character is highly likely. Other possibilities include Davos Seaworth, Samwell Tarly, and Melisandre. Jeyne Westerling's appearance in the prologue is also confirmed.

Book vs. TV Series Differences:

Significant deviations from the Game of Thrones television series are expected. Characters' fates will diverge, with some surviving in the books who died in the show, and vice versa. New characters and expanded roles for those absent from the show will further distinguish the narrative. Martin highlights the inclusion of characters like Victarion Greyjoy, Arianne Martell, and others, emphasizing the greater complexity of the books. He also teases a major plot twist involving a character deceased in the show but alive in the books.

Future Works:

A Dream of Spring, the planned seventh and final book, is also expected to be lengthy and offer a bittersweet conclusion. Martin's other projects include a second Targaryen history volume and further Dunk and Egg novellas. He remains involved in House of the Dragon and Dark Winds as a producer.