There’s a new chapter preview of George R.R. Martin’s long-awaited Winds of Winter novel up on his website, the sixth book in the World of Ice and Fire series best known to television viewers as Game of Thrones. The excerpt is from the POV of Arianne Martell, Prince Doran’s trueborn daughter, and catches readers up on what the Martells are doing in the books. Not a shabby choice considering how much the show is diverging from their plot line.
This isn’t really a new chapter… as in George didn’t just finish this and throw it up online for everyone to read. It was actually completed back in 2010 and has been read to various crowds at fantasy conventions since 2011. Here’s what he said in a blog entry to announce its release on his website:
You want to know what the Sand Snakes, Prince Doran, Areo Hotah, Ellaria Sand, Darkstar, and the rest will be up to in WINDS OF WINTER? Quite a lot, actually. The sample will give you a taste. For the rest, you will need to wait.
And no, just to spike any bulls**t rumors, changing the sample chapter does NOT mean I am done. See the icon up above? Monkey is still on my back… but he’s growing, he is, and one day…
That’s unfortunate news. I remember everyone being so excited assuming George would manage to push The Winds of Winter out before the start of Game of Thrones season six, but alas, it wasn’t to be. Now we’re starting to have doubts the book will make it out in time for the start of season seven.
For now though, anyone can read the chapter here. You may have to be patient with the website, however, since the internet seems to be hugging it to death this morning.