Unfortunately, "Game of Thrones" fans are going to have to wait even longer to get their hands on author George R.R. Martin’s “The Winds of Winter" – the latest entry in his best-selling "Song of Ice and Fire" series.
“No, winter is not coming . . . not in 2018, at least," Martin told fans April 25 on his official blog. "You’re going to have to keep waiting for 'The Winds of Winter.'"
"Fire & Blood" — which Martin calls a "monumental history of the Targaryen kings of Westeros” — is still set to be released, however, on Nov. 20.
“It’s a hefty book, almost a thousand manuscript pages. (OK, 989, if you want to be precise.)” the official announcement explains. “That’s not quite as long as 'A Game of Thrones' or any of the later volumes in 'A Song for Ice and Fire,' but there’s a lot of reading there. And I hope you’ll enjoy it.”
In addition to covering the Targaryen kings from Aegon I, there will be “lots” of dragons, too.
While this news might be disappointing for some, it’s unlikely that it comes as a surprise. Martin reassured fans he has not forgotten about "Winds of Winter."
“Archmaester Gyldayn is hanging up his quill for a while,” he said. “As for me, I’m returning once again to 'The Winds of Winter.'"
This book isn’t the only anticipated "Game of Thrones" event that has experienced a delay this year. In January, HBO admitted that the final season of "Game of Thrones" will debut in 2019 — leaving fans to wait for an agonizing year after a series of clues were revealed.
But some things are worth the wait.
Regarding the final season of the HBO show, some cast members have provided clues about what fans can expect. Sophie Turner, who plays Sansa Stark, told Variety, "This season, there’s a new threat. And, all of a sudden, [Sansa] finds herself somewhat back in the deep end. And without Littlefinger, it’s a test for her of whether she can get through it. It’s a big challenge for her without this master manipulator having her back."
"This season is more a passionate fight for her than a political, manipulative kind of fight," Turner continued.
Casey Bloys, HBO programming president, told Entertainment Weekly, "The show has proven that TV is every bit as impressive – and in many cases more so – than film. What they’re doing is monumental. When you see these battles in season seven – and what I imagine season eight will be – it’s a big, big show. We’ve done a lot of great shows, but this one combines the complex characters we love with a huge cinematic scope."
"Winter" will come one day — just not in 2018.
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