George R.R. Martin's *The Winds of Winter*, the highly anticipated sixth book in *A Song of Ice and Fire*, remains one of the most eagerly awaited works of fiction. Following the 2011 release of *A Dance with Dragons* (Book 5), its creation has spanned over a decade, coinciding with the entire run of HBO's *Game of Thrones* and the first two seasons of its prequel, *House of the Dragon*. While Martin continues his work, let's delve into everything we know about *The Winds of Winter*, from its projected length and publishing timeline to its characters and key differences from the television adaptation.
**Jump to:**
- Release Date
- Length
- Story Details
- Book vs. TV Series
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Winds of Winter Release Date
Unfortunately, there's no official release date or even a projected window for *The Winds of Winter*. Initial hopes for completion by October 2015, aiming for a March 2016 release ahead of *Game of Thrones* Season 6, proved optimistic. Subsequent deadlines in late 2015, late 2017, and 2021 also passed without the manuscript's completion. In October 2022, Martin reported being approximately 75% finished. A November 2023 update indicated 1,100 pages completed—a figure consistent with his December 2022 appearance on *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*. A December 2024 interview suggested the possibility of the book remaining unfinished within his lifetime.
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Winds of Winter Length
Martin anticipates *The Winds of Winter* to be approximately 1,500 pages. As of November 2023, he'd written roughly 1,100 pages, with hundreds more to go. He's stated that the final two books in the series will collectively exceed 3,000 pages. A 1,500-page *Winds of Winter* would surpass *A Dance with Dragons* as the longest book in the series.
Winds of Winter Story
This section avoids spoilers beyond character names. *The Winds of Winter* will continue the narratives of *A Feast for Crows* and *A Dance with Dragons*. Martin has indicated the book will open with the resolution of cliffhangers from the previous installments, specifically the battles at Winterfell and Meereen. Daenerys Targaryen and Tyrion Lannister's paths will intersect, though much of the book will see them separated. The Dothraki will feature prominently, and significant events will unfold at The Wall. Martin has teased an "interesting take on unicorns." Overall, he's described the book as containing many dark chapters, reflecting the harsh realities of winter.
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Winds of Winter Characters
As of 2016, Martin didn't plan to introduce new point-of-view characters. Confirmed POV characters include: 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, and Jon Connington. Daenerys Targaryen is also highly likely to return as a POV character. Other potential POV characters include Davos Seaworth, Samwell Tarly, and Melisandre. Jeyne Westerling's appearance in the prologue has been confirmed.
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Winds of Winter: Book vs. TV Show
Due to the expanded scope of the books, *The Winds of Winter* will significantly diverge from *Game of Thrones*. Martin has confirmed that characters' fates will differ between the book and show. New characters and those absent from the show will play crucial roles. He highlighted the inclusion of POV characters like Victarion Greyjoy, Arianne Martell, Areo Hotah, Jon Connington, and Aeron Damphair, along with important secondary characters such as Lady Stoneheart and Young Griff. He also noted differences between book and show versions of existing characters, such as Yarra and Euron Greyjoy. The book will feature a major twist involving characters whose fates diverged in the show.
A Dream of Spring and Other Future Works
*A Dream of Spring*, the planned seventh and final book, is also expected to be lengthy. Martin has hinted at a bittersweet ending. Beyond *A Song of Ice and Fire*, he's working on a second Targaryen history volume, additional *Dunk and Egg* novellas, and continues his involvement with *Wild Cards*, *House of the Dragon*, and *Dark Winds*.
For further reading, explore our guide on the recommended reading order for the *Game of Thrones* books.
