Now that "Game of Thrones" season 5 has ended, all eyes are on George R.R. Martin's "Winds of Winter" release date announcement.
While fans are devastated with Jon Snow's (Kit Harington) demise, there are news claiming that the upcoming novel will shed light to his fate.
Reportedly, the highly acclaimed novelist is already rushing "Winds of Winter" to be able to set the release date ahead of "Game of Thrones" season 6 debut.
According to an exclusive report by Entertainment Weekly has refused to get involved again with "Game of Thrones" season 6 because he needed to concentrate on "Winds of Winter" instead.
"The bestselling author once again will not contribute a script to HBO's 'Game of Thrones' as the production preps for next season. The Thrones author previously penned an episode for seasons 1-4, then opted out of writing for the current fifth season. "
The 66-year-old author previously confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that he's looking forward to release "Winds of Winter" ahead of season 6.
"I wish it was out now. Maybe I'm being overly optimistic about how quickly I can finish," he explained. But I canceled two convention appearances, I'm turning down a lot more interviews-anything I can do to clear my decks and get this done."
The author then confessed that he "put it [Winds of Winter] aside for six months," instead of setting up a time table for its release date.
"I was so into it. I was pushing so hard that I was writing very well. I should have just gone on from there, because I was so into it and it was moving so fast then."
"But I didn't because I had to switch gears into the editing phase and then the book tour. The iron does cool off, for me especially."
While fans are anxiously waiting for the official announcement of "Winds of Winter" release date, there are already ongoing speculations as what readers should expect in the novel.
And while George R.R. Martin has yet to announce the novel's release date, there are speculations that the novel will finally reveal the fate of Jon Snow and even Daenerys Targaryen.
Tech Times tried to put out some interesting plots from previous "Game of Thrones" novels that would be answered in "Winds of Winter" come its release date.
According to the publication, the upcoming novel could finally shed light to Jon Snow's demise. Was his fate sealed at "A Dance With Dragons" already or will he come back as a "warg" in "Winds of Winter" release date?
And if so, will "Game of Thrones" season 6 follow the same path as the novel, will it finally seal the fate of Jon Snow or will it bring back the well love character to life?
"To many in the Night's Watch, Jon is seen as breaking his vows, as he has allied the brotherhood with the Wildlings and asks Wildling and black brother alike to help him take back Winterfell from Ramsay Bolton," the publication noted. "Shortly after announcing his intentions, Jon is ambushed by his brothers-in-arms, who appear to be crying as they stab him, as they whisper "For the Watch."
Jon's chapter ends with him falling unconscious from multiple stab wounds. Does that mean the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch is dead, slain by his own men? Hard to say for sure. Some fans speculate Jon's body may be beyond saving, but that Jon will "warg" his mind into Ghost, his direwolf companion. It certainly seems like a possibility, but we will have to wait until The Winds of Winter releases (or Game of Thrones season six) to find out."
While the "Game of Thrones" did not deviate with "A Dance of Dragons" novel when it came to Jon Snow's story, it somehow deviated with Daenerys Targaryen's fate.
In the novel Dany seemed to have met her end when she was poisoned. The show clearly showed that she is well and alive with her dragon drogon, but apparently she is surrounded by Dothraki's (her former husband Khal Drogo's tribe).
However, "Winds of Winter" will definitely shed light to Khaleesi's fate come its release date.
"When Dany later re-opens the Meereen fighting pits, she is nearly poisoned to death, saved only by Strong Belwas' passion for spiced locusts.
The locusts, it turns out, were laced with poison. But poisoned by who? Barristan Selmy and other Dany supporters believe Hizdahr to be the culprit. After all, his motif seems clear. With Dany dead (or flying away atop a dragon) Hizdahr becomes a king without a queen and the default ruler of Meereen. It remains to be seen, however, if Hizdahr actually committed the crime or is simply a puppet in some larger game."
Official announcement of "Winds of Winter" release date will be announced in George R.R. Matin's blog.
