George R.R. Martin Releases New Chapter From The Winds of Winter

Posted on May 12, 2016

George R.R. Martin has released a new chapter from the sixth book in A Song of Fire and Ice, The Winds of Winter. The chapter is entitled "Arianne" and is told from the point of view of Dornish Princess Arianne Martell. Arianne is the daughter of Prince Doran Martell, and is next in line to the throne. The HBO series based on the books diverges quite a bit from the books in its treatment of Dorn and its inhabitants.

Fans of the show Game of Thrones were quite sad when Prince Martell was killed during a particularly vicious duel. But he is very much still alive in the books. The Dorn plots are complicated, and were simplified quite a bit for television. Martin seems to be making a comment on that fact by releasing this chapter. Arianne is on a mission to meet with the leader of a rebellion. The utmost diplomatic skill will be required as the usurper claims to be Aegon Targaryen, the reportedly dead son of Prince Rheagar Targaryen, the heir to the Iron Throne. Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons, is Rheagar's sister. Is Aegon really alive? Somehow, we doubt it. But who knows what secrets lurk in the mind of George R. R. Martin?

As for the publication date for The Winds of Winter, no one knows when that will be. Martin's last words on the subject made it clear that it will happen when it happens and he will not be rushed. He blogged, "You want to know what the Sand Snakes, Prince Doran, Areo Hotah, Ellaria Sand, Darkstar, and the rest will be up to in The 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 bullshit 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..."

You can read the chapter excerpt here.