Many "A Song of Ice and Fire" fans were disappointed when it turned out "Game of Thrones" season 6 would premiere before George R.R. Martin could release "The Winds of Winter." However, a report from Yibada now suggests that fans won't have to wait much longer as the book is allegedly set to launch this coming May.
According to the report, the book may be released right in the middle of HBO's broadcast of "Game of Thrones," which indicates the book will launch by the time season 6 hits its halfway point, in episodes 5 and 6. Unfortunately, neither Martin nor HBO has responded to the rumors regarding the book's potential release.
While no confirmations have yet been made, it is speculated that this is indeed what may happen given that Martin initially hoped to get his book out before season 6 could premiere. As previously reported, Martin may have already been on the last leg of writing and editing but was not fast enough to get it out as early as desired.
If the book launches while "Game of Thrones" season 6 is still airing on HBO it is speculated that the show will help the book attain higher sales and vice versa. Book sales have seen a significant spike ever since the show started and it is likely this will translate to "The Winds of Winter" when it finally launches.
Fans of the show will not have to worry about being spoiled regarding the plot of the books as a report from the iDigital Times points out that the two have gone very different paths since season 5 of the show began. The entire plot arc in Dorne played out very differently in the books and the same can be said regarding Sansa, as she is in the Vale in the books, but on the show she is in Winterfell.
