1. Expecting Old Age Before The Next Books Are Released
A Game of Thrones, the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, was published back in August 1996. The second, A Clash of Kings, came along less than three years later, in February 1999, and by November 2000 the third instalment, A Storm of Swords, was on the shelves. Three epic novels in four years, an impressive pace yet once that belies everything said about George R.R. Martin. The reason for that is that in the 15 years since book three there have been just two further novels. It took five years for A Feast for Crows to be released, and then just under six after that for A Dance with Dragons. The longer the series goes on, the longer the wait between books gets. It's nailed on that the TV series will reach its conclusion before the book series does, and it could even be as soon as next year that happens. The Winds of Winter is coming, but when isn't exactly clear. There was talk of it arriving in 2014, which never materialised, and Martin has said he hopes to have it done before season 6 of the show airs. Whether that happens or not is another matter. As for the promise of the seventh and final book, we can but Dream (of Spring).
NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.
