The fifth book in "A Song of Ice and Fire," titled "A Dance with Dragons," was released in 2011. Fans of the series have been waiting for its follow-up, "The Winds of Winter," ever since. According to a report from Parent Herald, it is possible that the book is releasing by the second half of the year.

Anticipation for the novel has increased now that the live-action adaptation of the books, "Game of Thrones," has passed the narrative of the books and is now telling its own version of the series' ending. It was rumored that the book might launch by May this year, but author George R.R. Martin denied these claims and stated that the book was not yet ready for release.

"Complete crap, yes. Who makes up these stories?" the author responded when asked whether the reports of a May release had any substance. However, the report does reiterate that the novel may be out before the premiere of "Game of Thrones" season 7.

When the books do launch, they are expected to tell a very different story compared to the events shown in "Game of Thrones" given how their plots have begun to diverge. Events that took place in the book happened very differently in the television show. 

According to the iDigital Times, it is possible that Marwyn the Mage, the maester from the Citadel, will get to meet Daenerys Targaryen in Mereen. Marwyn was notified by Samwell Tarly regarding the arrival of the Others aka the White Walkers and is now intending to inform Daenerys that conquering Westeros is just half of the war she needs to win.

In a separate report, iDigital Times points out that "The Winds of Winter" may detail Daenerys' siege against King's Landing. This second Battle of the Blackwater will see Daenerys, her three dragons, and her army consisting of Dothraki, Mereen soldiers and Unsullied warriors laying waste to King's Landing and defeating the Lannisters.