After George RR Martin teased the fans earlier this year that it is possible for "The Winds of Winter" to arrive this year, recent reports suggest that the highly anticipated novel in the author's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series of novels will not come out until "Game of Thrones" season 8 concludes.

While HBO's hit series "Game of Thrones" is based on Martin's series of novels, with its season 6 supposed to be based on "The Winds of Winter," the author has yet to come up with an official announcement as to when the highly anticipated book will arrive. Earlier this year, Martin teased the fans that there is a possibility for "The Winds of Winter" to arrive later this year. However, he was quick to add that he also said the same thing last year, suggesting that his words on the release of the long-overdue novel are not to be taken seriously as there is still no certainty as to when it will arrive.

"Not done yet, but I've made progress. But not as much as I hoped a year ago, when I thought to be done by now. I think it will be out this year. (But hey, I thought the same thing last year)," he shares on his live journal as a reply to a fan who asked about the status of the book.

Martin's last book in the series, "A Dance with Dragons," was released back in 2011.

While some hold on to their hope that Martin will, indeed, finish writing the novel soon and release it within the year, recent reports suggest that "The Winds of Winter" may not arrive anytime soon as, allegedly, the book will be released once "Game of Thrones" airs its last and final season next year — its season 8.

On the other hand, there are also reports claiming the book will arrive before the "Game of Thrones" season 7 premieres this July. However, with a little more than a month before the equally anticipated season of the TV series arrives, there is still no news whether it will really be the case.

It is said that the primary reason for the delay of the book is its author's packed schedule. Apart from being involved in penning the script of "Game of Thrones," Martin has also been tapped as a consultant for the script of the planned spin-off series for "Game of Thrones."

Whatever the reason for the delay is, one thing is for sure: Fans are anticipating the arrival of "The Winds of Winter" and want it out soon.