Just as we were about to give up hope on ever seeing the next instalment to come from the Song of Fire and Ice series, George RR Martin has just released an overdue excerpt from his new novel, Fire and Blood.
Yup, turns out the Game of Thrones author has been writing after all as the 70-year-old shared a little snippet of what’s to come on his blog.
‘I’m back from the Emmys and happy to be the first to share this exclusive look at my upcoming history of Westeros and the Targaryen lords in FIRE & BLOOD. I hope you’ll enjoy this tiny taste of what’s to come,’ he beamed.
‘Portions of the book have previously appeared here and there. The chapter about Aegon’s Conquest was published, pretty much as written, in THE WORLD OF ICE & FIRE.
‘But although much has been previously seen there are still hundreds of additional pages of new material which has never appeared before in any form, abridged or unabridged.’
Martin’s next work serves as a prequel to the series and reveals the history of House Targaryen written by scholar and all around tongue twister, Archmaester Gyldayn.
And you can read the full passage from Martin’s blog here, which sees Queen Alysanne arrive at House Stark, only to receive the frostiest reception…
The post comes after Martin recently revealed writing the fantasy epic almost drove him to an early grave.
‘Oh no, this thing nearly killed me and it’s probably the most massive work that I’m capable of doing,’ he told crowds during a St Petersburg convention.
‘I hope to continue writing standalone novels, novellas and short stories, but nothing on this scale.’
As for the TV series, Game of Thrones has officially wrapped up and will see its final chapter air at some point in 2019.
Though, Martin confessed, while walking the Emmys red carpet, that he believes the HBO drama could have continued for 13 seasons, which you just know we’d have all been here for.
Game of Thrones returns to Sky Atlantic and HBO in 2019.
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