If there’s one thing to really love about George R.R. MartinOpens in a new tab, it’s that he still appreciates the fine art that is LiveJournalOpens in a new tab blogging. The fantasyOpens in a new tab author has used his trusty “Not A BlogOpens in a new tab” account to share thoughts and news for many years, and now he’s one-upping himself by delivering a nugget of new information in the comment section.
In a February 7 postOpens in a new tab about Hugo Awards nominations, Martin let slip in the comments section that we can expect a new A Song of Ice and FireOpens in a new tab book in 2018. Sadly, it’s not The Winds of WinterOpens in a new tab, but instead the first volume of a companion story collection called Fire and Blood.
If you’re making the Sad Jon face, you’re not alone. But chins up, because Fire and Blood actually sounds pretty coolOpens in a new tab, and, according to Martin, is mostly made up of recycled material from his encyclopedic The World of Ice and FireOpens in a new tab, meaning there probably wasn’t a lot of extra writing involved to distract him. The collection will focus onOpens in a new tab “fake histories of the Targaryen kings,” from Aegon’s Conquest to the regency of boy king Aegon III.
Back in 2017, Martin jokingly referred toOpens in a new tab Fire and Blood as “the GRRMarillion” (a play on J.R.R. TolkienOpens in a new tab‘s The Silmarillion). He also hinted that The Winds of Winter will come out between the releases of Volumes I and II of Fire and Blood. That doesn’t tell us much, but it does sound like there’s at least some sort of publishing schedule in place, even loosely.
Luckily, A Song of Ice and Fire fans are a strong breed and are prepared to wait a long time for that thing they love. In addition to the long drought before The Winds of Winter, we also have a full year before the final season of Game of ThronesOpens in a new tab hits TV screens in 2019. Hopefully Fire and Blood can fill the void of anticipation in the meantime.
Images: HBO
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