Just when you thought that it might only be another 15 years before George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire ends, it’s looking increasingly likely that at least another five years will be added to that timeline. Despite the fact that the Winds of Winter (Book 6 in the series) hasn’t even been finished, rumors are surfacing that there will be an 8th book in the trilogy. However, it is beginning to look like these are more than just rumors, as they were lent some credibility today by a statement made by George RR Martin’s editor, Anne Groell. Groell had the following to say:
I begin to wonder — though 7 is what we currently have under contract. I remember when he called me, years and years back, to confess that his little trilogy was…well…no longer a trilogy. He predicted four books. I said Seven Books for Seven Kingdoms. Then he said five books. I said Seven Books for Seven Kingdoms. Then he went to six. I said…Well, you get it. Finally, we were on the same page. Seven Books for Seven Kingdoms. Good. Only, as I recently learned while editing THE WORLD OF ICE AND FIRE (another awesome thing you must buy when it comes out!), there are really technically eight kingdoms, all having to do with who has annexed what when Aegon the Conqueror landed in Westeros. So, maybe eight books for Seven Kingdoms would be okay. Also, he has promised me that, when he finally wraps this great beast us, I can publish the five page letter outlining the bare bones of the “trilogy.”
So, there you have it. Nothing is confirmed yet, however, it is looking like this series just won’t end. This raises numerous questions; most notably, at what point does the TV begin to show us things we’ve never seen in the books before? Sure, this has already happened this season with some made-up additions to book three. Anyways, ASoIaF fans, sound off in the comments below with your thoughts on this!
