Game of Thrones: The Winds of Winter gets long-awaited update from George R. R. Martin

It has been 84 years (ok, more like 13) since readers got stuck into the latest A Song of Ice and Fire book, A Dance With Dragons. Now with its author George R.R. Martin becoming something of a meme for how long he is taking to write the next instalment, The Winds of Winter, the wait may finally be over thanks to a long-awaited update.

First released in 1996, A Song of Ice and Fire is the book series that inspired the hit show Game of Thrones. Spanning over 27 years and counting and currently consisting of five books, the series is perhaps one of the most well-known fantasy series of all time.

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However, with the latest instalment, A Dance with Dragons, releasing back in 2011, it has been a long time since we have been able to delve back into Westeros. With the question on every reader’s lips being when we can finally expect the upcoming title The Winds of Winter, Martin was recently able to give us an update. Spoiler alert, it isn’t good news.

In an interview with Bangcast, Martin claimed that he had written a total of 1,100 pages which may seem like a lot but 1) this is a A Song of Ice and Fire book which are known to be on the big side and 2) this was the same number of pages he had this time last year.

"I have like 1,100 pages written but I still have hundreds more pages to go,” Martin said. “It's a big mother of a book for whatever reason. Maybe I should've started writing smaller books when I began this but it's tough. That's the main thing that dominates most of my working life."

Although I am with you in letting out a huge groan, it is also worth noting that Martin has also revealed he has been actively working on the manuscript along the way. As a result, he announced in October of last year that he was 75% done with the story.

It may be a while until we see The Winds of Winter but with show fans still annoyed with the Game of Thrones ending, its book alternative may just make up for it. That is if we see it in our lifetime.