• “The Winds of Winter” is the sixth installment of the of “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the basis of HBO’s popular series “Game of Thrones.”

“The Winds of Winter” is the sixth installment of the of “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the basis of HBO’s popular series “Game of Thrones.” (Photo : YouTube/ The Winds of Winter)

"Game of Thrones" book "Winds of Winter" is probably one of the most anticipated novels of all time. Many fans have been waiting for the official announcement of the release date of the sixth installment of the medieval fantasy series book. Yet, George RR Martin, the novel's author, has been keeping his mouth shut up until now.

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In fact, there had been many rumors about the novel's fate. Some claim that the new "Game of Thrones" book may not hit the shelves at all; others believe the highly acclaimed author is just waiting for the perfect timing before he releases the book. So what's the real deal here?

The new "Game of Thrones" book was supposed to be released before the sixth season of the HBO series airs, which obviously, did not happen. Apparently, it was further delayed until 2017 or even until 2018, Movie News Guide reported. One can only hope that the "Winds of Winter" will arrive sooner rather than later.

It can be recalled that George RR Martin explained how he opt not to give any deadlines to his works. That, of course, includes the new novel everyone is going crazy about.

"But no, I can't tell you when it will be done, or when it will be published... But when delivery will be, I can't say," wrote on his Live Journal. "I am not going to set another deadline for myself to trip over, the deadlines just stress me out."

Meanwhile, Martin's publisher Random House released an official statement about an ongoing rumor mill claiming that they've backed out from the project. "Once we have a publication date for The Winds of Winter, the world will know," the publisher said in an official statement.

With no concrete news about the release date of the new "Game of Thrones," book fans have no choice but to settle with the glimpse of an excerpt in George RR Martin's official website.

"Game of Thrones" season 7, on the other hand, is expected to be released in summer of 2017. A specific date has yet to be announced, though.