Excitement And Disappointment Greets Release Of New Game Of Thrones Chapter...

[reaper]

lthough forgiveness is a rare commodity in his books, one could be forgiven for imagining that Game Of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin frequently calls Flappy Bird creator Dong Nguyen to discuss how neither can do right for doing wrong in the eyes of their many fans on the internet. Martin’s release of a new chapter from the next, sixth book in the A Song Of Ice And Fire series has been greeted, for the most part, with disappointment and anger that he has not simply published the whole new book entire.

Martin released the chapter, ‘Mercy’ from the ‘Winds Of Winter’, in an effort to appease fans that contact him asking when the next book will be published. He also thought it would be a nice gesture to fans of both the books and the TV series ahead of the fourth series of Game Of Thrones starting on HBO in early April. The decision, however, seems to have just made fans angry, with some expecting – indeed in some cases demanding – more.

Problems began when the overwhelming demand for the new chapter caused the servers for Martin’s website to crash, leaving the site inaccessible. When fans did get to read the new chapter, most took to social networks to express disappointment. The disappointment was not with the content of the chapter as such, but rather more that it was simply a new chapter with no information on when the full novel will be published. Some have even gone to the extent of accusing Martin, aged 70, of being “lazy” and not respecting the wishes of fans in rushing to get the new book out.

Martin has indicated that there will be seven novels in total for the A Song Of Ice And Fire series. The novels have been huge big sellers since the first appeared in the mid-90s, with sales fuelled by the popularity of the Game Of Thrones TV adaptation.

Both Martin and the makers of Game Of Thrones have warned fans that, as of series four, the novels and the books will take different directions. Producers fear that they will not have enough material to film series five if the next novel is not produced soon. Martin has, however, agreed to supply stories and plots to the makers of the TV series, meaning that in novel form and on television the stories should not become too radically different.

Martin has not responded to the criticism and complaints aimed at him over the lack of publication of the sixth novel. It is highly unlikely that he will do so; instead opting to let the next novel speak for itself as and when he feels it is ready to go to print. Fans in the mean time will have to just make do with the one chapter released, as well as the ten new episodes of the television adaptation.