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George RR Martin really is taking his time over the sixth book in his A Song of Ice and Fire series, The Winds of Winter .
Despite his efforts, the novel failed to reach bookstores before the sixth season of Game of Thrones was broadcast, leading to many fans fearing the upcoming book would be spoilt by HBO’s series.
Thankfully, the author posted a new sample chapter from the book onto his blog, following Arianne Martell and her dealings with the Sand Snakes. Read the chapter here.
Unfortunately for show watchers wanting to get ahead, Arianne has yet to feature in Game of Thrones, with the chapter offering little insight into the events that unfolded earlier on this season in Dorne.
The House Sigils in Game of ThronesShow all 36 1 /36The House Sigils in Game of Thrones The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Bolton A red flayed man, hanging upside-down on a white X-shaped cross, on a black background.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Stark of Winterfell A grey direwolf on a white plain.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Blackfyre A black three-headed dragon on a red field, reversing the colors the Targaryen heraldry, as is the custom for bastard children.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Targaryen A red three-headed dragon on a black field.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Whent Nine black bats on a gold field.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Umber Four gold chains linked by a central ring on red.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Swyft A blue rooster on a yellow field.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Reyne A red lion with a forked tail on a silver field.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Redwyne A burgundy grape cluster on white.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Marbrand A burning tree on smoke grey.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Mallister A silver eagle on a blue field.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Whitehill A white pile inverted on indigo, with a single four-pointed star above.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Lefford A golden pile on blue, a sun right in the sky.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Karstark A white sunburst on black.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Tyrell of Highgarden A golden rose on a green field
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Tully A silver trout on a red and blue background.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Tarth Yellow suns on rose quartered with white crescents on azure.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Tarly A red huntsman on green
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Selmy Three stalks of yellow wheat on a brown field.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Royce A shower of pebbles on an orange field, surrounded by runes.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Mormont A black bear in a green wood on a white field.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Martell of Sunspear A red sun pierced by a gold spear, on an orange field.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Lannister of Casterly Rock A golden lion on a red field
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Greyjoy A golden kraken on a black field
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Frey The Twins and the bridge, on a grey field, surmounting an escutcheon of blue water.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Forrester A white ironwood tree on a black field embellished with a black sword.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Baratheon of Dragonstone The crowned black stag of Baratheon enclosed within the fiery red heart of the Lord of Light.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Arryn A white falcon and crescent moon on a blue field.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Dayne of Starfall A sword and falling star on a lavender field.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Dondarrion A forked purple lightning bolt on a black starry sky.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Crakehall A black and white brindled boar on brown.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Clegane Three black dogs on a yellow field.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Bracken A red stallion on a gold field.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Blackwood A flock of black ravens surmounting a dead white weirwood tree.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Baratheon of Storm's End A crowned black stag rampant on a gold field. It only gained the crown after Robert usurped the Iron Throne.
The House Sigils in Game of Thrones House Baelish A black mockingbird on a yellow field; Petyr Baelish's self-fashioned sigil.
While optimists may be inclined to think this is a sign Martin is nearing completion of the book, in a separate blog post, the author wrote : “Just to spike any bullsh*t rumours, changing the sample chapter does NOT mean I am done.”
Season six of Game of Thrones marks the continuation of the series beyond the books. Since the show returned to our TV screens, numerous theories have sprung up on the internet, particularly about The Tower of Joy and Jon Snow being Azor Ahai .
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