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All 9 existing chapters of The Winds of Winter, explored and explained

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As a devoted reader and fervent fan of George R.R. Martin’s masterpiece, A Song of Ice and Fire, I find myself completely captivated by the chapters from Winds that you’ve so graciously shared with us. Being an old hand at this game of thrones (or should I say, a seasoned viewer of the TV series), I can honestly say that these chapters have breathed new life into Westeros for me.

When queried about why George R.R. Martin stands out as their preferred author among fans, common responses often highlight several aspects: his narratives are rich with captivating characters, they’re set in authentic, gritty environments, the dialogue resonates beautifully…yet what truly sets him apart is that his writing consistently leaves them yearning for more.

I’m among those who share this feeling. Ever since I first delved into “A Game of Thrones,” I’ve been eagerly anticipating what would transpire next, yearning to read a few more lines from an author whose work sparked a worldwide upheaval in the fantasy genre. For devotees of Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, the wait has been excruciatingly long. Notably, the last (completely) published book in the series, “A Dance with Dragons,” was released in 2011… just weeks following the finale of Season 1 of “Game of Thrones,” HBO’s adaptation of the novels.

Since the release of the series’ sixth novel, “The Winds of Winter,” Martin has been working on it for over a decade. During this time, seasons 2 through 8 of “Game of Thrones” were broadcast, as well as the first two seasons of its prequel, “House of the Dragon,” set over a century earlier. For those of us impatiently waiting, it’s been a long 13 years. However, Martin hasn’t left our anticipation to fade away gracefully; instead, he’s kept our hunger pangs alive – much like a cruel chef dangles tantalizing tastes of an upcoming feast. From 2011 to 2018, he shared nine chapters from “The Winds of Winter,” or else read them aloud at public events where enthusiastic fans quickly jotted down his words and later transcribed them.

As a devoted fan of George R.R. Martin’s epic saga, I’ve been eagerly devouring the nine lengthy chapters from “The Winds of Winter” that are freely available online for fellow Westeros enthusiasts like myself. While Martin’s fourth book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, “A Feast for Crows,” spanned 46 chapters, these nine chapters equate to roughly a fifth of that novel’s size (though I suspect “The Winds of Winter” will be even longer). The published chapters serve as a tantalizing morsel from the master storyteller, offering some of his finest writing that has only grown in quality over time. This small taste is a modest consolation for those of us who have been waiting patiently for him to publish the next installment. For anyone pining for more Westeros after the conclusion of “House of the Dragon” season 2 this summer, or for those yearning to reunite with characters such as Sansa, Arya, Tyrion, Theon, and Ser Barristan, these released chapters can serve as a delightful portal back into our beloved world.

Let’s go over each existing chapter so far of “The Winds of Winter.” Be warned, there may be SPOILERS ahead!

Theon I

In the novel “A Dance with Dragons,” Theon endured considerable hardships… and things have barely gotten better in this chapter. Here, we find Theon shackled to a tower wall, undergoing questioning by Stannis Baratheon who is gearing up for a fight against House Bolton outside Winterfell. Fortunately, Stannis doesn’t turn out to be as ruthless as Ramsay… but he still plans to execute Theon for his wrongdoings against House Stark. After just a brief taste of freedom, Theon is once again a captive, having rescued Jeyne Poole (the disguised Arya Stark) from Ramsay by leaping off Winterfell’s outer wall.

As Stannis’ execution looms and a Bolton army prepares to assault his camp, the tension couldn’t be greater in this chapter of “The Winds of Winter.” In an attempt to gain valuable intelligence about the Bolton armies, Stannis, one of Westeros’ finest soldiers, interrogates Theon intensely. However, Roose Bolton’s plan to lure Stannis into a trap near Winterfell, where he would be betrayed by the Karstarks and destroyed, is temporarily halted when Stannis learns of the scheme. To throw suspicion off himself, Roose Bolton invites the Karstark family to breakfast. In front of Theon, Stannis has the Karstarks arrested brutally while his knights outside disarm their soldiers. Although we are unsure of Stannis’ next move, it is evident to Theon that he has one, for Stannis Baratheon rarely smiles – and yet, he does now.

The final moments of the chapter see Asha (known as Yara on the show) making an appearance and asking Stannis to grant Theon a merciful death, rather than subjecting him to being burned alive.

Barristan I

The defenders of Meereen may not have much, but they do have Barristan the Bold. That might just be enough.

At the start, our beloved rogue knight, Ser Barristan Selmy, is seen galloping through Meereen under the early morning’s dim light. In a city where few understand his tongue, he stands solo, anticipating Daenerys Targaryen’s return and readying her armies to repel an impending attack by the slave masters encircling the city.

In “A Dance with Dragons,” Meereen’s defenders find themselves vastly outmatched and struggling to maintain unity. With no moments to spare, they are compelled to act! The slavers, who seem to have a penchant for theatrics, shatter the truce they had established with Daenerys by laying siege to the city, even hurling plague-infested corpses over the city’s walls. Realizing that he cannot defend the city against a siege while its inhabitants succumb to the plague, Ser Barristan elects to take the offensive.

In this chapter, stunning images abound and tension escalates as Daenerys’ forces prepare for their assault. Remarkable speeches by Ser Barristan – one addressed to his commanders and the other to his young apprentices – are included, sending shivers down the spine of readers. The chapter concludes with Ser Barristan witnessing the beacon on Meereen’s Grand Pyramid ignite, indicating it’s now time for troops throughout the city to initiate their attack. The beacon has been lit!

Alayne I (Sansa)

Let me explain my thoughts. I’ll start by acknowledging that Sansa Stark (also known as Alayne Stone) in “A Feast for Crows” doesn’t have the most captivating storyline compared to the latter novels. In truth, I believe there’s only one intriguing chapter from her perspective throughout the entire book, and that’s the final one where Petyr Baelish (Littlefinger) explains his plan. He aims to marry Sansa to Harrold Hardying, the heir to the Eyrie and the Vale of Arryn, whom we call ‘Harry the Heir.’ By doing this, Baelish seeks to provide Sansa with an army that she can utilize to recapture Winterfell and ultimately govern both the North and the Vale once Robin Arryn, who is unwell, inevitably passes away.

In “Winds,” Sansa Stark’s chapter starts immediately after the preceding events, offering insights into her life as she disguises herself as Petyr Baelish’s illegitimate daughter, Alayne. With Littlefinger governing the Vale of Arryn as Robin Arryn’s regent, he sets his schemes for Sansa in motion. To captivate the subjects of Robin, Petyr organizes a magnificent tournament, serving both to entertain and offer a secret opportunity for “Alayne” to charm Harry the Heir in private.

Intriguing situations arise during the tournament where both advantages and pitfalls present themselves. Ser Shadrich, known as “the Mad Mouse,” talks with Alayne unaware that she is actually Sansa Stark, his former target from the Riverlands disguised under a different name. Ser Lyn Corbray, one of Westeros’ most perilous characters, grows irritated when Sansa playfully taunts him. Lastly, when Sansa encounters Harrold Hardyng for the first time, she finds him rather rude. To her surprise, he insults her initially, but by the end of the chapter, Harry becomes infatuated with “Alayne” and asks to display her symbol in the tournament.

Among all the chapters in this series, this one truly stands out for me, being filled with captivating character moments that showcase a young woman’s power in the traditionally male-dominated world of Westeros. Sansa Stark, who was once dismissive of her brother Jon due to his bastardy status, has undergone an extraordinary transformation. Now, she’s not only posing as a bastard herself but flourishing in ways we’ve never witnessed before. It’s truly mesmerizing to watch her character evolve.

The Forsaken (Aeron I)

It’s evident that Euron Greyjoy is not a man of sound mind, as portrayed in this chapter from the viewpoint of his brother Aeron Greyjoy, who was both his captive and victim during their childhood. Previous accounts of Euron, or “Crow’s Eye,” have been presented through the eyes of their middle brother Victarion in “A Feast for Crows” and “A Dance with Dragons.” We know that Euron returned to Westeros after a long exile, which he was forced into due to his actions of seducing and causing the death of Victarion’s wife. Additionally, there are strong suspicions surrounding Euron’s involvement in the demise of their eldest brother Balon, father of Asha and Theon. In “Game of Thrones,” we witness Euron murder Balon onscreen.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Throughout this chapter, which is told from the perspective of a hallucinating Aeron chained up in a dungeon, we learn that Euron Greyjoy was sexually abusive towards two of his younger siblings throughout their childhoods and murdered another brother by smothering him in his bed. He is also actively waging war on the peaceful lands of the Reach with no intention of winning; he just wants the glory of victory while setting up his rivals to be blamed for defeat. We learn that Euron captures priests and tortures them, but keeps them alive for some unholy purpose. Murder, mayhem, and madness, that’s Euron Greyjoy! (Sidenote, it was not until writing this article that I realized that no less than three Greyjoy POV characters will start The Winds of Winter as captives, woof).

At some point, Euron sends his pregnant lover to provide food for Aeron in his cell, given Euron’s notoriously cruel nature, Aeron implores the girl to escape and save herself. However, she chooses to stay, convinced that Euron holds affection for her or will be concerned about the child she carries. In a shocking turn of events, they are both chained naked to the front of Euron’s warship as he readies to embark on the largest naval battle Westeros has ever witnessed.

In the epic series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the author demonstrates an exceptional talent for creating fresh heroes and villains even when the previous ones are deceased, managing to keep us, the readers, emotionally connected. Not every series could endure the demise of characters like Joffrey, Tywin, and the Mountain. Yet, we continue to find someone to despise. Sections such as this one provide the solution, though be aware that while it’s brilliantly crafted, it delves into some extremely dark themes, so read with discretion.

Victarion I

At present, Victarion serves as our perspective character from the Greyjoy lineage, not currently in captivity. He’s busy organizing an assault against the slavers in Meereen, a mission assigned by his brother Euron, who is known for his cruelty and arrogance. However, Victarion has other intentions: he intends to deceive Euron, marry Daenerys himself, then return to Westeros with her army, dragons included, to avenge the numerous cruelties inflicted by Euron.

He gets off to a good start in this chapter, sending his Ironmen into Slaver’s Bay hidden aboard merchant ships he has captured so that they can take the fleets besieging Meereen by surprise. I kind of doubt he’ll succeed in getting Daenerys to marry him, but hey, he has a red priest with him who says that glory awaits, so who knows? Victarion is good at one very specific thing, and that is ramming other ships and killing their crews with his giant axe. He also has a very special horn… one that can call dragons and bind them to its owner’s will. Will it call Daenerys and Drogon back to Meereen? Will it kill the person who sounds it? Either way, death, glory, or probably both, await!

This chapter sheds light more than any other on what we’ve been deprived of during our extended wait for Winds. Originally intended to be part of A Dance With Dragons, but excised when the manuscript became too extensive, this chapter and all subsequent ones taking place during the Battle of Slaver’s Bay were delayed. I’ve been eagerly anticipating this battle since 2011, so let’s dive in!

Tyrion I

In the series A Song of Ice and Fire, Tyrion Lannister, whether contemplating life and destiny in solitude or fighting for survival amidst chaos, consistently delivers some of the most captivating chapters. In his introduction to the book Winds, he finds himself in a unique situation, being in the midst of a camp outside Meereen while a battle unfolds. As he indulges in drink and reflects on his past life in Westeros, a woman named Penny assists him in donning his armor. (By the way, this battle is the one that Ser Barristan will initiate in his chapter, and it’s also where Victarion will join the fray in his – it promises to be quite intense!) Caught with the sellsword company known as the Second Sons, Tyrion comes to the grim realization that they are likely to perish alongside the slavers unless he can persuade their ruthless leader to change allegiance.

Towards the end of “A Dance with Dragons”, Tyrion Lannister was in a troubled emotional state. Given that he had recently killed his father Tywin and Shae, his betrayer, his feelings were quite justified. Despite feigning indifference about his life throughout, finding himself in a camp of mercenaries on the brink of a colossal battle, Tyrion acknowledges that he yearns to survive; a feat that seems almost impossible considering the circumstances. With ships sinking, armies colliding, and dragons burning the bodies of both sides, the most intelligent dwarf ever born must now use his wit to escape this dire situation.

Mercy (Arya I)

Fans of Arya Stark might find “Mercy” a captivating read, given its intriguing title contrast, as Arya Stark is known for many traits, but ‘merciful’ isn’t typically one of them. For those former fans of Arya who have been somewhat troubled by her evolving sociopathic tendencies since the early days of “A Game of Thrones”, this chapter serves as another piece of evidence solidifying the transformation from the once-innocent water dancer we knew.

The storyline “Mercy” unfolds as Arya resides in the city of Braavos, where she’s apprenticing to become an assassin known as a Faceless Man. This plot, which had minimal adaptation on “Game of Thrones,” presents Arya working undercover as a theater stagehand named Mercy within a local company. While her colleagues remain oblivious, she is not the innocent girl she feigns and instead, uses this opportunity to master their art – deception and disguise – with the ultimate goal: assassination!

Any devotee of the books or the show will be familiar with Arya’s notorious list: every evening before drifting off to sleep, Arya recites the names of individuals she plans to one day eliminate: Cersei, Joffrey, Meryn Trant, Ilyn Payne, the Hound… Each name on that list has wronged her in some way, and this 11-year-old with Needle in hand will never forget them. This chapter takes a grim turn when someone from Arya’s list shows up in the audience: Raff the Sweetling, ironically named, appears in Braavos as the bodyguard for the Lannister ambassador and soon grows tired of standing guard outside his boss’ opera box. Eager to strike another name off her list, Arya sneaks away from her backstage responsibilities and lures Raff, who is a pedophile, to walk along the canals of Braavos under the cover of darkness. Raff and Mercy, an unspecified individual, are never seen again.

Arianne I

Character Princess Arianne Martell, from the books, had her entire storyline omitted in the TV series ‘Game of Thrones’. Similar to her Sand Snake cousins who did appear on the show, Arianne’s chapters add exciting side plots and political intrigue to George R.R. Martin’s ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ series, taking place in the southern kingdom of Dorne, where her father, Doran Martell, holds power.

In George R.R. Martin’s novel “A Feast for Crows,” Princess Arianne devises a scheme to charm Ser Arys Oakheart, a member of King’s Guard, and persuade him to transport Myrcella Baratheon from the royal court into the desert. Her intention is to crown Myrcella as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, thus igniting a rebellion against Tommen Baratheon who currently occupies the Iron Throne. However, Arianne’s plot is thwarted when one of her confidants betrays her, resulting in the failure of her plan and the death of her lover. In a surprising twist, she learns that her father had been secretly planning to undermine House Lannister… by reintroducing the Targaryens to Westeros.

In the opening chapter of “Winds,” Arianne navigates a journey northward through Dorne accompanied by a diverse band of six companions. The plan to return Daenerys to Westeros is uncertain, and the Martells find themselves in a vulnerable situation. Could they pledge allegiance to a potential claimant, young Aegon Targaryen, who has arrived with his Essosi mercenaries, the Golden Company, as they seize castles? This dilemma is what Arianne must resolve during her journey, with armies of Dorne standing by for her command to attack. Among her travelers are Elia, Arianne’s bastard cousin and daughter of Oberyn Martell, and Ser Daemon Sand, a former lover who has been tasked with protecting her – a role that seems more like a punishment from her father.

Although this chapter may seem slower on the pace of action, it effectively conveys the challenges faced when discerning truth in the realm of Westeros. The group can only rely on scant rumors and suspicions as they ponder whether ‘Prince Aegon’ is authentic or a fake. If genuine, he would be Arianne’s first cousin. In Westeros, there are no modern methods like DNA tests or birth certificates to confirm identities, and news spreads at a snail’s pace.

One intriguing aspect of this chapter is when the characters arrive at Ghost Hill’s castle, where their generous host is a 12-year-old girl who appears to have visions about dragons. She claimed, “I saw them dancing in my dream, and wherever the dragons danced, people perished.” Yet, no one at the table finds her belief in these prophetic dreams credible… little do they know, this could prove disastrous for them later on.

The chapter ends with Arianne and Daemon Sand playing a board game as they cross to the Stormlands by ship, speculating about whether Daenerys is mad like her brother Viserys or her father the Mad King. The truth is, it doesn’t matter, all they can do is hope.

Arianne II

After the initial chapter, titled “Arianne II,” the story continues with Princess Arianne venturing northwards, en route to Storm’s End. Her goal is to encounter the esteemed Golden Company there.

Given that Prince Quentyn Martell, Arianne’s brother, was dispatched to Meereen to retrieve Daenerys and her dragons, it is understandable that the Martells are perplexed upon receiving a message from the Golden Company stating they are led by Prince Aegon Targaryen. It has been assumed that Aegon, son of Rhaegar, was killed as an infant during Robert’s Rebellion, casting doubt on his true identity. The revelation that Storm’s End has fallen to this enigmatic Targaryen prince stirs curiosity in Arianne, leading her to consider the potential risks and meet with him as a confrontation with House Lannister approaches.

More to come

For enthusiasts of George R.R. Martin’s writings and the realm of Westeros, we can all wish for the day when the A Song of Ice and Fire series will receive the conclusion it merits. I am confident that if the series ever reaches its end, the remaining books will be nothing short of extraordinary from start to finish. The evidence lies in these chapters of Winds of Winter that Martin has graciously provided us. In contrast to the latter seasons of Game of Thrones being criticized for feeling hurried, these chapters are brimming with character development and tension. They create a realistic setting where events don’t occur based on deadlines; they occur as characters make choices, and those choices have repercussions. It’s an engaging read indeed.

If you’re yearning for a taste of this universe, I strongly advise delving into these chapters. And to the brilliant George R.R. Martin, perhaps you could grant us an early sneak peek of The Winds of Winter – specifically Part I – right about now?

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2024-12-01 17:44

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