The Winds of Winter book has not been released and George RR Martin is already 72 years old. Most of the fans are worried that Martin is getting older each day and he is yet to finish two more books in the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. It is not even clear when Winds of Winter will be out and there is still “A Dream of Spring” book left in the ASOIAF series.
While we should not discuss this possibility, but what if something happens to George RR Martin, who will finish the books. It is a matter of debate and great controversy as GRRM is still doing well, but then again with the COVID-19 pandemic and new strains each day, things are hard to tell.
The Winds of Winter and ASOIAF Legacy by George RR Martin
George RR Martin should live more than 100 years with a happy and healthy life and finish all his stories in time, without any hurries. Many of the fans wish for that and even I do, but one has to consider all the aspects. There have been several book series that have been finished by other authors after the demise of their original creators.
Robert Jordan died before he could finish Wheel of Time and so his family worked with Brandon Sanderson to finish the final three books. Frank Herbert also met his demise before he could finish Dune and so his son Brian Herbert teamed up with Kevin J. Anderson to finish the stories and write other spinoff books. There are several similar incidents but the fact is all of such books received mixed reviews and no one can actually write similar to another author.
A first look at Paul Atreides and Gurney Halleck. #DuneMovie pic.twitter.com/7AUyTW52xf
— DUNE (@dunemovie) May 12, 2020
Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham who are the creators of The Expanse novels under the name James S.A. Corey are the best options to finish The Winds of Winter and other books in case something happens to George RR Martin. Further, Abraham has already worked with Martin and advised him to split the fourth A Song of Ice and Fire book into two volumes separated by geography, which are A Feast for Crows and A Dance With Dragons.
The Expanse Authors on Finishing The Winds of Winter
The Expanse authors have been bombarded by the same questions on Twitter but they don’t think it is happening, they are not finishing “A Song of Ice and Fire” for George RR Martin. Also, Martin has given strict instructions to his state that no one else can finish “The Winds of Winter” or any other of his book.
You guys need to let this one die.
I'm fairly certain George has given his estate strict instructions that no one is allowed to finish Ice and Fire for him. The publisher does not have the right to do this unilaterally. https://t.co/G7tcsKOguO
— James S.A. Corey (@JamesSACorey) December 30, 2020
There was a time they could have (only with George's blessing) paid @AbrahamHanover and I enough to do it.
That time has passed. https://t.co/pQh24I5woD
— James S.A. Corey (@JamesSACorey) December 30, 2020
Also, Franck says that he and Abraham have enough money now that they don’t need to write a book for someone else. Hence, unless George RR Martin names someone to write The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring after he is gone, we have to assume that the books will never be finished.