'Winds of Winter' Release Date & Spoilers: George RR Martin Reveals New Detail, Stannis Baratheon is Still Alive

There is no doubt that the fans of the book series, "A Song of Ice and Fire," are eagerly waiting for its sixth installment. However, the release date of the anticipated book, "Winds of Winter," remains a mystery as no released date is confirmed yet. However, George RR Martin has been giving his readers hints on what to expect in the next book.

In an earlier report from Parent Herald, the celebrity author read a chapter about Princess Arianne. The character was not featured in its TV adaptation, "Game of Thrones," but this did not stop fans from speculating about her role.

Just recently, Martin revealed another plot of the book that may surprise or confirm the audiences' theories. In his blog, one fan commented with "alright mr Martin, lets cut the crap, is Stannis alive or dead," to which the 66-year-old author responded with, "In my books? Alive, beyond a doubt."

His statement suggested that the turn of events in the book series and its TV adaptation could be different. Episode director David Nutter confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that Stannis is dead. "From the very beginning, and [through] the script process, that was the intent - he's dead," Nutter said. He also explained that it is unnecessary to show his death.

However, many were wondering if Stannis is really dead, since in "Game of Thrones" when Brienne swung Oathkeeper at Stannis, the camera cut away. Stannis death was also tied to the Pink Letter, a letter many assumed was written by Ramsay Bolton that Jon Snow received towards the end of "A Dance with Dragons."

According to Winter Is Coming, the letter reads as follows, "Your false king is dead, bastard. He and all his host were smashed in seven days of battle. I have his magic sword. Tell his red whore." There are other theories circulating that the letter was not from Ramsay but was written by Stannis, Melissandre, Mance Rayder, Theon or a combination of these people, with the hope that Snow will bring the Night's Watch to the south and help Stannis in his attempt to besiege Winterfell.

The plan worked because after reading the letter, Snow ordered to ride south. Unfortunately, he was stabbed before  he could even get there. IDigitalTimes suggested that the Pink letter had no significance other than getting Snow killed.

Since Martin confirmed that Stannis is still alive in his book, this could mean that he would still appear in "Winds of Winter" and would be sticking with the story longer. 

However, now that the book and its TV adaptation are heading in different directions, and Martin is no longer pressured to finishing the book, the waiting for the release date of "Winds of Winter" can be prolonged.