'The Winds of Winter' Release Date & Spoilers: George RR Martin On Jon Snow's Return: 'Death Is Not Necessarily Permanent'

It has been over four years since the fifth book of the popular novel series "A Song of Ice and Fire" was released and it has been several months since the fifth season of "Game of Thrones" concluded. Since then, fans were eager to know if the crowd-favorite Jon Snow is dead or if he will resurrect in "The Winds of Winter" and in the new season of HBO's popular TV show.

Fans were torn apart after seeing Snow stabbed to death. Following that heartbreaking episodes were reports claiming that the well-loved character will not return in "Game of Thrones" season 6. This is among the reasons why fans want "The Winds of Winter" out before "Game of Thrones'" new season premieres because they want to confirm if he is alive in the book.

In a previous report from Parent Herald, HBO's Programming President Michael Lombardo confirmed his death. "Dead is dead is dead is dead. He be dead. Yes," he said. Showrunner Dan Weiss also revealed the same story to Entertainment Weekly, "Dead is dead. It should be pretty clear what happens in by the time you're done seeing that scene. It's not an, 'Oh what just happened scene?"

However, fans remain hopeful that, if Snow is dead, he will resurrect and it looks like they will not be disappointed because his return is already confirmed. In fact, the poster for "Game of Thrones" season 6 featured him.

In a separate report from Parent Herald, George RR Martin explained how he came up with his popular motto "winter is coming" which somehow pertains to the arrival of "The Winds of Winter." On the said event, he was asked about Snow's fate but the celebrity author declined to comment. "No comment on that. I'm just saying, read the books," he said.

However, in a separate report from Entertainment Weekly several years ago, the 67-year-old author was asked why he killed Snow and his response was something that fans do not expect but would want to hear. "Oh, you think he's dead, do you?," Martin said. "My readers should know better than to take anything as gospel."

A few months ago, the New Mexican author was asked about the same topic and his revelation is another confirmation that Snow is back into the battlefield. "If there's one thing we know in A Song of Ice and Fire is that death is not necessarily permanent," Martin said.

Yibada reported that the red Priestess Melisandre would be the one behind Snow's resurrection. She did it because she believes of his character being Azor Azai.

At the time, there is no official release date for "The Winds of Winter" but fans are hopeful that it will hit the bookshelves in the first quarter of 2016.

Do you think "The Winds of Winter" will arrive anytime sooner? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.