Every Battle Coming In Winds of Winter, Ranked

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George R.R. Martin’s highly anticipated novel, The Winds of Winter, is still facing significant delays, and there’s no news on when it will be finished or released. Although Martin is working on multiple projects and the book is very large, fans continue to wait for the sixth installment in his A Song of Ice and Fire series. The Winds of Winter is the second-to-last book planned, followed by the final volume, A Dream of Spring.

Even though it’s been over 14 years in the making, The Winds of Winter still promises exciting new developments in the story, bringing together different plot lines and long-awaited battles. Fans of the A Song of Ice and Fire series are eagerly awaiting the book, and are especially curious to see conflicts like the Battle of Ice finally happen.

GRRM Dishes On The Winds of Winter’s Two Major Battles

Although Martin hasn’t published his new novel yet, he’s been thinking about how far he’s come with The Winds of Winter. He’s considering the storylines that still need to be resolved and the battles he plans to write. In an interview with SmarterTravel, Martin explained that the sixth book will resolve the cliffhangers left at the end of A Dance with Dragons. He added:

Of course, I’ll continue the story. A Dance with Dragons ended with a lot of unresolved plot points, and I plan to address those quickly. I’m starting with the two major battles I’ve been preparing for: the one in the frozen north and the one at Meereen, also known as the battle of Slaver’s Bay. After that, the story will move forward from there.

In a previous interview, saved by ScreenRant, Martin told Entertainment Weekly in 2014 that he envisioned starting with two large-scale battles. He was likely referring to the conflict between Stannis Baratheon and the Boltons, and the siege of Meereen. Although these comments were made some time ago, they foreshadow the major battle scenes we’ll see in the future.

The Stormland’s Conflict

Young Griff’s Campaign

One popular storyline among fans of Game of Thrones that didn’t make it into the show revolves around a character known as Young Griff. He claims to be Aegon Targaryen, the son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. In the book A Dance with Dragons, it’s suggested that the baby Aegon Targaryen (often called fAegon by fans) was secretly switched at birth with a commoner’s child by Lord Varys, right before the attack on King’s Landing. This character was raised in secret across the sea and is now preparing to return and take the Iron Throne.

Because Martin has created such a detailed world, the true identity of Young Griff is still a mystery. Though not as prominent as the battles of Ice and Fire, Young Griff’s military campaign in the Stormlands – alongside Jon Connington, a loyal friend of his father – is a significant part of the upcoming book, The Winds of Winter. With the help of the Golden Company, Young Griff (who may actually be Aegon Targaryen) is trying to gain control and ultimately claim the Iron Throne.

The Battle of Ice

Stannis Baratheon’s Bid To Take The North

So, the books set up this big battle early on – Stannis Baratheon marching on Winterfell, hoping to win over the Northern armies and finally grab the Iron Throne. But in the HBO series Game of Thrones, things went very differently. Stannis faced off against Roose Bolton, his son Ramsay, and their forces, and it was a total disaster for him. He was badly beaten and ultimately found by Brienne of Tarth, who, remembering his betrayal of Renly, carried out a grim justice and executed him.

As a fan, I’m really invested in what happens when Stannis faces off against the Boltons in that brutal winter. It’s all part of the mess that was the War of the Five Kings, and we fans often call it the Battle in the Ice. Everyone’s hoping Stannis gets a better outcome this time around – the HBO version of his story was just so… sudden and disappointing! We’re all eager to see if his arc can be something truly different and epic.

The Second Siege of Meereen

Takes Place At Slaver’s Bay

The second major conflict, often called the Battle of Fire by fans, is already starting in the preview chapters of The Winds of Winter. Tyrion Lannister observes the Yunkish army attacking Meereen, with Ser Barristan Selmy leading the city’s defense. In the HBO series, Ser Barristan was unfairly killed by the Sons of the Harpy. The slavers are trying to bring slavery back, but Daenerys, who has taken control of Meereen, is committed to ending it.

The situation in Meereen becomes even more complex with the arrival of Victarion Greyjoy and the Iron Fleet, escalating the conflict. In the HBO series, Daenerys successfully defeats the slavers using her dragons, aided by key advisors like Tyrion Lannister, Daario Naharis, Missandei, and Grey Worm.

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2026-03-30 06:08