'The Winds of Winter' release date, news: next novel will be released before 'Game of Thrones' season 7 premieres?

Recent speculations give hope to millions of fans as they claim that "The Winds of Winter" is actually slated to release before "Game of Thrones" season 7 goes back to its regular program.

"The Winds of Winter" is the sixth book in the worldwide phenomenal saga "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R.R. Martin from which the equally successful epic fantasy HBO series "Game of Thrones" was adapted.

According to reports, fans might be seeing "The Winds of Winters" hitting the stands sometime in the spring of 2017 — earlier than the expected airing of the show, which is expected to return in the summer of next year.

Some reports have even speculated that it will be released alongside "A Dream of Spring," the saga's seventh and final installment. However, it is difficult to bet on that since Martin is known for seriously taking his time in crafting his masterpieces.

Unfortunately, many fans are not liking the span of time that Martin has already taken in writing the book. It prompted some cruel jokes and concerns that Martin might die before he even finishes the remaining books for the saga. "A Dance of Dragons," predecessor to "The Winds of Winter" was released in 2011.

The negative comments online have even provoked "Game of Thrones" lead star Kit Harington, who plays Jon Snow, to speak up in defense of Martin. Harington called out the online attacks aimed at Martin and his writing at a press event back in 2015.

The actor said, "It's unhealthy, and symptomatic of many problems we have at the moment, in terms of people sitting behind a screen and firing arrows, which I think is an ugly side of our society."

Martin, through his official online journal, had also sent a candid but stern reply to the fans that cannot wait to get their hands on the sixth "A Song of Ice and Fire" installment.

Snippets of Martin's lengthy blog post earlier this year said, "You wanted an update. Here's the update. You won't like it. ... THE WINDS OF WINTER is not finished. ... Meanwhile, I'll keep writing. Chapter at a time. Page at a time. Word at a time. That's all I know how to do."

The famed author decided to sit out from writing the "Game of Thrones" season 6 storyline and let showrunners Dan Weiss and David Benioff take the wheel so he can focus on writing "The Winds of Winter."

Martin and his publishers are yet to confirm the rumored spring of 2017 release. But it's been almost a year since Martin's last update. Still, who knows? He could drop it anytime anyone did not suspect.