‘Game Of Thrones’ Book Coming — Nope, Still Not That One (But Fans Who Like To Color Will Love It)

We know fans of Game of Thrones and the book series that inspired it are anxiously awaiting the release of the sixth novel in the series, Winds of Winter. Unfortunately, that wait might go on a while. In the meantime, however, fans who like to color will be pleased to know that a Game of Thrones coloring book is on the way — and for that, you won’t have to wait very long.

George R. R. Martin announced the book on his Live Journal on Thursday, providing a first peek at the cover, a release date, and a little more information about the reasoning and contents.

“Yes, I said ‘coloring book.’ Not just for the kiddies either. No, it seems that of late adult coloring books have become quite the thing, so Bantam wanted us to do one too. And since I love seeing good fantasy art, I was of course thrilled by the idea.”

The book will be released October 27, and can be pre-ordered now from various online or brick-and-mortar bookstores, including Amazon.

Fans quickly picked up on something interesting about the book though: it may be only the first in a series. George R. R. Martin never explicitly says so, but here’s why fans think there may be more to come. Though the HBO series is titled Game of Thrones, the book series is actually titled A Song of Ice and Fire. In the books, Game of Thrones is the title of the first in the series, not the series itself.

Thus, being called “The Official A Game Of Thrones Coloring Book” aligns the coloring book with either the television series as a whole, or only the first book in the series of fantasy novels.

When asked, Martin responded, “Yes, this one derives from the books, not the show.”

When explicitly asked if more coloring books would be coming to align to the many books that follow Game of Thrones, the author gave no answer.

The coloring book represents only one of the books George R. R. Martin has coming out this month; A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which takes place a century before Game of Thrones, will be released next week, and the next Wild Cards book will be released on October 27th, the same day as the coloring book. A World of Ice and Fire, a history of the Seven Kingdoms with family backgrounds, tales of battles, gathered folklore, and more, was released Thursday.

However, Winds of Winter remains conspicuously absent from the lineup, despite earlier hints from Martin that it could be completed this year, and rumors among readers (who, understandably, alert on every statement that could suggest the book is coming) that the book was already complete and awaiting publication. The latest information about that book comes from Alejo Cuervo, an editor for the publisher who will translate the book for its Spanish edition. According to the A.V. Club, Cuervo says that publishers have been promised advance copies for translation, and that the book’s publication is expected next year, though he gives no more specific date.

Until then, those waiting for the next installment will have to settle for the excerpt released in April — or delve deeper into the series with A World of Ice and Fire, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and of course, the Game of Thrones coloring book.

Season 6 of HBO’s Game of Thrones series based on the books doesn’t premiere until April, so fans may find that filling the time gap with the additional books is an absolute necessity (as well as a joy and a pleasure).

[Cover images via: George R. R. Martin’s blog, George R. R. Martin’s website]